Public invited to cancer survivor celebration for Sackets Harbor resident

July 31--SACKETS HARBOR -- Linda M. Allen can be described in one word: survivor.

The 71-year-old has battled different cancers annually since 2005, and before that, she first battled breast cancer in 1983. Currently undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, Mrs. Allen said she won't let anything stop her -- especially multiple bouts of cancer -- from living a full life.

"People ask me how I go about it every day," she said. "It scares me in a way, but the best thing you can do is go to the doctor. Early detection means a lot. It doesn't scare me now as much as it did."

She said that's because three decades ago, cancer treatment was radically different from today, with significant improvements on medication administration and prevention efforts. In 1983, she found a lump in her right breast after a self examination.

The Carthage native said she drove herself from Herkimer to the Watertown office of her physician, the late Frederic A. Stone, and by week's end she had surgery to remove the breast and four lymph nodes. Determined to make it to her son's wedding not even one week later, Mrs. Allen said, she remained strong and ended up attending the wedding.

Perhaps, she said, she left the hospital too soon, as she developed a staph infection, which subsequently spread to the face of her husband, Gerald K. "Jerry."

Chemotherapy, Mrs. Allen said, involved mixing of chemicals, and then a large needle was inserted into a vein in her hand. There were no accompanying pills to help with nausea, so at every treatment, Mr. Allen said, he became "the bucket man." Mrs. Allen would vomit during and after treatment.

"Oncologists then were few and far between," Mr. Allen said.

Mrs. Allen received treatments at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, New Hartford, and then at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo.

From late 1983 to 2005, Mrs. Allen said, she felt great, as she was cancer free and enjoyed watching her children grow up. During that time she had managed Bedford Creek Marina & Campground. The couple retired "comfortably" in 2005, they said, but retirement was met with what would become the busiest, most costly years of their lives thus far.

Since 2005, Mrs. Allen has had bladder, ovarian or breast cancer, or a strangulated bowel from cancer. Although the couple uses Medicare and a supplemental program, insurance does not cover all of the prescription and nonprescription medication and other related costs. Mr. Allen said the couple spends $2,000 to $2,500 monthly on uncovered expenses, including trips to Syracuse, where she is being treated at Crouse Hospital by Dr. Mary Cunningham.

Their retirement savings is being eaten away, he said.

To celebrate Mrs. Allen as a survivor and a current cancer patient, they are inviting the community to a survivor celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on the polo grounds of Madison Barracks.

A chicken barbecue, entertainment, silent auction, 50-50 drawings, fish casting competition and duck and goose call competitions will be held to raise funds for the Allens to help cover expenses.

Related to her cancer troubles, Mrs. Allen also has kidney trouble and has had a hysterectomy. Her doctors, she said, also are watching spots on her lungs, which appear to be shrinking from chemotherapy for her ovarian cancer.

"Jerry is my big incentive of 52 years," Mrs. Allen said. "He's my big pusher."

Since 1983, Mr. Allen said, he has made it a point to learn about cancer, the treatment process and research before going to physician visits. He also carries a portfolio of all of her scans and health care paperwork in case he needs it for reference.

"We understand the path it's taking, and ask the right questions," he said. "Linda prays a lot, too."

She also has sparkly pink stones in the shape of a cancer awareness ribbon she wears around her neck, and a matching charm bracelet she wears on her right wrist.

While some days she feels sick or emotional, Mrs. Allen said, she refuses to let cancer get her down.

"You work through a lot of stuff," she said. "The majority of your attitude means a lot. When I go to (the doctors), I just expect that I'm going to be OK. They'll take care of this."

Awareness, she said, has helped her and her family understand what is happening and why. Mrs. Allen has tested positive for a mutation of the BRCA 1 gene.

With that mutation, the risk of breast and ovarian cancer is high, according to the American Cancer Society. Having genetic testing if there is a family history of cancer is a good idea, she said. "Everyone on my mom's side pretty much had cancer," she said.

Members of her family have had breast, ovarian, lung and prostate cancer. An adult niece died three years ago of ovarian cancer and was a carrier of the gene.

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