Debra Hoag '09
All I Wanted to Accomplish
About
one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast
cancer over the course of her lifetime. One of the most prevalently
diagnosed cancers among U.S. women, breast cancer is a common family
tragedy and raises concerns in employment, schooling, finances,
health care, and life planning.
Debra L. Hoag was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2007—during the prime of her progression toward her bachelor’s degree through Houghton College’s P.A.C.E. program. The latest and gravest stage in breast cancer development, stage four signifies that the cancer has become malignant, or spread to other parts of the body. This life struggle was neither the first, nor the last, that Debbi would endure before the completion of her bachelor’s degree.
As a single mother, Debbi’s mission had always been to instill in her daughter the importance of a college education. She desired for her daughter to become self-supportive and financially independent amidst tough economic times. To her delight, her daughter followed this path and entered college immediately after high school. In fact, by the time her daughter received her bachelor’s degree, Debbi had just completed her associate’s degree. Just a few years behind her daughter, Debbi was inspired to complete her bachelor’s degree when she discovered her daughter’s plans to continue on toward a doctorate in public health administration. It was her daughter’s motivation and tenacity that drove Debbi to work harder than she imagined, and to achieve more than a mere degree, but a milestone.
With her daughter on her own, Debbi had time to go back to school. Yet other things were working against her. Following her diagnosis with breast cancer in 2007, Debbi immediately took partial leave from school and work, and endured aggressive surgery, chemo, and radiation treatment for one year. She insisted on doing everything she could to stay on track with school and work. During chemotherapy she would work until the day of each treatment, and take only a few days’ rest after. "My energy was zapped, but I came back the next work week," she shared. As for P.A.C.E., Debbi did not suspect that her professors knew of her cancer, although her cohort classmates did know. "I didn’t want any favoritism or consideration from them," she said of her professors.
Shortly after completing a year of rigorous therapy, another medical setback took place. In January of 2009, doctors informed Debbi that she had suffered a stroke and this would have implications on her learning ability. "My comprehension was affected. I forget names, and am not quick to remember things, even though they are right at the tip of my tongue. Reading is difficult, and my attention span is limited."
Despite the obstacles, Debbi insisted on not giving up. Working twice as hard to get through the rough P.A.C.E. curriculum, she continued to battle school, work, cancer, and a newfound learning disadvantage. Her perseverance paid off. In May of 2009 Debbi graduated with her bachelor’s degree through Houghton College P.A.C.E. alongside her cohort, an accomplishment only met through determination and patience. The other miracle in her life is that she is currently cancer free!
Today Debbi works for The Seneca Nation of Indians Education Department as the higher education coordinator. With this position she assists enrolled members of the Seneca Nation with college admission and FAFSA applications and helps them prepare for college. Passionate about her work, she shared, "I get excited for the students when they graduate; it is like I am graduating all over again."
Truly young at heart, Debbi’s energy and drive is present outside of the classroom and workplace as well. At age 50 she skydived for the first time, an activity that had been on her bucket list since her late husband had been an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army. From 19,000 feet in the air, Debbi made the tandem jump attached to a professional jumper by harness, and soared headfirst into the wind. "It was quite the experience, and one that I won’t forget!" she shared. Debbi has since skydived a second time with her daughter and additional family members. "I guess they were inspired by me!" she likes to believe, and is certainly right in more ways than one.
Debbi also endeavored to travel more, and has visited several marked cities in the United States, including her favorite Native American site—Albuquerque, N.M. She hopes to visit more amazing places here in the U.S. before traveling overseas for another adventure.
Yet of all these experiences and accomplishments, Debbi’s biggest was the completion of her degree through Houghton College P.A.C.E. "Houghton P.A.C.E. is the ideal place to complete your bachelor’s degree...It has enlightened me on life and academics, helped me understand more on life and society, and it has given me credibility in my position. I even enjoy learning and reading for fun now… That degree was all I wanted to accomplish!"
