Jun. 10--Mabel Klimpen lived for more than 90 years without cancer.
Then the La Crosse woman was diagnosed with ear cancer in 2003 and had a recurrence three years later. Today, at age 100, Klimpen is going strong, still living in her own home and baking rhubarb pies.
Klimpen was among hundreds of cancer survivors at the 18th annual Celebrate Life! event sponsored by Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp.
The oldest person in the crowd had some simple, sound advice for cancer patients: "You have to take it as it comes, keep doing and keep on living."
Other cancer survivors talked about some of the best advice they received from others while going through treatment.
Sarah Normann, 43, of Viroqua, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said she had trouble allowing others to help.
"Let people help you; they feel good about helping you. Just give in," Normann said.
Theresa Koszarek, 58, of La Crosse said a social worker advised her to have someone sit with her during her treatments for breast cancer. Her husband, Gary, did just that.
"I responded better to treatments," Koszarek said.
Jenelle Lemke, 59, of La Crescent, Minn., said she learned much from others after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.
"You have to give yourself time, and rest when you feel like you need to," said Lemke, who had a cancer recurrence in 2006.
Elaine Woodard, 70, of Houston, Minn., has been a six-year survivor of bone marrow cancer. "You just have to hang in there, be around people who love you and get lots of hugs and kisses," Woodard said.
Cindy Trussoni, 47, of La Crosse said she got some wise advice after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
"Stay positive, do the best you can and there's another day," Trussoni said.
-----
To see more of the La Crosse Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lacrossetribune.com/.
Copyright (c) 2009, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.
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.