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Home - Local News Sports Obituaries Editorial Social Archives |
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Social - April 2002 |
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Upbeat attitude helps line dancer kick cancer Two steps forward, one step back By COURTNEY MARTIN, LTN Staff Writer May 3, 2002 - Alice “Shorty” McConnell celebrated her 64th birthday in April. And despite two diagnosis of cancer and numerous surgeries, she refuses to slow down “I’ve had a good life,” she says. “I’ve got a long way to go, too.” Shorty prides herself on not taking matters too seriously and having a good sense of humor. But she admits being floored when she was diagnosed with cancer. “I always said, ‘I’ll never have cancer, I just will not allow myself to have it,’ and I’ve had two different kinds.” Shorty was diagnosed with cancer of the vulva several years ago. Treatment required numerous procedures, not including radiation or chemotherapy. But her battle was not finished. Shorty later found out that she had benign brain tumor the size of a baseball. She now has a seizure condition as a result. In 1999 the survivor returned to the doctor because of recurring stomach pain. The doctor sent her to have a colonoscopy. The results were less than favorable. She had colon cancer. Despite the diagnosis, Shorty was grateful that the cancer was detected early enough for surgery to be possible. “Had I not gone for that colonoscopy, I’d be dead,” she said. “Colon cancer is one of the easiest to cure if it is caught in time.” After surgery, she began light chemotherapy treatments. Still under a doctor’s care, the active woman decided it was time for line dancing lessons. “I’d always wanted to learn the Electric Slide,” she said. “I even went to Lebos and bought some boots.” But she had to put her dancing boots away for a while in November of 1999. Scar tissue had grown around her intestines resulting in a return trip to the hospital for surgery. Because of her recent surgery and ongoing chemotherapy, her body was already weakened. McConnell describes the experience as sort of a line dance in itself. “It seemed every time I’d go two steps, I’d go one back,” she said. “It was not the happiest time in my life. I’d just gotten aggravated because I wanted to be able to do everything.” But even in the hospital, Shorty kept her sense of humor. She continued to make jokes, referring to her IV fluids as margaritas and pina coladas. “I like to have a good time,” she said. “I’ve never been a very serious-minded person.” It wasn’t until her husband, Grady, was diagnosed with cancer that Shorty decided to take Relay for Life seriously. After Grady had surgery and was recovering, she took to the track to walk in the 1999 event. Her love for the event has grown with every year she’s participated. “The relay is very dear to me,” she said. This year she will serve as captain of her own team. Shorty hopes her actions and the proceeds from the event will help others faced with such a battle. She says her recovery is in part due to her outlook on life, her doctors and her faith. “Attitude has a lot to do with it,” she says. A year after being diagnosed with colon cancer, Shorty traveled with members of her church on a mission trip to Rocky Mount to help flood victims. “God has been so good to me, that I just have to help somebody.”
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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