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Show 14 Feature Coping with cancer:The Sharon Woods story SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 1996 But it was her husband who ing, she said. that was taking meals to somecould comfort and reassure her At first Sharon Woods hair "The question of death does one. I never dreamed that one in ways that no one else could. come up when youre faced with day I would be the one needing fell out gradually. But on her Hes my home help, my love, my cancer. You come to a realiza- help. It is very touching. Thank 36th birthday it started coming out in clumps. And even though support and my rock, she says. tion that if it is my time, then it you! And in her own words: The is my time. Youre at peace with side As you read this article, Woods is loss a she knew hair effect illness children are handling my of chemotherapy, the young canthat and ask to go to heaven. is undergoing treatment at the cer victim felt sad and cried. really well. Of course at first it You continue with life. Its in LDS Hospital in Salt Lake. Afwas scary and confusing, but Gods hands. Then she went back to the busi- mail. ter arming themselves with Woods never imagined that knowledge about her disease and On September 28, she went the more I am going through ness of concentrating on life. Woods was taking a shower back into surgery. This time for this...I am sharing and not hid- - such a disease would be happenthe treatment she will undergo, for I is the think and that nodes. to Out of removal She when she first felt a lump in her the her. key ing lymph ing suggests that they met with Dr. Spitzer, founder of the procedure. John breast. It was about the size of a of 33 lymph nodes, 10 were posifor set felt it was the best of love tive. the what It 80 She had read and that the The and perstage pea. feeling support prayers and Sharon for cent of all breast lumps turn out was to come. that came out of this...we found it overwhelming. approach moreher.that 1.6 million to be For a certain percentage of but Woods Today, women a mastectomy is the only women in American have surwanted to make sure. Breast cancer is a complicated choice, but Woods had other op- kids...I took the kids to meet the women know their bodies. Do vived breast cancer. After early survival disease and requires the inter- tions. I did get to keep my breast, doctors. They see who is treat- regular breast diagnosis, the five-yeand get mammograms. Early rate is over 90 percent. action of various physicians. that is one nice thing. In my ing Mom. As she continued her chemo- - detection, its the key. And if Woods contacted her family doc- situation, it would not hinder tor and he got the ball rolling. my life one way or another. therapy treatments, Woods dis- - cancer happens to you, know all Writers note: Due to the type of wife knew that covered just how marvelous your options, she says. treatment Woods is undergoing, Husband and On September 8, she had a The the feeling she cant have flower arrangesupport and mammogram. Three days later, information was their most pow- people can be. The nurses are her heart squeezed with fear erful tool. The Woods were told wonderful, the staff so friendly. of love and prayers that came ments or plants. She can receive when the surgeon said, of a fairly new type of treatment They always hug you when you out of this...we found it over- cards and letters of encouragefor some cancer patients: au- leave. whelming. Our family is not used ment. Her mail will be lumpectomy. Woods learned how to bone Woods had surgery on Sep- tologous marrow cope to that. I am the type of person with high dose with the physical and emotional tember 14. Be prepared for the worst, said the surgeon. She chemotherapy. Woods and her side effects of chemotherapy, and waited anxiously for the pathol- husband, John, traveled to Salt arranged her life to meet her ogy report. One out of eight Lake City and talked to doctors bodys needs. And as her hair women in the United States will at LDS Hospital about the pro- continued to fall out, she could develop breast cancer sometime cedure. Before they decided, she laugh. I felt like a shedding Some of the following may be symptoms associated with in her life. Woods was one of had to undergo four blocks of dog, she said. Woods would let cancer. them. chemotherapy treatments. nothing sap her sense of humor. As the days rushed by. Woods C. her weeks As the The diagnosis was shattering. passed days Change in bowel or bladder habits; Suddenly cancer intruded in her were filled with encouragement clearly understood what was life, threatening her health and and hope. On the days she felt important in life. Being a A. A sore that does not heal; well being. The young mother of absolutely rotten, people re- mother, family, and friends three can still recall the shock of minded Woods that she was not topped the list. U. Unusual bleeding or discharge; Her prayers were for the that moment. She was afraid of alone in her fight. what was to come and fearful of This courageous woman talked strength to go on, and not to give T. Thickening or lump in the breast or any part of the body; being away from her family, but to her friends and neighbors up. At times her emotional state tried to have a positive attitude openly about her illness. The was one of numbness. So, she I. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing; even on the days when the going news spread, and the commu- asked her minister and friends got rough. nity responded in ways that to pray for her. Things would O. Obvious change in a wart or mole; As far as Woods knew, no one warmed the heart. There were seem to go better, she says. in her family had ever had breast prayers, phone calls, and cards. Mostly my spirits are high, N. Nagging cough or hoarseness. cancer before. But then, 80 per- People brought meals, others but of course I do have my down cent of women who develop helped with the children, and did days. I may get depressed or Only a doctor can make a proper diagnosis. breast cancer have no history of house work. You name it and discouraged, but it is not always there was someone here to do it. the illness. Its what goes along cancer in their family at all. with the illness: insurance, financial state, making decisions or seeingyour husband and chilwomen an opportunity to share dren doing the housework, and By Barbara Pyles evblow to is cancer a Breast and At to in help. feelings, frustrations and anxiwanting pitch canAnd Someit woman touches. eties with those bearing simitimes its just daily living. ery is not times I found that the illness cer prejudiced, it can strike lar burdens. The women also wasnt as rough as the daily liv-- anyone. Many breast cancer vic- exchange tips and practical ii Annual Sweethearts Dinner Dance tims join a Breast Cancer Sup- - hints acquired through the ex 7p.m. Saturday, February 17, 1995 L ir port Group. They need to share perience of being there. ' who with someone Kanab South Chapel formative booklets and special feeling is going through the same expe- - speakers are an important part i) You are cordially invited to attend this annual event riences as they are. These groups of most meetings. No one is can lessen the feeling of isola- - forced to talk, yet everyone is and enjoy a delicious roast beef dinner with tion as members share openly ready to listen, entertainment.and a historical vignette of the with each other. The participants do not ask Mormon Battalion. The Breast Cancer Support each other for sympathy, instead There will be round dancing and couple dancing. Licensed Nail Technician Group in Kanab was organized the women give and receive unGel, Acrylic, Fiberglass last August, and they are certi- - derstanding, support, compan-fie- d Singles and couples. Sons and Daughters of Utah FiberGel with both the American ionship and hope. One member Battalion Pedicures & Mormon of Manicures the friends Pioneers and Cancer Society and the National said, I may lose, but I have to be I do All types of Nails! are invited to attend. Cancer on the up side. Society. a Award Winning Nail Artist fr Dress is Pioneer, Modern or Centennial. The word is The Breast Cancer Support key support. Professional Gel Kits avafiabla All for the modest price of $5. Your dinner is free Those do who take not Group meets the last Friday of part your Appointment Today! a Cal far643-754if you join the Battalion for $15 dues or medical do nor for advice, give they every month. Call 644-216- 2 0 ; be a , .dues. the Womens Auxiliary for $10 v., pretend tp therapy grQqp. information on the time and Instead, the group. offers place: By Barbara Pyles Her parents, who live in North Dakota, had to be told. I couldnt see their faces, but I could sense from their voices that they were shocked and worried, she said. Then support started happening. Her entire family bombarded her with phone calls and non-cancero- ar trans-plantinfusi- on C.A.U.T.I.O.N U.S. Mormon Listening, sharing, finding hope Battalion Kane Company In-the- J Mjalons i i t t i i i , |