Marquette family battles cancer on two fronts

Marquette Melodrama Troupe to present Larson benefit performance

The Marquette Melodrama Troupe, a group of talented actors and musicians that has been staging melodramas and olios together since 1989, is presenting a benefit "Olio Review" for the Larson family at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 and 24.

Troupe members, who have also performed several times for McPherson's All Schools Day festivities, have put together a program of the best of their olio performances from the past 12 years to provide an evening of entertainment that is guaranteed to inspire laughter enough to benefit all who attend.

Brion Larson and his 23-year-old son, Greg, are hoping to beat this disease that has held them in its clutches for the past six years.

Greg was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 17, went through treatment and was cancer-free until last August, when cancer was found in his stomach, necessitating surgery. But in December, the cancer was found to have spread to his abdominal cavity, blocking his digestive tract. The cancer is classified as stage four, terminal, and the location is considered inoperable. Greg is currently undergoing an aggressive regimen of chemotherapy, hoping to gain some more time.

"His attitude is surprisingly positive," said his dad, Brion. "He is determined to fight it and beat it. We left the decision (to go ahead with the chemo) up to him and he decided he had to fight it. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Brion Larson was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in October 1999. At that time, it was classified as stage three because there was lymph node involvement, but it was not considered terminal. It is considered to have a 15-percent, five-year survival rate. Brion underwent six weeks of chemo infusion with radiation treatments every day, completed in February 2000. Brion's cancer is considered to be in remission, however, the radiation treatments have done extensive damage to the nerves in his spine and have caused him to be in chronic pain.

"You fix one thing, but break another," Brion said. He has a pump implanted that constantly puts morphine into his spinal cord in order for him to endure the pain.

He is unable to work, leaving the family without any income. His wife, Nancy, cares for Greg and Brion, as well as for two of the couple's other three children still at home. Robbie is an eitghth-grader, Anna is a sophomore in high school and Jolene is in college.

Brion marvels at the way people have pitched in to help his family. "It has been amazing, all the help we've received," he said. "whenever we have needed something, it has been there - it's just been amazing!" He said that after an area newspaper published their story, it was posted on the Internet and they have heard from, and received donations from, people as far away as Australia.
"People we have never even heard of!" he said. "Churches have helped out - it has been overwhelming. If any good has come out of all this, you can say that is it."

He has joined a support group on the Internet and has become acquainted with others with the same type of cancer, who were diagnosed at about the same time.

"Most of them have already died." He said. "It's kinda scary, but I am really hoping to be around long enough to see my youngest graduate from high school in four years."

The Larsons have been involved in the Marquette Melodrama Troupe in the past. They have helped with the lighting and sound and Brion played "Classical Gas" on his guitar in one of the first productions.

Allen Lindfors, vice president of the Marquette Farmers State Bank and the director for the production, said the troupe really wanted to do something to help the family. He said he knows that laughter really can be a wonderful medicine, because it helped his family through a tough time when his wife passed away three years ago.

This musical review is just over an hour long and is comprised of some "really funny stuff," said Lindfors. Some of the performers are original members of the troupe; others are newer to the group.

One member, Steve Rankin, who has moved to Winfield, is returning to be in the benefit production. Other members include: Lou Nelson, Kim Coney, Janet Manor, Mike Greenup (also returning to perform), Larry Montgomery, Dana and Julie Olson, Diane Talbott, Peter Dahlstrom, Andi Willems, Brian and Gina Winholz, Rosalie Greenup and Jackie Larson, with Justin and Brian Hopp doing the Lighting. Betty Amos will be playing the accompaniment on the piano. Children of the performers will be helping with the ushering, sound and costumes.

Susan Buffington, who also helps with directing the group, said, "This is an amazing group of people. When they were asked if this performance could be arranged, they all said, 'You bet! We can do it!' "

The benefit will be held at the Marquette Fine Arts Center, located in the old theater in Marquette, which has been home to the melodrama troupe since 1995. Tickets may be purchased Monday through Friday at the Farmers State Bank in Marquette, (785) 546-2292 or on Saturday at Olson's Furniture, (785) 546-2600.