By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
Daisy darted around the feet of Wayne and Jennifer Howard last week as if she knew they were going away. Although the Howard’s were planning a trip to Houston, Daisy probably had no idea her owners were taking the trip of their life.
Wayne Howard was diagnosed with bladder cancer in December 2001. Soon after receiving the diagnosis, he underwent surgery to help eliminate the dreaded disease from his body.
The January 2002 surgery for Howard marked only the fifth surgery of its kind in Alabama.
Howard and his wife celebrated the recovery and basked in the fact that he was cancer free. Howard would celebrate that fact until May 2008.
Jennifer Howard praised her husband and the strength he has from his faith in God.
On the eve of their departure to Texas, Wayne and Jennifer were making preparations to participate in a gospel singing. Wayne is a part of a quartet made of fellow members of the East Brewton Methodist Church, where he and Jennifer attend.
Wayne’s philosophy has been holding on to the faith he sings about and, he says he knows that God is in control.
After Wayne’s initial surgery more than seven years ago, he was given hope by being declared cancer free for so many years. He has never given up on that hope.
Jennifer said she believes that God is putting them in the paths of the right people by sending them to Houston.
The couple is currently in Texas at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a renowned research and treatment facility. Doctors in Birmingham recently said Wayne had six months left to live, Jennifer said.
Wayne said he expects his trip to Houston to uncover the right doctor to help in his fight against cancer.
Wayne is known for not giving up on anything important in his life. He, along with a group of other investors, took over operations of Sheltex’s facility in 1998, creating a new company called Nutex to keep the jobs in Brewton.
The employees at Nutex will have to get along without Wayne since he recently retired in order to seek treatment and spend precious time with his family.
Wayne believes any outcome in his current situation will make him a winner either way.
Wayne vows to keep his positive attitude no matter what may come his way or what doctors may say.