The Crittenden Press Full Version (PDF)
Parish & family remain vigilant against cancer Larry Parish, longtime Crittenden County farmer and tractor puller, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) on Jan. 12, 2009.
Due to his Stage IV brain cancer, which is the worst, doctors gave him three months to live.
That was more than one year ago, and today the 68-year-old is still going strong on the farm.
Parish’s family never gave up when he was diagnosed. The entire clan was featured in “The Puller” magazine for its tractor pulling history and sense of family importance in the face of adversity.
“(Having his family rally around me) helps me know that together, we are going to beat this,” Parish said.
After two brain surgeries, radiation and several rounds of chemotherapy, Parish suffers from body chills, which has inspired his granddaughter, Cali, to create a blanket donation organization.
Cali Cares makes, embroiders and distributes fleece blankets to cancer patients in seven states.
“I'm very, very proud just to know she will help others with cancer,” her grandfather said when asked how Cali starting an organization in his honor made him feel.
Parish recently underwent a routine followup on March 12 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. That’s where he had his initial surgery on Jan. 20, 2009 when doctors were able to remove all of the tumor. The cancer, which was isolated to his brain, has not returned.
Parish underwent additional surgery due to an infection at the surgery site. Now, he continues a seven-day on, seven-day off preventative chemotherapy regime due to the aggressive nature of GBM, according to Natalie Parish, Larry's daughter in law.
GBM is the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer. Usually when a patient is diagnosed with GBM, he is given a year or less to live, according to the National Academy of Sciences Web site.
Fourteen months after his diagnosis, Parish has gotten a good prognosis from Texas doc tors. After six more chemotherapy cycles, he will be finished with the often painful treatments.
The Parish family knew something was wrong last year when Larry was unable to sign his name and had difficulty with his speech. The family assumed that he had suffered a stroke so they took him to Dr. Greg Maddux at Crittenden Hospital. Dr. Maddux found the tumor in his head and referred Parish to Centennial Hospital in Nashville. There, doctors there gave a grim diagnosis, but he nor his family gave up. For the rest of this article, see this week's printed edition or the full PDF online version.
Nine authors converge on library Saturday Nine authors with ties to the area will take part in Crittenden County Public Library’s Meet the Authors event from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m., Saturday. Featured authors are Michael D. Guillerman, author of Face Boss; Chris Evans, author of South of the Mouth of Sandy; Michael Freeland, author From Blood River to Berlin; Tom McKinney, author of Jack Hinson's One-Man War; Robert Barlow Jr., author of History Repeated: America’s Next War Between the States and At the Water’s Edge; Molly Harper, author of Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs; Samuel Beachy author of Guarded By God and In the Midst of an Earthquake; Jennifer Kennedy Dean, author of Life Unhindered! and Bob Yehling, author of The Write Time: 366 Exercises to Fulfill Your Writing Life and other books. The event will include panel discussions, book signings, refreshments and more.
Marion PD investigating vandalism at Mapleview Marion Police Department is investigating vandalism at Mapleview Cemetery in Marion.
Police Chief Ray O’Neal said that a grave was desecrated sometime between Sunday afternoon and 8 a.m., Tuesday.
“We seldom have trouble there, but it looks like someone had a party at the cemetery this time,” O’Neal said.
Police found several Bud Light beer cans near a cemetery bench where the vandals had apparently spent some time.
A wreath on a headstone was burned, the chief said.
Relatives of the damaged grave have been notified, O’Neal added.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or who sees suspicious activity at the cemetery may call police at 965-3500.