WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS PROCLAIM MARCH AS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and one Washington County official is sharing her family’s story to remind the public of the importance of keeping up with their health. 

Assistant County Attorney Kacie Murphy spoke to county commissioners at today’s (Tuesday) meeting about her mother’s battle with colorectal cancer, encouraging discussion on the often-ignored topic of intestinal health.

Murphy said her mother, Jeanette Williams, was considered by many to be “the picture of health,” as she was lean, ate well and kept herself and others in shape through her personal training business.  However, she did not get herself checked despite experiencing concerning symptoms.

Williams’ first colonoscopy came when she was 58, far beyond the now-recommended age of 45, and after she went to urgent care because of an ulcer.  She was diagnosed in June 2019 after doctors found a mass in her liver and other small tumors.  Her cancer was Stage 4 and deemed “inoperable” and “treatable but not curable.”  After undergoing nine months of chemotherapy, she passed in May 2020.

Murphy said cancer is real and can happen to anyone.  She encouraged those who are in the recommended age range for screenings to not put them off, as the sooner a problem is detected, the easier it can be prevented from worsening.

Commissioners thanked Murphy for bringing her message to them, with County Judge John Durrenberger saying, “If you haven’t been screened, schedule one immediately.”  Commissioner Kirk Hanath and Commissioner Don Koester said they have both had people close to them who fought the same cancer, and Hanath applauded Murphy for becoming an advocate for this cause.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:

• Approved a resolution recognizing the bicentennial of the establishment of the office of constable in Texas.
• Received the quarterly impact report from the Washington County Extension Service.
• Approved an interlocal agreement between Washington County and the City of Burton for road improvement services.
• Approved right of way permit applications for Run for the Youth of Washington County on Saturday and the MS 150 on April 30^th.
• Granted authorization for the county engineer to advertise for sealed bids for right-of-way mowing in Precinct 1 and 2, and for seal coating services.  Bids will be opened on April 12^th at 9 a.m. and awarded on April 18^th at 9 a.m.