Prior to my cancer diagnosis last fall, I was a regular at Mike Dean's office. He's been my dentist for the past 15 years, and I have gone in four times a year for cleanings and other fun adventures.
All that stopped when cancer was found in my lymph nodes and chemotherapy started. I'm not quite sure why I wasn't supposed to go to the dentist, but I didn't complain.
This week marked my return with a light cleaning and the examination of a tooth that started to cause problems about halfway through my chemo treatments. Turns out a piece of a crown broke off, so I get to go back in next week to get that fixed.
Throughout my visit, I answered questions by the doctor and his staff about my treatments, hair loss, family and so on. They know I'm a bit of a joker, but they still weren't sure of my state of mind after battling the mindless disease.
Just as I was about to get an X-ray, I suddenly pointed to the machine and asked with apparent sincerity: "Hey! This thing doesn't cause cancer, does it?"
The staff member went silent for a brief moment of shock and dismay, then recalled I'm a bit of a joker and replied, "Well, I hope not!"
Yes, life is getting back to normal.
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The annual ABCD Golf Tournament at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick is the only fundraiser for the Benton-Franklin Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program, which also receives money from the state's Health Care Authority.
Dr. Ron Snyder, the Richland dentist who has organized the tournament for 10 years, said about $8,000 will go to the program after all the bills are paid for the fundraiser -- an increase over the typical $7,000 raised in previous years.
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Anderson, owner of Franki & Co. hair salon in Kennewick, began cutting Terry Bailey's hair in 1999.
The longtime Tri-City radio executive was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had metastasized. He also was on the board of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and encouraged her to help raise money for the cause. So she launched Cutting for Cancer, a "cut-a-thon" event at her salon. It raised $5,000.
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