Letter to the Editor

Blytheville not such a bad place to live

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

To the editor:

I have (as many of you have) always thought that if something bad was going to happen it would happen to "someone else or the other guy." On Nov. 1, I became "someone else or the other guy." (I'll tell you why later in this letter.)

Through mutual friends, my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. James Suen of UMAS. Dr. Suen is the chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology -- head of neck surgery at UMAS Medical Center and has written the textbook used by medical schools all over the world on cancers of the head and neck. While visiting with Dr. Suen, I asked about cancer treatments near Blytheville. To my surprise, Dr. Suen said we have one of the best cancer treatment centers right here in Blytheville! He said that Dr. Lovard Peacock, his staff and the equipment at the center is "as good as you can get." The cancer center, which does both radiation and chemotherapy is called Bethesda Cancer Center and is located next to the hospital in Blytheville.

When you think Blytheville has nothing left to offer, Blytheville will surprise you with an "as good as you can get!" Blytheville is SO fortunate to have such a facility.

Oh, how did I become "someone else or the other guy?" On Nov. 1, I was diagnosed with cancer. I thought it would never happen to me, only to "someone else or the other guy," but NOT me.

After I got over being hurt, mad and scared, I stopped and thanked God for Blytheville. A place I could take my treatments from one of the top cancer centers, be at home with my wife, family and friends.

I would like to say, "Thank You" to everyone for your kind words and prayer during a difficult time. Thank you to all the churches in Blytheville that had me on your prayer list, to Dr. Ronnie Smith, Lisa and their staff for their encouragement and kindness and to Dr. Peacock, Ron and the staff at Bethesda for a job well done.

Really, Blytheville isn't such a bad place to live. If it was, we'd all move! Please pray for and encourage our city leaders and our law enforcement agencies.

"If you are not part of the solution, then you're a part of the problem."

Living with you in Blytheville and Mississippi County,

James Razer
Blytheville