A Tougher Delaware
To me the Tri-Cities Cancer Center was just an attractive
building with nice landscaping that I would pass as I used
my usual shortcut through Vista Field to Columbia Center.
I was thankful that the Tri-Cities had this resource, but
I certainly had NO intention of being better acquainted
with it or needing its services.
This changed in January of 2012, when I found myself
in Lourdes Medical Center, recovering from surgery.
When lab tests showed that I had cancer and would need
chemotherapy, I started to think about what I would do
when chemo caused my hair to fall out. I decided that I
would wear kerchiefs. My doctor had told me that women
often chose a theme for their kerchiefs or made some
kind of statement with them. I decided that I would like
them made from American Indian prints to honor my
Delaware Indian heritage. My great-grandmother Mary
Haff and my grandfather William Haff had participated in
the removal of the Delaware tribe from their reservation
in Kansas to land in Oklahoma following the Civil War.
When I had a difficult time getting mentally prepared for
the journey ahead, my brother Stan would tell me that I was
a tougher Delaware than that. A cousin in Oklahoma told
me that our ancestors weren't moved from the East Coast to
Ohio and then to Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma for me
to "wimp out" now. She reminded me of the difficult journey
that my great-
g r a n d m o t h e r
and five-year-
old grandfather
had made from
the reservation
in Kansas to
No r t h e a s t e r n
Oklahoma.
Resource Center
I decided it was time to stop and visit the Cancer Center.
One day when I was strong enough after surgery, I timidly
walked into the center. I was met by several ladies who
welcomed me, and were very eager to tell me of the
resources available there to every cancer patient who
wanted them at absolutely no charge. This seemed too
good to be true, because by this time my medical bills
were beginning to stack up. I found out about afghans,
hats, scarves, wigs, and other helpful items available at no
charge to patients who were undergoing cancer treatment.
Before I left the Cancer Center that day, I had signed up
for three support classes that were available to me.
Cancer Resource Library
A library had material available for checkout and a lot of
free printed materials on all aspects of cancer. I learned
a great deal about my medical situation from the printed
material that I received from the library.
Facials & Look Good...Feel Better ®
The facial massage offered by Sunny Almeida at the
Cancer Center made skin that was already feeling the
effects of chemo feel much better. The Look Good...Feel
Better® class was very informative and taught me how
to cope with skin changes, hair loss, and other effects of
cancer treatment.
WellFitTM Program
The 10-week exercise course sponsored by the Cancer
Center at the Tri-Cities Court Club helped me to regain
my strength that was lost due to chemotherapy. It was very
therapeutic to meet other women who were going through
similar journeys with cancer and friendships were formed.
At our graduation/celebration party the last day of class,
Resource Coordinator,
Connie Warner, with Sadie Haff
Sadie Haff
A Survivors Tale
Lymphedema Prevention & Education
Tuesday, June 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Presenter: Sara Nelson, DPT, CLT-LANA
Lymphedema refers to swelling that occurs most often in the arms or legs due to an obstruction in the lymphatic system that
prevents the proper drainage of lymph fluid. Learn about the lymphatic system, prevention, use of compression, basic self-
massage, skin care and when to seek professional treatment. Dr. Nelson is an expert in the field of lymphedema therapy and
the owner of Therapy Solutions in Kennewick.
Please RSVP by June 17th:
(509) 737-3427 or online at www.tccancer.org
Cancer Survivor
Awareness Ribbon