Couple optimistic after double diagnosis
"You have cancer."
It is difficult for family members to cope with the news when one member has been diagnosed with the debilitating and sometimes deadly disease.
But what about two members of the same family being diagnosed within a five-month period of time?
Don and Irene Bezdek of Hillsboro know what it's like because they are living it.
It all began with routine checkups.
Don, a veteran of the Vietnam War, went to the VA (Veterans' Administration) Eastern Kansas Health Care System in Salina, for a routine physical.
The physician was concerned about Don's liver, and ordered a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) scan, which is a computerized, three-dimensional x-ray.
"They 'accidentally' found a tumor on my lung," said Don. As it turned out, his liver was OK.
Numerous samples were taken from his lung for biopsies which all came back as "suspicious."
On Dec. 16, 2004, Don had surgery at the Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center, Wichita, to remove the cancer. In the end, surgeons removed two-thirds of a lung.
"(Prior to the diagnosis,) I didn't have any symptoms, pain, nothing," Don said. He credits his primary doctor with saving his life.
"The only ailment I've ever had was high blood pressure," he explained.
Following the operation, Don underwent aggressive chemotherapy.
"The chemo was difficult," said Don. "It really wiped me out. It changed my taste buds. Nothing tasted good except tomatoes and McDonald's hamburgers."
The couple barely got through the first crisis when a second crisis hit.
Irene went for an annual examination and her doctor suggested she have a colonoscopy, which is a minor procedure to examine the large intestine.
On May 3, she had a colonoscopy and polyps were found on her colon. The polyps were tested and determined to be cancerous.
The next day, Irene had 24 polyps and 18 inches of colon removed at Newton Medical Center.
She also credits her doctor with saving her life.
"I would not be here six months from now if this wasn't caught when it was," said Irene, because she did not have any symptoms either.
She said if she would have waited until she had symptoms to go to the doctor, it probably would have been too late.
Irene wasn't required to take evasive treatments like chemotherapy, but will go for CAT scans every three months like her husband.
Don's lungs are cancer-free. However, a most recent CAT scan revealed potential problems with Don's kidney. So the couple is faced with another series of tests and diagnosis.
Despite their health issues, the couple remains optimistic and upbeat.
"We have tried to maintain a sense of humor," said Don.
Irene agreed. "You just have to take it as it comes."
"We were so fortunate to have good doctors who caught these problems," said Don. "The care we received was great."
He also credits early detection for saving their lives.
"This day and age of testing is worth a lot," said Don.
"You don't like having it done (a colonoscopy)," said Irene, "but it's important.
Neither were aware of cancer in their families, making the news complete surprises.
Don, a 1960 graduate of Marion High School, retired in June 2004, from Marion Manufacturing. He said his recovery from lung surgery and cancer treatments will probably take two years.
He gets winded and tired during the day, requiring him to take pain relievers and lie down and rest.
Irene plans to return part-time to her job as a custodian with USD 410.
The couple also appreciated assistance from their two daughters who live in Salina and Wichita, and their friends with Hillsboro American Legion Post 366.
"The guys came over this winter and chopped wood for us," said Don. "We really appreciated it, especially when the ice storm hit and we were without electricity for a while."
Don explained people are reluctant to have examinations because they are afraid of what might be found.
"The word 'cancer' scares people," Don explained. "But cancer doesn't mean you're dying."
For the Bezdeks, it just means another challenge that can be conquered.
