Hear our Stories

"My name is Herb Bitting and I am a cancer survivor. I am 70 going on 71.
     I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 1995 and was treated by external radiation in January, February and March, 1996 at St. Mary’s Cancer Center in Walla Walla, WA. The treatment was successful at this time and I was cancer free for 4 years.
     During my six month check up in July 2000 the cancer was found to be back. At this time I was given a Lupron shot and have been taking this shot off and on since. The shot lasts for 4 months and I have 2 shots and then will be off the shot for about 2 years. During my check up in December of this year, 2006, I will probably have to have another shot.
     In July I was divorced after 37 years of marriage. This divorce was not what I wanted at this time and then with the cancer diagnosis in September I just about gave up. My children and friends at that time pulled me through.
     After about two years of self pity, depression and medical treatment I finally wised up and decided that life was too short and you need to live each day to the fullest.
     I got involved with a church which was a great beginning.
     Then on June 8, 2002 I went to the Round Up Athletic Club to inquire about a weight loss exercise program and met this wonderful trainer, Michele Cooke, who started working with me.
     This then led to the introduction to the SPIRIT Program and another wonderful trainer, Debra Shampine, who worked with me for a year. I also started with the massage program and have continued to have a massage once a month. This feels so good and helps to wake this old body up.
     Michele Cooke and the SPIRIT Program keep opening up new avenues for me. She has gotten me started biking and snowshoeing. These new activities have opened me up to a whole new set of friends.
     This has made me get more involved and I now try to volunteer more."

- Herb Bitting, Pendleton SPIRIT Program participant and active volunteer

 

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   "My name is Sharon Maness and I am a 6 year cancer survivor. I am 63 years old. In July of 2000 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had found the lump myself and it did not show up on the mammogram I just had done.
   After undergoing a biopsy, I underwent a lumpectomy and the removal of 14 lymph nodes. I then started 7 ½ weeks of radiation treatment. I had to travel to Walla Walla, WA (90 miles round trip) five days a week.
   A year after my cancer surgery I found 2 more lumps in the same breast and underwent surgery to remove them. They turned out to be benign for which I am very grateful. Since the cancer surgery I have been to the oncologist at 6 month intervals and am now down to once a year. I continue to see the radiation doctor every 6 months and get my regular mammograms EVERY year.
   I could not have made it through my cancer ordeal without the help of my family and friends. They were very supportive of me.
   By attending our once a month cancer survivors luncheon and joining in the SPIRIT Program I have made a lot of new friends who have undergone the same cancer problems that I had. I try to guide people through the cancer ordeal by sharing my books and information and telling them about the SPIRIT Program.
   Debra Shampine has been a great help to me as my personal trainer, coach and friend. Recently, Michele Cook has come on board in our exercise program. I highly recommend the exercise program in the SPIRIT Program.
   After having a pacemaker put in and a colon surgery (not cancerous) I am back at the exercise classes.
   Since undergoing surgery for cancer I have begun writing poetry. To date I have 6 poems published and have just been nominated for the International Who’s Who in Poetry. Writing poetry has been a form of therapy for me.
   In our Fall Fashions for Survivors Style Show I was a model for 2 years, but this year I helped behind the scenes. For 4 years I walked in the Healing Steps Walk for the Cancer Community Renewal Project’s SPIRIT Program.
   If I have learned one thing through my cancer ordeal it is that you can’t get through it alone. Family and friends are a must.
   If I could say something to any woman undergoing cancer surgery, I’d recommend that she read all she can, check the internet, ask your doctor all the questions you want answered. I always take a list with me to the doctor.
   My husband of 42 years, Cecil, and I have 2 married daughters (both in their 30’s) and 4 grandchildren. Both of my daughters have already seen their doctors about mammograms and are aware that they will need to have regular colonoscopies.
   My family tree has a long history of cancer. My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer and my father died of colon and prostate cancer. My husband lost his grandmother, and both parents to colon cancer.
   It is my hoe that someday there will be a cure for all cancer and no one will have to fear cancer every again."

- Sharon Maness - Pendleton SPIRIT Program participant.