Health and Wellness Success Story:
Chick Blue
With good support and determination, along with making the decision to be as healthy as possible, there is life after cancer.
Chick Blue, Vice-President for Enrollment Development, has been with Grand Valley State University for 48 years. Well known for her commitment to students and their education, Chick remains passionate about her work and is a driving force here at GVSU in helping students become successful adults.
On Christmas Eve 2015, Chick received the dreaded phone call notifying her that she had breast cancer. Shocked and frightened for her life, Chick set out to continue her life as normally as possible. As time progressed and Chick was inundated with doctors’ appointments, treatments, and some setbacks along the way, she had to make some tough decisions. “I had to get through this the best I could. Work has been my life. I needed to keep one foot on safe ground, which is my work". Chick had several “me talks” with herself which included making a commitment to worrying only about today and to allow herself to rely on others namely her husband, Herb, GVSU colleagues, sisters, family, and friends. Normally a very independent person, Chick found that in the face of adversity it was easier to live by these principles. She decided that there is a choice to be made when dealing with something this difficult – you can choose to be depressed or you can decide to find a way to keep from falling into the pit of depression and self-pity. Chick made the decision to be as mentally and physically healthy as possible despite a sickness that completely controls your lifestyle. As hard as it was to eat healthy when you don’t feel like eating at all, Chick made nutrition and sleep her priorities.These were two areas that she could control. She strived for 8-10 hours of sleep per night which gave her a short reprieve from having to think about her disease as well as playing an important role in her recovery.
Chick felt extremely fortunate to have the medical benefits that GVSU provides. “I have been humbled by going to the cancer center and realizing what a privileged human being I am". Often times Chick wondered how many people forgo quality cancer treatment because they can’t afford it. Having access to great medical care was one less thing that Chick had to worry about. Chick learned first-hand the importance of getting yearly check-ups and keeping current with mammograms.
Chick is now on her way to a complete recovery and would like for the GVSU community to know that with good support and determination, along with making the decision to be as healthy as possible, there is life after cancer. “You cannot do this on your own. It’s big!” GVSU provides support for anyone impacted by cancer through
GVSU Cancer Warriors. This group meets monthly, alternating between campuses. For more information contact
Dr. Ingrid Johnson, Movement Science, or
Sue Sloop, Human Resources.
