Back in the Saddle

Elizabeth Walters, age 15, was diagnosed with cancer. This was devastating to her. Would life as she knew it change? Her first thought was, “I’m gonna die.” Her second though was what am I gonna do with my horse? America Today did an interview with Elizabeth, which you can watch below. It describes how Elizabeth fought a serious case of cancer in the right lung. This can be fatal but things turned out much better than expected.

For as long as she can remember, Elizabeth has loved horses. She got her first pony at the age of two and today is competing with her horse, Montanie. While in training, Elizabeth had a nasty fall, hitting her head, shoulder, and back very hard. This kept her out of the saddle for two months. But as soon as she recovered she was off competing and riding again. It was at a Schooling Show where she noticed a more serious problem. She had trouble breathing. Her mom took her to a doctor as soon as possible and the news was not good. She had a huge cancer growth in her right lung. Immediately the family turned to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to see what could be done. Kemotherapy was started right away. The doctors had hoped for the growth to decrease by twenty percent within seven days, but what they found was astonishing. The mass had actually decreased by eighty percent. It looked like this had been a success. Soon Elizabeth was well enough to return home.

It was during the procedure that Elizabeth found it difficult to hold on. But it was her horse that kept her going. Her love for Montanie, and her desperation to get back in the saddle pushed her to have hope. When she was well enough, she got back on without fear. Her and Montanie’s relationship had not changed a bit, yet she was still nervous.

Things turned out well in the end. A year later, Elizabeth was back at the Schooling Show, this time ending in fifth place.

Horses are truly amazing creatures, they have a personality and you build a relationship with them, just like you would with a human. They have good days, and bad. Sometimes they are full of energy and others they are depressed. But like a best friend, they give you hope in rough times. Montanie was Elizabeth’s hope.

To view the interview go here:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34108737#34108737