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The Citizen, 2009-09-03, Page 6For several years, Bruce Raymond walked in the Brussels Terry Fox Run in memory of his brother, Murray, who lost his battle with cancer one month shy of his 39th birthday in July 1992. This year, he’ll be leading the way as a Terry’s Team Member. In the spring of 2008, Bruce noticed some concerns that prompted a visit to his family doctor. A barium enema revealed a growth in his colon and Raymond was subsequently sent to see a surgeon for a biopsy, after which he was referred to a surgeon in Kitchener. “He did some tests and told me Ihad two choices,” said Raymond. “Icould have the growth cut out and have chemo, or I could die.” Raymond said that while some might have been put off by the doctor’s blunt approach, he appreciated it. “I loved his honesty. He just told it like it was. But he had a sense of humour too that kept my spirits up.” Diagnosed June 12, 2008, with Stage 4 colon cancer, Raymond’s first surgery was just over a month later on July 14 to remove the growth. A second surgery followed July 22 to repair a rupture. He was finally home from the hospital on Aug. 13. After some time to mend, Raymond began chemotherapy in September. “I had more than the usual number of treatments because my oncologist came in part-way through and said she had read a study that indicated eight rounds is not enough. She recommended 12 and asked me how I felt about that. I said when she tells me how to build houses, I’d tell her how much chemo I needed.” Well aware of the horror stories often associated with chemotherapy, Raymond said it went “tremendously well compared to others I’ve heard about.” He said it’s important to remember that everyone is different and that there have been great strides made in medications to combat the side effects. “They told me the aim was to keep me feeling the way I felt when I started the treatments.” While there was some nausea and tiredness, Raymond said, “I can honestly say there wasn’t a day when I couldn’t get in my truck and go.” The chemo was administered by peripherally inserted central catheter (picc line). “It was in a bottle and took 46 hours to run in, then I got another bottle every two weeks.” The bigger deal to Raymond, he said, was the radiation, done because the cancer had spread to some lymph nodes, because it involved travel.“Five days a week for six weeks Iwent to Kitchener.”As Raymond’s ostomy was temporary rather than a permanent, provided he healed properly, OHIP didn’t cover the cost. “It’s expensive. The appliance is $20 apiece which you change every four to five days and the bags are $10. You used about 200 a month.” A third surgery removed the ostomy May 25. “I was to be in the hospital about five to seven days but they found a chunk of twisted bowel.” A fourth surgery followed June 1 to remove another two-and-a-half feet of bowel, after which he remained in hospital for 25 days. “They had a hell of a time getting everything to work. And my surgeon went off mountain climbing... for the cancer society,” Raymond hastens to add. The last two weeks of his stay he was therefore under someone else’s care. Just a few short months later, Raymond is happy to say he’s doing well, though still has a way to go. “As it is with any surgery they cut muscles. I’m fine, there are no signs of cancer, but I’m pretty much sliced.” Raymond said he also tires easily for now and “the VON said, I can’t lift anything heavier than the Sunday paper.” As well, a side effect of the chemo has left him with “terribly numb” fingers and feet which could he was told last for over a year.” “But I’m basically on the mend. My next checkup with the surgeon is Oct. 22 and he will likely send me back to work.” Always slightly built, Raymond dropped from 153 pounds to 122 after his second surgery, Raymond is now a robust 142. Raymond knows that checkups are now a part of his life. He will have a physical every three months for a year, then every four months the second year. After that it will be once a year. Raymond has nothing but goodthings to say about the medicalpeople who cared for him. “Thedoctors and nurses, the VONs, were all just incredible and the Grand River cancer ward is second to none.” Friends and family have also been a blessing not to be overlooked. “They have been helpful all along. Everyone has just been super.” He said that his wife Maureen had just begun a new job in a new community. But they passed the hat and handed us $2,000. As for Maureen, Raymond said, “I think this was harder for her than me. Me they put out, she was the one left waiting and wondering all those times.” Leading the way in the Terry Fox Run Sept. 13, is the 54-year-old’s chance to say thanks. “Doug McArter (a fellow Optimist Club member; Raymond also belongs to the Brussels Legion) approached me and it would have been hard to refuse. I have been involved because of Murray so this seems like the thing to do now.” Anyone wishing to sponsor him can contact him at 519-396-6098. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009. A survivor Bruce Raymond, a member of the Brussels Optimists and Legion, though now a resident of Kincardine, will be leading off the Brussels Terry Fox Run as the 2009 Team Member. Diagnosed with colon cancer June 2008, Raymond had his fourth surgery June 1, 2009. In the frame next to him is a picture of his brother Murray who passed away one month shy of his 39th birthday, July 1992. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Man leads Terry Fox Run 3 months after surgery Questions need answers Continued from page 4 schools being closed had one. How else would the parents be able to keep in touch and know what is going on? 12. Will the students have a separate bathroom from the remainder of the school? (Remember the student who died when some older students hung him by his clothing on a hook in a bathroom?) 13. Will there be a separate special education resource room for students requiring extra help? 14. Will there be a separate health room? 15. Will Grade 7-8 students share the library? 16. Has the board considered that they may lose Grade 7-8 students to the Catholic board and as a result, still not fill up the empty spaces at the high school? 17. At an ARC meeting, the audience was led to believe that special services such as speech and language would be more accessible in a larger school. How many speech and language pathologists are there for the North Huron area? Students will only be able to receive this help if there are enough staff to handle the caseload. 18. Exactly what does the board intend to offer Grade 7-8 students that they are not getting in the present elementary system? I don’t believe cooking and tech programs are even part of the program for elementary school anymore. It’s my gut feeling that students who have always done well in school and have had no disciplinary problems will continue to do well in a high school setting, but those who are naive, immature or have been in trouble in elementary school will only get into more trouble, only it will be bigger and more serious trouble. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain said during the Second World War, “We shall never surrender…!” Parents, I know you have worked hard to get your point across, only to be ignored, but I encourage you to keep up the pressure. Keep in their face. The board just wants you to back down and keep quiet. Constant parental pressure is the only way to stop the board from forcing this on you. Change will happen but that doesn’t mean that parents can’t be part of the process. You know best your children’s needs, whether it be academic, social, special needs, etc. You must advocate strongly that those things are included in the change. It is ultimately your tax dollars that pay to build this school, pay the teachers and pay the trustees. In effect, the school board could be considered your employees and they should be accountable to you just as employees are to their employers. Doris Taylor, Wingham. Fun, Friendship and Adventure for Girls JOIN TODAY! Call 1-800-565-8111 Or visit us at www.girlguides.ca By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen Men, Take Control of Your Health • be a non-smoker • eat 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit a day • be physically active • limit your alcohol consumption • use sun protection • follow cancer-screening guidelines Find out MORE about reducing your risk of developing cancer. Call us at 1 888 939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca.