Family, friends bring hope to cancer patient

GRATEFUL SURVIVOR- Marilyn Gourdeau, far right, says the support of family and friends has made all the difference in her fight against several forms of cancer. Alongside her are her husband, Gene, and children Stephanie and Garrison. Marilyn Gourdeau's story reads like a modern day version of the tale of Job.

Gourdeau, an Oak Park resident, has been stricken with multiple forms of cancer, but despite adversity, she refuses to lose her faith or her cheerful disposition.

Gourdeau's struggle began in 1999 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer.

Even though Gourdeau recovered from the rare malignancy, she was unable to permanently escape the illness, and pancreatic and breast cancer were diagnosed early this year. Since Feb. 7, Gourdeau has gone to 51 doctor appointments and undergone a multitude of CAT and MRI scans.

Showered with the support of friends and family, Gourdeau never relinquished her grip on hope. Her husband, Gene, and 17-year-old daughter, Stephie, stayed by her side throughout the many doctor visits.

"My husband is an incredibly dedicated family man, he was always with me," she said.

Gourdeau worked as a crossing guard at Red Oak Elementary School before her illness, and received a plethora of cards from the school kids who call her "Miss Marilyn."

"It really pulled me through to see how much those kids cared," she said.

Neighbors and community members prepared dinners and brought food for the family. Members of the Cancer Hope Foundation of Camarillo gave the Gourdeaus Costco gift cards.

"This place is full of really loving and honest people, and they all have God's compassion," Gourdeau said. "I didn't feel worthy of any of the support I was given."

Her spirits were further buttressed when she underwent surgery two weeks ago at USC Norris Cancer Center. Radiologists had confirmed a sizeable mass on Gourdeau's pancreas, and her doctor intended to remove the entire pancreas in order to excise the mass.

The surgery would have forced Gourdeau to use insulin for the rest of her life, but the shocked medical team could find no growth on her pancreas.

Gourdeau has a simple explanation for what doctors at Norris Cancer Center described as a medical anomaly.

"God is still in the healing business," Gourdeau said.

She attributes her recovery to prayer and anointment with holy oil

the night before her surgery. The ceremony was performed by her pastor at the New Hope Church in Thousand Oaks.

While Gourdeau's breast cancer prognosis remains uncertain, she has high hopes for recovery. Dealing with the mounting medical bills is a big hurdle, however.

"We give medical bills a new definition," Gourdeau said.

In the meantime, Gourdeau says she will continue to find hope and inspiration with the help of her community, friends and faith.

"When times get tough, it's nice to know that there are a lot of caring people that you can count on," Gourdeau said.