Grief and the Holidays: Coping with Illness and Loss
Thursday, December 19th from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Wanda Kontur, MSW
Holidays can be especially difficult for those who are grieving, struggling with an illness or anticipating a loss. During
this class, we will discuss practical ways to help you navigate through the upcoming holidays, while caring for yourself.
Please RSVP by December 17th to (509) 737-3427 or online at www.tccancer.org
A Woman With
Nine Lives
By Annabeth Guzman, Delta High School Intern
Most people can't say they quit Hospice and lived to talk
about it. In fact most can't say they have been through five
rounds of radiation, chemotherapy, and eight surgeries
on their left hip over the last four to five years. However,
Sue Cox can. Sue Cox has osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma
(also called osteogenic sarcoma) is a type of cancer that
starts in the bones. Less than 1% of all cancers found
in adults are Sarcoma. According
to the American Cancer Society,
only 800 new cases are diagnosed
yearly in the U.S. and only half of
those are adults.
In 2007, Sue started
experiencing hip pain. In
October of 2008, she
had a biopsy. This study
clearly showed cancer
in the left hip. She
underwent surgery
to remove the tumor
and reconstruct the
site. However, the
recovery process was
lengthened due to a
recurring infection
that lead to Sue's entire
left hip being removed.
She also received five
rounds of radiation in
order to stop certain nerves from being pinched by the
cancer which had spread to her spine and skull.
Sue has enjoyed a very rich life, full of accomplishments.
She co-founded the South Eastern Service Center for
the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in 1995 and also became
a Nationally Certified Interpreter for the Deaf. Sue
became interested in working with the deaf while on a
mission at the age of 21 where she learned sign language.
Following this, Sue attended Interpreter
Training College in Waco, Texas. Upon
her return, Sue met the man she would
one day marry, Bill Cox.
Sue and Bill were both
involved in their local
church's young adult
group. At the time, Bill
was engaged to Sue's
roommate. According to
Sue, "I told her if she
didn't marry him, I
would." True to her word,
they married in 1977.
When Sue and her
husband moved to the
Tri-Cities, Sue was
shocked to see that no
one provided services
for the deaf. Sue, another
local interpreter and a
deaf person teamed up
to establish what is now
the South Eastern Service Center for the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing.
Sue with Annabeth & Palliative
Care Nurse Navigator,
Karen Dubois
Sue and Bill Cox visiting the library at the Cancer Center