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Educator expresses gratitude for school community support
  
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By Submitted Article
According to the American Cancer Society, over 1.4 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. Veteran educator Fran Lavergne, Tomball Independent School District’s coordinator of special programs, never expected that she would be one of them.
Nearly ten years ago, Lavergne was shocked to find out that she had breast cancer because there was no history of cancer in her family. Lavergne won her battle with the disease and continued with follow up visits at the doctor’s office. About a year later, her doctor recognized a change her blood work that was diagnosed as multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood. Lavergne continued living in the moment, enjoying her work and her family and friends. The myeloma remained dormant for six years until it became active in her blood cells.
Her treatment plan included a stem cell transplant at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her doctor explained that the treatment offered a 50 percent chance for remission.
Lavergne said one of the most concerning aspects of the myeloma diagnosis was when her doctor explained the treatment could result in a high fever that would require her to be rushed to the emergency room. Therefore, she needed to live near the medical center and provide proof that she had someone to care for her 24 hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks until her treatment was completed. Otherwise, she could not begin the treatment plan. This independent, self-reliant educator thought, “Well this is great news. What am I going to do now?” Lavergne said.
Lavergne’s nearest relatives lived out of town, which posed an additional challenge of finding someone to help her during her treatments. She shared her situation with friends and colleagues at Decker Prairie Elementary School, where she worked as an assistant principal at the time.
“Before I knew it they created a sign up sheet and asked for volunteers to drive me to the hospital and stay with me in an apartment in the medical center.”
Thirty people signed up to help. Samantha Henry, registrar at DPES, said the Decker Prairie family got together to help take care of her Lavergne.
Before long, teachers, secretaries, retired DPES teachers and teachers who previously worked with Lavergne added their names to the list and took turns staying with her during her treatments.
Jeanne Bellosillo, schedule coordinator and DPES teacher, said it wasn’t just employees taking care of her.
“Parents and grandparents of our students were volunteering to help Fran,” she said.
Several people took turns spending the night with her. They took her temperature, cooked her meals, ordered take-out, read magazines, watched movies, maintained a webpage with notes on her daily progress and shared stories to keep her mind off of the challenge she was facing.
There were several people who also maintained her home while she was away.
“People volunteered to mow her grass and check her mail,” Bellosillo said. “It was amazing to see so many people coming together to help Fran in her time of need.”
While Lavergne was living in the medical center, her beloved 15-year old black Labrador, Winston, was receiving some care of his own. Since Lavergne was restricted from interacting with animals during her treatment, Winston was boarded in Tomball.
Gayle Henry, a dog lover and executive assistant to the superintendent, looked in on Winston. “Fran had Winston since he was a puppy and my heart went out to both of them because they were separated,” Gayle Henry said.
During the weeks while Lavergne and Winston were living apart, Henry spent her lunch hours with Winston.
“We took walks, we played and I gave him special doggie treats. I let him know that he was loved while his mom was away,” Gayle Henry said.
Lavergne’s story reflects the giving spirit of friends and colleagues, and is a reminder that family is not only bound by blood, but it is also created through bonds of friendship and love.
“Fran is a very good friend. I was so glad to see that she improved,” Gayle Henry said. “I admire her good attitude. She comes to work everyday and she doesn’t let cancer stop her. She is a remarkable person.”
After six weeks of treatment Lavergne was reunited with Winston and returned to her life in Tomball.
“Through it all we offered hope and encouragement, and before we knew it she had completed her treatment,” Samantha Henry said.
“We couldn’t heal her completely, but we could be with her so she wouldn’t dwell on the situation. We helped her remain positive and we prayed that she would get better,” Bellosillo said.
The prayers worked. Following treatment, Lavergne continues managing the myeloma with medication. “I will never forget how kind and how generous everyone was to give of their time to help me,” Lavergne said.
Since completing her treatment, she has talked with others who are battling cancer and she hopes she can help minimize the uncertainty of what is to come. It is her way of giving to others as so many gave to her.
“Saying thank you just isn’t enough for what everyone did for me, but all I can say is thank you and God bless you,” Lavergne said. “They helped me get my life back and I’ll always be grateful. I’m not in pain and I’m not dying with cancer. I’m living with cancer and I have a great life.”
Nearly ten years ago, Lavergne was shocked to find out that she had breast cancer because there was no history of cancer in her family. Lavergne won her battle with the disease and continued with follow up visits at the doctor’s office. About a year later, her doctor recognized a change her blood work that was diagnosed as multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood. Lavergne continued living in the moment, enjoying her work and her family and friends. The myeloma remained dormant for six years until it became active in her blood cells.
Her treatment plan included a stem cell transplant at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her doctor explained that the treatment offered a 50 percent chance for remission.
Lavergne said one of the most concerning aspects of the myeloma diagnosis was when her doctor explained the treatment could result in a high fever that would require her to be rushed to the emergency room. Therefore, she needed to live near the medical center and provide proof that she had someone to care for her 24 hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks until her treatment was completed. Otherwise, she could not begin the treatment plan. This independent, self-reliant educator thought, “Well this is great news. What am I going to do now?” Lavergne said.
Lavergne’s nearest relatives lived out of town, which posed an additional challenge of finding someone to help her during her treatments. She shared her situation with friends and colleagues at Decker Prairie Elementary School, where she worked as an assistant principal at the time.
“Before I knew it they created a sign up sheet and asked for volunteers to drive me to the hospital and stay with me in an apartment in the medical center.”
Thirty people signed up to help. Samantha Henry, registrar at DPES, said the Decker Prairie family got together to help take care of her Lavergne.
Before long, teachers, secretaries, retired DPES teachers and teachers who previously worked with Lavergne added their names to the list and took turns staying with her during her treatments.
Jeanne Bellosillo, schedule coordinator and DPES teacher, said it wasn’t just employees taking care of her.
“Parents and grandparents of our students were volunteering to help Fran,” she said.
Several people took turns spending the night with her. They took her temperature, cooked her meals, ordered take-out, read magazines, watched movies, maintained a webpage with notes on her daily progress and shared stories to keep her mind off of the challenge she was facing.
There were several people who also maintained her home while she was away.
“People volunteered to mow her grass and check her mail,” Bellosillo said. “It was amazing to see so many people coming together to help Fran in her time of need.”
While Lavergne was living in the medical center, her beloved 15-year old black Labrador, Winston, was receiving some care of his own. Since Lavergne was restricted from interacting with animals during her treatment, Winston was boarded in Tomball.
Gayle Henry, a dog lover and executive assistant to the superintendent, looked in on Winston. “Fran had Winston since he was a puppy and my heart went out to both of them because they were separated,” Gayle Henry said.
During the weeks while Lavergne and Winston were living apart, Henry spent her lunch hours with Winston.
“We took walks, we played and I gave him special doggie treats. I let him know that he was loved while his mom was away,” Gayle Henry said.
Lavergne’s story reflects the giving spirit of friends and colleagues, and is a reminder that family is not only bound by blood, but it is also created through bonds of friendship and love.
“Fran is a very good friend. I was so glad to see that she improved,” Gayle Henry said. “I admire her good attitude. She comes to work everyday and she doesn’t let cancer stop her. She is a remarkable person.”
After six weeks of treatment Lavergne was reunited with Winston and returned to her life in Tomball.
“Through it all we offered hope and encouragement, and before we knew it she had completed her treatment,” Samantha Henry said.
“We couldn’t heal her completely, but we could be with her so she wouldn’t dwell on the situation. We helped her remain positive and we prayed that she would get better,” Bellosillo said.
The prayers worked. Following treatment, Lavergne continues managing the myeloma with medication. “I will never forget how kind and how generous everyone was to give of their time to help me,” Lavergne said.
Since completing her treatment, she has talked with others who are battling cancer and she hopes she can help minimize the uncertainty of what is to come. It is her way of giving to others as so many gave to her.
“Saying thank you just isn’t enough for what everyone did for me, but all I can say is thank you and God bless you,” Lavergne said. “They helped me get my life back and I’ll always be grateful. I’m not in pain and I’m not dying with cancer. I’m living with cancer and I have a great life.”
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