Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Potter battling back against cancer

Rex Potter, 16, a pediatric cancer survivor from Gurdon, has had several interesting journeys throughout his lifetime.

It all started when Potter was only two and a-half years old. It was discovered by doctors he had a tumor wrapped around his brainstem.

Most times this is a fatal diagnoses, however doctors were able to operate and treated Potter with radiation. When Potter was four he was finally placed in remission, but is still dealing with the long term effects of radiation.

Just last year Potter received two ear surgery's. One of which was invented by a dr. Dornhoffer from Arkansas Children's Hospital.

"I would recommend anyone with ear trouble to see Dr. Dornhoffer. He is excellent and has done so much with Rex," said Rex's father, Tommy.

CARTI Kids are current or former pediatric cancer patients who are receiving or have received treatment from one of seven radiation therapy centers across Arkansas.

CARTI is a nonprofit radiation therapy center with facilities in Little Rock on the St. Vincent, Baptist Medical Center and UAMS campuses, and in Conway, Mountain Home, North Little Rock and Searcy. The CARTI Foundation was incorporated in 1983 as a nonprofit organization to assist CARTI in meeting the current and future needs of Arkansas cancer patients and their families.

Throughout Potter's many years with the CARTI group, he has experienced much and traveled many.

Potter has been to Dallas to see the Dallas Cowboys play football. He has been to New York, Las Vegas, Chicago and several places in Arkansas.

He has went on trips to Magic Springs and Disney World.

Recently Potter attended an all-expenses-paid trip to the Mountain Home Dude Ranch.

Highlights of the trip included horseback riding and authentic mountain music and storytelling presented by Harmony, a musical trio from Mountain View. The group was also given line dancing lessons from a Mountain Home dance troupe.

Along with those activities, the group also enjoyed swimming, bowling, scrap booking and participating in the CARTI Kids talent show that featured, magicians, singers and flag twirlers.

Potter attends many conferences teaching him and others how to deal with the effects of cancer treatment.

"Most people don't realize what radiation does to a person. They think it is like an antibiotic treatment, once it has treated you, it is gone," said Tommy.

However, this is not the case and many things are effected by radiation treatments.

"Rex's immune system just isn't like ours. He can't fight off some of things you and I might not have any trouble fighting off," said Tommy.

However, Rex lives his life normally as possible, and is active in his community.

Rex leads a group at the Red Springs Baptist Church Awana's group and enjoys fishing and camping with his family.

Rex said he enjoys fishing, because fish is his favorite food.

Someday we may be borrowing recipes from Rex as his father says he really enjoys cooking and hopes someday to become a chef.

"I have eaten some really interesting things my son has come up with in the kitchen. He is very creative in the kitchen," said Tommy.