Bio: Bucheger, Candice "Candi"
– Her Cancer Story (2019)
Transcriber:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Bucheger
----- Source: Gundersen Clinic Brochure (Aug 2017)
Surviving cancer is anything but easy. Just ask Candice "Candi" Bucheger of
Onalaska, Wisconsin. She has conquered cancer three times. She is the wife
of Joe Bucheger, originally a Greenwood, Clark County, Wisconsin boy.
In 1996, at age 48, Candi first heard the dreaded words "you have fallopian
tube cancer." It was the same year her son graduated from high school and
her daughter graduated from college. Nineteen years later, in 2015, she was
diagnosed with renal cancer. And, in 2018, a routine mammogram detected
early stage breast cancer.
Those who have survived cancer once, twice or more know it never gets
easier. But Candi doesn't let misfortune consume her thoughts.
"You need to appreciate daily the joy of your life," she says. For Candi,
joy comes from many things – attending her grandsons' hockey games, playing
pickleball, spending winters in warmer climates, playing piano, enjoying the
company of friends and family, and being wrapped in her husband's loving
arms.
"You don't remember the days, you remember the moments," she says.
One of the moments Candi looks forward to in 2019 is serving as Honorary
Chairwoman of Gundersen Medical Foundation's Steppin'Out in Pink.
"Gundersen has always been there for me. So many medical and support staff
have brought me through so many health challenges. If I can give back and
help just one person through Steppin'Out in Pink, it is worth it," Candi
says.
As honorary chairwoman, one piece of advice she shares is to be your own
best advocate and be diligent about getting preventive screenings.
"Please remember that a mammogram is a simple test with only a couple
minutes of discomfort. Had I not been so religious about getting an annual
mammogram, my outcome would have been very different," Candi admits.
Another message she shares, "Don't discount your family history. Genetic
testing revealed that I have Lynch syndrome, which puts me at higher risk
for certain types of cancer below the waist. It also explains the prevalence
of cancer on my side of my family."
No one expects a cancer diagnosis – let along three – but Candi continues to
see the silver lining.
"Cancer has taught me the real meaning of gratitude. One thing I'm forever
grateful for is knowing that the great healthcare at Gundersen has allowed
me to get and stay healthy to experience all the things that bring me joy.
You know you'r in good hands here. You can feel it."
