The Tribune

IT was cancer patient Nathalie Gordon’s fervent wish to meet NBA Miami Heat Most Valuable Player – LeBron “King” James – during the team’s four-day pre-season training camp here in the Bahamas.

And when one of her daughters, Thiminko Musgrove, heard that the NBA Champions were coming, she put wheels in motion to make her mother’s wish come true.

The daughter wrote to the Ministry of Tourism and

explained that her mother was an avid Miami Heat fan and wanted to meet the team – especially LeBron James. Her mother, 62, is fighting stage four Salivary Gland Cancer – described as a rare disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.

The Ministry of Tourism and Atlantis officials made the arrangement for the cancer patient to meet LeBron on Thursday, October 3, at the Miami Heat pre-season training camp at the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom on Paradise Island.

After radiation treatment that morning, Miss Gordon braved pain and lethargic feelings to have a meeting with her favourite basketball player. She had no idea her morning was going to take such an unexpected, but exciting turn. Her daughter picked her up from the cancer treatment centre and told her to put on makeup; without telling her where they were going.

As soon as the introductions took place, the 6ft 8in forward smothered Ms Gordon in an embrace that brought tears to her eyes. So overwhelmed with emotions, she barely got a word out.

Lebron simply told her: “Be strong, you are going to make it.”

“I was able to see all of them. I said ‘Oh my God’. Tourism did an excellent job. This speaks volumes for the Bahamas,” said Ms Gordon, her voice barely audible because of the cancer.

Ms Gordon was diagnosed with Salivary Gland Cancer on May 5 this year; one week before Mother’s Day. A resident of Freeport, Grand Bahama she was referred by a doctor there to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist in New Providence, after she complained of painful swallowing due to a growth at the soft pallet of her mouth.

During her visit, the ENT specialist said that he had to operate right away based on the nature of the diagnosis.

“We did not expect it. She was never sick, except with a cold. We made arrangements to have the operation because we did not want to be put on a waiting list,” her daughter said.

The operation was done at the Princess Margaret Hospital; the doctor performed a biopsy and tested the tissue immediately. It proved to be malignant. The cancer was removed from the roof of her mouth and the lymph nodes were also removed. A guard covers the hole in the roof of her mouth, enabling her to barely speak.

“I was the first person the doctor told the news to and it was devastating. It was shocking because we were not expecting this – to hear cancer. Cancer. Our worlds changed within minutes.

“It was heart-wrenching, but she is a Christian and her faith in God and being positive kept her together,” the daughter said. “After the surgery, I was by her side when she woke up in the Recovery Room and she kept saying “Thank you, Jesus.”

Her daughter said her mother did not want to burden the children with the news that she was diagnosed with cancer. The type of cancer that she has is commonly found in patients who are exposed to certain types of radiation or substances at work.

However, she said her mother had an idea of how bad her condition was; as the doctor in Freeport told her to “prepare for the worst.”

“I prayed to God that whatever the outcome is, I will accept it. I braced myself for it. My strength in God kept me that way,” she said.

As for the children, she said she did not want to upset them, but she is grateful to them all for their love and support – Thiminko, Thimiska, Stephen and Tekira. She has two grandsons – Trevon and Micah.

“I did not want to upset them. But Phiminko was already preparing herself for the inevitable,” the mother said.

Her life has certainly changed since undergoing the surgery in May. Her chemotherapy and radiation treatments started on August 24 and have continued for seven weeks. She said the health care specialists advised her that the weeks ahead would be rough, but she never complained, even though there are visible signs of burns on her neck and cheeks from the radiation.

Two weeks after treatment her taste buds failed and she had no appetite. Even soft food like mash potatoes, fruit and vegetables had to be blended for consumption for her to get her basic nutrients. She has also dropped to a dress size of eight.

“It has affected all of us in a way,” she said. “The grandchildren are so used to her being home or communicating on Skype. They are asking why grammy has not come home.

“When she does not eat, I don’t eat. I worry, wondering whether she’s in pain. But we coped by sticking together and because of her strength and faith in God and being so positive and saying that this is her time to trust Him,” her daughter said.

Ms Gordon worked at the Bahamas Oil Refinery Company (BORCO) in Freeport for about 17 years and has been a Teacher’s Aide for the past seven years at the Beacon School – an institute for special children.

“I miss my normal life – being on the praise team at church, being with my grandchildren and students,” she said, adding that she loves cutting the male students’ hair.

Ms Gordon said she is grateful to her children and grandsons, who have been a pillar of strength to her during her illness.

“They know that I am always a person who encourages people about having faith in God. I have never seen such love in all my life, from my children,” she said.

She thanked her church, Calvary Temple Assemblies of God and its pastor Robert for their prayers and support, especially her best friend Jackie Williams.

Ms Gordon is hopeful that one day she will continue to indulge in her hobbies like going to the beach, playing tennis and cake baking.

She had this advise for others:

“I never knew of any family member having cancer. Therefore I always thought, Okay, I am safe. This is what surprised me. So a lesson to learn is whether or not it’s in your family to check; have a test done.

“Do not delay if you notice any changes in your body. Go see a doctor.”