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By LAUREN GROVER
Staff Writer

Like old war buddies, they gathered Wednesday and recalled battle stories of persevering, of wounds mended and of looking death in the eye and living to tell about it.

Cancer is what the 60 campers attending Great Getaway this week at Pine Cove have in common, but among these veteran survivors, hope is as contagious as their smiles and bold attitudes.

"Fifteen years, ovarian cancer, and you're not supposed to survive that one," Nancy Eckert, of Athens, says with a nod of triumph. "At camp, you see the same people each year, and that's rejoicing."

Next to her sat friend Louise Shelby, who traveled from Austin to attend.

Ms. Shelby was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer at 9 years old called rhabdomyosarcoma and was one of the first three child patients to be successfully treated for it at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in 1971.

A patch covers her right eye above a scar on her right cheek where doctors removed cancerous sinus and ocular tissue. She received two primitive chemotherapy drugs and radiation and has had no relapse.

"We were the first generations (to survive rhabdomyosarcoma)," she says. "No one knew what was going to happen. We were telling them with our bodies."

Each year longtime cancer survivors mix with those recently diagnosed to create a supportive hope-filled three-day retreat.

"There's a gal here who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma in 2000 and made it through treatment," said survivor Susie Perry, of Crockett. "I have a friend who was diagnosed with lymphoma just last week, and I can't wait to tell her!"

Some campers attend who know they won't be cured and will eventually die of cancer, Ms. Eckert says. A few years ago, she encouraged a friend whose cancer was quite advanced to come to camp.

"She was so down and moped around here," Ms. Eckert said. "But she overheard two ladies talking, one very positively to the other. She found out that woman had four months to live. When I checked on her a month later, she was different. She said, 'I have the house all ready ... I even repainted the bathroom like I've always wanted it to be.'"

Activities are optional for all campers, "but no one misses the good meals," Ms. Eckert smiled.

Free massages, luxurious hammocks and musical performances are a few highlights of the retreat. But friendships are the best part, many said.

"We'd all rather have cancer together than alone," said Ms. Shelby.

At the craft table Wednesday, the topic of hair loss came up and everyone laughed recalling their funny stories.

"My mom always said to my dad, bless your little pointed head," said survivor Juanell Boyd. "When I lost my hair (during radiation), I said, Oh! I have a little pointed head just like him!"

Most of the campers are women, and many breast cancer survivors, but the few male campers are cherished, Eckert said, including one man who overcame three bouts of brain cancer.

Counselor Judy Hayes survived cervical cancer and joined the Great Getaway staff after attending camp. She said the retreat reminds diagnosed patients that life is still full.

"When you're in the throes of treatment, you can lose sight of who you are," she said. "Everyone has bad days. There are losses along the way, no reason to pretend there aren't. But having a survivor alongside you makes a difference. If you can have more up days the stronger you are."

Frances Welsh, of Crockett, beat two rounds of breast cancer (with a double mastectomy) and a bout of skin cancer more than 10 years ago. Faith in God was her stronghold through cancer, she said.

"Keep the faith and trust God and never give up, that's why I feel I'm here today," she said. "Doctors don't know how long you'll live, only God knows."

Great Getaway, a springtime retreat, is sponsored by East Texas Medical Center and Tyler Hematology Oncology and costs $50 for each camper. Interested cancer patients and survivors should contact ETMC Cancer Institute for more information.