The following article was printed in the Vinita Journal on Thursday, August 13, 1998.
"Local Woman's Daughter Faces Cancer with Big Smile and Light Heart"
In the face of pain, fear and even death, it is strange and at times unbelievable, but always inspiring, the way the human spirit allows you to overcome anxiety and face the fear with spirit and zeal. In May of 1997, Joan Driskill, daughter of Ann and the late George Driskill, of Vinita, was diagnosed with three forms of ovarian cancer. One of which is so rare specialists in two states have never before seen the likeness. "She is a very brave girl with a tough mind and spirit and she has handled it with such dignity and strength." said Joans mother, Ann, "I am so very proud of her." The youngest of the Driskill's three children, Joan, 47, who grew-up and graduated from Vinita and is now a singer-songwriter residing in Kansas City, found out after a routine physical that she had two forms of malignant ovarian cancer. "It's very hard not to hear the word 'cancer' and at the same time think 'death sentence'," Joan stated, "then I think, it's just a word, and I'm still terrified. But we're going to get through this step by step." Shortly after her original diagnosis, Joan underwent a complete hysterectomy, removing the softball sized cancer mass and after three chemotherapy treatments, went into remission. Following the hysterectomy and chemotherapy, further tests showed another tumor, this time near a kidney. Eleven weeks of chemotherapy did not kill the cancer and Joan underwent surgery again last December. The cancer proved to be a rare combination of two forms of ovarian cancer. At that point, doctors determined Joans best chance for survival was a stem-cell transfer. "Joan was scheduled to begin the stem-cell transfer this month, but doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lungs and she underwent lung surgery on July 9." said Ann, "they had to remove a portion of her lung which stalled the stem-cell transfer, but she is doing fine, getting stronger and has been accepted for the procedure, which is wonderful." To date, Joan has undergone five surgeries and she will begin testing for the stem-cell transfer as soon as she is well enough, to determine if she is a good candidate for the operation. Under the stem-cell transfer procedure, stem-cells are collected from patients blood, then the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy. The stem cells are then returned to the body to help the patient survive the treatment, which could otherwise destroy the patients ability to make new blood cells. Joan, who graduated from Kansas University with a Bachelors in Psychology, has always been very active. A devoted musician, she is one half of the two-woman musical duo The Neon Girls. Joan has also been instrumental in starting and encouraging womens program studies and child care facilities on the KU campus. While working as an inspector for the Kansas Housing Authority in the low income district, her dealings with difficult situations have inspired much of her music and involvement in community activities. She handles her ongoing battle with dignity and a warm heart by doing such things as posing in silly hats and with apples on her hear, which has lost all hair due to chemotherapy, for pictures. This, according to Joan, makes dealing with her diagnosis easier for her beloved friends, family and most of all, for Joan. "I made a decision right from the beginning to be open about my situation." Joan stated, "It's been no picnic, but I try to keep my sense of humor." Although most stem-cell transfer candidates must travel to Houston for the procedure, Joan will be going through it at home. "The procedure will take about six weeks to complete," said Ann. "She will be isolated and visitors are strictly limited to avoid the chance of any type of infection during the procedure, but she will be at her home and that will surely make things more comfortable for her." "It has been hard to watch her go through this and it is very hard not to be with her," Ann continued, "but, she is a very strong woman and she is hanging in there." According to Ann, one of the hardest things for Joan has been not being able to sing since her lung surgery in July. However, Joan is recovering well and plans to be singing again soon. In the face of fear, coping with such a positive attitude is inspirational to many of the eight million people diagnosed with cancer each year and their loved ones. I don't think of myself as an inspiration," Joan said. "I'm not any kind of hero. I'm just trying to get on with my life."
Two pictures were featured with this article, the captions read: Refusing to cow down to the hard knocks of life, Joan Driskill, 47, is battling the worlds most feared disease with a big smile and a light heart. Instead of facing a rare cancer diagnosis with denial and surrender, the former Vinita resident chooses to accept the disease with an open mind and make the best of a bad situation. Pictured above, Driskill poses for a friend with a glass bowl on her head in place of the hair she lost following chemotherapy treatment.
Joan Driskill, daughter of Ann and the late George Driskill of Vinita, poses for a friend with old-fashioned hair clips stuck to her head and while reading a magazine titled 'Coping'. Driskill, who has undergone five surgeries since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer just over a year ago, resides in Kansas City where she will undergo a stem-cell transfer in hopes of forcing the rare forms of cancer she has been diagnosis with into remission.
I just read the story of the struggles of our friend Joni. I feel so bad that I never knew of the ordeal she was going through. I knew she was ill with cancer and I believe we talked at some point in the beginning but she never confided how serious it was for her. As close as our families were I don't think my mom knew or she would have told me. Joni was always and individual and true to herself. Her 58th birthday is coming up this month I believe it's the 15th but I'm not 100% sure. But it's very close to that date. So if you look at the calender about then say "Happy Birthday Joni", we'll remember you in July and tell great stories about you.. God Bless, Jan
What a really funny person. The last time I talked to her was with Bill and Ronnie on Main Street. She cracked joke after joke.
But I remember most she is the first person I danced with at Teen Town. I was nervous but she just took my hand and said come on. It was a slow dance so at least she never knew it was my first.
Judith Ann Postier
The following article was printed in the Vinita Journal on Thursday, August 13, 1998."Local Woman's Daughter Faces Cancer with Big Smile and Light Heart"
In the face of pain, fear and even death, it is strange and at times unbelievable, but always inspiring, the way the human spirit allows you to overcome anxiety and face the fear with spirit and zeal.
In May of 1997, Joan Driskill, daughter of Ann and the late George Driskill, of Vinita, was diagnosed with three forms of ovarian cancer. One of which is so rare specialists in two states have never before seen the likeness.
"She is a very brave girl with a tough mind and spirit and she has handled it with such dignity and strength." said Joans mother, Ann, "I am so very proud of her."
The youngest of the Driskill's three children, Joan, 47, who grew-up and graduated from Vinita and is now a singer-songwriter residing in Kansas City, found out after a routine physical that she had two forms of malignant ovarian cancer.
"It's very hard not to hear the word 'cancer' and at the same time think 'death sentence'," Joan stated, "then I think, it's just a word, and I'm still terrified. But we're going to get through this step by step."
Shortly after her original diagnosis, Joan underwent a complete hysterectomy, removing the softball sized cancer mass and after three chemotherapy treatments, went into remission.
Following the hysterectomy and chemotherapy, further tests showed another tumor, this time near a kidney. Eleven weeks of chemotherapy did not kill the cancer and Joan underwent surgery again last December.
The cancer proved to be a rare combination of two forms of ovarian cancer. At that point, doctors determined Joans best chance for survival was a stem-cell transfer.
"Joan was scheduled to begin the stem-cell transfer this month, but doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lungs and she underwent lung surgery on July 9." said Ann, "they had to remove a portion of her lung which stalled the stem-cell transfer, but she is doing fine, getting stronger and has been accepted for the procedure, which is wonderful."
To date, Joan has undergone five surgeries and she will begin testing for the stem-cell transfer as soon as she is well enough, to determine if she is a good candidate for the operation.
Under the stem-cell transfer procedure, stem-cells are collected from patients blood, then the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy. The stem cells are then returned to the body to help the patient survive the treatment, which could otherwise destroy the patients ability to make new blood cells.
Joan, who graduated from Kansas University with a Bachelors in Psychology, has always been very active.
A devoted musician, she is one half of the two-woman musical duo The Neon Girls.
Joan has also been instrumental in starting and encouraging womens program studies and child care facilities on the KU campus.
While working as an inspector for the Kansas Housing Authority in the low income district, her dealings with difficult situations have inspired much of her music and involvement in community activities.
She handles her ongoing battle with dignity and a warm heart by doing such things as posing in silly hats and with apples on her hear, which has lost all hair due to chemotherapy, for pictures.
This, according to Joan, makes dealing with her diagnosis easier for her beloved friends, family and most of all, for Joan.
"I made a decision right from the beginning to be open about my situation." Joan stated, "It's been no picnic, but I try to keep my sense of humor."
Although most stem-cell transfer candidates must travel to Houston for the procedure, Joan will be going through it at home.
"The procedure will take about six weeks to complete," said Ann. "She will be isolated and visitors are strictly limited to avoid the chance of any type of infection during the procedure, but she will be at her home and that will surely make things more comfortable for her."
"It has been hard to watch her go through this and it is very hard not to be with her," Ann continued, "but, she is a very strong woman and she is hanging in there."
According to Ann, one of the hardest things for Joan has been not being able to sing since her lung surgery in July.
However, Joan is recovering well and plans to be singing again soon.
In the face of fear, coping with such a positive attitude is inspirational to many of the eight million people diagnosed with cancer each year and their loved
ones.
I don't think of myself as an inspiration," Joan said. "I'm not any kind of hero. I'm just trying to get on with my life."
Two pictures were featured with this article, the captions read: Refusing to cow down to the hard knocks of life, Joan Driskill, 47, is battling the worlds most feared disease with a big smile and a light heart. Instead of facing a rare cancer diagnosis with denial and surrender, the former Vinita resident chooses to accept the disease with an open mind and make the best of a bad situation. Pictured above, Driskill poses for a friend with a glass bowl on her head in place of the hair she lost following chemotherapy treatment.
Joan Driskill, daughter of Ann and the late George Driskill of Vinita, poses for a friend with old-fashioned hair clips stuck to her head and while reading a magazine titled 'Coping'. Driskill, who has undergone five surgeries since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer just over a year ago, resides in Kansas City where she will undergo a stem-cell transfer in hopes of forcing the rare forms of cancer she has been diagnosis with into remission.
Janis Ann (Jan) Dirickson (Marshall)
I just read the story of the struggles of our friend Joni. I feel so bad that I never knew of the ordeal she was going through. I knew she was ill with cancer and I believe we talked at some point in the beginning but she never confided how serious it was for her. As close as our families were I don't think my mom knew or she would have told me. Joni was always and individual and true to herself. Her 58th birthday is coming up this month I believe it's the 15th but I'm not 100% sure. But it's very close to that date. So if you look at the calender about then say "Happy Birthday Joni", we'll remember you in July and tell great stories about you.. God Bless, JanJohnny Leon Morgan
What a really funny person. The last time I talked to her was with Bill and Ronnie on Main Street. She cracked joke after joke.But I remember most she is the first person I danced with at Teen Town. I was nervous but she just took my hand and said come on. It was a slow dance so at least she never knew it was my first.
I wish I would have told her thanks.
Johnny