Rashean Oliver-Hyde finished her second round of chemotherapy, Tuesday.
It went better than the first session two weeks prior, she said Sunday.
“I haven’t been to the emergency room,” Hyde said. For Hyde, who has spent the past month in and out of the ER, that means progress.
Hyde, 36, recently was diagnosed with colon cancer.
But, with the support of friends and family, the 13-year Stokes-Beard Elementary Technology and Communication Magnet School teacher isn’t letting the disease get the best of her.
“It can be difficult to feel like you can win, but you can,” Hyde said, lounging on the couch at her East Columbus home. “Nothing is impossible.”
Hyde draws strength from her mother, Lois Oliver, who overcame breast cancer. Hyde’s father is Russell Oliver.
Hyde’s husband, Larry, also has been a great help.
A nursing student at Beville State Community College in Fayette, Ala., Larry Hyde has been able to help with some of his wife’s routine care. He also picks up the slack with the couple’s two children — Indya, 5, and Larry II, 12.
Rashean Hyde counts him being home as a blessing. His National Guard unit, the Louisville-based battery of the 2-114 Strike Battalion — part of the 155th Combat Brigade headquartered in Tupelo — is deployed to Iraq. Larry Hyde, who already has served a tour of duty in Iraq, was able to stay home to earn his degree.
Rashean Hyde hasn’t officially been to work at Stokes-Beard since Sept. 3.
“I miss going, so I just try to show my face,” said Hyde, who visited the school and worked with Cynthia Rogers, her “teaching partner,” Thursday.
“Teaching is a stressful job, but since I’ve been off, it confirms why I love what I do,” she said.
But Hyde doesn’t plan on missing the classroom for long.
“I’m going back to work. I know I am,” she added. “I just don’t know when.”
While the past month and a half has been trying and the treatment makes her weak and nauseated, the experience also has brought Hyde closer to God.
“It kind of brings your faith level up,” said Hyde, who attends Charity Missionary Full Gospel Baptist Church in Crawford.
Friends and family are hosting a “Love Program” for Hyde on Nov. 14 to raise money for medical and other expenses.
The program, which features choirs, quartets and solo singers, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Aberdeen Middle School auditorium, 518 W. Commerce St., at 6 p.m.
“I just want to be able to sit through the entire program without getting sick or anything,” said Hyde. “I just want to be able to enjoy it.”
What grade do you teach?
Second grade. I consider that the best grade. Everyone doesn’t agree with me, but I think so.
Why do you consider it the best grade?
They’re right in the middle — they’re not afraid to try something new, and they’re not leaning on you. It’s like a nice division, where I can have some input on their lives, but they’re not babies.
When were you diagnosed with colon cancer?
It’s hard to say when exactly I was diagnosed. I know it was Sept. 4 when I went to the hospital; it was a Friday. I knew by Sept. 8; they started calling it cancer. They were using the words “mass” and “cancer” interchangeably, so I wondered did they even know what it was. But it happened so fast. That was the scary part. It happened so fast.
So, you’re not teaching right now?
I’m not working, but the great thing about the district and the people I work with — they were kind enough to donate me days (of paid leave). ... I have exhausted so many days; (other teachers) donated so many days that the district was like, “Let her use these days first.”
What were your thoughts when you were diagnosed?
I was scared, because ... it was so unexpected. From one moment, you think you have a stomach virus to you have a mass in your colon. Mass can mean anything. ... Then you’re talking about it moving outside of the colon to the lymph nodes to the liver, and they say it’s cancer. People would come in looking for the patient, and they’re just looking around, because I’m 36. They were looking for someone older. I’d say “That’s me.” And they’d say, “You’re so young.” I said, yea, but you know, it’s OK. I’m going to beat this. I’m going to fight this.
You seem very optimistic. What keeps you motivated?
My faith, my support system. And I don’t think that we should just sit here and think that this is going to take over. It can’t take over. I know there’s a battle on the inside of my body, but it’s not my battle. It’s already been fought.
Garthia Burnett is the News Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
Carolyn | 10/26/2009 1:48:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mrs. Hyde is a teacher at my children's school. I noticed her years ago because she seemed to have a certain connection with the students. My family and I have been concerned and praying for her for the past several weeks. We wish her the speediest recovery!
Rach | 10/26/2009 5:29:00 PMmark as inappropriate Wow, I wish you all the best. Sounds like you have a winning attitude. I hope the chemo is easier each treatment!
Heather | 10/27/2009 3:07:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mrs. Hyde is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I taught her son Larry my very first year of teaching. We both taught 2nd grade that year. My first year was kind of tough. Mrs. Hyde would always help me out by sending me little encouraging notes and any materials that she thought might help me. I really appreciated all her help that year! She and her family will be in my prayers.
Theresa | 10/27/2009 4:03:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mrs. Hyde, keep a positive attitude and continue to rely on your faith. You have a battle in front of you but I believe in the power of prayer. Enjoy you family and make every moment in life count.
L POSLEY | 10/27/2009 4:21:00 PMmark as inappropriate Hyde stay strong i'll had two sisters with similar cases and it takes prayer ,family and friends to keep you strong,remember it's only a test.Jesus will provide.
Brandy T. | 10/28/2009 2:41:00 PMmark as inappropriate I just want YOU to know that anything is possible with God. YOU can. YOU will beat this!! We love you Rashean!!!
SWilliams | 10/28/2009 6:39:00 PMmark as inappropriate Rashean,what a beautiful name. Just wanted to say you will be in my prayers. Recently,I wrote a poem for a young girl nineteen years old with cancer at St.Jude. One line in the poem says..Teach my heart to pray..words of hope and healing .A heart full of courage and not fear. Have the angels whisper in my ear the strength I need to hear. I will pray for God to heal you.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Williams
Destin Florida
SHAIKH WASEEM LATEEF | 11/3/2009 10:57:00 AMmark as inappropriate I WAM A MUSLIM PLEASE HELP ME I AM FINANCIALLY VERY POOR N I AM NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
