Battle With Cancer Has Many Fronts Neighborsaid UP mother’s fight for life MERRITT PATTERSON rent poonlerewspepr.com University Park resident Betsy Vincent can't think of too many things further outside of her comfort zone than sitting down for an interview that will undoubtedly bring atten- tion. She’s just not that ‘kind of person. Dragging her into the spotlight is only possible if the topic is something she’s pas- sionate about. Beyond her faith and family, she's pas sionate about two things her neighbors and fight- ing a battle she never envi- sioned facing. CELEBRATING 30 YEARS 1n 2004, Vincent began experiencing chronic and severe stomach and back pain. She went to several doctors over a three-year period, but none of the: ‘was able to find the caus She hangs on to a bit of humor recalling her quest for answers: “I know the doctors thought T was neurotic; you know, like they were saying, ‘neurotic mom in Room 52” But in 2007, when she ‘was just 36, a physician finally ruled out neuroses when he discovered a can- ‘cerous tumor, which was quickly removed along swith Vincent's left kidney. She was diagnosed with tn extremely rare form of cancer, leiomyosarcoma. She'd never heard of it. ‘And she never imagined ‘the news she'd receive at herthree-month check-up: ‘The cancer had spread to ther lungs, spine, and liver. The former flight atten- dant, wife, and mother of ‘two small boys — now in second and third grades at UP Elementary — had Stage 4 cancer and a very uncertain future. Vincent, now 34 sounds like a highly trained M.D. when she shares facts about the condition that affects only four in every ‘one million people and has left her to balance grueling treatments with everyday life, Her mostrecentround of chemotherapy left her hospitalized for six days. She has found that the best way to handle tough questions from her chil- dren is to give the most factual informetion she has, and when she doesn’t know the answer, she’s honest about that too. ‘Because she really doesn't know the cause pf cancer. ‘Or how long shellllive. But looking at the humorous side again, for ‘young boys there is one ‘cool thing aboutall of this. ‘Theylove to ask Vincent to take off her wigiand show ‘See MERRITT, Page BMerritt Continued from Page 1B their friends her bald head. Boys will be boys, ‘no matter what's happen ing, right? She admits that ini- ___ tially she looked back and wondered how different things might be now if someone had found the cancer in the years she was searching for a diag- nosis. But she doesn’t do that anymore, She's focused on a multifaceted approach including tradi- tional treatments, a strict diet, meditation, ahd acu- puncture. | Her neighbors sre tak- ing on a multi-faceted approach too. In éddition to meals and helping with the kids, they're tackling funding issues ¢pecific ‘to Vincent's rare cancer. -_With the goal of raising {$200,000 for leiomyosar- ‘coma research, they're holding # neighborhood phone-s-thon Feb. 810. ‘You can help. Checks payable to MD Anderson Cancer Center can be sent to Trieia Touchstone, 3468 Amaherst Ave, Dallas, ‘Texas 75225.