Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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Thinking the cancer was gone following surgery in June of 2006, he had a routine checkup show it had returned. He went for chemo mobilization on Jan. 28 at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. In attempts to remove the cancer, doctors used a medical procedure involving a tube running through his groin, then into his liver to treat it.
Earlier this month, Slaten had a MRI which showed that the majority of cancer was removed.
“Doctors said they got the big part,” he said. “All they are doing is slowing it down. You can’t get rid of liver cancer. Once cell can multiply and it will come back. They have killed all they can see.”
Slaten, in his time of illness, is grateful to those who have supported him by visiting his house.
“You can’t imagine how much the people have done for me,” he said. “They have brought in food. It means everything in the world to me that we have such great Christian people in Thomasville. It has been a real good morale booster.”
In his two years on council, Slaten worked as liaison for City-owned Winding Creek Golf Course. His efforts paid off with the course recently turning a profit. The course has had its problems with losing money in the past.
While Slaten feels much better, he is serving as the sole caregiver for his 77-year-old wife Sandy, who he has been married to for 52 years. She is battling an illness called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where the lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe.
“She is a very sweet lady,” he said.
Once he is fully recovered, Slaten can’t wait to hit the golf course. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of working at Winding Creek Golf Course part time.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.