Thank you for help after cancer diagnosis

2013 is about to end. Where did it go? How do you say thank you to the many people who were there for you? So, I decided to write this letter.

I am a cancer patient who has been fighting cancer since my diagnosis in June. I have been very ill since January and haven’t been feeling well for the whole of 2012. In July, down at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, they diagnosed me with two different types of sarcomas, one of which only 500 people a year are diagnosed with. Surgeons in the area did not want to operate. But there was a team of doctors that was willing to proceed with the surgery and operate. That was Dr. Canter and his team of five at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. There is a reason for this letter because I would like to thank you all, some of you I never met. Thank you all very much for your prayers, cards, phone calls, and visits with words of encouragement and support during this trying time. If it wouldn’t have been for Dr. Canter and our God above, I wouldn’t be here today.

A special thank you to: Dr. Elliott and staff at Carson Medical Group in Carson City; Home Care Plus and Nurse Katherine in Carson City; LifePoint Church in Minden; Principal Gilmartin, Mrs. Rogers, and staff at Jacks Valley Elementary School; Boy Scouts of America, Nevada Area Council, Pinenut District; Cub Scout Pack 341; Carson Mall Crafters; Dr. Aegers, Dr. Peddada and radiation staff at Renown Cancer Center; Renown South Meadows ER and third floor staff; REMSA Ambulance and paramedics; Life Care Center staff; Dr. Canter and staff at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center; Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Sacramento, Calif.; University Post-Acute Rehab staff in Sacramento; 10 anonymous blood donors; many friends and family across the country; my neighbors on Shawnee Drive; most of all, my beloved husband Ken, my son Dale and family, my daughter Susan and family.

I would like to give an extra special thank you to my 9-year-old grandson Clark, who held my hand to comfort me during blood transfusions and many other trying times. He gave up his summer to camp at Camp Fleischmann and swimming lessons and insisted to be by his grandma. Plus, I want to thank my cat Cookie. She knew that there was something wrong before all the doctors knew. Cookie was my constant companion by side while I was ill.

God Bless you all. I plan on coming home for Christmas.

Betty Hundrieser

Carson City