My genealogist hubby
doesn’t normally ask me to blog about what he is working on. The other day he
found a story in the 9 September 2000 Tucson
Citizen about Peggy Joyce Chapman
Keppler. It is such an intriguing story he suggested I write a blog about
it.
At the age of 7 or 8,
Peggy was stricken with rheumatic fever. The resultant bacteria triggered the
immune system and attacked the body’s tissues. The doctors at Strong Memorial
Hospital in Rochester, NY had little hope for Peggy’s survival. The only option
was open-chest surgery, and her family believed she was the first successful
pediatric open-chest surgery performed. Following the surgery her parents were given no assurances,
and told Peggy wouldn’t live past the age of 12.
Peggy was to live a quiet
life, but being a “normal” child she found ways to do the things she wanted to
do like dance and play.
This remarkable woman went
on to survive three high risk pregnancies, a stillbirth, a bout with cancer and
a back injury. In 1953 she had a second heart operation, and in 1983,
open-heart surgery. The Tucson Citizen article was written when
Peggy was 70 and awaiting yet another heart operation, this last one unsuccessful.
Peggy beat all odds. She
didn’t let her ailment stop her. She had a family, worked, and contributed to
society. She is a role model for us all.
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