BonnerSprings.com

On Monday Chris Sifuentes-Futrell learned the results of a recent biopsy on her thyroid: inconclusive.

That means she'll have to decide whether to have another biopsy, after which, if the lump is cancerous, the rest of the gland would be removed, or to simply have the entire thyroid taken out at once.

"I have some decisions to make as to what I want to do," Sifuentes-Futrell said. "I think either way I have to take some medicine for the rest of my life."

Whichever way it turns out, Sifuentes-Futrell is already a cancer survivor. In February she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy in April.

Sifuentes-Futrell is the co-founder, with Cheryl Chadwick, of the Kaw Valley Relay For Life.

"I was given the option of having a lumpectomy and having radiation and to have one of breasts removed," Sifuentes-Futrell said.

She chose the more radical double mastectomy, she said, "because it gave me less of a chance in the future of reoccurrence."

Unsurprisingly, it wasn't an easy time.

"At first I was really upset," Sifuentes-Futrell said. "But it's not the first experience I've had with breast cancer."

Her mother had breast cancer, and developed it when she was 40. Sifuentes-Futrell is 49.

"So I knew I was at risk for that," Sifuentes-Futrell said. "I tried to take precautions for that. I had that biopsy - at first I was really upset."

But then, she said, she learned how greatly her chances improved for surviving with a double mastectomy.

Sifuentes-Futrell's life was more or less back to normal until a couple of weeks ago, when an abnormal growth was found on her thyroid through a CT scan.

Even after her breast-cancer experience, Sifuentes-Futrell admits it's "scary."

Still, "I try to have a positive outlook," she said.

The experience has made her appreciate the Relay For Life.

"My mother passed away May 2000," Sifuentes-Futrell said. "Cheryl (Chadwick) and I were both at our sons' ballgames, talking about wanting to do something. One of her sons had cancer. So we talked to the American Cancer Society about starting a relay."

The first Kaw Valley Relay For Life took place in 2003. Last year's raised more than $135,000 for the American Cancer Society.

"Actually it just makes me know and believe even more we all have to support the Relay," Sifuentes-Futrell said of her recent medical travails, "because it can hit anybody any time. The more research and the more tools we have, the better off all of us are."

Sifuentes-Futrell said she planned to take part in the relay, which will be from 7 p.m. June 27, to 7 a.m. June 28, at Bonner Springs High School's David Jaynes Field.

So far 29 teams have signed up to participate.

The public is invited to attend the silent auction beginning at 5 p.m. and may participate in all activities and ceremonies until midnight. At that time, Relay becomes a team event and only registered team members will be allowed to stay.

The event opens with cancer survivors walking or riding the first lap around the track.

The highlight of the evening is the 10 p.m. luminaria ceremony to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. Survivors will circle the track rimmed with candles in hand-decorated white paper bags while the names of survivors and the dead are read aloud. Luminaria can be purchased for $5 the night of the event or by calling (913) 441-6324. Contributions to the Kaw Valley Relay For Life can be made at http://events.cancer.org/kawvalleyrelay.

Comments