“Never give up, you can always fight.”
Those are the words Shawn Richards has lived with since his diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer. As a father, director of the Ogalala Sioux Tribe (OST) Land Office, and operator of an Angus cattle ranch, Shawn’s day-to-day life changed at 39-years-old. Most people would say he was too young to be concerned about cancer, but Shawn would tell you differently. He is a highly active and healthy young adult and a leader in his family and community. Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation, he was a hard worker, cowboy at heart, and for approximately one year, he dismissed the feeling that something physically was not right. After he had unexplained weight loss and very frequent pain, Shawn went to Indian Health Services in Pine Ridge. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed that he had cancer, and he was transferred to the care of Bayan Al-Share, M.D., a Hematologist and Oncologist at Monument Health Cancer Care Institute.
Treatment began immediately, which originally included a surgery plan to remove parts of his stomach and liver that also were affected. Surgery was found to be too risky, so Shawn started chemotherapy every other week, spending five to six hours at each infusion. Shawn describes Dr. Al-Share’s medical plan to him as this—”Shawn, you concentrate on staying positive, your nutrition, stick to the plan, and live your life; you let me worry about the cancer.” He credits her words and bedside manner as pivotal in his continued successful treatment and positive outlook on life. Additionally, Shawn recalls that the positive support and effective pain management care plan provided by Dawn Utzman, CNP at Cancer Care Institute, have been very pivotal in his fight.
Support Cancer Patients Like Shawn Today at www.monument.health/givingtuesday.
Shawn is currently receiving chemotherapy infusions every four weeks and oral medications for two weeks, followed by one week of no chemotherapy. In addition to his doctors, Shawn is very thankful for his family, friends and staff that have been supportive throughout his fight with cancer. Shawn’s son, Andre, is now a sophomore in college. They continue to enjoy their time together ranching on their Angus cattle ranch when they are not working together at the OST Land Office. He looks forward to seeing his son graduate college and continue his work at the OST Land Office.
Monument Health Cancer Care Institute sees more than 7,900 patients every year. Your donor support of Monument Health Foundation’s Cancer Care fund helps ensure that patients like Shawn can focus on what really matters to them. For Shawn, it is his son, his work, the family ranch, and friends. This fund provides comfort items, travel assistance, education programs, and advanced medical device support. Please consider a donation today.
Show your support of cancer patients for Giving Tuesday at www.monument.health/givingtuesday.
Shawn’s message to people is simple, “Don’t wait. If you are not feeling well, see a medical provider and get a check-up done.” Also, if you should find yourself battling cancer, he encourages everyone to “Never give up, you can always fight!”
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