In part two of this series, we continue discussing the mental toughness that two exemplary people showed in their perseverance in life. If you missed part one, we chronicled Ken, so feel free to catch up on his story. Be sure to read the third installment coming soon.
These posts are a brief chronology of the long and full lives of Ken and Stephanie. This week, we talk about Stephanie Rudat.
Stephanie Yasmin Rudat
February 12, 1991 – May 17, 2017
Perseverance. Tolerance for adversity. Resilience despite fear. Champions in their corner.
Bad News
Spring 1991. Irvine, California.
Born in February, Stephanie was just 6 weeks old when a spinal tap revealed why health problems beginning shortly after birth were so significant: she too had AML. AML is rare, but it’s even more rare in toddlers. In addition to fatigue, persistent and recurrent infections precede and accompany impending death if untreated. Treatments included chemotherapy, drug therapy, radiation, and marrow transplants. Radiation was out. Stephanie underwent chemotherapy and an autologous transplant. The combination worked, and she was home for 100 days. No news was good news while she was home with sister Chrisy, mother Farhat and father Kelly; a place any child belongs at that age.
Facing Adversity. Rising to Challenges
Fall 1991. Anaheim, California and Seattle, Washington.
Summer, happiness, and the safety and comfort of home with the family, then fall arrived, bringing with it new bad news: Stephanie’s AML had returned with a vengeance. The local medical experts presented options for treatment that were unsatisfactory to her parents. Tireless research and extreme determination to find a better way pointed north. Her parents ‘split forces.’ Farhat quit her job. She, Stephanie, and Chrisy found an apartment in Seattle. Kelly stayed at home in Anaheim, working and now supporting two households. Seattle promised the best chance for beating AML with a bone marrow transplant. Huge new challenges lay ahead with this decision, but both parents were good with that.
Perseverance and Resilience. Heroes, Courageous in Actions Despite their Fears
Summer 1991-Fall 1992. Seattle, Washington and Anaheim, California.
With the leading authorities by their side, Farhat placed Stephanie’s life in God’s hands, the hands of the medical experts, and the National Marrow Donor Program. The search for a compatible bone marrow donor. Possible matches, then a ‘close enough’ match since time was of the essence. Chemotherapy and Total Body Irradiation (TBI) in preparation for new marrow and a new life. The marrow’s arrival and transfusion, summer, 1992. Weeks of isolation in a sterile plastic ‘tent’ in the hospital, more tests, and additional treatments after the transfusion and while waiting for a ‘success or failure’ verdict. Stephanie’s body accepted the marrow, and in the fall, she, Farhat and Chrisy returned home to a patient, caring, and very grateful Kelly.
Mental Toughness. Champions in their Corners. Short Endings to Long and Full Lives
Fall 1992-Spring 2017.
Recovery, complete remission, and quality of life. Meeting her bone marrow donor. School, friends, outdoor activities, soccer, family gatherings and fun. Stephanie experienced it all and had many successes: high school graduation, then college and a B.S. in Health Sciences. Working for Disneyland and completing pre-requisites for nursing school.
Then, in December 2015, a long and full life interrupted again, this time with colon cancer. Then chemotherapy and remission. Then gall stones and gall bladder removal, and post-surgery complications. Then back home to rest and recover, until Spring 2017 when she was admitted, then passed in hospital with a once-again compromised immune system and complications from lung and other infections. Throughout her life, Farhat was her champion and her best friend. As Farhat recently recounted for me: ‘Stephanie lived a full life…a beautiful child and gift, wholesome in every way…bringing me, my family, and so many others so much joy and happiness.’ Indeed.
This is another example of mental toughness. These are heroes I knew, fighting their own significant battles, adapting, overcoming, succeeding, and living full lives. I’m humbled … and so honored to have known and learned from them both.
About Elemental Edge Training
Founded by former Navy SEAL Bill Atkinson, Elemental Edge Training offers highly organized, fast-paced half, full and three day workshops that enhance your ability to lead, follow, communicate and participate as an individual and on a team. Lectures, discussions and practicals, and a rapid fire “Plan-brief-execute-debrief” format hammer home why you’re here and what you must change to improve your personal and professional life. We also teach you a Navy SEAL mindset approach that’s a game changer for you and your team and includes direct and immediate feedback, along with “report card” to take home round out the experience, give pause for reflection, and inspire further change.
