Benefit for Michelle Warner
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by Jill Funke
Michelle Warner knows just how quickly life can change. After marrying Neil Warner in the summer of 2005, she starting getting sick early in the summer of 2006. Swelling and abdominal pain led to the diagnosis of 3C ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy seemed to bring the cancer under control, until Michelle began to get sick in 2007. For about two months, she was unable to eat regular food. This resulted in a dramatic weight loss and diminished strength. Michelle underwent a surgery on May 2
nd to insert a g-tube to get nutrition to her body. Experiencing drainage and feeling very sick, she thought she might have an infection and went to her specialist for a check up. His advice was to drink more supplements to build up her system for upcoming chemotherapy. While she shared her concerns about her diet, Michelle was told to not worry about nutrition right now. The following week, she saw her surgeon who removed her stitches and informed her that everything looked fine. When she told him that she wasn’t eating, he gave her the same advice about drinking more supplements.At that point, concerned about the severe deterioration of her health, Michelle made the decision that she would seek medical care from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Within the week, she was traveling by van to Oklahoma. Michelle was so ill during the trip that she began vomiting. At the clinic, she underwent testing and her medical team examined her surgery site which was pulling apart and draining. After a culture was performed, an internist determined that Michelle was full of infection, dehydrated and literally starving to death. When she told the doctor that she would be a hard case, he put her mind at ease. He told her that he saw people that were much more ill than Michelle, and she was admitted to the hospital. Right away, she began to receive nutrition and antibiotics intravenously. The surgeon and internist visited with Michelle every day to see how she was doing. Michelle was given three cat scans, one pet scan and underwent a great deal of blood work. After reviewing her tests, Michelle’s three physicians collaborated to develop a plan for her. After that, the surgeon came to see her, and told Michelle that he thought he could really help her. She was offered another surgery that should help with the bowel obstruction she had developed. The next day, she was in surgery for ten hours. She was so swollen that it took the surgeon three hours just to open her up without nicking her intestines. The next day, the doctor came into Michelle’s room and informed her that he had removed all of the visible cancer and wanted her to get chemotherapy and radiation treatments to see what would be most effective on her cancer.
While the doctor told Michelle that it would take some time before her stomach would be ready for most hard foods again, she is happy to report that she is now consuming soft foods and progressively getting better and stronger. About her experiences so far at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Michelle says that people are amazing, and they always have a smile or hug for patients. She is grateful for the people there who have given her hope again, and she takes comfort in knowing that they are behind her every step of the way. She would recommend the center to anyone as she feels so strongly about the medical, mental and physical support she received.
To help Michelle cover her medical expenses, a benefit will be held for her on June 16
th. A 9-hole, four man best ball golf tournament will be held at Meadow Acres Golf Course in Larchwood. The event is a 50% payback, and registration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. with a shot gun start at 11:00 a.m. At the B&B in Larchwood, teams of two can participate in a bean bag tournament for $20 per team. Also a 50% payback, the sign up for this activity begins at 12:00 p.m. and bags will start flying at 1:00 p.m. The Double Play in Lester will be the start of a Poker Run. For a $10 entry fee, riders will sign up at 12:00pm and depart at 1:00pm to finish at the B&B in Larchwood between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.Those who don’t want to cook on June 16
th can give a freewill donation to partake in the grilled hamburgers and hot dogs served at the two Larchwood bars. Area businesses and individuals have contributed a multitude of great raffle items to make the day a success. Chances to win a signed jersey from Kyle Vanden Bosch, or an 8X8 outdoor utility shed donated by Larchwood Lumber and True Value can be purchased for $5 each or 6 tickets for $20. Other very nice prizes including a free spay or neuter for pets, golf packages, a $100 savings bond from Security Savings, and hotel stays will also be raffled for $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5. All raffle tickets can be purchased at the bars in Larchwood or from Michelle’s family members prior to the event. Every location of activities on June 16th will also be selling tickets. In addition, Modern Woodmen has pledged to match up to $2500 of the money that is raised at Michelle’s benefit. An account has been set up at Security Savings Bank, 430 Holder Street, Larchwood, IA 51241 for anyone who would like to contribute. Anyone with additional raffle items can call Vickie Bauer at 477-2857.