Helping others through difficult times

A cancer survivor has committed herself to God and those in crisis.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Sue Reynolds says she knows what it's like to live a miracle.
Shortly after getting past the initial shock of being told she had three to six months to live, Reynolds saw her predicament in a different light.
"I saw it as a blessing right away. Taking inventory and evaluating relationships were my first set of thoughts," the West Boulevard woman said, referring to when she was diagnosed five years ago with terminal lung cancer.
In July 1998, Reynolds, 52, and her husband, Gerry, were preparing to take a yearlong vacation. Beforehand, the couple had their annual physical examination; X-ray results showed they both had a suspicious spot in the same area of their lungs.
Thinking something might be wrong with the X-ray film, the Reynolds' doctor advised them, two days before they were to go on vacation, to come back to Lutheran Medical Hospital in Cleveland for another test. Those results showed Gerry Reynolds' lung was OK, but that the affected area in his wife's lung had grown.
A biopsy confirmed Sue Reynolds' tumor was getting larger, and that she had advanced lung cancer. She also was told that, without surgery, she had three months to live; even a successful operation meant she could expect to live for only six months, Reynolds' doctor told her.
Operation
The couple sought doctors, nurses, church members and others to pray for her. Despite the grim prognosis, the Reynoldses traveled to Balboa Navy Hospital in San Diego and on Oct. 2, 1998, she had the operation. Afterward, the couple got news neither expected.
"The doctor came out [of the operating room] with blood all over his gown and a big smile on his face and said, 'We got it all,' " Gerry Reynolds recalled. "The cancer doctor said it was gone."
In his 25 years of practice, her doctor saw only three people survive the Stage 4 cancer Sue Reynolds had, Gerry Reynolds noted.
Sue Reynolds describes herself today as "cancer-free." For the first year after her surgery, Sue Reynolds went for X-ray tests every three months. Today, she receives checkups about once every three years.
Pastor
She now works as an interim pastor at area churches where she's needed. She enrolled in a two-year program through Eastminster Presbytery to become a minister and is one class away from being ordained.
Reynolds spends little time thinking about what she went through and spends a lot of time reaching out to others, including those who have survived the disease. For the past 11/2 years, she has spent four hours each week visiting cancer patients at Forum Health Northside Medical Center and offering them spiritual assistance, guidance, prayer and other needs.
"I do a lot of listening and make an attempt to get them to talk about what's important to them, and I offer prayer for their needs," she said.
She also orders and distributes Care Notes pamphlets for patients and family members going through trauma. The interdenominational notes offer spiritual advice and comfort to those suffering from numerous hardships, such as the death of a loved one, divorce and illness.
Last summer, Reynolds served on the Relay for Life committee. She prepared food for two programs at the McDonough Museum of Art, one of which featured the unveiling of artwork done by cancer survivors.
The other was a drumming event in which a Youngstown State University music student demonstrated for two groups of cancer survivors techniques using various drums, tambourines and other instruments.
Helping others
When she's not working with cancer patients, Reynolds finds time to visit people living at Park Vista of Youngstown, a retirement and rehabilitation facility on the city's North Side.
For 11 years, she has served as a Stephen minister. A Stephen minister works one on one with people experiencing loneliness, job loss, depression, family problems and other crises, and they have to receive 50 hours of classroom crisis intervention training, as well as attend two retreats for an additional 12 hours of training.
"I listen to what they're doing and what's going on with them. Sometimes it's a matter of keeping the lonely company," she said.
Other volunteer efforts include taking low-income senior citizens to doctor's appointments, shopping and to other outings, including the occasional get-together at her home.
She also spends time every Christmas singing carols at several area nursing homes, and this year she organized a Christmas party for residents at Carrington South Rehabilitation Health Care Center on Midlothian Boulevard.
Reynolds said that there are several things people going through difficulties during the holidays can do to lessen the burden on themselves.
"Reach out to others, even if you don't feel like it," she advised. "If you lost someone, take the focus off yourself and place it on others. Listening is probably the number one thing we can offer to others," as well as being aware of others' feelings and needs and being able to articulate our own, she said.
Holidays
Reynolds said she and her husband spend much of December entertaining family, friends and others to express their appreciation toward them.
"The best we can give people is our time and memories," she said. "It's the intangible things that make the [holiday] season extra cool."
Reynolds said she's bothered that commercialism and materialism often cloud the meaning of the holidays. "We need to focus on things it represents, like renewal, sharing, caring and celebrating diversity, but also recognize it as a beginning and ... keep openness, joy and ideas for giving going through the year. We need to do what Christmas represents year-round."
Reynolds said she is thankful for the people who have supported her through her difficult times and who continue to be a part of her and her husband's lives. Prayer also has made a difference, she mentioned.
"God has given me what I've needed -- not necessarily what I've wanted -- to get through the tough times. Recognizing these blessings makes me want to reach out to others."