Smalley strives to maintain normal life
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By CANDICE NOVITZKE
The Chippewa Herald
Friday, July 25, 2008 10:53 AM CDT
Scott Smalley is simply looking to be himself.
“I just try and be the person I’ve always been,” he said. “And I look to the future as brightly as possible.”
It might seem like an easy goal, but Scott has had more than his share of hard knocks.
On Friday Scott hopes to attend the Relay for Life of Chippewa County as an honorary cancer survivor.
In 1994, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After 10 years of being cancer-free, doctors found metastatic cancer in his lungs in 2004. (Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from the place where the cancer started to other parts of the body.)
Since then, he’s had surgeries and chemotherapy, and has treatments once every three weeks for two days.
“That’s what we continue to do,” he said.
Scott’s wife Sue is impressed with Scott’s outlook on life.
“Scott is so strong, he’s such a fighter, he never gives up,” Sue said. “His attitude makes it easier for me, easier for our friends and the people we work with.”
Scott says having understanding family, friends and colleagues is invaluable.
“My wife, Sue, is my mainstay,” Scott said. “And my son Benji who lives in Madison.”
Through everything, Scott has continued to work as the director of laboratory at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls.
“Coming to work is part of my daily life, and I continue to do that for the most part,” he said. “It helps that everyone is understanding and supportive.”
Sue said even though it’s been many years since Scott was first diagnosed, people still remember what he’s going through.
“He gets hundreds of cards,” Sue said. “Out of the blue, people will bring us meals to help out. Sometimes, it’s people we barely know. They’re all just good support. It’s all those kinds of things — cards, visits, phone calls — that make it easier. With good support, you know you’re not alone.”
Reach Candice Novitzke at candice.novitzke@lee.net.
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