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"LIVING WITH
CANCER"
by Rita D. Ford
Next to heart attacks, cancer is the second largest
cause of deaths in America today. More than one million
Americans were being treated for the disease in 1973, as
approximately 675,000 new cancer cases were
developing annually. If present rates continue, it is
estimated that more than three million American men,
women, and children will be victims of cancer in the
next ten years.
It is difficult to put into words the experience of
living with a disease, and with cancer the task becomes
exceedingly more difficult. Cancer has no prejudices and
may strike at any age. A case in point is the experience
of Mrs. Jeanetta New, a Missouri wife, and mother of
two young children, who revealed her tragic story in the
September issue of the newsletter, Make Today Count.
At the age of 24, Jeanetta had to live with the
“certain knowledge” that her 27 year old husband, Fred,
was dying of cancer.
After many encounters with various doctors, Fred
was diagnosed as having malignant melanoma, a
fast-growing type of skin cancer. Although the surgeon
had hoped to slow down the growth by removing all the
tumor present, it was discovered in January that Fred
had a brain tumor and a new one on his lung. By May,
the cancer had spread to his liver, colon, and tailbone.
Fred’s brain tumor and tailbone were treated with
radiation and the other tumors with chemotherapy, but
the chemotherapy was discontinued because of the ill
effects it had on Fred. Jeanetta was told that her
husband might live six months; maybe longer. From
February to April Jeanetta described their family life as
being “almost normal.” Then the pain returned and life
became, once again, unbearable for Fred. Fred entered
the hospital for three week with a running race between
which would be destroyed first, his liver or his brain. He
then returned home for ten days before finally going
back to the hospital to stay.
The brain tumor began to grow again, one eye was
completely gone, and his facial features became badly
distorted. He lost the use of one arm and couldn't
control his body functions. A tumor developed on his
esophagus and he had to be fed intravenously. Fred
gradually began to lose his mind, and his speech became
so damaged one could hardly understand what he was
saying. At this point Jeanetta said, “I am ready for Fred
to die; I even wish it. Actually, Fred, the man I loved,
died about a month ago. This person left is someone to
be pitied, to be taken care of, someone who is so
humiliated that he wishes for death himself.”
Five days after Jeanetta wrote this story to Make
Today Count, her husband died. Jeanetta revealed this
crucial experience so other victims would find comfort
in knowing that they weren’t suffering alone.
No, cancer is not pleasant, but when it strikes a friend
or loved one, what else can we do but try and live with
it? Jeanetta knew that life must go on, so she planned to
start her first child in school and pick up the pieces. So
many times we look back and wish we had done this or
that, but making today count should become
everybody’s business. Life can be an overwhelming trial,
as Jeanetta’s story proved. When we learn to accept that
fact, everything else is easy.
Spelman Spotlight
Staff
Amelia K. Hamilton
Editor
Debbi Newton
Associate Editor
Jacquelyn R. Hall
Cornelia Edwards
Business Managers
Mary Henley
Leslie Henderson
Advertising Managers
Sheila Venson
Photographer
Vicki “Acie” Poole
Literary Editor
Sylvia Wofford
Circulation Manager
Marian Cobb
News Editor
Ms. Beverly Sheftall
Advisor
ALUMNAE OFFICE -
SPELMAN COLLEGE
by Kim Yasmin Gosier
There is an office in our midst that is of the utmost
importance to the betterment of our college. The
enthusiastic members are constantly concerning
themselves with new ways to tighten the communication
gap between the Spelman of today and the Spelman of
yesterday. This is the Alumnae Office and all should be
aware of its existance and functions
The Alumnae Office staff includes: Ernestine E.
Brazeal, who is the Alumnae secretary. She has been
carrying out functions for almost thirty years. Kathlene
A. Jackson is her assistant and is the Coordinator of
Alumnae Gifts and Records as well.
The Alumnae Office is responsible for relating and
enlightening Spelman news to graduates and former
students. The news ranges from the naming of the
College Center (now Albert E. Manley College Center),
to the achievement of a doctorate degree by a former
Spelmanite. This news is circulated through The
Spelman Messenger, the alumnae magazine which comes
directly from the Alumnae Office, which is located in
Rockefeller Hall, rooms 200 and 202.
The Alumnae Office is funded by the College.
However, the actual organization, The National Spelman
Alumnae Association, is a separate entity. Its members
are Spelman graduates and former students all over the
FOR THE VERY BEST OF
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VISIT
MELVIN'S
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320 Ashby St., S.W.
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Phone; 753-9453
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WE OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Women
Members of the Staff:
Rochelle Flemister, Vashie Whipple, Marian “Kittye”
Cobb, Catherine Alston, Greer Geiger (graphics,)
Michelle Morgan, Diedre Tanner, Brenda Cleveland,
Robyn Mahone, Chiquita Haygood, Judy Gresham, Jacki
Payne, Catherine Alston, Valory Mapp, Lee Novia V.
Robinson, Daol B. Smith, Carolyn T. Woods, Shelia M.
Bailey, Connaelia Moyston, Livinia Moyston, Mary
Henley, Margaret Lee, Susan Johnson. Betty Harris,
Karen Johnson, Iris Rocker, Rita Ford, Kim Gosier, Iris
Jayne Richards, Arnold Houston, Tony Hawkins, Pamela
Blatch, Nelwyn McDuffie, Angela Phoenix, Stephanie
Nelson, Sylvia Washington, Vickie Felder, Vickie
Bernard, and Jetta Edwards.
country. Spelman College has initiated a $16.9 million
campaign to raise funds for the college. $250,000 of this
campaign goal will be raised by the National Association,
the remaining monies will be accounted for by
co-operating corporations, foundations and friends of
the college;
To you .... Spelman sisters of 1974-1978 .... be
aware of those things that are beneficial to you. The
Spelman Alumnae Office is “a direct partnership
between the college and alumnae to strengthen the
college’s role in society”, and their requisite is “adequate
communication with all constituencies”, but they are
also here for you. Each of you will be the Alumna of
tomorrow, so know your advantages TODAY!
FAMILY PLANNING
by Debbi Newton
The following is part one of a three part series
exploring the services and failities offered by the family
planning clinic of the Atlanta University Center. The
clinic is located on the Spelman College campus. Part
one is an interview with the director of the clinic, Ms.
Doris McLittle. Ms. McLittle received her Bachelor
degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Science
degree in Public Health with a concentration in
population and family planning from the University of
Michigan.
Family planning is both a concept and a health entity
to plan your future life. It’s planning not only the
number of children you have, it’s planning the spacing of
them and it’s planning a life pattern. Family planning
programs have been a stepping stone in providing
health care for women,” according to Ms. Doris McLittle
director of the A.U. Center family planning clinic.
Initiated in 1972 under the leadership of Spelman
College President Albert E. Manley, the MacVicar
Hospital based clinic is funded in part by the Georgia
State Department and the Ford Foundation.
The clinic offers both medical and educational
services. The medical services include: pelvic and breast
examinations; pap tests; gonorrhea culture tests;
henatocrits (blood tests); and urinalyses (testing for
diabetes). In order to receive these services, students are
required to submit both their full names and addresses.
The educational portion offers formal and informal
sessions; Human Sexuality and Family Planning and
Population Growth are the two courses that are
presently being offered.
Ms. McLittle has visited dormitories throughout the
Center addressing the impact of family planning and
human sexuality. She has also lectured at convocations
and class seminars on the subjects.
However, despite the innovations in sex-related
health care services offered here in the center, only an
estimated ten percent of the students are currently
employing the services. Moreover, even this small
percentage comprises mostly Spelman students.
Avant-garde adversaries espousing their views on
family planning declare it a subtle approach to genocide;
a means of checking population growth.
“I would not say check population growth,” assessed
Ms. McLittle, “Family planning is a means of reducing
the fertility rate or the fertility level. It cannot actually
check population growth.”
The clinic hours are Monday and Thursday, 5-8 pan.
Dr. Elija Jones is the medical doctor in charge.
NEXT ISSUE: Medical Directives in Family Planning
(An interview with the nurse clinician.)