HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- As this year's Village Walk for Cancer Research approaches, event chair Melanie Pederson shared the following story of survival from Hot Springs Village resident Sonja Kelley.
"Sonja Kelley moved seven times in seven years before settling in Memphis for 17 years with her husband, Randy. After a few visits to Hot Springs Village, they decided to move, because the weather reminded them of Seattle, without all the rain and cool weather, making it their home in 2003. She spent her time being a housewife and enjoyed fishing, gardening, knitting and crocheting.
"In 2012, she joined Curves as an instructor, helping to motivate women toward exercise and healthy diet. Life was good. But one day in 2015, she discovered a lump in her left breast. A visit to her doctor resulted in a procedure to remove five lymph nodes, of which three were cancerous.
"With advice from her doctor, Kelley was faced with a life-changing decision, and opted for chemotherapy. She tolerated the first two treatments, but the second week of treatments almost did her in. Her oncologist adjusted her chemo to a lighter dose and she was able to complete the 10-week regime.
"It took another 10 weeks to get her strength and immune system built up before starting six weeks of radiation. The chemo treatments had lasting side effects of numbness and pain in her hands, feet and neck. Another change occurred when she was diagnosed with neuropathy. A trip into a neurologist in Little Rock resulted in surgery, fusing her C2 and C3 vertebrae and installing a metal rod. This provided immediate relief for her neck but she still has the numbness and shooting pains in her hands and feet. The good news was, she was cancer free.
"Then her life changed again. In 2017, during a scheduled mammogram, they found another spot and an immediate biopsy confirmed it to be cancer. At that point, Kelley made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy and underwent the procedure in July.
"Her doctor scheduled a PET scan one week after her surgery. This scan showed a dark spot in one of her lungs. So in August, she had another biopsy, only to find out that she had lung cancer. She was told that this type of cancer isn't curable but only controllable. She is now taking two chemo pills, twice a day for one week and then off for one week before starting the process again. She may need to keep doing this to keep her cancer under control.
"During this time, Kelley has continued to knit and crochet, making beautiful sweaters, hats, afghans and other items. With her husband's help, she continues to be a vendor at the Green Market every Thursday, and participates in local craft shows. She also loves to travel to see her children.
"In reflecting on all that has happened, Kelley said she could not have gotten through any of it without the love and support of her husband.
"She also strongly believes in early detection, saying without it, she knows she wouldn't be here today. She supports cancer research and for the past six years, had donated some of her handiwork to the Village Walk Silent Auction. This year, she has donated a crocheted American flag."
Kelley is doing her part to make a difference, and others can, too. The Village Walk for Cancer Research will take place Sept. 30, beginning at 7:30 a.m. under the Balboa Pavilion -- rain or shine.
The walk of up to five miles will be along the Balboa and Hernando trails. Attendees can bring money for both the silent auction and bake sale, and all registered walkers will be eligible to win a door prize drawing.
Registration is $35, and can be completed online at http://walkforcancerresearch.org.
For more information, call Melanie Pederson at 501-915-8747, or send an email to [email protected].
Local on 09/19/2017