BELLWOOD -- An accident at home proved to be a mixed blessing for a Bellwood woman.
Jane Critser was tending to a colt on her acreage Nov. 29 when the animal bumped into her, causing her to fall to the ground. Her pelvis shattered.
She went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center where it was discovered why her pelvis bone was so weak. She had multiple myeloma, a cancer in the bone.
Critser said she had no idea she had the disease. She did have back problems, but was seeing a chiropractor for her pain. Otherwise, she felt fine.
“That probably saved my life,” Critser said of the accident. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have known I had cancer.”
The cancer is aggressive, and she has been receiving chemotherapy treatments. Hopes are to eventually do a stem cell transplant using her own stem cells. Before her chemotherapy treatments began she had surgery on her hip and leg. She said her left leg was in traction for several weeks to prevent pressure on her hip.
“My pelvis was as thin as an eggshell,” Critser said.
She uses a walker and a wheelchair to get around her house, but said she is virtually homebound. It is difficult for the normally active woman.
“It’s been really hard when you are in traction for eight weeks and in a hospital bed. It’s really different. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude, especially for my 10-year-old daughter,” Critser said of Emily, her youngest of four children.
Critser, who’s husband died five years ago from a brain tumor, has had help from another daughter who flew in from Seattle to help care for her. She hasn’t been able to go to work as a paraeducator at Centennial Elementary School in Columbus since the accident. She also had to rely on others to care for her horses and will probably end up selling the animals. Neighbors, friends and members of her church have also been there to assist her.
“Federated Church has been wonderful, the support has been overwhelming. And Centennial Elementary staff has been wonderful,” she said.
The road to recovery for Critser will be a long one. She has been through four chemotherapy treatments so far and more lie ahead. Once the cancer is under control, she said the stem cell transplant will take place. If things go right, she said she will have hip replacement surgery in six to nine months.
Although she faces a life-changing situation, Critser said it could have turned out differently if not for the accident.
“It was a freak horse accident that turned into a blessing. Because of it they were able to catch (the cancer),” she said.
Of note ...
A benefit will be held at Federated Church, 2704 15th St., in Columbus to assist Jane Critser. The benefit will be 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Chili and chicken noodle soup and dessert will be served for a free-will offering.
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