Terri Upham is from Junction City (wife of Billy Upham). Billy was our Kids State Director back in the early 1980's if I remember correctly and was also the Club Director for Junction City Kids!! Both of them were very involved with Kids Wrestling, as well as their kids - Billy III and Terra! Please keep Terri and her family in your prayers. If you want to donate or attend the fundraiser ... please feel free to do so. They are holding a fundraiser this Saturday (June 13th) - information is posted below!

My Mother's Journey (posted by Terra Upham)

My mother’s journey began in December 2014. She had been having stomach pain for several weeks but she thought she was just fighting the flu, the pain would pass, and she would feel better. However, the pain did not pass and got so debilitating one Saturday afternoon that my father and I took her to the emergency room. She was admitted to the hospital and after several tests, and meetings with specialists it was decided that the surgeon would need to open my mother up to see what was causing her intestinal pain. The surgeon found that her appendix had ruptured but she did not have the normal appendicitis symptoms because there was a tumor that was keeping all the “toxins” contained. The surgeon ended up having to remove her appendix, part of her colon, and small intestine. We sat in her hospital room praying and hoping that the tumor would not come back cancerous, but it did. Our entire lives changed in that moment. I was trying so hard to hear what the doctor was saying but my mind was wandering, left questioning, left fearing, left holding on to faith, and left in disbelief. My mom was in the hospital for about three more weeks recovering from her surgery. She was weak and hurting both emotionally and physically. However, for those who know my mom, know that cancer was not going to keep her down. She quickly made her mind up that she wanted a second opinion on her recent diagnosis of Stage 3 intestinal cancer.

In February, my mom traveled to the Mayo clinic in Minnesota for the second opinion she wanted. She went there to get their thoughts on what they believed would be the appropriate treatment for the cancerous tumor that was found in her small intestine. However, after several doctors at the clinic looked at her scans they did not want to talk to her about the intestinal tumor as they discovered another mass in her uterus. They took a biopsy and what we feared the most came true yet again, when the doctors told us that that this tumor was also cancerous. This cancer is known as endometrial cancer. The doctors at the Mayo clinic considered this cancer much more aggressive and took precedence over her recent diagnosed intestinal cancer. My mother and her family again were devastated, unable to grasp what was going on. I was thinking not only does my mom have cancer she has two different types of cancer. The next few days were a fog, praying, falling on my knees, and asking “why.” She had a full hysterectomy at the Mayo Clinic to remove this newly discovered cancerous mass in her uterine. She traveled back to Kansas in late February where she needed to heal both physically and emotionally before beginning her chemotherapy treatment. Her team of doctors worked together during this time to figure out the best plan of action. It was decided that she would start chemotherapy in March. She has completed four rounds up to date and has 14 more to go. She will then travel back to the Mayo clinic in July for six weeks of daily radiation.

As I write about her journey (as I explained on Facebook), I am becoming tearful but I remind myself that we do not always know what God's purpose is in such devastating afflictions, but we can trust that God has a reason and a plan for my wonderful mother. These last few months have been some of the hardest months of my life, but on my weakest days as I stated above, I remind myself that I may not know “why” this is happening, I just know it is God’s plan and because of that, I find comfort. My mom is the most stubborn and hardheaded person I know! Therefore, I know she will win this battle. Moreover, as my mom goes through the journey the motto I keep telling her is that, “No one fights alone.” She has her amazing friends, family, and most importantly our Heavenly Father above. To me that seems like one “strong” team and with this “strong” team behind my mother, “cancer” is so limited! Hence, as her “team” can imagine even with insurance, my mother’s medical bills are piling up, along with other bills since she is currently unable to work. Therefore, this is where her “team” comes in to play; any support whether financially or just keeping her in your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance to all our wonderful friends and family, as words cannot describe how much your support means to my mother and to her family.

Below are my mother’s words to all of you that are reading this:

I am reaching out with thankfulness for you supporting my cause. You will never know how much it means to me to have all the support that I have received. This is something that I never thought I would want or need. You all know me as “pretty independent.” That of course is a nice way of saying “stubborn ass.” I have always thought that I could do anything and everything. I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to….without any help, except for the Heavenly Father above. If it meant working more hours or working two jobs, I did it. Whatever it took, I knew that I could do it…..without any help. Up until now that has worked for me, but now my life has been forever changed. There have been times in the last three months that I could barely bathe myself. That is an ugly life changing experience. Evidently, the Lord thought that I should see another side of life and I have learned and grown from this experience. The more afflictions we experience the better equipped we are to empathize, help, and understand others. The Lord has blessed me with needed support and I am very appreciative for every card, phone call, text, and caring gesture that has come my way and will continue to come my way. Sometimes, if I am having a D.I.D. Day (down in the dumps), out of nowhere comes a blessing. Thanks for your continued support through my long journey.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE FUNDRAISER ... JUNE 13th

The week of the Cancer Awareness Fundraiser is FINALLY here! I cannot wait to see everyone THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY (June 13) at the Brown’s Auction Building, located at 2323 Jackson Street in Junction City. Donations keep coming in, so you do not want to miss out! We have donations up for bid for everyone from a recliner, to a guided goose hunt, to an assortment of gift baskets, to signed sporting apparel, and much more. The doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the silent auction running from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A live auction will immediately follow. Furthermore, do not forget there will be a guest speaker at 6:30 who will be sharing her story with cancer. She also authored her own book outlining her cancer journey which will be available for sale that evening for $10.00. We also have a delicious dinner planned! Tickets are $10.00 dollars for 11 and over and just $5.00 for children under 10. Tickets will include dinner, drinks, a cancer band, and bid number! It is now time to start loosening up those arms to get ready for some good bidding wars!

Can't wait to share in building memories with wonderful friends, family, and local community members!

*Please remember that “Checks and Cash” only will be accepted at the event.

*T-Shirts will also be sold that evening for $10.00.



Leanna Grater