FIGHT Against Cancer: The Popes vs. The “C” Monster

Eb Pope doesn't get worked up about much, not even a deadly lump growing in his throat.

Eb is 6-foot-3, has a tough sort of attitude, while at the same time possessing a down-to-earth and logical demeanor. He is the father of six children, having four of his own and two step-children with his wife of twenty-five years, Lorie. Eb is an everyday, working-class man, proud of his southern roots and the life he’s experienced. But just like so many good people, Eb was diagnosed with what his wife called “the ‘C’ monster” — more commonly known as cancer.

Eb, 66, is retired from the cable TV industry after forty years. He started back in his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and then in 1983 he moved to Alaska with an opportunity from his brother to start a new chapter in the north. He enjoys spending time with his wife, playing guitar and performing the music he loves and grew up with.

Eb said, “Country music is a passion of mine and I’m doing my best to keep classic country alive.”

He can be found performing across the Anchorage area with fellow musician, Gary Stedman under the name “The Ponderosa 2.” Eb’s wife Lorie is their biggest fan.

When he’s not strumming and singing, Eb and Lorie enjoy getting out on the open road on their Can Am Spyder motorcycles, letting the wind take them wherever adventure awaits. “We enjoy riding during the summer as much as we can,” Eb said.

Then one day it all came to a halt when Eb felt something abnormal on his neck.

Eb said, “I noticed a lump on my throat that did not go away and figured it would be wise to go to the doctor to have it checked out. I had no symptoms at all except for the lump showing up.”

After Lorie came home from work one day, Eb confessed the news, telling her, "I went to the doc today and he is sending me to have a lump in my neck looked at.”

Lorie was unaware of any growth Eb had been dealing with so the news came as quite a shock. She responded by asking him every question that came to mind concerning what it might be and how serious it was.

Trying to keep his wife calm, he casually told her, “Oh, it comes and goes. Doc has been watching it and thought they should do a biopsy to make sure all is well.”

Lorie knew he was hiding his worry from her. Despite how mentally strong they both managed to be, worrying was unavoidable. Eb and Lorie had just been through a huge cancer scare with their son overcoming thyroid cancer, twice, so Eb’s news was the icing on an awful cake.

In August of 2013, Eb went in for the biopsy at Providence, and then a few days later they received the call — deep within his tonsils, Eb had cancer.

“It tested positive for a cancer that was caused by a virus which could have been lying dormant for years, possibly all the way back to my youth.” said Eb.

Lorie began thinking the worst. She said, “My immediate reaction was ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do without him?!’” As for Eb, he handled it differently. He said, “My initial feeling was anger, which turned out to be one of the best things that may have helped keeping it from spreading.”

After a lot of tears and time passing, they regained their disposition and began fighting the “C” monster together.

By strict advisement, Eb was soon having surgery to have his tonsils removed, while Lorie looked to the internet to find nothing but frightening information about his type of cancer.

Lorie had filled a notebook full of concerned questions.

They headed to the ENT specialist where they saw Dr. Jerome List, DDS, MD, equipped with all their questions and hope. Dr. List was ready for their concerns. After the third question, the Doctor knew where Lorie had been and asked her to close the notebook.

Dr. List said, "You were on the Internet weren't you?” Lorie confessed with a nod and Dr. List warned them that all they found on the internet were petty statistics, and that Eb was his own person, not a statistic. “The goal now is to get Eb better and to stay positive and stay off the internet.” said Dr. List. Lorie nor Eb never returned to the internet for information and maintained positive optimism.

The Popes needed a plan to beat this thing.

A few days after the ENT visit, they were in the oncologist's office working out a strategy to fight Eb’s cancer. The Oncology Cancer Center at Providence Hospital was the obvious choice for them, because according to Eb’s Oncologist, Dr. John Halligan, MD,

“Providence has state-of-the-art technology unmatched in Alaska and as advanced as centers in the Lower 48.”

Eb was managing to keep his cool, but the office visits were becoming harder on Lorie.

She said, “Tears were rolling down my cheeks thinking I would do anything right now not to be sitting with Eb in this office. I wanted to be out dancing or listening to him play music.”

Within days of figuring out what steps to take next, Eb started his first radiation therapy treatments. These happened five days a week. He would leave his work office in the afternoons, drive over to Providence Hospital, receive his radiation, then drive back to work to complete his duties.

After twenty rounds of radiation, the Popes were seeing and feeling drastic effects.

Lorie said, “He loves to play guitar and did shows every weekend with his buddy, but he was slowing down. He would sit down while playing or even have to cut the set short and sit out.”

Eb had to put all performances on hold. He stopped eating; it was hard for him to drink, and he lost so much weight that his wife became worried on another level.

“He'd ask for something special to eat, I would make it and he would just look at it. I tried to spoon feed him many times but he just couldn't bear to swallow, stating everything tasted like metal.” Lorie said.

By this time Eb’s neck was burnt from the excessive radiation treatments and large blisters were forming.

“Worry was my friend,” Lorie said., “Many nights I stayed up just watching him sleep and praying.”

The last week of radiation fell on Thanksgiving that year. That’s when Eb was at his weakest, falling asleep each night in his recliner before his wife would even get home from work. However frail and stubborn, nothing stopped Eb from his daily responsibilities, until the effects of everything forced him to.

Eb had no energy by the final days of his radiation therapy, leaving his wife to assist him with his mobility.

Christmas 2013 was quiet for the Popes. Their friends visited often and Eb would always fall asleep in his chair. Lorie said, “I’d cover him with a blanket and friends would slowly leave.”

Back to the oncologist for a routine check up, the doctor asked Eb how he was feeling. Eb gave a typical response saying, "I feel great.” But then the doctor would look to Lorie for the real answers where she shared the truth about his tiredness and that they had to buy a lot of new clothes because his old ones were falling off him.

After asking the Doctor if they were going to do another body scan to verify if the cancer was gone or not, his response was not what they expected.

The Doctor told them, ”No. All that does is cause worry for both of you, as it takes two weeks for the results and I believe it's gone.” So they went with that information and carried on.

The check-ups recurred every three months with Dr. List and the oncologist. The first check-ups at the ENT office were like pins and needles for the Popes, with the ever-present possibility of Eb’s cancer returning. Then Lorie heard the words that will echo in her brain forever — the doctors said, “You look great, healing well and I don't see any problems.’”

“You should of seen us.” Lorie said. “We were like kindergarteners skipping out of the office.”

The good news kept coming.

After last October’s examination, their Doctor said, “You are at the three-year mark and if it were to come back we would’ve seen it by now.”

Lorie’s heart filled with joy that day, exclaiming, “My heart pounded, tears rolled down my cheeks, but this time for a different reason — we beat the “C” Monster!”

After all Eb has been through, he still hasn't changed much. But cancer has opened both Eb and Lorie’s eyes in new ways.

Now, the Popes have been able to go back to the things they love; music and motorcycles.

Eb is back into full swing, playing cancer fundraisers, including the “Are You Cowboy Enough To Wear Pink” charity events at the American Legion Spenard Post 28.

The two of them have also joined ‘Bikers Against Cancer’ out of Dallas, Texas to support their efforts. Through that, the Popes have connected with so many people fighting their own unique battles against cancer, maintaining rewarding relationships.

“Cancer has made us realize our lives are so important and we need to live each day.” Lorie said, “I am so thankful that I have my husband. We have so much more to do in our life together. I love him endlessly.”

Eb is happy to know that the cancer is behind him and the life he’s built with Lorie can move on. He admitted he was confident all along, but he never would have been so fortunate if he had chosen to ignore that lump.

“I was never afraid of dying, which could have very well happened if I had not had the lump attended to.” he said.

The Popes shared this insight:

“Knowing you could have died or that it could come back, you humble yourself to reality and accept life with all its good and bad.” said Eb. “I appreciate being able to do everything I did before and accept God’s plan for my life moving forward. He has given me a blessed life.”

Lorie spoke about how it’s important to never shy away from loved ones or anyone for that matter battling cancer. The fastest way to beat it is with the help of close friendships and patience. Being there for someone goes a long way.

“People living with cancer should not be alone” Lorie said, “Keep positive — as there is always hope.”

Robert Foran III is a freelance journalist and graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Foran Brand Journalism can be followed on Facebook & foranbrandjournalism.com