Beating the Odds

 

A 30-year survivor of malignant melanoma, Sue McDonald credits the physicians and support staff at M. D. Anderson with saving her life.

 

 

The prognosis for curing elementary school teacher Sue McDonald of malignant melanoma was gloomy when she first arrived at M. D. Anderson in early 1968.

 

Now three decades later, she echos a comment made in the summer 1990 issue of Conquest, which spotlighted long-time cancer survivors who had beaten the odds against several types of malignancies.

 

McDonald noted in that article, "The best decision I ever made was going to M. D. Anderson right away for treatment (surgery and chemotherapy). I firmly believe that I would not have survived otherwise."

 

Then, in 1991, McDonald learned she had breast cancer - and again she traveled quickly to M. D. Anderson. Since the disease was in an early stage, surgery was the only therapy recommended.

 

She and her husband, Joe, live in Brownwood, about 75 miles southeast of Abilene.

 

He developed some major heart problems a few years ago and also came to the Texas Medical Center for treatment. Today, they enjoy good health and practice this philosophy: live each day with special zest.

 

McDonald has since retired from teaching third graders full time. She is usually available, though, when called as a substitute teacher, and she works as a volunteer at Brownwood Regional Hospital. She also needlepoints beautiful Christmas stockings.

 

As a couple, the McDonalds like to walk briskly and travel by car to museums and other historic sites. "And Joe is a very good cook; he does most of our cooking," she says.

 

Looking back 30 years, McDonald credits "a deep faith in God and confidence in my doctors at M. D. Anderson" for her long-time survival. Both she and her husband have a deep appreciation that "good health means everything."

 

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