Not long ago, a cancer diagnosis was a death sentence. Now, more and more people are winning their battles with cancer.

One Missouri Southern student is battling the disease. Edd Browning, senior business education major and student senator, was diagnosed with colon cancer in late January.

“I went into primary care at the V.A. hospital in Kansas City, after doing a colonostomy the doctors found a lesion and did a biopsy,” Browning said.

Surgery entailed a resection where doctors took out 12 inches of Browning’s colon. During the surgery, a cancerous tumor was found on his lymph nodes.

“I have received good support from the College and the professors. Everyone has been interested and supportive,” he said.

Rather than withdrawing from college altogether, Browning dropped three of his five classes.

“When he came by to see me, he said he definitely wanted to stay in a couple of classes,” said Dr. Beverly Block, professor of business. “He wanted that push and drive to keep him going on track and keep his spirits up.”

“I received cards from Dean Carnahan’s office and the Student Senate,” Browning said. “I am really thankful, the cards and e-mails from the kids I know, and the senators keep me going.”

“He is a very dedicated student, intent on doing his best for Student Senate,” said Doug Carnahan, dean of students. “Non-traditional students have a good representative in him on Senate. I would visit with him in the Lion’s Den every day when I came into work. There were always students around his table.”

Because he has to travel to Kansas City every Monday for chemotherapy, he won’t be able to attend classes in the fall, but looks forward to

returning in the spring 2004.

“Edd was looking forward to doing his student teaching next semester, but then he got the bad news,” Block said. “But he has a good positive outlook on things. He doesn’t want to give up on his plans, it’s very important to him.”

Browning has a bachelor’s degree in marketing, as well as a master’s in theology. He also served in the Air Force for three years. He was stationed in Vietnam for 90 days during the war before being transferred to Japan. While in Japan, Browning ruptured two disks in his back after falling out of a truck.

“Having so many experiences to draw from gives a wider range to draw from and prevents people from having tunnel vision,” said Dr. Kaye Abight, assistant professor of teacher education. “Normally, non-traditional students have a lot to contribute as far as previous experience.”

“Edd is the type of student who makes my job fun,” Carnahan said. “He is involved on campus and interested in student and campus issues. I know he wants to return full time, and we look forward to his return.”