Warrior Wednesday: Andrea Woodson Smith puts Get Your Rear in Gear into action on and off the court

By Andrea Woodson Smith

In December 2005 my mom was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. I can remember the day as if it was yesterday. My mom called to let me know that she was going to get her test results back later on that day. About five hours passed and I decided to call her on my way home from a Christmas party. Then it happened, the worst word you could ever hear came across the line. It’s CANCER! At that moment I didn’t know what to do but to throw my phone on the floor. My husband, then boyfriend, said to me “don’t let her feel that you’re upset.” I called back. She guaranteed me that everything would be okay, just as a mother would. She was determined to beat it.

In a game against Arizona

At the beginning of January she was scheduled for her first surgery to remove her tumor. That was supposed to be the end of her cancer. She was nervous but also secure in that her faith would carry her through this surgery. For this was her first surgery ever at age 65. She went through surgery just fine and afterwards she was up walking pushing the limits determined to get out of the hospital as fast as she could. That’s when I noticed her tenacity, strength, and determination. From that point on she exercised to stay cancer free and she was determined not to let the return of cancer get her down. She fought every single day for the rest of her life fighting cancer.

Andrea in action with her GYRIG stickers

In 2008, my dad, mom, nephew, my husband, and I went to the track to walk. That’s when I noticed her body was starting to deteriorate. She was only able to walk one lap at a slow pace. Now mind you, my mom could lap me while she was walking and I was running. This was sad to me but also heroic to me as well. Even though her body was failing she still wanted to exercise. With pneumonia taking her down and doctors saying it was time for hospice my mom still fought on. She gave the ultimate best Christmas Church Service ever as if the cancer disappeared for a day. She hadn’t played the piano since she began chemotherapy. She played on that day and night before as if she knew deep down inside that would be her last time. Through all of this she gave me the determination to never give up, never succumb to anything when you have something to live for because you never know when your fight might lead you to an eternity of happiness.

Winning the World Gold Medal

When my mom passed in 2009 I began the fight for awareness of colon cancer and the determination to become healthy and fit. That is when I found the Get Your Rear in Gear website. I wanted to do something for them but my money and time wouldn’t allow me to give as I would like. I decided to train again for the USA women’s wheelchair basketball team which I hadn’t competed with since 2006. I dedicated my three year term to my mom. Everything on my chair represents GYRIG. My tires are blue, my casters are blue (when I can find them) and of course a sticker or two of Get Your Rear in Gear. My mom was all about exercise at 4:30am and now I am the same way, 4:30am wake up to train. This year will mark my 3rd year with the USA team which will close out my career and hopefully lead to more people being aware of colon cancer and the organization that represents it. Even though I will not be able to wear my stickers on my chair, the blue tires and hopefully blue casters will be represented as my symbol to GYRIG. Until then my chair is dedicated to all of those who have survived, passed away, and for loved ones of those with colon cancer. Three years in and going strong, GYRIG!