Friday, February 9, 2024
Remembering a dear lady Lanta Wilson of Riverside, Alabama. As many of you know, in September of 2005 I was diagnosed with stage 3 pulmonary sarcoidosis, which began an incredible journey of highs and lows, and of discovery. In October I joined an online sarcoidosis support group and Lanta was the first person I met, which began a 19-year long distance friendship. The things I remember as giving me hope and encouragement were Jesus Christ my Savior, my husband James Senn who stood by me, my family, Professor Marc Judson at that time at the MUSC sarcoidosis wing, Dr. Christopher Marshall, and Lanta Wilson. There's something about meeting others with a shared disease that really helps put everything in perspective. It gives you a certain resolve. If they can maneuver this, so can I. So began a friendship between two Southern ladies with a similar upbringing, that encompassed many heart-to-heart marathon conversations just swapping stories, encouraging each other, and just girl talk. Even when I went into remission in 2009, I continued to keep in touch with Lanta and just listen. And even though we never met in person, I feel that I've somehow known her forever. I called her my honorary sister, and she called me sis. We were just in this together come what may. Even though Lanta's health became progressively worse and she developed dementia in 2014 she always asked about me and put me before herself. A true person of character. We jokingly called each other the river rats. I was the Congaree River Rat and she was the Riverside River Rat, and Bama was her team forever. As her dementia progressed, her loving Don and Samantha were always by her side. Then other health problems developed. Finally, she developed gall bladder bile duct cancer and she was too ravaged by multiple illnesses to mount a defense and fight back. Then her battle was over. With February as bile duct cancer awareness month, I would like to take this opportunity to honor a very special person's memory. Thank you Lanta for gracing me with your life. I am the better for having known you. God bless.
