Peace of Mind When You Need It The Most

by Amy Sharp

Margaret McCullough Connolly, Sugar Land Attorney and Counselor at Law

This past summer, State Farm Agent Tracy Walker learned that she had a ping-pong ball sized tumor on her pancreas, an even bigger one in her liver, and four other spots in her body. “I had gone to my OB/GYN, who sent my records to MD Anderson. I learned I had moderate grade neuroendocrine sarcoma…the same cancer that took the life of Apple’s Steve Jobs.”

For this type of cancer, there is no radiation or chemotherapy…only surgery. Tracy says, “I had no idea what my odds were, and I didn’t want to know. I just knew I was going to beat this. I’m a single mom and I need to be here. But I also knew that as a mom, I needed to make sure my kids were taken care of if I didn’t wake up from surgery. Everyone at MD Anderson kept asking if I had medical directives in place. It was such a relief that I did…and didn’t need to scramble to take care of it.”

By lucky happenstance, earlier last year Tracy had enlisted Fort Bend attorney Margie Connolly to rework her will. “She suggested things in my will I hadn’t thought of, and covered all the bases. My medical and financial directives were put into place.”

Tracy’s a leap year baby, born February 29. The day of her surgery, August 10, is her new birthday. “Three months after the surgery, I was declared cancer free. It’s widely known that stress wreaks havoc on the immune system, and having a will in place caused me less stress. Margie’s also done a will and directives for my adult daughter, Jennifer, who has Diabetes Type I. Life happens…and if Jennifer went into a coma, I could never pull the plug. It’s what Jennifer wants that matters. And with her financial directives, should she go into a coma, I can take care of her bills.”

“Having your affairs in order gives peace of mind,” adds Tracy. “And peace of mind is good for your health. Margie gives that to you!”