By Angela Stone
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Cancer is a paralyzing word. People fear it as a death sentence and, indeed, almost everyone has lost someone to this dreaded disease.

UH-Clear Lake not only has cancer patients who are fighting for their lives, but cancer survivors who have won the battle.

Cancer is a disease that strikes unexpectedly. Americans for Medical Progress report that 80 percent of all cancer diagnoses are made in people age 55 and older.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is also the leading cause of death among children under the age of 15.

The Americans for Medical Progress recently published that there is a 7-11 percent increase in survival of cancer in the past few years. In fact, there are 8.4 million American cancer survivors. There are several cancer survivors who walk the halls of UH-Clear Lake.

Five faculty members, Gretchen Mieszkowski, Darlene Biggers, Gail Cheramie, Jan Simonds and Matthew Linton have all successfully fought off cancer within the past four years.

Gretchen Mieszkowski, director of humanities, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 1998. From March to October, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

University administrators allowed Mieszkowski to work from home, but there were several months when she could not teach classes. Mieszkowski said that losing her position was not a concern and that the extra support from university personnel helped her survive the battle.

As Mieszkowski was getting her life back, she was hit with cancer again. This time, her cousin, Igor Nowinski, was diagnosed. Nowinski was a 23-year-old student at UH-Clear Lake seeking a degree in business.

University professors worked to accommodate Nowinski. Sometimes Nowinski could not complete courses because he was so sick from cancer treatments. Under ordinary circumstances, grades would turn into F's, but Nowinski received incompletes.

Nowinski was only a few semesters away from graduating when he lost his battle in February 2000.

"I consider myself lucky to have survived; I know my lifestyle has changed to help prevent the cancer from coming back," Mieszkowski said.

Darlene Biggers, associate vice president for student services and dean of students, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2001. She started chemotherapy in August, followed by surgery in December 2001.

Biggers was supplied with a computer to work from home. She worked part time at school and from home during chemotherapy treatments and took off for six weeks when she had surgery.

After surgery, Biggers' cancer was completely gone. Currently, she takes a pill every day to block estrogen and enjoys exercising to stay healthy.

Biggers participated in this year's Susan G. Komen 5K Walk for a Cure. She said more than 28,000 people participated, 2,000 of whom were survivors. She was very proud to finish the walk.

"It was very moving for me. To see 2,000 pink T-shirts and hats that the survivors wore was really inspiring," Biggers said.

Biggers attributes her survival with her strong faith, positive attitude and support from friends, family and colleagues.

Gail Cheramie, director for the psychology program, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of November 2001. From November to January she received chemotherapy treatments, followed by surgery in February 2002. From March to May she completed chemotherapy and received radiation in June and July.

Cheramie was able to complete her fall classes in 2001, but other faculty members administered her finals in December.

Cheramie underwent intensive treatments and surgery in the spring. She took a medical leave for the spring and summer semesters.

The supportive faculty members, who have survived cancer, spoke with Cheramie with advice on medical treatments and options.

Chemotherapy did not make Cheramie very ill. She was able to do normal activities during the process and even helped select students for the psychology program.

Cancer is a disease that many people fear, but Cheramie changes fear into a positive element. She said this is a way to accomplish everything you want within a reasonable time frame.

"I didn't have life changing events," Cheramie said. "I have changed in little ways. I am more appreciative and have refocused what is important in my life. [Cancer] makes you want to do better for yourself and others; it makes you question the future. You don't think or plan so far in advance, but it is always in the back of your mind."

Jan Simonds, division chair for humanities and fine arts, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2001. Her cancer was caught early with a mammogram and early detection kept her from going through chemotherapy.

Following detection, Simonds had surgery and then radiation treatments for six weeks.

Then, two weeks after her breast cancer surgery, Simonds underwent another surgery for melanoma.

During this time, Simonds was accommodated by the university; she worked part time through the Family Medical Leave Act. Simonds did not teach in the fall semester (2001), but did spend time in the office.

Simonds said she was lucky that her cancer was caught early. This kept her from having physical problems during surgery and treatments. Simonds said that radiation was not painful but does zap your energy and make you tired.

Presently, Simonds leads a healthier lifestyle. She eats healthier foods, exercises and takes a preventative drug to stop recurrence. "[Fighting cancer] makes you appreciate life and your loved ones; it brings the reality of how little time you have in the world," Simonds said. Cancer is not a disease that chooses its victims according to age, race or gender.

From top to bottom: Gretchen Mieszkowski wither her cousin Igor Nowinski; Darlene Biggers; Jan Simonds; Matthew Linton. These faculty members eagerly shared their experience with battling cancer and surviving.
Photos by Angela Stone, Gretchen Mieszkowski, Lynelle Ward and Jan Simonds

Matthew Linton, associate professor of visual arts, was diagnosed with testicular cancer Nov. 30, 2001. This is a rare cancer and can be life threatening. The diagnosis was shocking for a man in his early 30s.

In December 2001, Linton had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor, followed by a long healing process before radiation started. Linton's radiation treatments lasted most of the spring semester, 2002. Linton said the radiation treatment was very physically draining and at times left him violently ill.

Linton has checked in with the doctors every few months and, one year later, there are no signs of recurrence.

"UH-Clear Lake and all of its members were like a second family to me," Linton said. "Faculty and staff came out of the woodwork to offer support and assist-ance. Everyone was absolutely wonderful, and I don't know that UH-Clear Lake will ever know my appreciation. I am lucky to be a part of a university where such wonderful people work."

Linton now returns the support he received to others facing the battle with cancer by sharing his own experiences and offering advice.

"I am more apt to take advantage of opportunities, to enjoy myself a bit, and to just live life," Linton said. " I think my greatest change has been a mental one where I have a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for everything around me."

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