Brown County Relay for Life officials recently surprised their adult survivor honoree of this year’s relay on Friday, April 1st. Relay officials greeted Norlene Gleaton at Brownwood High School and informed her of being selected as a survivor honoree, presenting her with a hanging basket and a balloon bouquet.
Gleaton stated that she was surprised to be selected as the adult honoree this year, “I was shocked, I’m blessed to be it and appreciate it.”Marian Deans, Relay Survivor Chairperson, explained how survivor honorees are selected, “When we are selecting our honorees, we try to find an individual who can inspire other survivors. Mrs. Gleaton is a true inspiration and openly shares her story of hope, faith and love, brightening the way for others in what is such a dark time.”
Just two years after her husband’s death, in March 6, 2013 Gleaton was faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer, stage 3, triple negative with 7 lymph nodes involved. Although her diagnosis was bleak, Gleaton stated that she believes in prayer and chose to fight. With support from family and friends and her faith, Gleaton is now in remission, three years post diagnosis. She faced many trials during her treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation.
A reaction to one chemotherapy drug, not the cancer, nearly took her life. She explained that on June 18, 2013, she had been working at Brownwood High School, where she serves as the assistant principals’ secretary, and she began feeling ill. The staff knew she wasn’t feeling well and sent her home to rest. On the way home, she stated she got stopped by police for speeding, as she was feeling so bad, she was just focused on getting home. Luckily the officer gave her a warning after she explained that she was a cancer patient and was on her way home because she was feeling bad. Once home, she sat in her recliner and fell asleep. At 4 o’clock her friend and coworker Vickie Ferguson came by to check on her and wound up taking her to the hospital where she spent three hours in ICU before being airlifted to Baylor Medical Center where she spent. Gleaton stated that she probably wouldn’t have survived that day if Ferguson hadn’t checked on her.
“My heart stopped, my lungs were affected by the chemotherapy drug and there were tubes everywhere,” she explained. “I remember nothing of it, I was in a coma for two months, and when I woke up I was in the hospital and summer was over.”
Gleaton later learned that doctors didn’t give her family much hope while she was comatose, giving them instructions to get her affairs in order and to make arrangements with the funeral home. However, she credits a great medical staff along with constant prayer from friends and family with her recovery. The staff at BHS had purchased and had a much needed lift chair waiting for her. Friends at her church, Early Church of Christ arranged visits to check on her at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day along with dinner every evening for six weeks when she returned home. Her children were also a great support, one son even moved back to Brownwood from Virginia to help take care of her while she was going through radiation. She stated she is grateful for the care she received at Baylor Medical Center and the Cancer Center at Brownwood Regional Medical Center where she could have radiation therapy at home.
“I am blessed so much every day,” said Gleaton as she stated she doesn’t take any day for granted, each one is a gift from God. “God has different plans for each of us, we don’t know them until He reveals them to us.”
She explained that when her physician at Baylor, Dr. Pittman told her the cancer was in full remission, he said, “You can live in fear or go live your life.” Since then she has been living life to the fullest, she loves to see her grandkids who live out of town, enjoying their activities including drama and all sports and she loves to travel whenever she gets a chance.
Gleaton stated that she loves to share her survival story and that it was all worth it if she can help anyone, and to encourage all women to get regular mammograms.
“I want to encourage everyone (that is diagnosed with cancer) to fight, cancer scares everyone, but don’t give up. Fight and remember there is power in prayer,” said Gleaton.
Gleaton’s 68th birthday is coming soon and she stated her goal is to walk on the beach at Port Aransas, “I love life and am thankful for everyday.”
The 2016 Brown County Relay for Life will be held on April 22nd from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood.
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society where individuals and teams walk/run overnight to show their commitment in the fight against cancer and to help raise money for cancer research and support.
Pictured above are Misty Jackson – Relay Leadership Team, BISD Assistant Principal Andy Gill, Norlene Gleaton – Relay Adult Survivor Honoree, Donna Thacker – Relay Leadership Team, Marian Deans – Relay Survivor Chairperson, and Kenneth Chisholm – Relay Co-Chairperson.
