Susanne Bonner

When my dad died, when I was very young, I left the church. I walked away from God. I think God has used cancer to bring me back.

I live in Montana with my husband Verlin. I work for Montana Rail Link and love to quilt and bead. In December 2006, when I went out on our deck to pick up the dog’s water dish, I fell and sprained my wrist. When the sprain didn’t heal, my doctor investigated and discovered my ulna was pressing on my wrist bones and surgery was needed.

While I was recuperating from that, I just didn’t feel good. I was having lots of bloating, wasn’t sleeping and was having trouble with my bowels. I was also watching daytime television during this time and kept hearing that March was colon cancer month and everyone should get checked. I decided that even though I was sure I didn’t have colon cancer, I’d go to the doctor and get checked out.

The beginning of April, I had a colonoscopy – a procedure I’d really fought having – and when the results came back, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. On April 13, I had surgery. The tumor had already broken through the wall of my intestine, and two of 16 lymph nodes showed the disease.

I met with an oncologist while I was in the hospital, but I was so put off by his manner that I told him I wouldn’t be needing him; I was going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Strangely enough, back when my dad had died, I’d actually seen an ad for CTCA and had cut it out and saved it. Then, between the time I was diagnosed with cancer and my surgery, I’d again been reminded about CTCA when I saw a commercial on television. I’d actually called CTCA at that time and talked to an Oncology Information Specialist. I decided since my surgery was already set up in Montana, and I really liked my surgeon, I’d do the surgery as planned.

But once I healed from it, my husband Verlin and I headed to Tulsa, arriving at CTCA mid-May. I started chemo, but traveling back and forth between Montana and Tulsa between treatments resulted in some blood clots, so in July, we packed up our trailer and drove to Tulsa, committed to staying for the duration of the 12 scheduled chemo treatments. We were there four months.

When those ended, my doctor told me to go home for six weeks and then return for scans. In January, when my scans were read, I didn’t know what to expect. You can’t imagine my thrill when my oncologist told me they could find no active cancer growth.

During the time I’ve been at CTCA, in addition to the treatments, I’ve been watching people and have been impacted by their deep faith. People pray for me on the street, in the store, at the campground, in church – yes, I’ve been, as people out here have invited us to go. I’ve also been to services here at the chapel at CTCA. I love the chaplains here. I’ve had incredible prayer support and lots of wonderful discussions on spiritual matters. It has brought me back to God, which is something I’ve needed. And I thank Him for my healing and good reports.

I thank Him for bringing me to CTCA. There are friendly, compassionate people here who listen to you. At home, my oncologist didn’t make me feel like a person. I felt like just another case to him. Here, everyone, including my doctor, the people in Infusion, the PAs, the naturopaths, the nutritionists, Dr. Sorenson (my pain-management physician), the folks in physical therapy … everyone has been wonderful. The ladies in the kitchen, when my hands were peeling badly from the chemo and they hurt so much, carried my plate for me, cut up my food for me. I can’t find a person here who won’t help you. And interacting with the other patients gives you an idea of what’s coming up in your journey with cancer. In this hospital, you’re not just sitting around talking about cancer. I’ve made some life-long friends here.

I think my experience with cancer has made me a more compassionate person. God has put so many people in my path to help me. I hope I can be there for others to give something back to them.

I’m convinced that if you have to be sick with cancer, this is the place to be. The history behind this place is inspiring. It’s incredible what the founder, Mr. Stephenson, and his family have done. I thank God for showing me this place. At CTCA, I got everything I needed.

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