Written by Elumba Ebenja
A recent diagnosis of cancer has given a local Searcy family hope and faith where others have found only grief.
Stephen Guymon, husband, father of three, and track coach atHarding University, was shocked last semester when his oldest son, Michae, 20, was diagnosed with cancer. Michael had noticed massive swelling of the lymph nodes on his neck.
After consulting numerous doctors’ opinions, the family took Michael to a doctor who also was a family friend in Houston, Texas.
Michael was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Hodgkin’s. Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin’s disease, is a cancer that originates from white blood cells called lymphocytes. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is characterized by the spread of disease from one lymph node group to another and by the growth of symptoms with advanced disease.
Despite the shock of the situation, the Guymon family has taken a positive outlook on it all. According to Stephen and his wife, Suzanne, Michael has enough faith to hold the family of five together.
“Michael is the most spiritual one in the family. His faith has grown even more since he went away to college,” Stephen said.
Michael attendsTexas A&Mand is a junior mechanical engineering major. Although he was unable to be a full-time student, Michael chose to enroll in six hours of classes this semester; treatment occupies the majority of his time. His plans for graduation next year have been put on hold due to his recent illness.
Michael’s daily hour-and-a-half commute from College Station, Texas, to Houston allows him to receive the radiation he needs. Most of his travel and living expenses are sponsored by family and friends, according to Suzanne.
Through all of his endeavors, Michael continues to display high spirits. Dancing has been one of his long-time passions. Now that Michael is unable to participate as a full-time student, he finds pleasure in group choreography. He recently auditioned for a hip-hop dance team.
“Imagine a 6’5″ guy break dancing,” Stephen said.
Michael’s parents said they found it funny to imagine their son dancing in a group, but Michael made the cut and is excited to be part of the team.
Suzanne finds comfort in her son’s courage. She said his faith shines through his actions and words of encouragement. She often checks on Michael and seeks words of support from his Faceook status.
“Sometimes I just go read his on Facebook page. His faith has helped me learn to just let God handle things because I know I can’t,” Suzanne said.
As a mother, Suzanne said it was difficult for her to cope with the situation. She said she went through many different stages.
“I was unable to talk about this just a few months ago,” Suzanne said. “I was a mess, but now I’m learning to give it to God.”
Suzanne travels to Texas to visit her son as often as she can. Stephen is unable to be there as often as he would like due to his travels with the track team.
“I think the hardest part of it all is not being able to be there with him all of the time,” Stephen said. “As a parent, we always want to be present for children and not being able to is difficult.”
On the day he was diagnosed with Hodgkins, Michael had received what he considered the internship of a life time, working with Toyota. He had to postpone the internship until he gets better
Being away at school and off making the most of his life, Michael was unable to be with his family during the time of the interview. His two younger brothers, Austin, 13, and Corey, 19, also spoke positively about their brother in his absence.
Doctors believe that the radiation will cure Michael’s cancer and that he won’t have to receive chemotherapy.
