Betty's Cancer Blog

Now this is one AWESOME site, and posting comments is SUPER EASY! I just want to remind everyone to sign up as a supporter for Betty. (look in the upper right corner of the page. You will get automatic email notifications whenever she posts new entries, so you will always be up to date with the latest news! Good luck Mom!

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 8:42:35 AM by

Remember to sign up to be a supporter!

Hi Betty welcome to the family

“We need to take care of each other.

Hug Sherri

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 12:10:53 PM by karlak

I told you I would finally fique it out. It just takes me a while. I wanted to let you know what happened yesterday at our first High School Practice. I told them the story of my lovely fist swim lesson instructor yes that failed me. This is what I read.I want everyone to truely understand the Betty I know!
Im sorry its so long.

What brought me here today as your Coach?

39 years ago my mom took me to my first swim lesson at the Lodi outdoor pool, I was so excited to go “play in the water”. Little did I know what I was in for. I waited anxiously for my name to be called, Denise Millard come stand over here..Yikes it was my turn. I looked up to who called my name and there stood a very tall lady with a shinny red suit on. Ok now lets slide into the water that was 2 inches deep, yes I thought finally I was going to swim. I jumped in like a champion and dropped like a snail to the bottom, the realization that the water was absolutely freezing, and that I could not do a thing, took my breath away. I cried and cried I just wanted to go home. I remember my teacher saying now come on you’ll be fine its really fun. I just kept thinking to myself how can I get out of this

. My Teachers name was Betty Zuzunagga, I know her very well because she failed me 4 times in my beginner classes. I did not want to keep going, but my mother was having none of that. She continually re assured me that some day I would be so happy I went through lessons. So every session I went until the day I finally passed. What a great day it was. From then on I went through every class I could. Always remembering that teacher in the red suit.

Then came bay watch and oh my goodness, I could do that and the way they ran to help someone was just awesome. I did not do bay watch, but I did continue in the swimming world. I have been involved in swimming since I was 5 years old; I ended up teaching lessons for Betty Zuzunagga and the Lodi outdoor pool when I turned 16. Throughout my life that experience has lead me to where I am today. I am a trainer for the American red cross , and I work at the YMCA in Lodi teaching guess what, that’s right swimming lessons., and I love every minute of every day I get to go to my job.

I believe with my whole heart and soul we are all here to serve a purpose and only a select few get the opportunity to be encouraged to work towards that purpose sometimes not even knowing why at the time like myself. I also believe everything comes around back to you in the circle of life. I thought about my first teacher often throughout my life wondering if she still taught. Then one day I was life guarding at my job the locker room door opened and oh my gosh there she was, my first teacher Betty Zuzunagga now Betty Peterson. I felt like a bolt of fire went through my body. Betty was here rehabbing from just receiving a new hip.

As the days went by I found out Betty also was dealing with some cancer. Each time Betty came in I watched her in amazement as she came in dragging her walker waiting for me to put her in the electric chair that lowers her into the pool, after a long fight and many months, the day was here, she opened the locker room door and walked out on her own down the steps into the pool no walker. Man I though to myself she is pretty strong. While battling with her cancer Betty still was determined to swim each day and she did, and still does to this day.

I anxiously watch the clock each day when I know she comes to swim, the door opens and Betty walks out with a cup of coffee and a smile on her face. Her cancer is back, but she refuses to give up her love of swimming. I would like to dedicate this first ever Lodi High School Girls Swim Team season to my friend Betty Peterson for teaching me to never quit, and to dream the big dream. You can if you try. Thank You Betty and I will still always remember you flunking me for 4 years of beginner swim lessons, I know in my heart it has made me the person I am today.
Denise

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 1:02:20 PM by denise

This is much easier you just have to page down and find Add comments how easy is that? I Love You, Juli

Hi Betty! Well now Bob and I can finally get an answer to our long awaited question (I wasn’t able to access the first blog)............How in the heck do you pet a porcupine?
I am so glad Jeff set up this site, it will be so nice to check in and see what’s going on. I’m looking forward to spending Thursday with you and the Schoepp girls, were all looking forward to it!
Love ya, Lisa

Betty,
I once read a quote by WIlliam Shakespeare that read, “A rich praise is to say that you alone are you.” You are a very special person who has touched the lives of many by being yourself. Thinking of you during this time and praying for the best.
-Floating toes towards the sky, Tom (See profile photo for evidence)

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 4:20:30 PM by tomp

Hi Betty!
You have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers daily! I pray the biopsy goes welland the news is positive. I look forward to your new blogs and will be anxious to hear the results!
Be strong and of good courage,
Kim Schutz