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 WHERE THERE IS HOPE by Brandie Langley Do you know someone fighting cancer? More than likely you answered "yes" to that question. Although statistics show the number of new incidences and the death rates for cancer have decreased since 1998 when the last study was done, it seems that there have been more and more people in our area diagnosed with it. There have been several to lose the battle within the past 2 years. I am writing to tell you about one man's continuous battle against this deadly disease. Tommy Langley was first diagnosed with Melanoma cancer of the leg, in 1979. He had been working as a firefighter with the Little Rock Fire Department since 1972. To make matters worse, soon after the diagnosis, Tommy was delivering some fire extinguishers when he was struck by lightning. Talk about a fight for your life! Tommy, being the fighter he is, pulled through. Although he lost the use of his right leg, through these 2 life changing moments Tommy kept fighting and never gave up hope! In 1986, disabled but cancer free, Tommy, along with his wife, Georgia, moved their family to Pangburn. It was September of 2002 when I met their son, Dustin. In May of 2003, I became Tommy and Georgia's daughter-in-law and my son, Delton, from a previous marriage, became their first grandchild. A short while after our marriage, Dustin and I found out we were going to have a baby girl! Little did we know Dutchess, Dustin's sister, had just found out that she was pregnant too! Nine months later, Dutchess and Wade gave birth to Braxton and Dustin and I gave birth to Liberty Aunna! A couple of months after their births we got the news... Tommy, once again, had been diagnosed with cancer. Only this time, the odds were stacked against him. The cancer was found in his lungs, liver, and bones. The doctors told us that Tommy only had 3-6 months to live. We were devastated. He had 2 brand new grandchildren and doctors were telling him he may only get to see them grow for a few more months! Well, guess what? Poppy wasn't giving up that easily. In fact, he would continue to fight harder than ever. It was January of 2005 when Tommy began Chemotherapy treatments. In August of 2006, Dustin and I gave birth to Jasper, our precious baby boy. Once again, Tommy had a new grandchild and once again, we got more news. The doctors told him there was not much change and there was nothing more they could do for him here. Just before Dutchess and Wade gave birth to their daughter, Brylie, in June of 2007, doctors sent Tommy to The Sarah Cannon Research Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. For those of you who are not familiar, this is where they send cancer patients for experimental drug treatments. Basically, they have no hope for these patients. Tommy and Georgia continued to drive weekly to this facility in Tennessee from April of 2007 until December of 2008, when Tommy was given yet some more bad news. The cancer had now spread to Tommy's brain. Though he is still undergoing treatments, Tommy continues to have hope. As of today, there are no visible signs of cancer cells in his brain, and we pray it stays that way. After all, it has been 5 YEARS since Tommy was told he had 3-6 MONTHS! We were recently a part of the Mini Relay 4 Life in Pangburn, where several survivors walked. They were strong and full of life, showing us that there is hope where many times, none is given. That day Tommy Langley received the COURAGE award from the American Cancer Society. The town of Pangburn raised over $10,000 to go towards the fight against cancer. To those of you who have lost someone to cancer, I'm deeply sorry. And to those of you who have been told, "There is no hope." THERE IS! We love you Poppy! Stay strong and keep fighting!     Be sure and check out the article in the current issue! Go Back to Contents Go to SearcyLiving.com |
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