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Cathy Lannae gets her own story told, says 'Cancer is the life I have right now'
Nine years ago, Cathy Lannae was diagnosed with ovarian-peritoneal cancer. Her diagnosis came after she had experienced six months of just not feeling like herself. She was bloated, had put on weight, had abdominal discomfort, and had suffered a loss of energy. Something was not right. The summer before, she had undergone a complete physical at Emory University and had been considered in perfect health. Her gynecological check-ups were all current. After visits to a series of physicians yielded no answers, Cathy consulted a seasoned Athens gynecologist who immediately read the signs as possible ovarian cancer and scheduled a CT scan and pelvic ultrasound. His diagnosis was correct, and within two days a hysterectomy to remove the cancer was scheduled. Today, Cathy wears a bracelet that reads, "It whispers, so listen," a sobering reminder to pay attention to the nuances of our health. The surgeon found that the cancer had grown outside the pelvic region. "Metastasized" - the word that cancer patients fear most. Faced with this life-threatening disease, Cathy did what she does best, organize, and in this case she had to organize her life. She had to consider her job, family, insurance, and perhaps most importantly, find a gynecologic oncologist, the essential specialist for ovarian cancer. She was referred to Southeastern Gynecologic Oncology in Atlanta, a group that guides her treatment and recovery to this day. According to Cathy, Dr. Burrell has saved her life. After a few tears with her staff at Reynolds Plantation where she had worked for nine years as Human Resource Director, Cathy prepared her staff to cover their busy office for the month or so that she expected to be out of work. When she began chemotherapy in January 1999, she bought three wigs (red, blonde, and silver) and numerous hats. She was ready for whatever lay ahead. Yet, after a year of coping with her highpressure job while continuing treatments, Cathy decided to take a leave of absence, and eventually left her job to devote her time to her health and recovery. Four years ago, during a remission, her desire to be creative and to work with people led Cathy to take on two part-time jobs, one planning activities at the Senior Citizens Center and another selling advertising for The News-Reporter. After a year, she had to give up both jobs when her cancer came knocking again. Family caregivers are critically important in supporting the cancer patient. Cathy's husband Lamont has been her stabilizing force. When down moments occur, he boosts her spirits with a positive comment or, so often, a hearty laugh. And her daughter Robin, a medical professional in the pharmacy field, consults with Cathy's oncologist every step of the way. In 1999, at the onset of her illness, her greatest fear was that she would never hold her grandchildren. Fortunately, Isabel was born to Robin and Ben four days after the first series of treatments ended. And Cathy was there. In the years since then, Cathy has been present for the births of grandsons Ben and John and for the weddings of Beth and Russell and Amy and John. All were joyous occasions for Cathy. To date, Cathy's ovarian cancer has been held at bay, making her quite the medical miracle. She has had 60+ chemotherapy treatments plus many shots to elevate blood cell counts and continuous tests and scans. Through all this, she has also had several periods of remission, a term that she does not like to use. "The cancer is just on sabbatical," she says. Cathy has utilized every possible avenue to keep her mind and soul strong during these nine years. She is nurtured by her faith in God, and by her family and friends. She has spent many hours at the Loren Smith Cancer Support Center in Athens learning meditation, yoga, guided imagery, painting, and writing. These services and the staff bolster her, and the cancer patients are an extended family, a sisterhood and brotherhood. Cathy even co-authored a play about cancer, "Living the Dance," that was performed twice in Athens and once in Washington. Cathy says, "Writing is one of the best things I do for myself. It helps keep the scary parts in perspective." Cathy's cancer has recently recurred for the fourth time, and she has begun another series of treatments, yet she still looks toward the future. Right now she is planning a special trip at the end of the summer. She lives life with optimism and a zest for whatever she does. Oh, yes, and she laughs as much as possible. "After all," she says, "If you didn't laugh about this disease, you would cry, and I don't have time to cry. Cancer is the life I have right now. It is best to live it a moment at a time and hope and pray every one of those moments for a cure."
Certainly Cathy's courage and fortitude in the face of adversity is an example for all. She is a reminder that no matter what lot life may hand us, we can still "go for the gusto," we can still take every bit of pleasure that each day offers, and we can still be a source of inspiration for others.
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