The Newton County Appeal from Decatur, Mississippi • 18

surgery to rebuild the breast, and the government required that insurance pay for surgery on the non-cancerous breast for the sake of uniformity, because of the deep emotional trauma a woman experiences through losing her breast. I was already realizing that and I even lost it yet. I cried through my whole visit with him. It is amazing I remembered all he said. He found a good plastic surgeon in the same building, Dr.

Wegner, who was able to see me right then. I wept through that appointment, too. He explained the process of reconstruction. I had hoped to have the tissue in the abdomen transferred for the breast. That could not work because of a long scar from gall bladder surgery in 1984.

They would take from my side and back instead. I was not to be exposed to cigarette smoke, because it can kill the grafted tissue. I did not smoke and others would not be able to smoke around me. I had the first surgery on Sept. 16, which was supposed to be my wedding day, an event that never took place.

In addition to the emotional upheaval of losing my breast and hoping that would be enough to free me of this cancer, the rest of my plans went up in ashes. It was a lot to deal with at once. The physical pain was not nearly as intense as I expected. Two draining tubes and bottles were the worst of it, because they made sleep difficult. After I went home, I had to wear them for a few days, draining them when they were full.

After the surgery, at the advice of a friend who was a nurse, I requested an oncologist to determine and oversee my treatment. I chose Dr. Graham of the Cancer Center in Jackson. He looked over all the records sent to him by the other doctors and prescribed a pill, anastrozole, which I would take daily for five years. I believe it kept my liver, spleen and pancreas from converting nutrients into estrogen.

When my breast was removed, an empty implant was put in its place. Twice a week I went to Dr. Wegner, who added a saline solution to it each time via a syringe. The stretching process took several weeks. After the implant was very full, and had stretched enough, the stretcher was replaced with a saline implant.

Surgery was also done on the right breast to make the two sides symmetrical. Three weeks after my breast was removed, a friend started to take me fishing. We fished most of the day every day. Dr. Wegner said since I cast with the right side, it should be alright.

But if I felt any strain at all, not to overdo. It was the best medicine possible. What you realize about a mastectomy until you have one: you mourn. Your grief is great over this loss. Fishing was a favorite activity I had not done in years.

It kept my mind relaxed and occupied with thoughts other than cancer and gave my body a chance to heal and get strong. Recently an old friend from elementary school was diagnosed with breast cancer. I spoke with her yesterday about her experience. Her scenario was almost like mine, except she found the tumor herself, and she has not yet decided whether she will go back for the reconstructive surgery. She is married, with a supportive husband who has assured her that he is fine with whatever she decides.

I will see her this weekend in Louisiana and share my experience in case it helps with her decision. I encourage every woman to have mammograms as her doctor suggests. If I had skipped the mammogram that day, I am sure I would not have gone back for one until the cancer was making itself evident, probably too late to stop it. If you are diagnosed, ask every question you have on your mind. In my case, another woman might choose a lumpectomy and radiation, which might have been one of the options for me.

I have no regrets. I have been cancer-free for 15 years and I thank God every day. Email me at ginger- or leave a voicemail at 769-222-7055. May the Lord be with you until we meet here again next week. 4C THE NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 Union From 1C Obituaries Lorene A.

Smith Services for Ms. Lorene A. Smith were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at Center Ridge Baptist Church with burial in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.

Bros. James McMillan, Bobby Everette and Jackie Strebeck officiated. Visitation were held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Milling Funeral Home of Union and 30 minutes prior to service on Thursday at Center Ridge Baptist Church.

Ms. Smith, 100, of Little Rock died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 3017, at her residence. Survivors include her eight children, R.D. Smith and his wife, Liz, of Chunky, Betty Jean Kilpatrick of Little Rock, Jackie Smith and his wife, Debbie, of Little Rock, Tommie Sue Butts of Chunky, Autrice Patterson of Little Rock, Gail Haygood and her husband, Donnie, of Chunky, Retha Hillhouse and her husband, Richard, of Chunky and Wendell Smith and his wife, Penny, of Little Rock; a daughter-in-law, Wydell Smith of Chunky; 23 grand- children; 54 great-grandchildren; 36 great-great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Kate Alexander.

Ms. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Ella Alexander; her husband of 73 years, Roy C. Smith; three children, Quanice Simmons, Truman Smith and Cleveland Smith; two grandchildren, Tammy Simmons Spears and Robbie Patterson; and great-great- grandchild, Payden Tucker. Pallbearers were Alex Drew, Chris Alexander, Samuel McCloud, Cody Warren, Jeremy Clearman, Chad Smith, Junior Session, Tanner Smith and Matt Parks. Milling Funeral Home of Union was in charge of the arrangements.

Paid Obituary Rupert Adcock Rupert Perry Adcock, 87, of Conehatta, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at Bedford Care Center in Newton. He was born Thursday, June 12, 1930, in Neshoba County. Visitation was held from 57 p.m. Saturday, Oct.

7 at Newton County Funeral Home South in Newton. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 at Newton County Funeral Home. Burial followed in Conehatta Methodist Cemetery.

Bro. William Savell officiated. Newton County Funeral Home South was in charge of arrangements. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson and Nellie Adcock; three brothers, Carnett Adcock, Carnell Adcock, Charles Adcock; and two sisters, Lounez Whinery and Fronie Mitchell. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Irene Adcock; a son, Ronald Adcock; three grandchildren, Justin Adcock, Andie Adcock and Chloe Adcock; two brothers, J.D.

Adcock and Grady Adcock; and four sisters, Ruthie Jones, Margie Dunn, Mary Dyess and Barbara Jones. Pallbearers were Justin Adcock, Joedy Pennington, Jamie Parker, Dicky Blackburn, Larry Adcock and Doug Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Dwayne Jones and Gary Jones. In lieu flowers a donation can be made to Gideon Bibles International or Pleasant Valley Methodist Church. An online guestbook may be signed at newtoncountyfuneral- home.com.

Paid Obituary Charles Heidelberg Charles Julius Heidelberg, 91, of Lawrence, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at his home in Lawrence. He was born Friday, Oct. 16, 1925 in Laurel. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Newton.

Newton County Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bankston Heidelberg; two grandchildren, Ricky and Rock Heidelberg; a great-grandson, Jesse Rick Heidelberg; and his parents, Julius and Virginia Heidelberg. Survivors include his daughter, Inez Holmes; five sons, Arliss Heidelberg (Rose), Eddie D. Heidelberg (Ann), Roger K. Heidelberg, Gary C.

Heidelberg (Nancy) and Rassie H. Heidelberg (Cindy); two brothers, Quince Heidelberg (Patty) and Oliver Heidelberg (Alice); three sisters, Betty Horn, Jane Scarbrough and Lylith Crockrel along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Paid Obituary Timothy W. Chesney Services for Timothy W. Chesney were held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Little Rock, with the Rev. Danny Lanier officiating. Burial followed in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. McClain-Hays Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Chesney, 55, of Union, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, at his home. He was a native and longtime resident of Neshoba County. He was a resident of Nashville for several years where he was in the gospel music field.

He retired from Lauderdale County as their IT administrator. He was manager of TAJ Motorsports, where he restored and customized automobiles. Mr. Chesney was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church of House. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Melanie H.

Chesney of Union; a daughter, Monica Michelle Chesney and her John Wingard, of Union; a son, A. J. Chesney and his wife, Kirby, of Brandon; two grandsons, Grover Isaac Chesney and Truman Avery Chesney of Brandon; his parents, the Rev. Lin and Janice Chesney of Union; father and mother-in-law, Don and Beth Howington of Little Rock; and his beloved extended family. Mr.

Chesney was preceded in death by his beloved pet, Dixie Lee; his grandparents, Adam and Lula Mae Keen, and Lonnie and Vessie Chesney; and his grandparents-in- law, Leslie and Essie Winstead and Lee and Eldie Howington. Pallbearers were Curtis Anderson, Josh Gressett, Randy Blevins, Joe Williams, Timmy Nelson and Bryan DeHek. Honorary pallbearers were Rod Brown, Jimmie Nowell, Wayne Walker, Les Beasley, Randy Shelnut, Earl Davis, Eddie Massey, Randy Munn, Janell Richardson, Danny Russell, Sheriff Billy Sollie, Ward Calhoun, L. D. Warren, Ronnie Page, Barry Boler, Harold Wayne Boler, Carl Weil, Mickey Vance, Sheldon Vance, David Willis and Kim Poe.

Memorials may be made to American Liver Foundation: liverfoundation.org 646-7379405, or Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi msdia- 601957-7878. Paid Obituary Marcella Chapman Funeral services for Marcella Chapman were at noon Saturday, Oct. 7 at Sand Ridge Church, Newton. Visitation was from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

at Dunlap Thames Funeral Home, Newton. Services were under the direction of Dunlap Thames Funeral Home. TEPHENS UNERAL OME I NTHE EARTOF NION Pre-arranged funerals is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to a family in one of the most difficult times in life. For details about pre-planning a funeral service, please call 601-774-9291. We honor any insurance and pre-arrangements from other funeral homes.

Stephens Funeral Home 205 North Street Union, Ms 39365 601-774-9291 Valid prearranged agreements with our company does not require additional funds to be paid at death unless additional items are purchased at that time. If insurance credits were included on original agreement those policies must be in force at death or equal compensation is required. A NGELA ALISBURY UNERAL IRECTOR MBALMER Located in Carthage and Kosciusko Rusty Walton, your local sales representative 601-416-5744 Newton County Funeral Home 9998 Hwy 15 North 100 Old Highway 15 Loop Newton, MS 39345 dedicated to providing the comfort and service that it takes to spare families the added stress during a time of sorrow and grief. Our wish is to always help you through the most difficult of times with sympathy and understanding. ILLING UNERAL OME 1484 Hwy 487 Sebastopol 601-625-8922 23477 Hwy 15 Union 601-774-5779 Family Owned Operated Since 1984 We honor valid insurance and most pre-arrangement contracts from other funeral homes.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Beth Milling Memorial Funeral Home 61 Cedar Grove Road Newton 601-683-6971 www.clarksfuneralchapel.com We wish a good to all our friends and readers out there this midweek. Happy birthday to all those that are celebrating their birthdays this week. We send out prayers and concern to all that are on our sick list, including Sammie Curry, Samual Hillie, Oliver J.

Hillie, Charles Johnson, Nita F. Hughes, Tyyonna McCalphia, Marsha McMillian, James C. Johnson, Frank Norman Donna Burton, Rev. R.D. Evans, Marie Evans, Ronald D.

Watkins, Essie L. Robinson, Bertiel Evans, Gloria Robinson, Hailey Thompson, Lisa Cunnigham, Victor Cunningham, Jessie (Bo) Harris, Joanne Webster, John A. Chapman, Deacon L.E. Johnson, Deacon Clinton Norman, Lois Evans, Angus Robinson, Billie W. Wash and Bernell Chapman.

Our prayers go out to the following nursing home residents in Meridian: Ms. Nellie Norman and Carolyn Watson at James T. Champion and Mary F. Myers at Hilltop Manor in Union. Power of prayer, welcome to Pleasant Grove MB Church of Newton.

Reaching the world with the transforming power of the gospel of On Sunday, Pastor Michael message was Christian taken from Colossians 2:16. Pastor Pickens and the Pleasant Grove church family invites you to Sunday School each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. On Sun- day, Oct. 15, Pleasant Grove will be hosting its annual Day at 11 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Rev. Horatio Wilson. You and yours are welcome to come and share this great occasion. Last week, I met up with Judge Scott M. Round and we had a wonderful get together.

Judge Round presides over the Justice Court Newton District 1. always happy to talk with our county officials and listen to what they say. Pastor Anthony Robinson and the St. John MB Church family welcome all to come and share Sunday School each Sunday at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m.

Pastor message on Sunday was Gift of taken from 2 Timothy Pastor Robinson and the St. John family welcomes you and yours to Bible Study each Wednesday day night at p.m. Anna M. McKee, Larry Fielder, Bernice Bowden, Florine Bowden, Mother Bonnie Ellis, Von Bowden and Barbara A. Coleman are on the Hickory sick list.

Our prayers go out to all the bereaved families in the loss of their loved ones. Pastor Hale and Bro. Brand invites you and yours to come and share the Hickory Devotion each Saturday at 9 a.m. in downtown Hickory. Our prayers are with our city, county, state, U.S.

governing officials and our military, stateside and abroad. For your news, contact Leora Watkins Chapman at 601-683-3516. Address: P.O. Box 473, Newton, MS 39345. by Leora Chapman First week of October sees meeting with county justice court judge Around the County Smith.