It might be in the back of everyone's mind from time to time.......the thought of cancer. A disease that has hit almost every family or family friend in America.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
It might be in the back of everyone's mind from time to time.......the thought of cancer. A disease that has hit almost every family or family friend in America.
But the awareness of cancer is even greater for families who have lost loved ones to cancer, such as the Shafers.
Nick Shafer, 25, grew up in Biggsville, the son of Mark and Charlotte Shafer. He has lost several great aunts, great uncles, a great grandfather, and most recently his Grandmother Mary "Frances" Shafer of Biggsville.
But, Nick kept busy enjoying his senior year at Union High School, and particularly the scratch art projects he was doing in Art Club. He also kept busy after school working at Country Fun Bowling Alley his junior and senior years.
At 17, a month away from high school graduation, Nick noticed a mole that itched off and on.
"Growing up you were told by doctors, that if it bothered you, have it removed. It was bothering me - itching and turning darker," Nick said, "So. I went to Dr. Michael Niehaus, a very excellent surgeon in Burlington, Iowa. He took care of me and removed it in April of 1996."
Two weeks later, he and his mother returned to have the stitches removed. It was a surprise when the doctor said the testing came back positive for malignant melanoma. In St. Louis it was tested four different times because it was from a 17 year old kid.
"My mom cried in the office, and the doctor was heavy hearted in having to tell us,"
"Dr. Niehaus assured us we would be seeing the best doctors and that we would be able to beat it.
"That day isn't real clear in my head sometimes," Nick said. "It took a while for it to soak in."
A week later, Dr. Niehaus did a "wide incision" removing a certain area around the original spot where the mole had been. They tested that to see if they had clean borders to make sure they had gone deep enough. From there, Nick was turned over to a specialist in Iowa City. At that time they did not have a board certified specialist in dermatology locally.
In Iowa City, Nick ran thru a CAT scan and a PET scan, advance forms of scanning the body to detect small traces of cancer.
"Everything was clean and from there they went into a process of checking him every 3 months the first year, every 6 months the second year and yearly to do a skin check after that.
"It's pretty much hereditary or sun induced. With me it is hereditary with multiple aunts and uncles that have had skin cancer and a great aunt who died from melanoma."
Recently Nick lost his Grandma Mary "Francis" Shafer to cancer, and before that, his great grandpa Gilbert Walker and many other great aunts and uncles.
So far Nick is the only one in his immediate family, and he hopes it stays that way.
Nick has an older sister Stephanie Jarrett who works at Coles Photography, and younger brother Travis Shafer who will be a Sophomore in college in Dubuque, Iowa.
Nick said his diagnosis made the whole family more aware of skin cancer and how big a threat it could be, "We knew it was something that could be beaten," Nick said. " I was fortunate I did not have to receive chemo or radiation - just the surgery-extremely fortunate."
"I knew I had my family and a specialist on my side," Nick said, "but there are always those moments of wondering where it was going to lead. But, I didn't let it stop me from graduating or planning a future."
Shortly after surgery, fellow church member and friend, Nancy Hull asked if I wanted to help her captain a team for Relay For Life to help raise money for cancer research. That's the first I ever heard about the Relay."
"I thought it was a way I could help others in fighting the battle against cancer. It was also a way I could meet other cancer survivors.
"It lifts you emotionally and spiritually to know others are fighting the battle and not losing hope, and it gives us a chance to help find a cure. It got us involved and we've been co-captains ever since for the Presbyterian Church.
Nancy lost her husband, Ed Hull, to cancer shortly after Nick was diagnosed.
"It helped us both in different ways, but in ways we needed.
"What the relay does for both of us, it focues our energy on something positive so that sometime in the future, hopefully, we can eliminate cancer all together."
Nick is thankful that doctors were able to stop his cancer for now, but tomorrows are not guaranteed.
That is why it takes a team effort. Working together is the best way to fight something as big as cancer. Come join the fight and be a part of the team. Hope to see you there.
Nick was appreciative of the many who supported their bake sale at the First State Bank of Biggsville.
"People were very supportive. It means a lot," he said.
"People at the relay are survivors and care givers. Buy luminaries at $5 in honor or memory of someone. There will be bands, concessions, live DJ, games, entertainment, a balloon release and more. The Relay is July 25-26 at UHS, starting with survivor lap at 6 p.m.
It's an important time for people to give moral support to survivors in our county. Closing ceremonies are Saturday morning.