FEATURE

from Inspired Living September - October 2022

ROAD SAFETY

Positivity, Prayer & People

Gerri West, a lifelong resident of the Great Bend area and cancer survivor, lives by the “Three P’s: positivity, prayer, and people.” This motto has gotten her through a lot, including her 24-year battle with a lymphoma diagnosis, fi ve separate rounds of chemotherapy and fi ve remissions.

In 1998, Gerri noticed a lump in her neck, near her jaw. She thought it might be a dental issue, so she went to her dentist who recommended that she see a medical doctor. After a biopsy and surgical removal of a lymph node, Gerri was diagnosed with Stage 1 nonHodgkin’s lymphoma.

At the time, Gerri was scared and had a diffi cult time understanding why this would happen to her. “I have to admit when I was fi rst diagnosed, I was angry,” Gerri says, “I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Why me? Why me, God?’ That didn’t last real long, and I came up with the idea of the three P’s: positivity, prayer, and people. Because with any situation, if you’re positive, your outcome is going to be better.”

A few months later, armed with her new motto, Gerri began her fi rst round of chemotherapy and experienced some very diffi cult side effects. She quickly felt extremely nauseous and lost most of her hair, which was devastating for her. “I wasn’t completely bald, so I went to Michelle Pedigo [Cosmetologist, Blades Salon],” Gerri explains. “She had just gotten out of beauty school. I was one of her fi rst clients and I had her give me a buzz because I just had tufts of hair, you know. It was hard.”

Under the care of Dr. Greg Nanney, Medical Oncologist at Central Care Cancer Center, Gerri was receiving a chemotherapy drug nicknamed the ‘Red Devil,’ for its bright red color. She stayed strong, made it

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through her chemotherapy regimen and was in remission in 2007. Unfortunately, that was not the end of her cancer journey. Gerri’s cancer came back in her groin in 2011, which required the surgical removal of at least 10 lymph nodes and more chemotherapy. This time, a new chemo drug called Rituxan was available and she was able to avoid the ‘Red Devil.’

Over the next 7 years, Gerri went through several rounds of chemo, along with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatments for an immunodefi ciency disorder, and although there were some bumps in the road, she remained hopeful and kept in mind the ‘Three P’s.’ However, in 2018, her cancer spread to her bone marrow and she began her fi fth regimen of Rituxan.

When Dr. Mark Fesen, Medical Oncologist, joined Central Care, he recommended that Gerri try exercising to reduce the stress of chemotherapy and she began taking classes at Inspire Fitness in Great Bend. Not only does exercising help her feel better physically, but it also helps keep her spirits up during diffi cult times. “I’ve been going [to Inspire Fitness] about four or fi ve years now and I love it,” says Gerri.

Gerri has been seeing Dr. Fesen since 2010, and she values his advice greatly. “He’s very forthright, he looks out for his patients, and they’re number one,” Gerri says. “He’s always got the latest knowledge and tells you like it is, because there’s no sense in sugarcoating things. I want to know the facts, so I appreciate him immensely.”

Dr. Fesen and Central Care are dedicated to keeping expert cancer care close to home. With the latest technologies and treatment techniques, Central Care provides comprehensive cancer care to the Great Bend area. “I feel that the community is really blessed to have Central Care Cancer Center here,” Gerri goes on, “It is a great addition. You don’t have to travel, and even for the small counties around us, it’s closer to come here than Kansas City or Wichita. You’re more likely, if you’re in treatment yourself, to be able to handle that. I would recommend this cancer center to anyone. It’s top-notch.”

Central Care also utilizes Telemedicine in order to get second opinions from outside specialists, which further eliminates the need for travel. “Here, I was able to consult with Dr. Suman Kambhampati by video, instead of going to Kansas City,” Gerri says. “He’s a blood cancer specialist. Dr. Fesen is very good about getting all the information he can.”

Fortunately, Gerri has a very supportive family by her side through everything. Her son has been her number one supporter since the beginning, and the addition of his wife and children to their family has continued to lift her spirits while she undergoes treatments. Gerri’s also an advocate for massage therapy, and says it helps her feel better while she experiences the side effects of chemo. “I’m a great believer in massages, and she [Liz Bowman at Symmetry Massage] is one of the best I’ve ever been to,” she says.

Gerri is surrounded by great people, who helped her immensely at the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. She works for the Great Bend City Prosecutor, so working from home was not an option, but between her cancer diagnosis and immunodefi ciency disorder, getting COVID was a big concern for her. “It was very scary, but they were great at work,” Gerri explains. “They moved me to my own offi ce way back in the building, kind of off by myself. Everyone wore masks and used hand sanitizer, and everybody was just looking out for each other.”

As of now, Gerri is in remission and continues to remain positive. When asked what advice she has for someone who might be diagnosed with cancer, she says, “It’s a club you never wanted to join, but you’re a member. As soon as possible, be positive, pray, and be around people.”