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Karen Hittle is well enough to prepare a meal these days – but cooking tends to be a challenge when your family has taken over the kitchen.
It was about a year ago that Karen, a social worker with the Central Valley School District, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her family and friends wasted no time in rallying support, resources and a steady supply of optimism. Within 24 hours of the diagnosis, Karen’s daughter, Nikki, had compiled 70 pages of stories from people who had survived pancreatic cancer.
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Just over a year ago Karen Hittle, a social worker with the Central Valley School District, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After successful surgery and chemotherapy treatment, Hittle is now cancer-free. Her husband, Mike, serves as principal of Central Valley High School.
Photo by: Craig Howard |
“We could tell she was aware of the downside of things,” Nikki said. “But we wanted to move beyond the medical side of it to those missing, intangible pieces. I started researching the spiritual part, the positive energy and laughter. It’s that hope and belief that make a difference.”
A year after that doctor’s call, Karen is cancer-free. Her support group – including husband, Mike, the principal at Central Valley High School – still make it a point to handle all of the responsibilities around the home, even though Karen said she could probably manage the occasional supper just fine.
“After all those years of her taking care of us – it was time for us to look after her,” Nikki said.
Karen said she knew “something wasn’t right” when she began experiencing back pain and itching last May. While looking through the Merck Manual, a reference guide of warning signs for all types of conditions, Karen realized that her symptoms may point to pancreatic cancer, the disease that took her mother’s life at the age of 73.
Karen took the initiative to find out what the problem might be, even though she was told in early appointments to disregard her concerns.
“I think that was a big part of it,” Karen said. “I knew it was important to hone in on these symptoms.”
The American Cancer Society agrees. ACS research has found that 85 percent of all cancer deaths could be avoided through regular screenings, early detection, a healthy diet, consistent exercise and staying away from tobacco products.
After her diagnosis, Karen began eating more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, making it a point to steer away from processed foods that contain the sort of toxins often associated with cancer.
Meanwhile, staff and students in the Central Valley School District did their part to provide the Hittle family with reinforcement as Karen’s journey of healing began. When Mike and Karen drove down to Houston for treatment, they took along a container with close to 200 cards of encouragement and well wishes. Also included was an assortment of inspirational books and CDs and even a motivational medallion.
“The support we received from everyone in the district was just amazing,” said Mike. “The way everyone rallied, it just gave us more hope.”
CV’s Leadership Class stepped up to organize a fund-raising event at a football game in November. Staff and students wore T-shirts signifying support for Karen and the Hittle family. Talk of Karen’s treatment schedule filled the hallways.
“This is an incredible group of students who really care,” said Krista Larsen, a teacher at CV who helps with the school’s Key Club. “Everyone felt in standing up to this and making a difference.”
Because of her treatment schedule, Karen had to temporarily step aside from her work as a family service coordinator for CVSD’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. While she was away, other staff stepped up and donated their sick-leave days so Karen would be covered.
“One of the most difficult things was to be so far away from home,” Karen said. “It meant so much that people back here were remembering us and praying for us. We had Spokane with us the entire time. It really helped.”
When Mike missed work due to Karen’s treatment, administrators and teachers at CV adjusted their schedules to help.
“Everyone picked up the slack,” Mike said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Another aspect of the recovery process involved utilization of the CaringBridge Web site, a free resource for individuals and families who are coping with critical illness. From journal entries to e-mail updates, the site became another component of an effort that had become known as “Team Hittle.”
The united approach included a series of positive affirmations posted in cars and rooms throughout the house. “Thirty-plus” signified Mike and Karen’s intentions to be together for at least another 30 years. “Stay ahead of the wave” referred to the goal of being in tune with the latest medical treatments and “No punting” spoke of a commitment to never give up.
“That positive visualization is so important in healing,” Karen said.
The family’s resolve proved beneficial when faced with less-than-buoyant news, such as the time one doctor told Karen the cancer was inoperable. A successful surgery last December proved different.
At CV’s final assembly of the year, staff surprised Mike by inviting Karen and presenting the couple with a quilt created from T-shirts imprinted with the slogan – “Cancer’s tough, but Karen’s tougher.” Then the announcement was made that Karen had been declared cancer-free.
“Everyone cheered,” Larsen said. “I think everyone realized, ‘Hey, people can beat cancer.’”
Want to find out more?
To learn more about prevention and treatment of cancer, call the 24-hour, toll-free American Cancer Society helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. To find out more about resources for those with pancreatic cancer, call 1-877-272-6226 or www.pancan.org. Locally, Cancer Patient Care provides free assistance for low-income cancer patients and their families. To learn more, call 456-0446 or visit www.cancerpatientcare.org. The CaringBridge Web site is located at www.caringbridge.org.
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By
Craig Howard
