Survivor Spotlight: JOANNE D'ALTON : Breast Cancer Survivor
Summer, 2007

Survivor Spotlight: FRANK YINKO : Colon Cancer Survivor
April, 2007

Survivor Spotlight: NANCY LAARMAN : Ovarian Cancer Survivor
January, 2007

Survivor Spotlight on MIKE LEMAHIEU : Colon Cancer Survivor (with liver metastisis)
December, 2006

Survivor Spotlight on MARY LICHTERMAN : Breast Cancer Survivor
September, 2006

Survivor Spotlight: JIM HAMMERLING : Multiple Myeloma Survivor
July, 2006

Survivor Spotlight: LORI SCHULTZ : Breast Cancer Survivor
May, 2006

Survivor Spotlight Update: BOB SHAROT : Head & Neck Cancer Survivor
May, 2006

Survivor Spotlight on MATT RILEY : Medullablastoma Cancer Survivor
December, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on MARTY TEN PAS : Breast Cancer Survivor
September, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update on RALPH LEMP : Prostate Cancer Survivor
September, 2005
Note from Tim: Ralph was our Survivor Spotlight in the first year of this newsletter and is one of the original “TLC regulars!” But my guess is, Ralph “needs” TLC much less than TLC “needs” Ralph. I don’t think Ralph attends our TLC Support Sessions because he is overwhelmed by the emotional burdens of his life with cancer… but because he can offer support and encouragement for others going through the experience. Ralph doesn’t participate in our TLC Walking Sessions to lose weight or get in shape… but for a chance to maintain the health and fitness he works so hard to maintain. And yet Ralph has commented many times that he has benefited from both the TLC Support Sessions and Walking Sessions. Ralph, in my eyes, represents what I think TLC does for me and what I think TLC can do for so many others. He reminds me that TLC is not just for those struggling with any of the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. It is also for those who are just looking for a way to help make a difference in the lives of others and are sometimes surprised that by helping others they not only learn a few important lessons in life but also are often helped in return.

Two years after we were the Survivor Spotlights, Mary Jo died. It has been about 39 months since she died and you would think that I would be “over it.” And maybe, somewhat, I have gotten over it but there are still a lot of lonely moments in the house. I am constantly reminded of Mary Jo and the many joyful memories that we shared, which is a good thing, but there are still times when those memories bring a lot of sadness too. I hope that eventually I can say that the memories of Mary Jo will bring only joy, but I think there will always be some sadness. I may never completely get over it. I have talked to others who have lost their spouses, some 10-15 years ago, who still experience some loneliness.

As far as my cancer experience is concerned, I’ve been blessed. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience as a result of my cancer. I was diagnosed, I had radiation and had a seed implant, and everything went as it should. I didn’t have to go through treatments that caused nausea and discomfort like so many others. And I’ve been blessed with good health since. I don’t even think of cancer anymore… except for what it does to the people around me.

So why do I stay active with TLC and other cancer events? I think I do what I do in honor of Mary Jo and not for my own benefit. I want to do my part to help others and I try to do that through TLC, by collecting aluminum can tabs for the One Step at a Time Program, by walking each year at the Relay for life, and by supporting the Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund. I guess I just want to do my part! (Note from Tim: Ralph not only donates can tabs to OSAAT, but he recycles the rest of the can and donates that along with his spare change to SCCCF’s “Coins for Cancer Care” campaign!)

I am 71 years old now and I feel just as young as I did in my 50s and even my 40s. I used to exercise on occasion, but the TLC Walking Group & President’s Challenge has gotten me off the couch and it motivates me to get my steps in every day! And with the President’s Challenge, I can even count my gardening as exercise. As a result, my weight has come down a little, I have become more aware of what I eat, and I just feel better. On those days when I don’t feel like doing anything I get out there and do it anyway. And, when I’m done, I feel really good and then I can lie down on the couch for a while if I want. I think we should all try and be at least somewhat active, eat healthy and drink moderately. Beyond that I think genetics plays a big role, so to some extent, it’s a “crap shoot.”

I try to stay positive. That’s not always easy. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful sister and two wonderful daughters who keep me involved and help me maintain my happiness. I get so much support from others and I’m doing well. I would only think that it would be harder if you didn’t have other people in your life to help you through these tough times and help you feel productive and upbeat. But even then I think there are so many opportunities for someone to volunteer their time, get active with other organizations, get involved with their church, or join a support group like TLC. If you just sit at home and dwell on your problems I think it can lead to a lot of unhappiness.

I enjoy TLC because it reminds me of how blessed I am. It takes my mind off of my problems and makes me more aware of the many blessings in life and of the challenges that other people are facing. And it gives me a chance to help others just by caring about them.

I also think it is important to feel a closeness with God. If you aren’t connected in some way with God you have a tendency to lose hope. My hope is that if I live a good faithful life I will be rewarded and reunited with my parents and Mary Jo. I start each and every day by reading a prayer or meditation that is written for the day and I am finding myself getting closer to God. I think part of that comes from age and wisdom and I think God will forgive us of the foolish things we may have done in our youth. I believe our God is a forgiving God.

In closing, I guess I would encourage other cancer survivors to come check out some of the TLC programs. I always feel I get something out of our support sessions together and I enjoy our walking sessions. Those of us that come often wonder why more people don’t take advantage of these programs. You’ve got nothing to lose!

Survivor Spotlight Update on SANDY AMWEG : Breast Cancer Survivor
June, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on STEVE PHILIPPS : Prostate Cancer Survivor
June, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on IONE HEINEN : Breast Cancer & Colo-Rectal Cancer Survivor
April, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update: DON FICKETT : As Told By Caregiving Champion: LINDA FICKETT
March, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update on AUDREY SWITA : Breast Cancer Survivor
January, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on BOB SHAROT : Head & Neck Cancer Survivor
January, 2005

Survivor Spotlights on DIANA BRAY & MARY SCHMEISER : Diana - Lung Cancer, Mary - Breast Cancer
October, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on GENE TE WINKLE : Melanoma Survivor
October, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on MARY ANN HAMMES : Breast Cancer Survivor
August, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on ART WESENER (Colon Cancer) : with Caregiving Champion JOANNE WESENER
August, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on JUDY FRIEDERICHS : Breast Cancer Survivor
June, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on PAT JENKINS : Breast Cancer & Hodgkin's Disease Survivor
June, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on: DR. PHIL WALKER : Prostate Cancer Survivor
March, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on: Rollie Huibregtse : Leukemia Survivor
March, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on: PEGGY KERR : Colon Cancer Survivor
January, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on EUGENE TEWINKLE : Melonoma Survivor
November, 2003

Survivor Spotlight Update on LINDA BURKART : Thymoma Cancer Survivor
November, 2003