812-Lancastar Fanning. Saturday, July 10, 1993 Dr. McMuny, a Geislnger neurosurgeon, says these are the rewards of treating children with cancer - seeing them graduate. Dr. McMurry (right) stands with Dr. Shah, Geisinger's Director of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, and Craig Yoder of Belleville, Mifflin County. Doctors discovered Craig’s malignant brain tumor when he was eight years old. Craig Yoder’s 1$ Celebration Of Life GAIL STROCK Mifflin Co. Correspondent BELLEVILLE (Mifflin Co.) Commencement. It means a beginning. Whoever coined the ceremony for graduating seniors chose a positive focus the start of something new. And hopefully graduates by this time have begun anew and have filed the events of high school under fond memories. On June 10, Craig Yoder of Belleville accepted his diploma like many other seniors but with one difference. Craig had more than the usual team of teachers, parents, guidance counselors, principals and peers guiding him to that graduating point He also had a medical team. Part of that medical team traveled from Geisinger in Danvil le to attended Baccalaureate. Some visited his Belleville home earlier in the week. Many sent cards. All were celebrating the milestone of graduation for some one they first met as an eight-year old with a brain tumor. In June'of 1983, after five unnerving months of nauseous ness and headaches, Craig faced surgery to remove the malignant tumor, and his family faced the uncertainty of both the resulting side-effects of surgery and possi ble recurrence. on ss -• McMurry (left) and Dr. Shah (second from left) talk to Wanda and J. Loren Yoder about the past 10 years of fighting Craig’s cancer and about the famlly-llke bond that develops from experiencing the trama, trials, and triumphs together. From that point on, Craig’s parents, J. Loren and Wanda Yod er, found out what medical team work was all about teamwork that involved surgeons, radiation therapists, radiologists, oncolo gists, nurses, social service agen cies and many, many other helpers and healers along the treatment and recovery road. At Baccalaureate, the piano recessional escorted the seniors, two by two, out of the hot auditor ium to where family, friends, and a perfect June evening waited with congratulations. As cameras flashed throughout the crowd, Craig found his family, then shook hands with two very important members of his medical team, Dr. Shah, director of Geisin ger’s Department of Pediatric Oncology, and Dr. McMurry, a Geisinger neurosurgeon. - “These are our rewards,” said Dr. McMurry looking at Craig in cap and gown. “Craig’s tumor was at the base of the brain, obstruct ing the flow of fluids. We per formed surgery to remove the tumor, but there remained uncer tainty as to whether it could be adequately treated.” After recovering from surgery, Craig went home to the Yoder’s BS-acre Big Valley dairy farm to await the start'of radiation treat ments. For eight weeks, five days was Graduation a week, Wanda, his sister Marcia, and Craig drove an hour and a half one way to Geisinger for exten sive radiation treatments to the brain and spinal cord. This trying time turned out to be a low point in the Yoders’ fight against cancer for their son’s life. Spring and summer field work and daily milking demanded Loren’s time with Craig’s other sister, Jay lene, shouldered the role as Loren’s right hand helper. Wanda, Marsha, and Craig endured the daily trek to Danville, and Craig’s trama of sickness from the treatments. But the endurance paid off. Craig would need no che motherapy. The X-rays showed no tumor. Now the beautiful Baccalaure ate June evening belied the evil of cancer as the two doctors talked. Dr. Shah spoke of the importance of regular visits with pediatricians for early detection. “Children must be taken to their own pediatricians regularly to catch it as soon as possible. Child ren’s cancer treatment has come a long way,” Dr. Shah emphasized. His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Clement, associate director. Department of Radiation Oncolo gy at Geisinger, during a tele phone interview. (Turn to Page BIS) See your nearest (\EW HOLLArSD Dealer for Dependable Equipment and PENNSYLVANIA Annvllle, pa BHM Farm Equipment, Inc. RDI, Rte. 934 717-887-2211 Carlisle, PA R&W Equipment Co. 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 Davidsburg, PA George N. Gross, Inc. R.D. 2, Dover, PA 717-292-1673 Elizabethtown, PA Messick Farm Equipment, Inc. Rt. 283 • Rheem's Exit 717-367-1319 Halifax, PA Sweigard Bros. R.D. 3, Box 13 717-896-3414 Honey Brook, PA Dependable Motor Co. 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