Rogers City woman to take part in her third Relay for Life Saturday as a survivor

Linda Ide, 42, of Rogers City is a cancer survivor. This weekend during the 2005 Relay for Life of Presque Isle County, she?ll anchor the Rite Aid team as its captain. Three years ago, cancer wasn?t even a concern in her life. The American Cancer Society started the Relay for Life to increase awareness of the disease and to raise money for cancer research. Individuals, as well as teams, walk around a designated track for 24 hours as a way to show their dedication toward the elimination of the deadly disease.

About two and a half years ago, Ide was living a normal life and didn?t know she had a form of cancer called melanoma. There were no symptoms, just an annoying itching coming from the middle of her back. It was before Christmas 2002, during an annual exam, doctors started asking questions about a mole on her back. Her husband, Gordon, who works for Oglebay Norton, during his visits home from sailing had been keeping an eye on it and finally said that it looked like the mole had gotten larger from the last time he saw it.

EARLY IN 2003, Ide had the growth removed by a specialist at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Ide said it was about 4 millimeters in length and looked like a black morel mushroom when it was finally removed and she had a chance to look at it. During Ide?s procedure, doctors also wanted to determine if the melanoma had spread to other parts of her body. Skins cells were tested, as well as samples from other parts of the body, ?because the cells move,? she said. Ide was relieved to learn that no other traces of the cancer were found in her body. ?I got lucky,? she said.

She had a sobering conversation with her mother, who works as an R.N., and learned that if the melanoma had advanced in her body, there could have been more grave results. ?It gets in your body, you?re done,? said Ide, who shook when she was told what she had been up against.

IN HINDSIGHT, Ide is thankful that her mother told her later, because she kept a more positive attitude through it all. Ide has had no relapses, and continues with her yearly exams, but realizes the cancer could come back at any time. She recently had a spot on her forearm looked at by local doctors, but it turned out to be nothing. Ide hopes the favorable reports continue and remains dedicated to taking care of herself, and to keep the cause of the American Cancer Society.

She has participated in the last five Relays for Life in Rogers City, but the 2003 Relay was a little more special. Ide had been a cancer survivor for five months and participated in the survivors? victory lap at Gilpin Memorial Field. The event has since been moved to the parking lot between Rogers City High School and Rogers City Elementary School. ?It was awesome,? she said. ?I walked with them, and everybody around the track in the trailers, stood up and gave a standing ovation. Oh my gosh, the chills ran up and down my spine.?

IDE WAS astonished at the number of people in the community who have had cancer and have been able to win their battle with the disease. Relay officials encourage all cancer survivors in the county to take part in the victory lap Saturday at 7 p.m.

?It?s a celebration of life. It?s a celebration that you made it through and you are surviving this, this nasty disease,? Ide said. The luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. Saturday is also emotional event, Ide said.

Survivors and those who have lost their fight with cancer will be remembered. The memorial lap is an hour and a half later and the trail of hope is at 11 p.m.

The opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m. with Mandy Karsten singing the National Anthem and Jessie Muller performing ?God Bless America.? Musical entertainment and various games such as the amazing race for fourth to sixth graders, putt-putt golf, and a fishing/ping pong toss, will continue throughout the event. There will be a variety of music from Babershop harmony, to Gospel, along with individual performers. There also will be contests and great food.

The Sportsmen?s Club will serve up chicken dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. and the Kiwanis Club will have a food booth. A Chinese auction also is being conducted to raise funds. Items are on display at the Radka building on Third Street in Rogers City with the winners announced at 8 a.m. Sunday. The closing ceremonies are at 9 a.m.

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