Sunday, October 16, 2016
SURVIVORS
E2
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Survivors pose for portraits BY KELLIE COBB Sun Staff Writer kb@jonesborosun.com
JONESBORO — A picture is worth a thousand words, but one word stands out among the portraits featured in this section — survivor! Each Wednesday in September, The Sun offered free portraits to area cancer survivors. The response was overwhelming. Sun photographer Staci Vandagriff took a total of 84 portraits featuring more than 140 cancer survivors. The survivors came from all over Northeast Arkansas — Jonesboro, Bono, Lake City, Monette, Trumann, Caraway, Paragould, Pocahontas, Luxora, Walnut Ridge and Lepanto. This section features a mixture of individual and group portraits. The groups represent families — husbands and wives, mothers and their children, siblings, cousins — and support systems — support groups, church groups, friends and co-workers.
Some are newly diagnosed. Karla Stark of Jonesboro was diagnosed with breast cancer in August and is currently undergoing chemotherapy to treat the disease. Her last chemotherapy treatment will be in December, and then she’ll have surgery and radiation treatment. Others are longtime cancer survivors. Polly Clark of Jonesboro is a 50-year breast cancer survivor. Janet Baker, also of Jonesboro, is 41-year thyroid cancer survivor. Many others have been survivors for more than two decades. Valerie Campbell of Jonesboro was 22, “perfectly healthy and just had a baby,â€? when she was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 1998. “I had to have radiation because I had an unrelated (bone marrow) donor. ‌ That was my only option. They told me when they were setting me up for radiation that it would more than likely cause cancer later on, and it did,â€? Campbell said.
Since her initial diagnosis, Campbell has had cervical cancer, a breast tumor, several skin cancers, thyroid cancer and a brain tumor. “I really appreciate you guys doing this,� Campbell said. “It really gets the word out that (cancer is) a bigger problem than people think. It will pop up on you when you least expect it. It did for me.� Faye Bolton of Jonesboro received good news the day before her portrait was made. “I had a PET scan yesterday, and it said ‘I am cancer free,’� she said with a smile. Nancy Peters of Luxora has been living with kidney cancer for a decade. “In 2008, doctors sent me home and gave me six months to live,� Peters said. Soon after, she began treatments at M.D. Anderson in Houston. She receives treatments there every three months. All of their stories are true testaments of the human spirit.
Tosh credits life to St. Jude
Submitted Photo
Dwight Tosh stands outside the entrance to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis in 2007.
BY JEFF BRICKER Sun Staff Writer jbricker@jonesborosun.comÂ
JONESBORO — Dwight Tosh has a good reason to believe in miracles. His entire adult life is the result of a recovery that defied the odds. Even after decades of public service and having one of the most recognized faces in town, many Jonesboro residents probably have no idea that Dwight Tosh was a one-time St. Jude patient. In 1962, Tosh was an athletic young country boy who was living a rather unremarkable life. He was 13 years old, having not even reached the peak of his teenage years. “I had a great family life, and I thought it’d last forever,� Tosh recalls of those early days.
Carol Sexton of Jonesboro, one-year survivor, breast cancer.
It all started with a high fever that baffled both his parents and the doctors of St. Bernards. Treatment in those first days seemed to have no effect. But when a knot formed on Tosh’s neck, a scary discovery was made. After a biopsy, Tosh was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While local doctors scrambled to find the best treatment for him, Tosh’s family were
confronted with a grim realization. “I guess they did everything they knew how to do at the time. ... Every doctor in town was working to do everything they could to save me,� Tosh said. “But finally even they reached a point where they realized, I guess, there wasn’t anything else they could do.� Please see RECOVERY | E16
Dianna Shatley of Jonesboro, 19-year survivor, breast cancer.Â
We Have Home Loan Solutions! W $POWFOUJPOBM t ')" t 7" t3VSBM %FWFMPQNFOU Apply online at www.ffb1.com. It’s fast and easy!
Karri Marshall
(870) 931-1234
ORRES F T
Mary Merrill Tucker Branch Manager
Lorri Weaver Loan Originator
Martha Pierce Loan Originator
NMLS #445253
NMLS #445254
NMLS #715830
WE HAVE MOVED! 8JOEPWFS 4VJUF # t +POFTCPSP "3 t
Specializing In All Your Floral Needs
OFFICE MACHINES Copy • Fax • Print • Scan
Multifunction Copier/Printers/Scanners/Fax
“Connecting Today For Your Tomorrow�
870-932-7852
1005 Gee St. - Jonesboro, AR 72401
FIGHT FOR A CURE
20
% off
Your Bareminerals purchase. With this coupon exp. 10/31/16
Flowers
612 Southwest Drive • Jonesboro
(located at Birchwood Square)
We deliver!
870-203-9844
bennettsflowers.com
The Lower Deck Residential Furnishings • Interior Design Bridal Registry • Unique Home Decor
Wear pink
with this ad and get
10% off
regular priced items during October (Bridal Excluded)
500 Southwest Drive Jonesboro 870.972.9931
1320G Red Wolf Blvd. • 870-802-4040 Open Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E3
www.jonesborosun.com
Farrel Roberts of Harrisburg, three-year survivor, prostate cancer.
Frances Allison of Jonesboro, 12-year survivor, throat cancer.
Gary Wallace of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, head and neck cancer.
Kerri Cooper (left) of Jonesboro, six-year survivor, and Lisa Chandler of Jonesboro, one-year survivor, breast cancer.
Lanafae Stephens of Jonesboro, 14-year survivor, endometrial ovarian cancer.
Lance Loftin of Jonesboro, 16-year survivor, leukemia.
2016 Fashion Show
Benefiting NEA Breast Cancer Support Group Your Friendly Neighborhood Body Shop
Three Generations of Style! Fashion for Every Woman!
1903 Grant, Suite H Jonesboro • 932-0058 Mon.-Fri. 10:00 – 5:30 Sat. 10:00 – 2:00
• • • •
Free Computerized Estimates Great Customer Service Unbeatable Rates OPEN Monday - Friday Quality Repairs 8:00AM-5:00PM
4807 E Johnson Jonesboro, AR
870-935-9482
Until we find a cure!
Delivering More than Power to the Citizens of Jonesboro Since 1906
E4
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Raul Blasini of Pocahontas, 19-year survivor, prostate cancer.
Shirley Roe (center) of Leachville, 26-year survivor, ovarian cancer; daughter, Terry Rose (right) of Leachville, two-year survivor, breast cancer; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Roe of Trumann, sixyear survivor, breast cancer.
Mammography
Valerie Campbell, 18-year survivor, leukemia, breast tumor, brain tumor, cervical, skin and thyroid cancer.
Kevin Martin of Bono, four-year survivor, Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Taking the Fight to the Next Dimension Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer - it saves lives! Research has proven that the success of treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection. Our 3D mammography technology gives you a better chance of detecting cancer early.
IMPROVED CANCER DETECTION Detects 41% more invasive breast cancer
REDUCED FALSE POSITIVES Reduces False positive by up to 40%
June Gibson of Jonesboro, six-year survivor, breast cancer.
LESS PATIENT ANXIETY Early detection of breast cancer and better outcomes!
NEA Baptist Breast Imaging Center accepts walk-ins along with appointments. For more information or to schedule an appointment.
Call 870-936-PINK
Get Better. NEABaptist.com Barbara Riggs of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, breast cancer and kidney cancer.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E5
www.jonesborosun.com
Kathy Jones of Paragould, six-month survivor, breast cancer.
Sarah Cathern Moses of Jonesboro, eight-month survivor, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Tami Freeman of Jonesboro, 16-year survivor, breast cancer.
Jan Brannan of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, breast cancer.
Janittes Taylor of Jonesboro, four-month survivor, colon cancer.
Carol McCallister of Jonesboro, four-and-a-halfyear survivor, breast cancer.
Co-workers at Fox Meadow Elementary School (from left) Debbie Curtwright of Jonesboro, four-year survivor, Sandy Adcock of Caraway, one-and-a-half-year survivor, and Beth Quarles of Paragould, seven-year survivor, breast cancer.
Members of the former Sisters in Survival support group (front, from left) Dena Penn of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor, breast cancer, and Jan Brannan of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, breast cancer; (middle row, from left) Jan Shirley of Bono, 15-year survivor, breast cancer, Brenda Whitmire of Bono, 14-year survivor, breast cancer, Diane Holmes of Jonesboro,15-year survivor, breast cancer, and Earline Hendrix of Jonesboro, 16-year survivor, breast cancer; and (back row, from left) Sharon Hill of Bono, 15-year survivor, breast cancer, Janice Holland of Bono, 14-year survivor, breast cancer; and Marie George of Lake City, 10-year survivor, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Kesha Haggans (left) of Jonesboro, four-year survivor, breast cancer, and Alicia Green of Jonesboro, eight-month survivor, ovarian cancer.
Celebrating local cancer survivors
E6
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Jimmie Hout of Paragould, 25-year survivor, breast cancer.
Dr. George Grant of Jonesboro, 21-year survivor, prostate cancer.
Doris Bishop of Brookland, nine-year survivor, and her granddaughter, Jessica Austin of Paragould, one-year survivor, breast cancer.
Linda Ray (left) of Jonesboro, six-and-a-half-year survivor, and Christy White of Jonesboro, threeyear survivor, breast cancer.
Judith Ann Dent of Jonesboro, seven-year survivor, breast cancer.
Alice Steward of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, breast cancer.
Sequoia Feeherty of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, breast cancer.
Debbie Brown (left) of Paragould, two-year survivor, oral cancer, and Kelly Lyons of Paragould, survivor for less than a year, ovarian cancer.
Shelby Faulkner of Paragould, five-year survivor, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, endrometriosis cancer and fallopian tube cancer.
Cousins Peggy Hale (left) of Paragould, five-year survivor, and Ann Harvey of Lafe, three-year survivor, breast cancer.
Shirley Guthrie of Trumann, six-month survivor, breast cancer.
Shirley May of Jonesboro, 30-year survivor, breast cancer.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E7
www.jonesborosun.com
Jennie Fleeman of Brookland, 25 1/2-year survivor, breast cancer.
Joyce Warren of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, breast cancer.
Sisters Rhonda Brown (left) of Bay, three-year survivor, breast cancer, and Vickie Reding, 15year survivor, uterine cancer.
David Wimpy of Jonesboro, seven-year survivor, lung cancer.
Marcella Hale of Lake City, 14-year survivor, breast cancer.
Sharon McKinney of Paragould, 11-year survivor, breast cancer.
Terry Sevener of Jonesboro, seven-month survivor, small cell carcinoma.
Alice Walter of Hoxie, three-year survivor, nonHodgkin’s lymphoma.
Sylvia Eubanks of Paragould, three-year survivor, multiple myeloma.
Romaine Davis of Jonesboro, one-and-a-half-year survivor, breast cancer.
Alice Miles of Paragould, 15-year survivor, breast cancer.
Sharon Kearbey of Jonesboro, four-and-a-half-year survivor, colon cancer.
E8
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Sheryl Taylor of Jonesboro, 13-year survivor, breast cancer.
Charlotte Seats of Jonesboro, 16-year survivor, breast cancer.
Clara Blalock of Jonesboro, 29-year survivor, breast cancer.
Rita Mross of Jonesboro, three-year survivor, breast cancer.
Brenda Whitmire of Bono, 14-year survivor, breast cancer, and her son Danny Whitmire of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, lung cancer.
Brandie Lieblong of Jonesboro, one-year survivor, breast cancer.
Carolyn Fowler of Jonesboro, nine-month survivor, breast cancer.
Bob and Marie George of Lake City. Bob, 25-year survivor, squamous cell carcinoma. Marie, 10 1/2-year survivor, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Nina Jackson of Jonesboro, one-year survivor, breast cancer.
Joan Stallings (left) of Paragould, nine-year survivor, breast cancer, and her stepmother, Jane Elaine Schaefer of Paragould, two-year survivor, breast cancer.
Bill Harris of Jonesboro, 7-year survivor, colon cancer.
Barbara Knight of Trumann, two-and-a-half-year survivor, colon cancer and melanoma.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E9
www.jonesborosun.com
From left, Sharon Hill of Bono, 15-year survivor, Jan Shirley of Bono, 15-year survivor, and Dena Penn of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor, breast cancer.
You don’t have to face it alone.
Caring Hearts Home Care Provider
Members of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation Peer Network Northeast Support Group are (front row, from left) James Hastings of Paragould, one-and-a-half-year survivor, and Raul Blasini of Pocahontas, 19-year survivor; (middle row, from left) Harold Garrett of Walnut Ridge, five-and-a-half-year survivor, Dennis Williams of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, and James Howell of Jonesboro, six-and-a-half-year survivor; and (back row, from left) Johnny Pillow of Trumann, five-year survivor, Sam Barnett of Jonesboro, three-year survivor, Jerry L. Jett of Paragould, 10-year survivor, and Jack Wyatt of Brookland, two-year survivor.
Sandy Teague, RN Director
“You are the heart of our business”
We are here for you Non Skilled Nursing personalized detailed care housekeeping Veterans Assistance shopping medication management private pay laundry personal hygiene mobility assistance patient transfer meal planning Call today for private consultation
870.358.3344
Providing service in 11 counties including Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Mississippi & Poinsett.
E10
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Joan Hale of Jonesboro, 17-year survivor, melonoma, breast cancer and basal cell carcinoma.
Dana McDowell of Paragould, three-and-a-halfyear survivor, breast cancer.
E 0 H 4
Karla Stark of Jonesboro, three-month survivor, breast cancer.
Hester Hogan of Trumann, four-year survivor, breast cancer.
Donna Hicks of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor, breast cancer.
Faye Bolton of Jonesboro, 17-year survivor, breast cancer and lymphoma.
AIN #EN TE R
HUGHEY NURSERY & LANDSCAPING
OPEN 7 DAYS 2201 BROWNS LANE • JONESBORO • 870.935.4401 A WEEK
Tired of hurting? Life Passing you by? Maybe we can help.
Awareness is Key, Until We Find a Cure!
Save 25% Off One Regular Priced Item* 20th Anniversary Sale October 27 - November 5
421 HWY. 463 N. TRUMANN HOURS: TUES.-FRI. 10-6 • SAT. 10-4
870-483-6818
Christmas Open House November 20th
• Reduce your pain • Improve function • Enjoy life again
Together, We Can Do It The Pain Center, LLC Calin Savu, MD 505 East Matthews Suite 103 Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870)972-0411
800.794.5012 www.craigheadelectric.coop
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E11
www.jonesborosun.com
Harriett J. Hyatt (front) of Jonesboro, 25-year survivor, and (back row, from left) Diana Scott of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, Sandra Combs of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor, and Billie Hill, 17-year survivor, breast cancer. Front row, from left, Janette Crow of Jonesboro, 24-year survivor, breast cancer, and Lila Hicks of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, colon cancer; and (back row, from left) Ruth Goodwin of Jonesboro, six-year survivor, colon cancer, Vernetta Dickinson of Jonesboro, nine-year survivor, liver cancer, and Linda Clark, 34-year survivor, breast cancer.
Lakeside Nursing &
Siblings Jim Spencer of Bay, six-year survivor, rectal cancer, and Brenda Boyd of Brookland, one-year survivor, lymphoma.
Rehabilitation Center
1207 Willow Run Road, Lake City
(870) 237-8151
g is n p i o s h sible t y na love
strong hope love
dream care
hope
First cousins (from left) Betty Carter of Trumann, 25-year survivor, Rose Bradley of Trumann, 15-year survivor, Peggy Benton of Lepanto, 21-year survivor, and Diane Pankey of Trumann, 25-year survivor, breast cancer.
N EV
love
ER
survivor hope
love hopelove together
fearless
fighter dream love confident
hope strong courage trust
GIV power E faith
hope
love
1720 Stone Street • Midtown Jonesboro • 870-932-4091 2911 Linwood Dr. • Paragould • 870-215-0700 4606 Stadium • Jonesboro • 870-932-4091
fearless
love fighter
together
♥
UP
DENTSACCIDENTS HAPPEN. HAPPEN. We happen n We happen4606 next. ragould • 870-215-0700 Stadium • Jon
care faith hope hope love
In Memory of Loren Lawrence
SKILLED NURSING CARE & R EHABILITATION SERVICES
Choose a Higher Level of Care We are proud to have serv served our community for 28 years with: • Advanced technologies • Experienced rehabilitation teams • Personalized treatment programs
A Highe H Higher igher er Le Leve Level evel el of o Care C Ca e®
1201 Fleming Avenue • Jo Jone Jonesboro, nesbor boro, o, A AR R 72401 7 7240 401 870 932-044 932-0440 440 0 healthsouthjonesboro.com ©2016 HealthSouth Corporation: 1055840
E12
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Jill Kimbrough (left) of Jonesboro, two-and-a-halfyear survivor, and her mother, Martha McMillin of Joneboro, three-year survivor, breast cancer.
Front row, from left, Laura Jarrett of Jonesboro, 12-year survivor, and Cherish Fergeson of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor, and (back row, from left) Lisa Cantrell of Paragould, nine-year survivor, and Jo Ann Norman of Jonesboro, 23-year survivor, breast cancer.
She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. - Ariana
Kenna Harrelson (left) of Jonesboro, six-year survivor, and Glenda Riley of Jonesboro, four-year survivor, breast cancer.
1605 RED WOLF BLVD STE C www.fabrikstyle.com 870.934.8054 From left, Carolyn Caldwell of Lake City, six-and-a-half year survivor, Lesia Couch of Caraway, five-year survivor, and Deanna Phillips of Lake City, eightyear survivor, breast cancer.
403 East Matthews Jonesboro AR 72401 Phone: 870-972-9125 Fax: 870-972-1624
Wigs Unlimited At our 136 Bed Facility, We offer: 24-Hour skilled nursing care Short Term Rehab
Since 1986 Monday - Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-4 503 Southwest Dr • 870-932-0337
Orthopedic Care Cardiac Care Pulmonary Care Stroke and Neurological Conditions
Long Term Care
Post-Hospital Care Dementia Care Pain Management Respite Care Wound Care Hospice Care Care for medically- complex patients Social services, financial management, transportation to appointments are available to help assist residents and families.
Salon, social activities & 24 hour laundry services at no extra charge. g Medicare and Medicaid approved. 1705 Latourette Drive Jonesboro, AR 72404
For more information Call: Yvonne Sutton at 870-935-7550
eC lebrate Survivorship
Post Mastectomy & Bra Salon
Come Celebrate With Us! 2308 Sunny Meadow Dr. Jonesboro, AR 72404
Toll Free: 1-866-933-6296 870-933-6296
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 - 3:30 Anytime with appointment-
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E13
www.jonesborosun.com
LouAnne Clements (left) of Jonesboro, 27-year survivor, and Paula Pickens of Jonesboro, 17-year survivor, breast cancer.
Nancy Peters of Luxora, 10-year survivor, kidney cancer.
Shirley Berry of Jonesboro, four-year survivor, ovarian cancer.
Shenia Mullins of Bono, 12-year, eight-month survivor, breast cancer.
Vanessa Esters of Jonesboro, 17-year survivor, breast cancer.
Polly Clark of Jonesboro, 50-year survivor, breast cancer.
A More Personal Touch... in Hospice Care
Hope for a Cure 2820 E Nettleton Ave • Jonesboro, AR 72401 870.275.7646
4315 E. Johnson Ave., Ste A. • Jonesboro www.dierksenhospice.com
(870) 932-2880
Smaller Privately Owned Local Services Highest Quality of Care 24 Hour Registered Nurses Personal Care Home Visits as Needed Faster Response time to your needs Serving Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Jackson & Mississippi counties
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Families, Inc. Counseling Services 1.877.595.8869 ~ familiesinc.net
LIFE is meant to be ENJOYED!
E14
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
Immediate Openings: We Need You! Fill out online application
From left, Mary Shaver of Jonesboro, six-year survivor, Lynda Hundley of Jonesboro, 28-year survivor, and Verneal Montgomery of Jonesboro, 25-year survivor, breast cancer.
and come to Staffmark
870-931-7555 • 3009 E. Nettleton Ave. Suite D Jonesboro, AR 72401 Apply Online Today! www.staffmark.com
Start a New Subscription and help a great cause!
Members of the Northeast Arkansas Breast Cancer Support Group are (front row, from left) Nadine Runsick of Jonesboro, 19-year survivor, and Sandra Combs of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor; (second row, from left) Mary Jane Nash of Jonesboro, 15-year survivor, Barbara Langlois of Jonesboro, 26-year survivor, and Sandra Clark of Jonesboro, eight-year survivor; (third row, from left) Carol Kay Moore of Jonesboro, 19-year survivor, Mary Kathryn Berry of Jonesboro, 28-year survivor, Donna Kirksey of Jonesboro, nine-year survivor, Terry Thomas of Monette, nine-month survivor, and Mary Smith Lewallen of Jonesboro, 15-year survivor; and (fourth row, from left) Effie Dungan of Trumann, 28-year survivor, Margaret McClain of Jonesboro, 11-year survivor, and Nancy McFarland of Jonesboro, 15-year survivor.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Nursing and Health Professions
When you start a new subscription or give a new gift subscription,
Will donate 10% of the subscription to the Susan G. Komen Foundation In your name! Call us at (870) 935-5525 to get started. Hurry! Offer ends October 31, 2016 *New subscription is one that has not had an active delivery account in the past 30 days. Other restrictions may apply.
AState.edu/CoNHP
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
E15
www.jonesborosun.com
Survivor: A child’s story BY JEFF BRICKER Sun Staff Writer jbricker@jonesborosun.com
JONESBORO — It is every parent’s worst nightmare and a lifechanging ordeal a child will never forget. On April 4, 2009, Madison Russell woke up crying with leg pains. At first, her mother, Sherry Russell, thought it was just the typical growing pains that many kids deal with. But the next morning Madison could barely walk, and she had a high fever. By the time her pediatrician saw her April 6, Madison couldn’t move her legs. Her doctor thought Madison had a hip infection. When she didn’t respond to treatments, her parents took her to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. On April 7, initial tests at the hospital seemed to confirm the original
diagnosis of a hip infection. In fact, the first doctor that saw Madison at Children’s Hospital said she would likely be headed home after receiving a fresh round of antibiotics. However on April 9, the doctor came back with devastating news. Madison had malignant cells growing in her blood. After a few more tests, including a bone morrow test, doctors at Children’s Hospital confirmed that Madison had cancer. She was 4 years old. “You’re whole life changes,” Sherry said. “One minute you have a normal, healthy child. And then the next minute you’re thrown into this big monstrous disease. ... You’re thinking, ‘What do I do?’” Doctors encouraged Sherry and her husband to be honest with Madi-
son from the beginning about her diagnosis and prognosis. With hospital case workers and counselors standing by their side, the doctor talked to Madison about cancer and what might lie ahead for her. “I’ll never forget,” Sherry said. “Her dad had tears in his eyes. ... When the doctor walked out, she said, ‘Daddy, am I going to die?’” Madison was diagnosed with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. According to the National Cancer Institute, childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer found in the blood and bone morrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is the most common type of childhood cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Sherry remembered
the dark days of treatment that would follow with weekly visits to Little Rock and oral chemotherapy medicines at home. It was a trying and sometimes terrifying experience, Sherry said. While it was a long and difficult journey, today Madison is a survivor. On June 17, 2011, she had her last chemotherapy treatment. Today, the biggest challenges facing Madison are from the years of treatment, not the cancer. “When it’s a child and you’re putting all that poison in, they have longterm side effects,” Sherry said. She said her daughter Jeff Bricker | Sun Staff
Please see CHILD | E16
Madison Russell plays with her nephew, Jasper Torres, 2, on the swings.
CRUISE & TOUR
“Your BEST Vacation Begins Here...”
1825 E. Nettleton Ave. Suite H
Jonesboro’s Leading Travel Professionals for over 20 Years! Amy Amy Cantin Cantin
Larinda Larinda Rainwater Rainwater
Janet Baker (from left) of Jonesboro, 41-year survivor, thyroid cancer, Dorothy Tippitt, one-year survivor, multiple myeloma, and Robert Baker of Jonesboro, two-year survivor, carcinoma.
www.jonesborotravel.com www.jonesborotravel.com
In the Battle Against Cancer, Early Detection is the Most Powerful Weapon.
We Love Our Readers and Encourage that Approach
Service Area!
DUNKLIN
HOME HEALTH PROFESSIONALS & HOSPICE, INC. JONESBORO Tel (870) 932-7630 Fax (870) 932-9422
BLYTHEVILLE Tel (870) 762-1825 Fax (870) 762-2299
TOLL FREE 1-800-840-5335 IN MISSOURI Tel (573) 695-3966 • Fax (573) 695-7322
Missouri Counties: • Dunklin • Pemiscot Arkansas Counties: • Clay • Craighead • Crittenden • Greene • Mississippi • Poinsett
Services...
• Visiting Nurse
• Speech Therapy
• Home Health Aide
• Hospice
• Physical Therapy • Cancer Care
Care ...
• lVTherapy
• Diabetic Care
• Amputee Care
• Stroke Care
• Dressing Changes
Payment Methods ...
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Champus
• Workman’s Comp.
• Private Insurance
• Personal Payment
E16
|
THE JONESBORO SUN
|
|
SURVIVORS
| |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
www.jonesborosun.com
RECOVERY CONTINUED FROM E2
Tosh said doctors told his parents they didn’t know what else to do. His parents were told “to prepare for the worst.” Although he doesn’t recall how the information came to his parents, Tosh remembers they learned a new hospital in Memphis had just opened its doors. He also remembers his parents projecting an optimistic tone to him when they told him they were going to this new hospital. On April 22, 1962, the county boy from Jonesboro arrived at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by ambulance. He had to be carried through the front doors. Throughout his weeks at St. Jude, Tosh remembers his mother never left his side. He had to fight
CHILD back tears as he recalled Opal Tosh’s enduring love and determination for her teenage son. “They brought a recliner into the room, and that’s where she stayed. ... That’s where she lived. She never left,” Tosh said. Even though Opal had three more children at home, she refused to leave her son. Tosh remembers a personal visit from St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. At the time, he didn’t realize who Thomas was. In retrospect, Tosh is amazed by Thomas’ work and vision to build a research hospital dedicated to children with cancer. Although he remembers making friends with other patients and then learning later most of those kids never left the hospital, Tosh said he never really processed
the gravity of his circumstances. “I never understood I was standing on the doorstep of death,” Tosh said. After months of treatment at St. Jude, Tosh made a miraculous recovery. Once he was released, the young teenager was ready to go back to school. But he said not everyone was prepared to welcome him back. There were enough concerned parents, unaware of how cancer spread or if Tosh presented a contagious danger to other students, that the school superintendent called Tosh’s father. The school wanted Tosh’s parents to consider an alternative to sending their son back to Valley View. While he holds no malice toward the fears of other parents, Tosh
recalled his determination that he was going to go back to school. “I said, ‘I’m going back to that school,’” Tosh said. Once he returned, at least one classmate refused to be afraid of the sickly teenage boy who had flirted with death just weeks prior. She welcomed him back, and a new relationship formed. “I never could understand that. ... I was a nobody and had been sick. Here she was, she was Miss Valley View, the most beautiful in school,” Tosh said. “While a lot people were walking away from me, she was walking straight to me.” Tosh ended up dating that girl and this year, he and Joan Tosh celebrated 46 years of marriage. Together they’ve raised three children and have
been blessed with four grandchildren. Tosh spent 36 years as a member of the Arkansas State Police before entering politics in 2015. He now represents District 52 in the state House of Representatives. Tosh will never forget his time at St. Jude. Every patient at St. Jude receives a unique number that is never assigned to another patient. Tosh’s number was 17. According to St. Jude, he has the lowest number of any living patient. “I truly believe in my heart there was divine intervention,” Tosh said. “I think God’s hand reached out and answered prayers. ... The timing of St. Jude opening their doors and my illness is a huge reason I’m able to live the life I’ve been able to live.”
CONTINUED FROM E15
has neuropathy and what is called “foot drop,” where at times Madison will involuntarily drag one of her feet. She’s also had to battle through asthma and learning disabilities. Madison, however, said she just wants to be like every other sixth-grade student. She has the same interests as her peers. She’s quiet and hesitant to talk about cancer and everything she’s been through. She said she doesn’t want other kids at school to treat her differently because she’s a survivor. Instead, she just wants to fit in. And when she’s out on the playground, smiles and all, that’s exactly what she does.
3808 South Van Dyke Rd. Exit 85 on Hwy 67 Your Northeast Arkansas
Chevrolet Buick GMC Dealer
#IDriveFor
During the month of October, George Kell Motors is working together with the American Cancer Society to help Finish The Fight. Visit our website to learn more! www.georgekellmotors.com