For days, Barbara Fetty experienced terrible headaches.
The headaches last all day long every day, she said. Fetty tried to fight through the pain, thinking it was a sinus headache. But on one weekend, the pain set in and would not subside, and Fetty decided to set an appointment with her doctor.
"I never had anything like it before," Fetty said about the pain.
So she traveled to the doctor in order to take care of what she thought was a routine headache. However, a CAT scan was ordered, and the results of the test showed a prognosis more severe than a sinus headache.
"The tests showed that I had a tumor in my cerebellum," Fetty said.
A whirlwind of activity soon followed, she said, and three days later she was undergoing surgery to remove the tumor. The malignant tumor was taken from her body, and Fetty began to recover in the hospital. Although her surgery was deemed a success, her ordeal was not over.
While recovering in the hospital, doctors discovered malignant tumors in each of Fetty's lungs. It was soon learned that these tumors were inoperable, she said.
"I was just shocked," she said. "I mean, what can a person think when they find out they have cancer?"
However, the shock soon wore off, and soon thereafter, the 60-year-old Mannington resident's faith and determination kicked in. Fetty added that her faith and her family's love helped her through those tough times when she was diagnosed in October of 2006, and that love and faith has not waned in the two years since.
"I knew God would take care of everything," Fetty said.
"I had things that I needed to do, and God knew it," she added. "And I believe that's why I'm still here."
Fetty is still undergoing treatment for her illness. She must undergo chemotherapy treatment for the cancer in her lungs. Doctors must also keep a wary eye on her brain to make sure the tumors do not return. She also undergoes radiation treatment for her brain cancer, she said.
"And I have an MRI in July," she said.
Fetty receives an outpouring of love and support from her family and friends. She added that she was also introduced to members of the Sharing and Caring cancer support group, which was also a great help.
"Everyone with Caring and Sharing has been really supportive," Fetty said. "They all know what you're going through."
Fetty reiterated the importance of keeping faith when she offered advice to everyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. She also pointed out that the diagnosed person must try to keep their spirits up and keep fighting.
"You can never give up, and you can never give in," she said. "You can beat cancer."
Fetty added that since her diagnoses, she has learned to appreciate the simpler things about her life. She went on to say that she also tries not to let the "little things" upset her.
Fetty said she enjoys working in her flower bed. She also heads outdoors to walk. When the weather is not so nice, she added that she likes to work on jigsaw puzzles to pass the time.
"I just enjoy my life and do everything that I can day to day," she said.
E-mail Paul Fallon at pfallon@timeswv.com. To see more of The Times West Virginian or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timeswv.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Times West Virginian, Fairmont Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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