Ardis Johnson stepped off a plane on Thursday afternoon into the waiting arms of family and friends.
Johnson, 64, flew from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston via Grace Flights to be home for Christmas. She had been in Houston since early December after having surgery for pancreatic cancer.
“I wanted so bad to be home for Christmas,” Johnson said. “It’s wonderful.”
Johnson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over the summer and was told it was inoperable. She received chemotherapy and radiation in Topeka, which slightly shrunk the cancer in her pancreas.
Johnson said she went to MD Anderson, a medical center with 17,000 employees, for surgery on Dec. 9. The cancer had been diagnosed as inoperable because it was wrapped around blood vessels.
The surgery was successful, Johnson said.
Her friend, Rachelle Smith, said the diagnosis at first was dire. But after a successful 13-hour surgery she will undergo more chemotherapy and has a good chance of living a natural lifespan.
“She’s done fabulously well,” Smith said. “We’re thrilled and astonished.”
Johnson said she’s facing a long recuperation time. Before she was diagnosed with cancer she worked as a paraprofessional at Emporia Middle School.
Donation jars were placed around Emporia and there was also a benefit dinner for Johnson in Lebo to help her pay for medical expenses. Donations can be made to the Ardis Johnson Cancer Fund at Emporia State Federal Credit Union, 310 W. 12th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801.
She was flown to Emporia by Grace Flights out of Dallas. Pilot Mike Matetich and co-pilot Patrick O’Dooley volunteer their time and plane by assisting people like Johnson get back to their families.
Matetich and O’Dooley stayed at the airport in Emporia and talked with Johnson’s family for about 30
minutes before leaving to fly more people back to their families. They traded jokes about their favorite college sports teams with Johnson’s family and friends and also talked about the weather difference between Kansas and Texas.
“They’re incredible,” Johnson said. “It’s an amazing program.”
Johnson was greeted at the airport two days before Christmas by her son, Todd Laflin, and his two kids, Adam and Morgan. Johnson said she was excited to see them and was also looking forward to seeing other family members.
“I have a new great-grandson I need to love on and other grandkids,” Johnson said. “It’s just good to be home. It’s been quite an adventure.”
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
How heartwarming and a wonderful story is that folks? Just goes to show, that it ain't over till it's over, no matter what a human says.
December 27, 2010 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksflwrpetals (anonymous) says...
I'm so glad things went well, that you are home with family and friends again. Thanks to the pilot that brought you home to us.
December 29, 2010 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )