Oct 21, 2008 5:32 pm US/Central
Brain Cancer Patient Finds Hope With A Race Horse
MONEE, Ill. (CBS) ―
A woman who was diagnosed with a potentially deadly disease finds hope with a remarkable horse. CBS 2's Jim Williams reports they seem to have been made for each other.
In 2001, Monique Bernardi woke up one morning and she couldn't talk.
"I didn't know where I was when I woke and I was afraid, cause I couldn't tell anybody I can't talk," Bernardi said.
Bernardi had suffered a stroke caused by an inoperable brain tumor. It was cancer.
Last February, after years of chemotherapy and radiation and a second stroke, Bernardi had had enough.
"I was tired of the world. I didn't want to deal with reality," Bernardi said. "I didn't want to be the happy girl, the girl who's supposed to smile with a brain tumor. I was done."
But in April, Rockettop, a race horse, arrived at the stable and Bernardi's life changed.
"I looked his eyes and it was a connection and I said, 'oh, my god, he's the one."
"I noticed taking my medicine like I'm supposed to. And I noticed him making me go to my doctor like I'm supposed to - and just do things to fight to live again," Bernardi said.
Next week Rockettop will go to Tennessee for the winter and Monique is concerned. She wonders whether she will be able to maintain her desire to fight with her beloved horse away.
Bernardi promises to remember that Rockettop will return next spring.
"I don't want to give up because I think he knows he needs me as much as I need him," Bernardi said. "They say your medicine is the great power of healing. It's the emotion of happiness and kindness. I'm lucky."
Bernardi has apparently also been good for Rockettop's performance on the track. He has won several races this year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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