Richmond, Va.-After being named an Honorary Marine July 23, Derrick Owen (center) stands with (left to right) Recruiting Sub-Station Newport News recruiters Sgt. Jared Fisher and Staff Sgt. Felimon Holland, Maj. Benjamin Sanders, the commanding officer of Recruiting Station Richmond, and Gunnery Sgt. Jermail Foster, the RSS Newport News staff non-commissioned officer in charge. Owen was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks tissue and bone, in January while waiting to graduate high school and attend Marine Corps Recruit Training., Staff Sgt. Thomas Perry, 7/23/2010 3:04 PM
Cancer cannot stop Marine dream
7/29/2010 By Staff Sgt. Thomas Perry, 4th Marine Corps District
Richmond, Va.
"When Derrick (Owen) was eight years-old he wanted to be a United States Marine, and every day since he has maintained that centered focus of earning his Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
courtesy Doug Kidd "All Marine, All The Time"
SOME EXCERPTS:“He has lived and breathed the Marine Corps since he was a little kid,” said Tammy Owen, Derrick’s mother. “This is all he has ever wanted. His entire persona is built around this goal. He was born to be a Marine.”
"Derrick remained dedicated and on the earliest possible date he was eligible he joined the Delayed Entry Program. He was counting the days. Derrick was one school year away from fulfilling his childhood aspirations of service in the Marine Corps. Then on Jan. 10, he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks tissue and bone. His first reaction, however, was not one of concern for his health."
“My very first thought was that my career as a Marine was ruined,” said Derrick. “It sounds weird and you might not believe it, but my main concern was that I wouldn’t be able to join the Marine Corps.”
'He is a natural leader, and everywhere he went he ate, slept and breathed Marine Corps.”
"When he first received the explanation from the doctors, they told Derrick that the cancer was in Stage 4 and had spread to most of his torso, arms and legs. The cancer was concentrated on the left side of his body, and the prognosis was far from favorable."
“He told me he wasn’t going to be the typical patient,” said Denny. “He was going to beat it and that was that.”
"His mother said, everyday has been a challenge and she believes faith has carried her family through this difficult time."
courtesy: http://www.gospelgifs.com/
God Bless You Jim Sutton!
"The Marines of RSS Newport News and the Command Group of Recruiting Station Richmond were so inspired by Derrick’s dedication to his goal of becoming a Marine they submitted him for the rare title of Honorary Marine. This award is so rare that it must be approved and signed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. After careful consideration, Derrick’s package was approved. On July 23 he stood, at attention, in front of RS Richmond Commanding Officer Maj. Benjamin Sanders to accept the title of Marine."
“He has lived the Marine Corps ethos since he was very young,” said Sanders. “Life circumstances prevented him from fulfilling his dream but, he deserves this. This was the right thing to do.”
"It seems like a long shot right now. Derrick’s chemotherapy doesn’t end until February 2011, and he still has a long way to complete recovery, but anyone that has ever talked to him would not rule it out. The determination in his eyes overshadows any doubt that his cancer has created. Whether or not he ever makes it to Parris Island, he has earned the title of Marine. It is a rare honor for a unique young man that disease can never diminish."
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE:
http://www.marines.mil/unit/mcrc/4mcd/Pages/CancercannotstopMarinedream.aspx
Dear Ones:
This is something I know a great deal about. Please take a moment and read Staff Sgt. Thomas Perry's entire article about cancer patient/honorary 'Marine' Derrick Owen. Please note that the 'honor' bestowed upon Derrick is not one of mere show or without substance, as Derrick is a 'poolee' in the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) and, therefore, 'the real deal'.
To Derrick's Mom, I say, "You BET your faith will get you through all this". Some of the 'very best praying' I've done has been in the wee hours of the morning, alone, in a hospital ladies' room...on a patients front porch...or in the chapel of some hospice unit. May God grant you all strength, hope and endurance as you help your son fight for his life.
To Derrick, I say, "You BET you're not a typical patient. You're going to beat this thing!". I tell you this because I know.
You see, my own husband Bob, USMC (ret.) tank commander, was diagnosed with a rare, advanced 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer several years ago. Like all patients and their families, we were overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, too much information, too many choices, too many opinions and not enough time.
But we knew 'we' had to do something fast, for there was no 'wait-and-see' option which is common for those with prostate cancer. Fortunately, I was able to pare down and interpret the medical-ese for my husband Bob and that helped.
But no degree of information consolidation or interpretation can provide the BRAVERY and STAMINA every 'advanced' cancer patient needs to have in order to survive.
No amount of support or assistance or even prayer alone can replace what the advanced cancer patient must muster within him or her self--faith, sheer strength-of-will and determination! You know what I'm talking about. It's what you 'get' in the Marine Corps and learn to react with instinctively. For more faith--just ask God and He will give it to you. When you want to 'kick a--', ask the Marine Corps.
Sure enough, after a thorough examination of all options, I am proud to say that Bob formulated his game plan and made his appointments. He didn't shirk from the most radical of options and elected the most aggressive approaches for what was an aggressive cancer. He chose radical surgery, radiation and drug therapies.
He acted quickly, decisively and forcefully and guess what? After a couple of years of fighting like hell to get 'back to normal', Bob BEAT that cancer! And not only is he 'cancer-free' right now, but he is fully functioning and doing things they said couldn't be done! Of course my alternative 'therapies' help...but bear in mind that he is a long-sight older than you, Derrick, which is part of why I am telling you this.
Did my husband have such a good outcome because of the Corps blood pumping though his veins? I believe so. Combine this resolve with strong faith from God and you can do anything.
Having observed so very many patients getting 'bad diagnoses', there was no 'initial paralysis'...no protracted period of being overwhelmed and in utter despair for my husband. What he did was get it in gear and use the RESOLVE & FEARLESSNESS imbued in him by the grace of God with his years in the USMC!
Thus, Derrick, I know you are going to fare well. You have that same RESOLVE & FEARLESSNESS, too. And someday, you are going to help others by sharing stories of your faith, strength and your steadfastness.
So I say, "best wishes and Godspeed" to you in conquering our 'biological enemy' known as 'cancer'.
Your family and friends and all of us here are praying for you, encourage you and support you as you muster what you will through sheer strength-of-will, the determination of the United States Marine Corps 'way' and by the grace of God!
God Bless you!
With Love in Christ,
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/
Comments enabled.
Any questions for Reverend Barbara Sexton, email her at: BarbaraKSexton@aol.com
No comments:
Post a Comment