Never alone in battle

PIERRE, SD (Dakota News Now) – November 11th is a day set aside for stories of bravery, honor and sacrifice to remind civilians of the legacy of the country’s service members.

The men and women of the Armed Forces have faced many battles, but in today’s Avera Medical Minute, we take you to Pierre to show that the power of friendship and service transcends generations.

From service in Vietnam to retirement in Gettysburg, South Dakota, boiler operator number two, Jim Shea, has seen quite a life.

“I have seen a lot of the world. My parents owned a small newspaper in Wisconsin. My mother was the editor, so she sent me his diary in 1964. And I got almost everything I did every day here.

Each page contains a memory of his time in the Navy. But this day is a special one.

“Today is my last day!”

It is.

Jim has myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer, but he doesn’t fight alone.

“Hey, Jim!” calls a voice from the hall.

Lt. Claire Peschong, a Navy veteran, sits nearby for his chemotherapy treatment.

“We affectionately call him Navy Jim,” said Lt. Peshong.

“Well, one of the nurses said there was a Marine couple in the other room, so they came and talked to me,” Shea said.

“And we stopped by Jim’s house when he started chemo and just introduced ourselves and chatted a little, like we sailors do,” laughed Lt. Peshong.

The two veterans exchange stories. So, did you attend a boot camp and reflect on your shared Marine experiences to pass the time during Jim’s appointments? A favor that he returns to Claire in the meantime.

“I’ve been in some extreme situations, but I’ve never experienced a shock. And I had the full symptoms of shock when Dr. Jason Jones diagnosed me,” said Lt. Peshong.

At 36, Claire was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and endured several bouts of chemotherapy and other treatments.

“Well, my six-year anniversary is coming up. And I still exist,” said Lt. Peshong.

On their last tour, Navy Jim was around.

“When we have infusions on the same days, like today and even last week, we take a minute and chat,” Lt. Peshong.

Their friendship, despite being separated for a generation, is just the medicine for a little extra strength and encouragement.

“It’s fun to have someone to reminisce about sea stories with!” joked Lt. Peshong.

“It’s amazing, you know, I mean, to be able to talk to someone who’s concerned with what you’re dealing with,” Shea said.

“I just have so much fun,” said Lt. Peshong.

“I enjoy it too. “You remind me a lot of my daughter,” Shea said.

“I may remind you of your daughter, but you remind me of every brother I had in the Navy. So it’s a family thing,” said Lt. Peshong.

Their illnesses are stable but not gone and require continued monitoring. While Jim’s treatment may turn the tide of this chapter. You know full well that as long as Claire sits in her IV chair, he won’t be far away.

“The great thing about this trip is all the people like Jim wearing their hats and sitting in the Helmsley Center and I see them. And I’m not alone,” said Lt. Peshong.

For more information about cancer treatment, visit www.avera.org/medicalminute.

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