Over the course of four weeks, members of the community will be sharing their story. These stories are about individuals and their experience with cancer or loss. They are the reason the Lowell community comes together for the Pink Arrow Football Game. Each story is written by the person you will read about or by someone on their behalf unless otherwise noted. We thank them for sharing their story and courage.
Photos courtesy of Heather Eveland and are used with permission. Heather donates her time to get to know those she is photographing and capture an image to be used with each story. You can visit her photography website and Facebook page for more information about her work.
Heather is also the volunteer coordinator for Pink Arrow events. If you are interested in helping out at Fans in the Stands selling t-shirts, Community Day (Friday, Aug. 23) or game day (Friday, Sept. 13) please contact her by calling 616-291-8907 or send an email to [email protected]. Heather will let you or your group know what help is needed and determine the best fit.
The following story is about Amy Hill written by her.
My name is Amy Hill. I grew up in Lowell and graduated from high school in 1985. I currently live in the house I grew up in. I have two older sisters and two older brothers.
After living in Ann Arbor, Dallas, and Chicago after graduation, I returned home. I lived once again in the house where I spent my childhood to help take care of my father. Nine years later I helped take care of my mother. Then seven years after that my brothers and sisters took care of me. All within the walls of the same home. I came to appreciate why Lowell was so special after living in other places. Lowell is home and I love where I live.
In November 2016 I started to feel intense lower back pain that was getting worse. The next month I started seeing blood in my stool. I was 49 and had not had a colonoscopy. In mid-January I had a colonoscopy with my two sisters by my side. As I was in the recovery room, the doctor had to keep telling me that a large mass was found on the left side of my colon. I was so groggy I didn’t comprehend it.
Surgery was scheduled soon after. I was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer (very close to stage 4) and I started chemo two weeks later that lasted for six months. I had a very strong chemo and would leave the infusions with a chemo pump that I would wear for two days. The treatment left me with neuropathy which causes pain in my hands and feet but also a numbness and tingling at times. I have bone pain too.
Two years later, I still have neuropathy in my hands and feet. I cut my fingers frequently because the nerves do not allow me to feel properly and have to be more careful. I have also had to work on my balance. Therapy and medication has helped some but I will likely be left with neuropathy for the rest of my list. I still have scans every six months to keep an eye on a couple of spots to make sure they aren’t growing or spreading.
I have my own pet-sitting business but have had to cut back on my days and number of clients I can care for. I’ve had to reduce the number of hours I work as I get tired easily.
Many days I didn’t want to go on and still have those days. But my family, friends, a support group, and pets let me know that I’m strong and need to go on. I have been going to Gilda’s Club in Grand Rapids and Lowell. The Grand Rapids location has a colorectal cancer support group and I attend a general support group in Lowell. Both have been helpful in having a place to talk about cancer and the effects of medication with others. I have been able to find support as well as offer it to others as we can all relate. I appreciate the dinners the volunteers prepare for us. I cannot cook for myself like I used to and the good food and good company strengthens me.
I hope that those reading this will take time to get colon screenings. It isn’t a fun or pleasant experience but it’s a way to possibly catch cancer in an earlier stage. I have thought about the what-ifs had I been screened earlier or later. I’m thankful for Pink Arrow. Their support helped at times when I needed it the most. Colorectal cancer ribbons and support colors are blue, but I’m a big fan of pink too. Friends, clients, my family, Gilda’s Club, and Pink Arrow are all helping me make it through each day.
Wade Publishing, who also creates the Local Saver, will be putting together all of the 2019 Perseverance Stories into one publication which will be mailed out to the community in August. Thanks to the following businesses!
Sponsors:
Arrow Veterinary
Showboat Automotive
Bernards Ace Hardware
Snow Avenue Greenhouse
Great Lake Paving
Arctic Inc. Heating & Cooling
Poultry Management
Co-sponsors:
A-1 Laser
Main St BBQ
Dependable LP
Ronda Auto
Lowell’s First Look
Optec
Amy – you are so strong!