Being a single mom of two boys, Gia Bowens, was shocked and really afraid when she got the diagnosis of rare form of cancer last fall. Then to learn that the baseball size tumor was too large to operate, was almost too much for the eternally optimistic high school teacher – that was her absolute low point. {{more}}
?Death didn?t scare me, I just worried about who was going to take care of my two boys,? Bowens said in a recent video interview.
Bowens agreed to do the video that has been shown to the students at her school as a learning opportunity. As a high school biology teacher at Kennedale High School, a number of her students are considering a medical career. But, it really was a way to put a human face on a disease that causes everyone to pause and catch their breath when they hear the word. She felt talking about it openly was beneficial.
?I can?t stay down long. I try to look at the good in everything. I really believe that good things come out of bad stuff,? Bowens told the students during the interview. She added, ?In some situations it is hard to see and you have to look really hard.?
After a second look, her doctor said they would do the surgery. The three hour procedure was a success, removing all of the tumor. But then came the long agonizing recovery process at home.For a ?people person? this was a lonely time. With her sons off at school during the day, she missed her students and the teachers at school. ?I have a better relationship with my mom,? she said with a smile.
She came back to school in January and now misses just once a week for chemo.
When asked what has helped in her recovery, Bowens laughed and said, ?Sleep is good.? But she said the biggest thing was coming back to work. ?It has left me a lot closer to my [fellow] teachers and my students, just seeing how much support I have with the ones I work with here.?
?Just knowing that I am exactly where I am suppose to be,? according to Bowens, is the best thing of all.
Bowens has just one more week of chemotherapy left and so far her prognosis is good.
KHS students and staff have rallied behind the popular teacher and colleague with cards and letters. The staff formed ?Team Bowens? complete with t-shirts. Besides the moral support, Team Bowens and individual teachers have provided meals, gift cards, help with Christmas and even housecleaning.
To help with mounting medical bills, next week, May 11-15, has been declared TEAM BOWENS WEEK at Kennedale High School. In return for a donation of $10, students and staff will be able to wear ?out of the approved dress code? items on designated day such as hats, team jerseys, sweats and the color purple (Mrs. Bowens? favorite).
Everyone in similar situations needs a large support system of family and friends. For Gia Bowens, it is also as big as a school.This is the video shown to the students this week.
