Rodger & Sue Fox

August, 1985 during the process of building a new steel fabrication factory in Lincoln, Nebraska I discovered I had cancer. I still lived in Harlan, Iowa and commuted back and forth to Lincoln . I am not going into detail about my cancer but it was malignant melanoma and I went through 2 major operations and was in the Iowa Medical Center Hospital in Iowa City for a couple weeks. Following my stay in the hospital I returned to work and completed the new factory. I had to return to Iowa City for checkups every week for 6 weeks, then every month for 6 months. I continued getting checkups twice a year for the next three years. On my last check up in 1989 that doctor told me that he never wanted to see me again, and he hasn’t seen me again. However, I do get a letter every year from Iowa Medical Center wanting to know how I am doing. And I would like to say that I have been cancer free for 21 years.

I believe that the Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society is not only making great strides in finding a cure but has made everyone, including the medical community, more aware of the Emotional side of cancer. In my own experience I found that my original doctor was not sympathetic to my emotional condition at all. I went to the doctor alone, thinking I had nothing serious wrong with me. After a couple test, he walked into the room and said "You have cancer, I will make you an appointment at the hospital in Iowa City". He then turned and walked out leaving me alone with every bad thought in the world going through my mind. In a few minutes he returned and said "Here is the information you will need for Iowa City, be there at 9am Monday morning." He didn’t even say "Good Luck". So the first day I knew I had cancer was very hard.

Unlike my original doctor, all the doctors and staff in Iowa City went out of their way to make me feel good about what I was going through and my prospect for the future. Thanks to them and many many more caring friends and relatives my life today is full and I continue to help where I can in finding a cure.

About the same time Rodger was going through his ordeal I was living in Bluffs. I was under 30 years old and had three healthy sons. During a routine pap smear it was discovered I had carcinoma in situ, actually a precancerous condition. Thankfully, cervix cancer of this type is a slow growing cancer. My doctor explained my choices. I had a hysterectomy and was hospitalized for a full week then. Today the stay in the hospital would be much shorter. I had emotional times but overall my healing was quick and did not require any further treatments. I continue to have annual check ups and have been cancer free for over 20 years! "Getting through" this and other difficult things in my life have been easier because of the Serenity Prayer, "Help me to accept the things I cannot change, Change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference." I just take life one day at a time.

Rodger and I decided to sponsor a Relay for Life team last year (2004/2005) because we want to insure others may not have to go through what we have. We are excited to raise money to expand the knowledge of physical and emotional care of cancer patients. Even volunteers are made more aware and are trained of the stress patients and their families face. Medical knowledge is helping to win the battle against cancer. We feel very blessed, and walk for a cure for more education and prevention for our children and grandchildren. Praise God for our families and friends who are on our team. We love them for their devotion to this cause. We have enjoyed being team leaders. Our team sponsors a fund-raising Valentine banquet /dance/auction and soon Rodger will ride Route 66 (September 2006) on his motorcycle to promote our Relay for Life commitment.

Thank you for allowing us the honor of being Honorary Co-chairs this year. Together we will win the fight against cancer - inch by inch! Now like my brother, Larry the cable guy says let’s "Git ‘er Done!"