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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

No Cure Yet For Cat Davis

Seven months after undergoing a stem cell transplant, Cat Davis sports a short new haircut and a big grin. The hairstyle was necessary when all her hair fell out during chemotherapy, but the brilliant smile is her trademark. However, in recent years, she hasn’t had much to smile about. Four years ago, the 2006 Northwest Christian School graduate was diagnosed with CREST syndrome, a combination of five diseases. The symptoms of CREST are associated with a generalized form of scleroderma, which literally means “hard skin.” The disease causes the immune system to attack and destroy healthy tissue. Her doctor told her she had two to five years to live. Despite the grim prognosis, Davis, 25, battled the disease with everything she had, undergoing painful experimental treatments. But last year she ran out of options/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

DFO: Dunno what you consider a hero to be. But individuals, like Cat Davis, who have the guts to fight for life despite a grim medical diagnosis define "hero" for me.

Question: How hard would you fight to live if you received a diagnosis like this?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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