Forty-seven-year-old Scott Hagler of Spring Hope has begun to live. While he may always have loved life, he truly began to live when he was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma.
There is very little about Hagler that would lead anyone to believe he is currently in a fight for his life. His enthusiasm for living is contagious.
Hagler did not even take his diagnosis very seriously at first. When Hagler's wife, Bunnie, noticed that a mole on the back of Scott's left leg had changed shape, she encouraged him to see a dermatologist. But when they visited the doctor and got the diagnosis, which included a malignant tumor in his leg, Hagler felt fine. The word "cancer" for him seemed to be no big deal.
Research of the repercussions of malignant melanoma proved sobering. He soon understood that he could have continued to live fully and unknowingly with the cancer, but without the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the melanoma would eventually have spread to a vital organ with mortal results.
Hagler's initial diagnosis in 2003, began with the removal of the tumor and over the years, as the cancer spread, led to treatments involving everything from isolated infusion and radiation to clinical trials.
In February of this year, he began making a 1,400-mile trip on a near monthly basis to undergo experimental interleukin-2 treatments (IL-2) at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Interleukin-2 treatments are not new in a general sense. They were initially designed to help with metatstatic kidney cancer. This treatment is not typical for use in malignant melanoma patients though it shows much promise.
The treatment, once available at Duke University Hospital, is no longer offered for melanoma patients. Hagler's only option is to travel to MDA. The immunotherapy (biotherapy) is given in a series of up to 12 treatments until an immune response is triggered. An example of immune response might be the failure of a vital organ in a patient. The risks for Hagler are high.
While the patient receives the treatment, fluids are constantly being administered. Hagler might go in at his normal 162 pounds, but within a few days will weigh nearly 200 pounds. When his immune system responds, the fluids are flushed from his body. Hagler recalls very little from his last treatment as his short term memory was altered by it.
Hagler, whose mother, Carol, lives in Wilson, tries to stay positive most of the time.
"The disease can't touch my soul, but the medicines they give me numb my emotions," he said. "I'm left with the feeling of being alone."
This feeling of loneliness occurred most recently outside of treatment when Hagler got a staph infection between his visits to MDA. He knew that the infection meant he could not return until he was completely well.
Through it all, Hagler's wife and three children Jessica, 20, Jordan, 17, and Jarrett, 13, have shown tireless support.
"(Bunnie) continues to be my rock of support and somehow continues to keep me straight time and time again," he wrote in his personal blog.
Hagler also wrote that when Duke doctors told him in December that his status had changed to Stage IV because the melanoma had spread to his spine, chest and lung -- his first concern was for his children.
Since the diagnosis, he spends most of his time at home. The family vacation may be a distant memory, but the time spent anywhere together as a family is priceless. He is currently teaching his boys the basics of the guitar, so that they can, as Hagler puts it, "develop their own kind of music."
His daughter, Jessica, a sophomore at North Carolina State University, has made an effort to come home on the weekends to be supportive of her parents and younger brothers.
She said the cancer has taught her a lot.
"The experience has made me a stronger person," she said. "You realize your priorities. My brothers and I have always gotten along with each other, but this has certainly brought us closer."
When Hagler was asked how he was able to maintain his positive attitude during the ordeal, he mentioned two things of importance: giving all concerns to the Lord and allowing people to help you.
"The one common answer I have found throughout my reading, research and speaking with doctors at MDA and Duke is that a positive attitude and faith in our Lord is the most important part of fighting this beast," he writes in the blog.
"It is important to be still and quiet the world down. Then lay every bit of worry in the Lord's hands. You may fail every minute, but you've got to do it to get through it."
At the beginning of Hagler's journey, he questioned how things would be taken care of for him and his family. He credits his neighbors, friends and family with an outpouring of love and care.
"Now, all I have to do is get to Houston and get through the treatments," he said. "The biggest way I can repay those people who have blessed me by their generosity is to be relentless in the fight.
"Cancer will burden you," he said. "You can't fight it alone or independently as a family alone. You've got to open up everything and fight for your life. So many people get sick and put it in the closet. I can't do that. I have to share my experiences."
During Hagler's visit to MDA in April, he received the first good news since his cancer spread: The treatment appears to be working. The tumor in Hagler's left lung has almost disappeared; the one located in his left groin appears to have responded completely, and the large tumor on his spine is healing. There is hope that the May treatment will be as successful.
Hagler encourages survivors to attend a local Relay for Life. He walked in the Nash County Relay.
"Bring (survivors) out to your local Relay for Life, praise them and give thanks for the grace of our Lord. Let (survivors) know they are not alone in the fight for life."
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AREA RELAY FOR LIFE EVENTS, CHECK OUT WWW.CANCER.ORG. FOR UPDATES ON HAGLER'S CONDITION, VISIT WWW.SCOTTHAGLER.NET. THE WILSON COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE IS MAY 16-17, 2008, AT THE WILSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
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Wilson County Relay for Life
Primary Purpose: Signature fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society to raise money for advocacy, research, education and patient services
Location: Wilson County Fairgrounds, U.S. 301
Date: May 16-17
Time: 2 to 2 p.m.
Survivor & Caregiver Laps: 6 p.m. Friday
Luminary service: 9 p.m. Friday
Contact: Teresa Jones 230-6412
www.wilsoncountyrelay.com
www.cancer.org