Thinking about those who are affected by cancer

BY Aprile McKinnon

Happy Friday Canyon Lakers.

I am writing today and thinking about people I know who are currently affected or have been affected by that ugly “C” word. The word that when I was a child I only heard about and really did not have any direct connection with. Today is a much different story. It seems we all know someone with cancer or who has had cancer. It isn’t much fun to talk about, yet today more than ever we need awareness.

This month marks 10 years for my own child to be a cancer survivor. I know other parents who don’t share my same story. I honestly never thought that I would experience this with my own child. But, no one does or are they prepared for it.

I did not have control over the situation nor did my child. We felt helpless, but knew we were gonna fight. We used that slogan with the bad word in it often, and had bracelets made with it. I am not proud of that, but we all handle things differently.

Every day was a hard day. Sure we tried to mask it by going to karaoke on the days when it was a “good” day. We would put on uplifting music, watch funny movies, and try to distract ourselves from the ugly word. Those things helped us a lot.

We did not know what our future held in so many areas back then. I prayed a lot, I tried to remain positive, and tried to handle it the best way that I knew how. That is when I really started to do meditation to relieve the anxiety that I would feel.

My child went through a much harder time. He was faced with putting toxins in his body, not knowing if they would help. He experienced fear of what was to come. It was such a hard time. My child was brave.

Amber Berkey,left, Josh Steeber and Kim Gerrish, CFRE Executive Director, stand at the Michelle’s Place Cancer Wall. The wall is just one of the many ways to tell your story and have a little therapy at Michelle’s Place.Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon

It was a trip to the doctor and an x-ray after my 18-year-old son fell down the stairs two times that gave us the diagnosis. An x-ray was taken of the rib that was hurt during the fall. A golf-ball-sized tumor was found in that x-ray between his lungs and his heart. Had I not insisted that my kiddo, who was considered an adult, go get an x-ray for the sore ribs, who knows where our story would have gone. Parents, trust your instincts.

We were told that “Non-Hodgkin‘s Lymphoma” was the best cancer to get if you are gonna get cancer. We were also told that there was a better chance for healing due to the young age of my child and the early state that the cancer was in.

We saw lots of signs that went undiagnosed before that fateful x-ray. My boy suffered from rashes, eye infections, and illnesses. A rash occurred that literally made my child cry at night as it felt like there was a burning coming from inside. We were told by the doctors that these were all signs of anxiety caused by my divorce that was going on at the same time.

No one listened to us. I knew this was more than just anxiety. My child knew from the beginning of when all these symptoms began that there was something seriously wrong. We learned that we had to be our own advocate, to keep asking questions and to not listen when we were told it’s nothing. We know our bodies. So I say, don’t ignore something that just isn’t your norm.

Last year, I had the opportunity to become involved with a “Cancer Fair” here in Canyon Lake. Josh Steeber was the man behind this event. After the Canyon Lake Poker Run that Josh helped put on, he and many others gave back to the community in various ways, one of which was this Cancer Fair. The theme of the fair last May was Cancer in our Community.

The fair isn’t taking place this year. Josh was hoping that he would get some people and clubs who would step up and take over the event this year because it was such a big success, since he couldn’t do it again as the organizer.

Since Josh put his heart behind the event, he also has taken a volunteer position with “Michelle’s Place,” a cancer center in Temecula. Michelle’s Place was created with a focus on breast cancer and helping others facing that challenge in their lives, but now Michelle‘s Place helps people who are affected by all cancers.

“I was invited to the resource center at Michelle’s Place,” Josh said. “As I walked through the center, I asked how many men came through, and was told zero. I wanted to make sure that the event that we put on in Canyon Lake that men would feel comfortable to come to the facility and get help.”

A man did go to Michelle’s Place after the Canyon Lake event, which made Josh feel encouraged to continue his efforts of helping others with cancer.

“I now need to have clubs and people to step up and take over this Canyon Lake Cancer Fair,” he said. “Even if it could happen every other year, it would be great. I can’t do it this year and would love to see it happen next year. I am now volunteering at Michelle’s Place and I’m very involved there after being a part of the Cancer Fair.”

The Cancer Fair had free testing and cancer screenings. Preventive-awareness pamphlets were given out for cancer. The fair included a cancer walk, entertainment, vendor booths, food, tap trucks and keynote speakers. The day was a great day of awareness and encouragement for all.

Many people in the community were able to receive free screenings and learn more about what to do to prevent cancer. I felt that the day was much needed in our community and I hope to see others who will step up to volunteer as individuals and clubs to make this happen again. I am thankful to Josh for seeing the value in this event and setting the plans in place that made it possible. I am grateful for the time I recently spent with Josh as I toured the Michelle‘s Place facility. Michelle‘s place offers guidance, knowledge, hope, encouragement, and many mind, body, and spiritual resources. You will find Michelle’s Place a safe place to go to get help if you want it. You can check out their website www.michellesplace.org.

If you or your club would like to help make this Cancer Fair happen again in 2024, please contact me so I can let Josh know. Awareness is the key to kicking cancer.