Upbeat West Sider vows to beat Stage 4 cancer

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

Youngstown

Three years ago, Jim Hlinka ran his own lawn business, worked seven days a week and never took an aspirin.

A diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer in April 2013 changed all of that.

“I lost everything,” the 59-year-old West Side man said.

It started with pain in his back, and Hlinka saw a chiropractor for adjustments. One day, he threw up blood and was rushed to the emergency room.

That’s when he learned the bad news.

“They said I had to have surgery or I would die,” Hlinka said.

Doctors removed about a foot of his colon. Recently, however, the disease spread to his liver and lungs.

“They just gave me two to six months to live,” he said. “I don’t believe that. I plan to keep going.”

He’s been told he would die before and vows to beat the disease.

“I’ve fallen out of trees and off roofs,” Hlinka said. “I can’t let this kill me.”

Because he couldn’t work, he lost the lawn business he worked years to build. He was turned down for Social Security and has no medical insurance.

His parents, Mary Lou and Richard Hlinka, two brothers and two sisters have set up the Jim Hlinka Benefit Fund at the Austintown branch of Huntington Bank. A golf outing is set for Sept. 12 at Lakeside Golf Course in Lake Milton. Tuesday is the registration deadline.

The cost is $75 per golfer for the four-person scramble and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, beverages, riding cart, golf fees and a golf towel. The price to attend just the dinner is $30. There also will be door prizes and an auction.

Registration forms are available at the golf course. Checks should be made payable to the Jim Hlinka Benefit Fund, Dave Hlinka or Debbie Pasquale and mailed, along with completed registration forms, to Marlene Hlinka, 2340 Roy St., Youngstown, OH 44509.

All proceeds will benefit Hlinka, whose nickname is King Louie.

Because Hlinka can’t work, Marlene, Hlinka’s wife of 33 years, takes care of him.

She empties his colostomy bag, tries to make him comfortable, drives him to doctor and chemotherapy appointments and runs the home.

“I try to be strong,” Marlene said. “I can’t cry because I don’t want him to see that.”

Hlinka says he cries every day, mostly because he’s grateful to be alive.

“I never used to cry,” he said, wiping his eyes.

Though Hlinka is supposed to be resting, he often sneaks around to mow the lawn or trim the hedges when no one is watching.

“He was a workaholic,” Marlene said. “He can do anything.”

She said she gets frustrated and worries when he works in the yard.

Not working and being able to help others who need it is one of the most difficult parts of his illness for Hlinka.

“I can’t stand not working,” he said. “I’ve worked all of my life.”

That started with a Vindicator paper route when he was 9.

At first, Hlinka, who avoided even aspirin, wouldn’t take the painkillers prescribed.

“I just don’t like drugs,” Hlinka said.

He finally relented about two months ago. The pain was too severe.

“You should see all the pills I have to take – just to stay alive,” Hlinka said.

His mother says the most difficult thing about her son’s illness is that she can’t take away his pain.

She, too, believes he can beat cancer.

“I have very strong faith,” Mary Lou Hlinka said. “I’m a Catholic and I’m on my knees saying rosary after rosary every day and every night. I never stop praying. My love for my children – I would do anything in this world for them and never let them down.”

Hlinka attends benefits for other Mahoning Valley cancer sufferers, part of his penchant for helping others. Those for children are the most difficult.

Mary Lou said the family chose a golf outing as a benefit because her sons and grandsons all love the sport. Hlinka still plays when he’s able, although it takes a lot out of him.

Last week, he and his three sons – Jim Jr., 40, of Austintown, Christopher, 30, of Campbell, and Rick, 28, of Youngstown – played a round.

He enjoyed it but was exhausted afterward.

His sons are three of the reasons Hlinka won’t go quietly.

“I don’t want to die, I’m too young yet,” he said. “I have to teach them too much stuff.”