Nine years ago today, I survived breast cancer surgery. It has been quite an adventure with trials and tribulations since then.
Almost five years on Tamoxifen robbed me of many professional opportunities, but I am still here.
The side effects of Tamoxifen almost wrecked my professional life as it was, but I am still here. I had to take a long, long sabbatical from my engagements in politics and could not finish Real Estate School three times. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t beat the medicine I took to minimize the chances of cancer returning.
I swore never to touch alcohol again, and with the help of Jeff, my family here and abroad, and my Creator, I haven’t had a drink in more than NINE years!
After I stopped taking Tamoxifen early under my trusted physician’s supervision, we decided that natural alternatives were the best route. We hit the bullseye.
It still took me more than three years after Tamoxifen to shed every side effect, including severe insomnia, severe boneaches, spontaneous memory loss, a totally foggy mind, weight gain, puffed-up face, deep depression, and even thoughts of suicide caused by the medication. I ended up in the ER with paddles by my side after trying to offset depression with an anti-depressive. The result was out-of-control blood pressure after taking only one pill.
BUT I AM STILL HERE!!!
I was fortunate to have an incredible medical team and surgeon here in Wallowa County to get me through the surgery!
I was so thankful to have my trusted physician, who requested to stay with me through the surgery. I have worked with many medical professionals throughout my life in medicine, but NEVER experienced the level of compassion I did here at home in Wallowa County at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital!
I thank my Creator for having family and friends who stood by me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and loved me!
If anyone wants to do something for me, please do this: If you are a woman like me, PLEASE get your annual mammogram. It is the only way at this point in time to catch breast cancer early. If you are the husband, boyfriend, brother, sister, mother, father, et al., and/or a dear friend of a gal, PLEASE encourage them to get an annual Mammogram!
I am still here, and I am ready to start again!!! 2023 will bring great things personally and professionally! Meg, I can’t wait to get out there one more time to advocate for those less fortunate than us!
I am ready to be what God intended me to be from the day I was born. A humanitarian that advocates for ALL OF US! And if that means I have to step forward and get involved in politics again, I shall do so.
NEVER GIVE UP!!!
Love & peace
Angelika
ANGELIKA URSULA DIETRICH, owner and publisher of Wild Horses Thunder and Wild Horses Media Productions, is a professional Photographer, Videographer, Publisher, Writer, Social Media Consultant, and Website Developer.
Angelika's photography work has been displayed on the front cover of Idaho Magazine (2022), the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune, Cowboy Lifestyle Network (2021), Cowboys & Indians (2016 & 2018), and in various Oregon and Washington entertainment and vacation publications, Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Program and website (2012-2020), at Art Gallery Festivals, private businesses, as well as for display advertisement for many clients in and out of Wallowa County including the Wallowa County Chieftain (2003-2007). Between 2007 and 2009, Angelika worked in radio as the news and sports director for owners Lee and Carol Lee Perkins at KWVR Radio in Enterprise, Oregon. After the station was sold, she created Wallowa Valley Online, an independent online news magazine publishing and writing news and engaging in photojournalism. After ten years of Wallowa Valley Online, Angelika decided to concentrate on her professional photography, write more human interest stories, and volunteer at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland.
Regarding my writing: "As a grandchild of post-war Europe (ethnic ancestry Bohemian/Austrian/German) and former Army spouse, I have lived and visited many places across the globe. Wallowa County, Oregon, has been my home since 2002. I am the daughter of a mom whose country violently vanished post-WWII. Her family was forcefully removed from Bohemia in 1946 when she was only six years young and sent to West Germany in cattle wagons. Her life story has tremendously impacted my own and formed my views on humanity and, at times, the lack thereof.
My formal college education is in the nursing field and psychology, which finds itself in my work as a writer and photographer. I am a humanitarian by heart and soul." ~Angelika Ursula Dietrich
