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Local pastors encourage congregations to vote
Pastoral Pondering: Remodeling your life through God the master
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Finding support of friends, family, faith |
Jeremy Burrows, 19, hopes to see a full recovery from cancer with the
help of friends |
By Schellene Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
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When doctors asked Jeremy Burrows, “JB” to everyone who knows
him, on Oct. 11, his first day of school, to stay at the clinic in Cannon Beach for
observation, he declined their offer and instead returned to his dorm room at Ecola Bible
College. He didn’t have insurance or funds to pay for the stay.
Besides, JB, a long-time Newberg resident who wakeboards, snowboards and had
recently taken up motocross, was strong and healthy. A lingering bout with the flu was
worrisome, but survivable.
Then the pain in his chest got so bad he headed to the emergency room. The doctors,
fearing Burrows’ symptoms indicated pneumonia, took chest X-rays. Technicians found
more than fluid in JB’s lungs – they found a tumor. He was sent to Providence
Medical Center in Portland, where he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma.
Lori Burrows, JB’s mother, said when she heard the news she was shocked.
“I knew he didn’t feel well,” she said.
“We never guessed it was cancer,” JB added.
JB said a snippet of a song ran through his head when doctors gave his prognosis:
“He gives and he takes away.”
With no insurance and facing increasing medical bills, JB’s family, members of
his church and people from across the country mobilized.
People began to pray for JB – a former games master at First Baptist Church in
Newberg and popular member of the congregation – and to plan fund-raisers for his
care.
The only treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy. Surgery is not an
option. He was transferred twice more, first to Oregon Health Sciences University and
finally to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
“We were worried he wouldn’t make it,” said Holly Turnbull, a family
friend raising money for JB’s medical bills.
After two weeks of chemotherapy and few side effects, other than soreness when he
gives someone a hug, JB said the tumor has already begun to shrink and he expects a full
recovery.
Doctors told JB his youth and strength worked in his favor. Athletic in high
school, JB, now 19, had played baseball and wrestled briefly and was an avid
weight-lifter. He also loves extreme sports.
“Did he ever have a time when he said, ‘Why me?,’” Turnbull
said shaking her head. “He’s fine. It was the rest of us.”
JB takes an active part in fund-raising. He selected the graphic for T-shirts to be
given away with a $10 minimum donation. He had his head shaved as part of another
fund-raiser. He’s planning for a pizza dinner fund-raiser from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22 at
Newberg Izzy’s. He hopes to be able to pay the $1,500-per-week tab on blood thinners
and other costs.
For more information or to make a donation contact Holly Turnbull at 503-453-9707
or go on-line to www.jbfightscancer. upcsites.com. |
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From Oct. 30,
2004, Newberg Graphic
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