A Muncie elementary school is rallying around a faculty member after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. A speech pathologist at Grissom Elementary, Kristine Eiler got her diagnosis last month at a routine checkup.
But this is not the first time Eiler will fight for her life.
Eiler began chemotherapy this week to eradicate the disease for the third time in five years. Her first diagnosis came in 2011, after a persistent cough took her to the doctor for pneumonia. But Eiler would not let cancer crush her spirit.
“When my doctor came in to talk to me about it, he started to tell me numbers,” Eiler recalled. “And I looked at him and said ‘don’t tell me the numbers, because I’m going to beat this.’”
This is the type of optimism that she said helped her beat the disease again in 2013. But Eiler said being positive is about more than just herself. It is about her students as well.
“You’ve got to be positive. You’ve got to present a positive attitude to show the kids that we are glad that they’re there,” Eiler explained.
Despite starting her first round of chemotherapy Monday, Eiler continues her positive attitude back at school this week. With no husband and no children of her own, Eiler said her students and fellow staff members help her push through the pain and make her want to come back to class.
“It’s home. I wouldn’t want to be any place else,” Eiler said.
In a display of support, Eiler said the staff at Grissom surprised her Friday by wearing custom t-shirts that had “#eilerstrong” printed on the front and a white ribbon on the back. White is the color used for lung cancer awareness.
Patricia Kennedy, a fellow speech pathologist and president of the Muncie Teachers Association, said Eiler’s friendly demeanor and attitude impacts everyone she comes in contact with.
“She’s always smiling. She’s always upbeat,” Kennedy explained. “She has had so much to deal with over the last few years and no rhyme or reason as to why she became ill. But she’s never let that drag her down, and she doesn’t let it drag other people down.”
Though she puts on a happy face, Eiler has experienced hardships in the last few years. In addition to the recurring cancer, Eiler’s dog of 15 years died last year.
“He never left my side, and I lost him last year. So this’ll be the first time I’ll have to go through it without my Tidbit,” Eiler said.
Her doctor said he hopes two rounds of chemo will eradicate the disease this time. Eiler said even if the cancer comes back again, she is confident that there is a plan for her.
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