I am so incredibly honored to be a 2026 nominee for the Women in Blue Campaign for the Cancer Wellness Foundation. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and I will wear my blue to help raise money for the services of this remarkable organization.
Colon Cancer affects so many lives and this resonates personally with me because my husband, Larry Locklin, is a Colon Cancer Survivor. After three years, we are so thankful for the word…SURVIVOR!!
What began his journey was some unpleasant symptoms that would not go away, having several tests, a failed colonoscopy because of an extreme blockage, he required surgery. September 2022, he had a very tedious surgical procedure performed at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. It was shocking news to US!! We learned firsthand that Cancer changes everything!
At Cancer Care, Larry began an intensive chemotherapy program for 6 months. At each treatment he would be connected for 3 hours of chemo and then come home with a chemo port for an additional 72 hours!
It was difficult to watch this procedure for 6 months but he was such a faithful trooper. He never gave up, gave in or gave out as he continued to fight for his life!!! We now rejoice in knowing Larry has been blessed by hearing the news “Colon Cancer Free” and getting to celebrate by “Ringing the Bell”! Today, he has his yearly doctor’s appointments, Scans, blood work, x-rays and most importantly, he continues his colonoscopy screenings. Those screening are so important for his future health. Also, we know early detection is so very important!!
However, Colon Cancer was not his first cancer. It was the horrific Lung Cancer. Of course that tumor, after being watched for 5 years and had not grown, but now the sixth year, showed significant growth and had to be removed!! At UAB this surgery involved a robotic surgical procedure, removing all his tumor, and remarkably the cancer had not spread. What a great diagnosis!! He walked away from this cancer with only the surgery and recovery completely healed and no additional treatments!! He has been tremendously blessed!
The story continues and his third cancer was diagnosed at the end of his Colon treatment!!
At the end of 2023, this time, it was the ugly Prostate Cancer. At this cancer, and because of his age, surgery could not be performed. What followed was he had 30 units of radiation and treatments. Today, his treatment plan involves taking a Lupron injection every 3 months, has monthly blood work, PetScans, and an infusion to help his bones not break and keeps fighting to hear the words continue, “No New Cancer”! That is truly the sweetest sound to our ears!!
Cancer truly does not discriminate. Before Larry’s journey began, my older brother, Philip Head, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. He was the first family member to develop CANCER. This was such a difficult time for Philip and all his family and we vowed to never leave him alone! It was such a heartbreaking experience for all of us!!
Philip, a patient at the Montgomery Cancer Center, started his treatments. From the beginning of his first 3 months of chemotherapy treatment was the hope to have a Whipple Procedure, but his news was devastating. He was not a candidate! From that time forward each day was different and a struggle to improve and get better never happened! He fought everyday to survive with a determination that was tremendously painful for his family! After 19 months, Philip fought the good fight, was a hero, a brave warrior, and died peacefully surrounded by all his family who loved him, and all his friends that had been so supportive of him and with his journey!! Until Then, I will always love you, miss you, and I will see you again!
Being recognized with this amazing, compassionate group of ladies as the 2026 Women In Blue, and a wife of a Colon Cancer Survivor, I urge you to give generously to this campaign! Every contribution, big or small, has the power to provide hope, relief, and strength to those in need. Together, we Can do MORE!!