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HeroicStories #783: The Little Town That Did
Reaching more than 39,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #783: 25 December 2009 www.HeroicStories.com
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The Little Town That Did Story Editor:
by Jackie Wilson Goddard Joyce Schowalter
Kansas, USA
On October 13, 2007, my husband was diagnosed with Stage Four rectal
cancer. It was also in his groin lymph nodes. Although not one doctor
mentioned the odds of survival, through the Internet, I learned the
prognosis was a grim 8 percent. Rick never asked.
The treatment plan included six weeks of daily radiation supplemented by
chemotherapy by pump, followed by six weeks of recovery. Then surgery.
Then another six weeks of recovery and finally six months of weekly
chemotherapy.
Our 200-person rural town is 90 miles from the cancer center. Rick
wanted to continue working as the custodian at the elementary school, so
we scheduled the treatments for late afternoon. His sister and a friend
offered to drive if I had to work or just needed a break.
The schoolchildren were heartsick. One boy added Rick to his nightly
prayers. Another informed his mother, "My janitor is sick." When she
explained the doctors were doing everything to make him better, the boy
replied, "I know. I just don't want him to be sick." The children
voluntarily gave up recess to do small jobs to help. Rick's co-workers
were equally supportive.
None of Rick's treatment went according to plan. Twice, radiation caused
skin burns, and treatments were suspended until he healed. The surgery,
270 miles away, finally took place five months later. Due to
complications, a second surgery and setbacks, his "10-day hospital stay"
became three months.
One neighbor kept our dogs for five weeks, another took the next nine.
Another came twice weekly to tend the cat and plants. Others mowed the
lawn.
Rick regularly received large envelopes of cards from the children.
Calls and cards from family and friends were sometimes the only bright
spot among all the discouragement. One friend drove 180 miles just to
stop and see how we were.
Rick's co-workers donated their vacation and sick time so he received
his full wages. Family and friends took up a collection to cover my
expenses and lodging. Each act, large or small, enveloped us in a warm
blanket of love that we were determined to return in kind.
For three glorious weeks after Rick came home, we believed he would
recover. Then a CT scan revealed another large mass in his abdomen and a
small one on his lung. In a matter of days, Rick's condition
deteriorated drastically and our family doctor said the remaining time
was only a matter of weeks.
The hospice program provided equipment, fantastic nursing and emotional
support. The $600 ambulance fee to bring Rick home was waived by the
County Commissioners. The school board put Rick on "temporary leave" to
retain his employee status. Food was delivered daily.
Family members stayed with Rick when I had to work. The hospital
administrator volunteered to sit with Rick one afternoon when everyone's
schedules conflicted.
Ten months after his diagnosis, Rick passed away quietly at our home, in
the arms of an entire town.
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Once again our gratitude for all your help
With our "You're Our Heroes" Fundraiser
http://heroicstories.com/fundraiser2009.html
Our readers truly are the wind beneath our wings.
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Diana Reeves's story "Unseen Riches" (#782) was a heartwarming story of
a mother whose wisdom convinces her daughter that their family is not
"poor".
Annette replies: "When I was small, I lived with my grandparents for a
time. I was the youngest child in a home filled with people, from a
great grandmother down to me. Our home that was supposed to be a summer
home, with lots of windows, no insulation and little heat. We were not
wealthy by any means. Nearly all my clothes were hand-me-downs. Even so,
I remember my Grandmother and I walking a distance to carry outgrown
clothes to a poor family. My Grandmother taught me that whatever we had,
we had an obligation to share with those less fortunate. It was a lesson
I have learned and tried to follow in my life. Thank you, Grandma."
More on "Secret Generosity" (#781). A reader in Southeast Asia had an
interesting reaction: "This story was very encouraging and
inspirational. Especially since I live in a country where there are many
crooked mechanics who would fleece you on repairs. And even more crooked
cops who stop you just to fish for bribes. How blessed it is to have a
not only honest mechanic and cop, but have them also go beyond the call
of duty to help a poor family." (Full storoy on our archives:
http://heroicstories.com/archives.html .)
Last week we published a comment from a reader convinced that "Secret
Generosity" was "a good story but not original." Kate in Arizona was
one of many to reply: "Was this story 'unoriginal' or in some other way
untrue? I don't think so, for a simple reason: some situations, such as
various forms of car trouble, hit a LOT of people at some point. And of
course there are plenty of good cops and nice mechanics in the world."
Beryl in the UK adds: "Has this cynical reader considered that more than
one person might have thought to salve someone's pride by letting them
think they 'did most of the work'? Or even that the same trooper/station
owner pair might have carried out the idea more than once? Why does it
have to be that the person who told the story is 'not original', and not
that it might have happened more than once?"
Will in New Jersey: "While 'reader in Canada' points out that 'Secret
Generosity' is not original, I believe that's not what is important. The
whole point of HeroicStories, I believe, is to share news of the good
things people do."
John in Rhode Island sent just such a story, one inspired by
HeroicStories. "I've subscribed to HeroicStories for a while. Last year
HS was the inspiration for me to suggest to our office that instead of
exchanging gifts, we collect money for a charity. We chose our local
food bank. The idea spread beyond our office. We ended up collecting
over $500. This year, we again are donating to the food bank, but just
from our office. Our goal is thus $250. Thanks to many people we reached
our goal yesterday. Then the mail came, with an envelope containing a
single $100 bill. No name. We've now collected $380, we may still reach
$500."
Thanks for letting us know, John, what a wonderful story. Perhaps in
true HeroicStories spirit, more readers will imitate your idea, even
after the holidays pass. Food banks need help year round, especially in
winter. If you do join John's office, please let us know.
Mike in Ireland writes: "HeroicStories is an inspiration to us all and I
often read your mails to my Scouts as examples of Good Deeds in real
life. Thanks again for a fantastic inspirational and uplifting
resource."
Joyce Schowalter, Networker in Chief
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
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