The Wisconsin State Journal Doug Moe column
By Doug Moe, The Wisconsin State Journal | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
That reality TV show, hosted by the famous pro wrestler and airing at
Verstegen, 34, a lifelong Madisonian, called her participation in it "the most exhausting and physically painful day of my life." This is a woman who does triathlons in her spare time.
We'll get to the TV show.
But sometimes, life -- even
We'll get to that, too.
First, a bit about Shana -- she pronounces it "Shawna" -- who was
When Shana was 5, her mother,
Shana's early exposure to adult realities was offset by her parents' determination that she also be given every opportunity to have fun. About the time of her mother's diagnosis, Shana enrolled in a log rolling program at the
At the same time Shana was immersing herself in log rolling and fitness, she was involved in helping care for her mom and active in the fight against Huntington's. Shana has been a spokesperson for the Huntington's
In
Peter and Shana were married in November. Their happiness is tangible. The other day, Shana smiled and said, "You know you've made it in life when you marry a massage therapist."
She still looks for challenges, and earlier this year, friends sent along notice of a casting call for the CMT series hosted by the wrestler known as "Stone Cold"
The publicity release for the show put it this way: "Each episode features eight contestants in head-to-head battles, until the last man or woman standing earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America created by Austin himself, the 'Skullbuster,' for a chance to win
Shana couldn't reveal how she fares in tonight's episode, other than to say it was painful and exhausting.
She was able to share the results of another kind of test, one she took last month. Shana has known since she was a little girl that there was a 50-50 chance she had inherited from her mother the gene that causes
"I never wanted to be tested," she said. "But after I got married, it was no longer just me."
There were issues of insurance and family planning to consider. Together, Peter and Shana made the decision that she should be tested. They met with a genetics counselor. Two weeks after Shana had blood drawn, they were in that counselor's office, to get the result. Shana saw tears in the counselor's eyes. Shana thought, "She's trying to figure out how to tell me."
The counselor began, "I have good news." Shana heard nothing else. She collapsed in Peter's arms. They couldn't stop crying. She will never have
Anyone who knows
___
(c)2014 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)
Visit The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.) at www.wisconsinstatejournal.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 924 |
New shelter to bear name of lead donors, Loren and Boo Mortenson
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News