Cancer journey strengthens deep bond between Relay for Life honorary survivor, caregiver (2024)

CEDAR FALLS — Sarah Staebell and Shannon Frost will make a special lap during Friday’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Black Hawk County.

Staebell is battling stage IV colon cancer and has been named this year’s honorary cancer survivor. Her cousin and best friend Frost is the honorary cancer caregiver.

The event is from 4 to 10 p.m. at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls. The duo will make their Celebrate Lap at 6:20 p.m.

“It’s a special honor for us. We were blown away when we were told,” said Staebell, who lives in Evansdale.

With a year’s difference between their ages, Staebell and Frost grew up kindred spirits.

“Soul sisters,” they nodded.

“There are no words to describe how much she means to me. We were maids of honor at each other’s weddings and were there for each other when we were having our babies. We have six kids between us. She’s my sister, my right arm,” Staebell said.

“We’re two peas in a pod. Each other’s other half. We finish each other’s sentences. If one of us needs something, the other will drop what they’re doing and do their best to fulfil that need,” agreed Frost, of Raymond.

Their deep bond has only grown stronger through Staebell’s cancer journey.

For the past four years, Frost has been at Staebell’s side through multiple surgeries, nearly 60 chemotherapy treatments and countless PET scans, MRIs, and doctors’ visits.

In 2020, Staebell and her family had gone to spend time at the Mississippi River near Garnavillo for Memorial Day. She hadn’t felt like herself for most of the day, but by nightfall, “I was laying on the bathroom floor and felt like my insides were on fire,” she recalled.

She was taken by ambulance to the hospital and then transferred to Iowa City, where Staebell’s mother and Frost were able to give her a hug before she went into the hospital. It was at the height of the COVID pandemic, and only her husband, Tony, was able to accompany her into the hospital. He had to leave after getting her admitted.

Staebell was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.

She has undergone four surgeries, including removing 10 inches of her colon, 60% of her liver, a hysterectomy and a splenectomy. There have been 27 PET scans and MRIs along with the nearly 60 chemotherapy treatments (and counting).

Staebell is responding to treatment. “I feel pretty good,” she said.

Although she received her most recent treatments in Waterloo, usually she must travel back and forth from Iowa City for the hours-long infusions. Usually, Frost makes those trips with her.

“I always try to plan something fun when we go to Iowa City. It’s a day’s worth of time we can spend together. We’re always up to shenanigans. We’ve always been like that,” Frost said, smiling.

She also has access to Staebell’s medical My Chart and often peppers Staebell with lists of questions to ask her oncologist.

“She’s on it more than me, looking things up, doing the research. Shannon is my life manager, my physician’s assistant, my counselor, my best friend, my boss,” Staebell said, laughing.

Her family and friends provide wonderful support, but “with Shannon, if I’m at my wit’s end, or feeling down, she is the first person I call.” Frost lifts her spirits “so it’s not all gloom and doom.”

Early in Staebell’s treatment, COVID and her compromised immune system meant she had to keep her distance from everyone. The cousins are self-professed “Christmas fanatics,” Frost said, so for Staebell’s August birthday, “I organized a big group of family and friends to dress up in Christmas gear. We gathered on her lawn and sang Christmas carols to her. “

Together they have weathered life’s many highs and lows, “but this is different. You feel helpless when someone’s life is on the line. I want to be there to help Sarah in any way I can,” explained Frost.

And every day, they find reasons to feel joy, find hope and remain positive.

Not long ago, Staebell, who is an interior decorator, repaid a little of Frost’s kindnesses with the surprise of a kitchen remake.

They have participated in several Relays for Life through the years. In 2022, they formed a team, the Colon Cancer Crushers.

“Carnival for a Cure” is the theme for Friday’s Relay for Life. More than 30 teams will compete in the annual event. Cancer survivors and their caregivers will be guests at an open house reception from 4 to 7 p.m. with a free meal provided from Starbeck’s Smokehouse.

There will be kids’ activities, Taco Life and A Shred Above food trucks, a hula hoop contest, the Flame of Hope lighting, performance of the Union Missionary Baptist Church drill team, a silent auction and dance party.

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics AirCare helicopter will land behind Peet Junior High at 5 p.m. In addition, Cedar Falls and Waterloo Mayors Danny Laudick and Quentin Hart, respectively, will read names at the luminaria ceremony at 8 p.m.

Funds raised from the event benefit the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Iowa City.