At the age of 34, I found out that I had colon cancer. Thank goodness, it was caught early and chemotherapy was not required at that time. However, with two less feet of intestines, I had to make adjustments – a new bathroom schedule and a big change in eating habits. That was eighteen years ago! Who would have thought I would be hearing the word, "CANCER" again!

There I was, out in the community, running about the Country, talking about the injustices done to my people; the 1970 murdering of two students at Jackson State University, how I met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in my home while they marched in Mississippi, and participation with others to settle the Mississippi black colleges discrimination case, "Ayers vs. Fordice".

I never felt the pains that should have told me there was a health problem. This time, at the age of 49, I almost died! Yes, going through 9 ½ hours of surgery, and then constant pain for more than three weeks, who would remember to pray? I have to confess, I did not remember to pray at first. I was hurting too bad to even form the words, "Lord, help me". As I lay in St. Dominic’s Hospital, there on the wall, I saw Jesus Christ with His hands nailed to the cross, His feet crossed and nailed, His head hanging down. As I looked at the statue, I was thinking, "that must have been some kind of pain." It was then that I realized that Jesus Christ died for us and he never complained. He did not have any painkillers like I did. I began to pray and I asked for forgiveness.

Today, I am on a reduced community schedule, but I take the time to volunteer to help other cancer patients. Yes, chemotherapy makes you sick but you can get through it with prayers – with prayers, you can do anything!