Community offers love and hope for cancer survivor

Intermountain Catholic

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Larry Gonzales (right) receives the St. Michael the Archangel award during the Class of 2007 graduation at Juan Diego Catholic High School May 26. It was through the simplicity of his life, faith, and his leadership as a role model that he received the award.IC photo by Christine Young

DRAPER — "I never doubt God at all," said Lawrence Gonzales, a recent cancer survivor. "Throughout my whole life God has always been there for me. He has always answered my prayers."

Gonzales, a custodian at St. John the Baptist Middle School and Juan Diego Catholic High School, was diagnosed in February 2006, with cancer of the colon and rectum. Colorectal cancer includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix.

According to the American Cancer Society, it is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the diagnoses of localized colon cancer is through a colonoscopy. Therapy is usually through surgery, which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy.

The doctors discovered Gonzales had a tumor, which had to be reduced in size with radiation before he could have surgery to remove two feet of his colon.

"Larry is so full of enthusiasm, which literally means God within," said Dan John, Juan Diego weight training and track coach. "When I first met Larry, we would talk about how he liked to drop by the chapel every day to pray as he does his rounds. He enjoys coming by to ask the students if they are getting stronger, faster, leaner, and meaner. I remember one day we started talking about little injuries that do not seem to heal. Larry started telling me some of his symptoms and I told him he needed to see a doctor."

"I was experiencing abdominal pain, heart stress, and dizziness that caused me to bump into the lockers," said Gonzales. "Following the surgery, I had chemotherapy treatments. I was weak, but coming back to work really strengthened me physically and spiritually.The students would help me lift and move things that were too heavy.

"I received so much love and so many prayers," said Gonzales. "These people are my family. They brought my spirits up and gave me hope. If I had not been working at the Skaggs Catholic Center and been a member of St. John the Baptist Parish, I do not think I would have survived. This community basically saved my life with their prayers, support, and the money they raised for me."

Kelly John, Juan Diego student body vice president said, "During my sophomore year, Larry was diagnosed with cancer, and he could not afford his insurance co-payments. So we decided to hold "Love for Larry Week." Throughout the week, students would donate what they could. Fuddruckers restaurant also helped us out by donating 30 percent of their sales from people who presented a Juan Diego flyer.

"Then I wanted it to go a little farther, so I had the idea of "Lift for Larry," in which students would place bets on teachers as to how much they could bench press or dead lift," said Kelly. "For every 10 pounds a teacher lifted, a student would give so much money. It was not only the coaches who participated during lunch for a couple of days, but also the librarian, and English teachers. We raised $12,000.

"Larry is such a sweet guy," said Kelly. "He likes to say hello to the students and talk to us. He makes us feel better if we are having a bad day."

Nancy Stein, the pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist Parish, Draper said, "Larry is like St. Francis of Assisi around here. He always has a smile on his face. He encourages the students, and attends Mass every day to pray for them and the teachers.

"The beautiful thing about Larry is he has a limited income but gives of himself to everyone here and helps support his son and daughter and their families. He has put complete trust in God that he will be able to take care of them. He is truly remarkable."

"It is a miracle that my tests show I am free of cancer," said Gonzales. "I could have died. It is a blessing that I was able to live to see my two grandsons. I have many children because I also have all of the students.

"Having cancer has made me realize I should change the direction I was going in and start living a healthier lifestyle by eating well and exercising," said Gonzales. "We have to keep our bodies clean to receive Jesus, and we should receive him as often as we can because he will nourish us. Dan John helped me regain my strength by giving me vitamins and minerals."

"Carolyn Kunz, a nurse from St. John the Baptist Parish, and Carolyn Schnurr, the nurse from Juan Diego saved my life by taking me to the hospital for chemo treatments, to the emergency room for complications that arose from my condition, and by monitoring my medications. Nancy brought me communion while I was in the hospital. There are so many people I want to thank for saving my life."

Gonzales received the St. Michael the Archangel Award at Juan Diego’s Class of 2007 graduation ceremony May 26.

Dr. Galey Colosimo, Juan Diego principal, read what the senior class wrote about Gonzales. "He cares about us when we should be caring about him. He is the most amazing person in the Juan Diego community. He is nice to everyone and everyone considers him a friend. Even when he was battling cancer, he was cheerful and would socialize with the school community. Despite his battle with cancer, he still presents you with a smile and a piece of God when he talks."

"This community gave me love, hope, and a reason to live," said Gonzales. "I am so grateful, I pray for them every night. I start each day with prayer because if you pray well, you work well. At the end of the day I pray for all the benefits I received and for all the people whose lives I touched."