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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1983-03-30, Page 21Supplement to the Goderich Signal -Star, Clinton Flews -Record, Huron Expositor, Exeter Times Advocate and Wingham Advance -Times Wednesday, March 30, 1903 Best therapy is positive attitude Caicer won't ru BY MARGARET AR a.UCKLE Lloyd "Casey" Casemore of Wingham won't let cancer run his life and he believes a positive attitude is the best kind of therapy. Ever since his cancer was diagnosed over two years ago, Casey has refused to slow down his whirlwind pace. For example, the month of March was crammed full of Lodge and Lions meetings and curling. In fact, he admitted it would be virtually impossible for him to attend all the meetings each month that he is supposed to. Today, Casey says he feels better than he has in a long time, certainly better than two years ago when he was suffering from stomach pains and bouts of profuse sweating. Those symptoms went on for six months and Casey continued to feel worse and worse. After the local hospital staff could not determine his problem, he was referred to the specialists at University Hospital, London. The London doctors conducted a series of tests, as well as exploratory surgery. After extensive testing, they found him to have lymphoma, a type of cancer w'ch attacks the body's lymph glands. These glands are responsible for the elimination of waste by- products from body organs. When the lymph glands are not working properly, those waste products cannot get away. Therefore, the build- up of poisons in his liver caused the stomach pain and the sweating was caused by excess fluid in i pis lungs. His first reaction to the news was: Why me? He was frightened, understaniei.. bly, but after the initial shock, decided to accept the doc- tors' verdict and co-operate with them. The first step, after clearing up an infection Casey had developed, was to start him on chemotherapy treatments. Most people find these treatments extremely unpleasant with side effects like hair loss, vomiting and diarrhea. But Casey had no choice, because without the treatments, his doctors gave him six months to five years to live. With his usual deter- mination and good humor, Casey started chemotherapy. The doctors kept close tabs on him to chart his progress on the drug and were amazed at what they found. Casey had no adverse reactions whatsover to chemotherapy! He attributes this to his Cisey's lif Casey Casemore of Wing refuses to let cancer mate his life. Ever since his cancer was dia _, 'osed over two years ago, Casey has never tet up has hectic pace. l;r ad ,sition to regular club activities and curling at home, Casey has been to Europe three times in the past tw years and intends to leave again this month for a seven -week s .:: y. Pictured wli i s Casey is an honorary plaque he receivfor bravery during the Second World War. (W+mgham Advance -Tinges Photo) own physiology partly and partly to his determination not to let anything stand in his way. The doctors at University Hospital were amazed and overjoyed with Casey's progress and he has become a symbol to them and others that some of the hard work and research into cancer has paid off. Casey added they always are happy to see him again for check-ups. Many people who are ill, are afraid to leave their doctor or hospital, just in BT Ere case they take a turn for the for an unprecedented seven - worse, but not Casey. ter week stay. his first round of treatments was complete, he decided to take a trip to Europe to visit friends he met when he was a soldier in the Second World War. His doctors encouraged him to make the trip, saying that travel can be very therapeutic. So, he went and has returned to Europe on two other occasions since, staying a little bit longer each time. In fact, he leaves again for Europe this month ast self -ex For more infformation on cancer and breast self- examination, attend one of the following presentations: Tuesday, April 12, with Dr. Casey never hides his light under a if..Asket; he lets it s; 'ne. In doing so, he has made life a tittle brighter for several other local cancer sufferers, with visits and pep talks. One woman said her husband always was buoyed up with new determination after a visit from Casey. His philosophy of life is: Live one day at a time and enjoy each day. ruination: Englert, Room 120, South Huron District High School, Exeter, 7:30 p.m.; Wed- nesday, April 13, with Dr. Thomson, Assessment Office, 46 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April19, with Dr. McKim, Portable, Wingham and District Hospital, Wingham, 7:30 p. m. County fund -r obj ,active i April is a s„;<• eial month of ho . across Canada for those who suffer from cancer. During this month, volun- teers cross the country carry out a fund-raising campaign to support cancer research. That research offers the hope that, yes, someday, Cancer Can Be aten. Here in Huron County, the fund-raising objective for 1963 has been set at $77,000. This is up from last year's objective of $71,.1I; I. Huron County Unit treasurer Steve Biskup gives the break down for each branch in the county as follows: Goderich-$20,500; Exeter -$19,000; Winghann- $16,500; Clinton -$14,5)x; and Seaforth-$6,500. This money is raised in various ways, the main one being a door-to-door canvass conducted by volunteers in each branch across the county during the month of April. Daffodils have also become synonymous with fund-raising for cancer. At the end of March, 54,000 blooms were sold by volunteers across the county (17,000 in Goderich, 15,000 in Clinton, 12,000 m Exeter, 6,000 in Wingham and 4,000 in Seaforth). These blooms were sold in bunches of ten for $3 or two bunches for $5. Daffodil teas were held in Wingham (March 25) and Clinton (March29). 77,00 Treasurer Steve ;ifikufe Goderlch's annual daffodil tea will ;, - held April 2 from 2-4:30 p.m. in SL George's Anglican Church halL At each of these teas, a collection plate at the door yields funds for cancer research. The other major fund- raiser for the Huron County Unit is a bike-a-thon. This year's date has been set for Sunday, May 1st across all the branches. Please watch your local papers for further details about these bike-a- thons. at is cancer? Since cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, few of us will go throu:..: life without having cancer cross our paths in some way. Read on for a better understanding of this disease. Cancer starts when the growth pattern of one or more cells becomes unregulated and un- controlled. As these cells multiply, they give rise to billions of abnormal cells, which may clump together to form a swelling or lump. These cells continue to multiply beyond the replacement needs of the dy and are no to er able to perform their usual function. Eventually, as they continue to grow and multiply, they can crowd out and interfere with the fun- ction of normal cells and organs. Ie, lif clumps of cancer cells separate from the first tumour, they may travel throue lymph canals and blood vessels thereby spreading the cancer throu out the body. These secondary cancer growths are known as "metastases", from the Greek word meaning "stopping in a later place". For successful cancer treatment, it is very important to " scover and remove the cancer growth before this spread can t.� place. For this reason, early detection of a cancer growth is critical for successful treatment. It is estimated that ap- proximately 80 per cent of all cancers are preventable. This fact suggests that serious consideration should be given to the following positive actions for better health! Stop smoking! Death rates from lung cancer are significantly higher in smokers and increases its direct proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also jeopardizes the health of non-smokers who are ex- posed aposed to the chemicals in cigarette smoke through passive inhalation. Women should have regular pap smears and do regular breast self- examinations! Breast cancer and cancer of the cervix are the most prevalent types of cancer experienced by women. If it were possible to convince every sexually active woman aged 18 to that she should have a "pap smear" r Warily, cancer of the cervix could be largely eliminated. As well, early detection of abnormal lumps in the breast t rots breast self-examiin..°,tion is critical if treeent is to be sacs cessf!,i! Protect your skin from over-exposure to the ultraviolet rays of ;'.e sawn! Skin cancer can be prevented by restricting .:irect exposure over long periods of time to the sun. Use a sun screen to protect your skin. Industrie.,; work pl:,,ces should ensure an en- vironment th,t is free from cancer-causing chemical agents. A few of the well- known ones are asbestos, arsenic, vinyl chloride, benzidine and various me :.:Ilic ores. Check your work site for the presence of any of these chemicals. Cancer is not inevi° 'ble or fatal in all c,ses! By practising -' i sitive ,: ith habits, you may help prevent cancer. (Adapted from pamphlets from the Canadian Cancer Society by Health Education Services, Huron County Health Unit. )