Family, friends, and community members gathered at Enterprise Rent-a-Car Friday afternoon to honor Ronda Allison and Mary Rhodes as Enterprise’s “Hometown Heroes.” The recognition was held in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Month.
Both women have survived an initial bout with breast cancer, and Rhodes now is battling it again.
“I was in remission for nine years, and now I have it again,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes’ first diagnosis came after a mammogram revealed a tumor growing so deeply in her breast that if she had waited to find it through self-examination, the cancer likely would have killed her.
The new outbreak showed that the cancer had metastasized into a golf ball-sized tumor under her arm and a spot on her lung.
Cancer after-treatment has improved since her first episode. Now she takes only pills instead of having radiation or traditional chemotherapy, and Dr. Chet Stone monitors her progress at the Central Care Cancer Center.
“I’m tired; very tired,” Rhodes said, adding that her arm and shoulder often ache. “I think that’s because you’re taking medicine that not only kills the bad cells, it kills the good cells.”
She is relieved to have Stone on the case again, because it eliminates the need to establish a relationship with a new doctor, and she is confident about the care she is receiving.
“You’re going through so many emotional things at the time,” she said. “I’m a very strong woman because I feel this is my body and I’m in control of it. ... What goes into it is my decision and what comes out of it is my decision.”
Rhodes’ sisters both have cancer experience. Joyce Graham has been cancer-free for 19 years, while sister Crystalen Schwartz’s cancer in a saliva gland was diagnosed this summer.
“I had my cancer taken out in August,” Schwartz said. “I didn’t have to have any treatment.”
She now is taking part in a study involving sisters of cancer patients.
Allison said that she had little problem with side-effects of her after-treatment, which was done in Wichita. She missed only a few days of work at Holiday Resort, where Allison is activities director.
City commissioner Jim Kessler spoke briefly at the ceremony and congratulated the women on their awards.
Enterprise customers nominated people for the honor, and a committee chose the two recipients, according to Kelly Henson, management assistant for Enterprise.
“This illness has no prejudices of race, color, age or creed,” Henson said. “... I felt it important that all women everywhere, even in our small community, need to be aware of this illness and know it can happen to any of us.”
Henson presented a plaque to each woman and a bouquet of flowers from Riverside Garden, where Rhodes worked when she was undergoing treatment.
Refreshments for the crowd were provided by the Emporia State University dining services.
Weltha (anonymous) says...
yes, congrats ladies. You are both very strong. I don't know mary but I do know Rhonda and she always kept her head up and had good attitude through the whole ordeal. Again way to go girls.
October 13, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen (anonymous) says...
I'm glad these two women are doing well, but I know of two heroes who did not survive. It is not the surviving that makes you a hero but the strength that it takes to endure the fight, win or lose.
October 15, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
citizen:
Thanks for the reminder of the strength needed for the fight, win or lose. Very insightful and I'm sorry for the two losses you spoke of. For an inspirational look at a "fighter" losing the battle yet leaving his brilliant mark, read about Carnegie Mellon University professor, Randy Pausch and his last lecture...
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
October 15, 2007 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )