Hood Today

When I walked into the room, there wasn't sadness. There was no regret. No tears. There was a smiling face, welcoming me into the room, welcoming me into a life and story that so few people know, but need to experience.

March 2007 was the time when in many minds, the devil entered the life of Physical Education Professor Judith Rankin's life. She learned that she has stage three ovarian cancer, and is so very lucky to be here today. However, she beat it…the first time. Right before Thanksgiving in 2009, Rankin learned that it had come back, and is still dealing with it today. There is no cure, only hope, that the chemotherapy she receives every 21 days helps her live a normal life.

"It was devastating finding out the first time. The second time, it was just disappointing," said Rankin. The realization finally hit her that it can happen to anyone, and it was fate that this has happened to her. A physical education teacher her whole life, and one who preaches to her students of staying active and healthy, has come to this crossroad in her life. But she doesn't back away from it…in her words, she "set's it up on the shelf," and lives a normal life.

Talking about it doesn't make it any worse. It's something she just deals with every day. She is very upfront about her cancer with her students, as she wants to make sure they want to take the class. The amazing thing is, with Rankin receiving chemotherapy, she is still back teaching only a few days after. She can get noticeably fatigued at times during the day, and may have to take breaks, but that doesn't stop students from taking her class. "I actually didn't know about her having cancer before I took the class," said sophomore Conor Prachar, who is currently in her weight lifting class. It never crossed his mind to think about dropping it, saying, "I felt motivated. If someone can put that much dedication into their job, I feel I can learn a lot more than lifting in that class." Prachar is just one student of Rankin's who feels that way.

Rankin believes that "it is an important part of our life to be fit." And it's not surprising that she would think that, as she continues, "If I wasn't conditioned like I am, I wouldn't be here. I had a 12 hour surgery." The work that she puts into staying healthy may amaze people, and may shock each one of them that she has this cancer, which puts this deadly disease into perspective. "I cycle 2-3 days a week, I walk in the gym for 30 to 40 minutes. I can't wait till it gets nice out. I can cycle outside; I did 1200 miles last summer, 10 to 20 miles a day."

Being a physical education teacher was always something that she wanted to do, going through the ranks of middle school and high school, and finally to Hood College. She enjoys her job, and her commitment level is to her fullest ability. "I teach 8 classes. I would teach more if I could," she says while laughing.

Though she always wanted to be a physical education teacher, there is no better feeling then knowing you have touched other's lives in a positive way. "I still receive emails from students I had past semesters. It's a good feeling." It's a good feeling, and a well deserved one for a women who wishes this disease would go away, but has no pity, and never asks the question, "why me?"

Rankin is doing everything in her ability to live a normal life, as she is drinking more water daily, while meditating and receiving deep tissue massages. "Cancer," she pauses, "It's going to be the number one killer soon." Yet knowing this, and the severity of it, she continues to be a role model to so many students, faculty, and staff.

Rankin isn't different from any other physical education professor here on campus. She does her job, exceedingly well, and the students look up to her. "My brother always told me I was the strongest one in the family." You still are strong, Professor Rankin…to so many students on campus…and we are pulling for you every second of the day.

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