 Charlene Bell Kokesh is a breast cancer survivor and as of May of 2008, which was her last medical check up, she was found to be cancer free. Charlene has medical check ups every six months and is thankful to be healthy and able to work every day.
(pictured to the left from L to R: Julie (Allen)Stephens & Charlene Bell - Kokesh)
The FSST Annual Wacipi had a “Pink Shawl” dance on Saturday, July 18th, and gave out 47 pink shawls to cancer survivors or their families of cancer patients. Charlene is especially thankful for the ladies that have been supportive of her throughout her cancer diagnosis, surgery and recovery.
Charlene attributes her nine years of recovery and well being to her supportive friends, relatives and health care providers.
She is especially appreciative to Julie Rae (Allen) Stephens and Laurie Milda (former registered nurse at the FSST Clinic) for her after care and friendship. Charlene stated: “I am thankful for Julie for being there for me all the time and being so supportive throughout my bout with cancer. Julie was the Health Director at the Clinic and helped me with medical supplies and with my medical problems after surgery. She stayed by my side as a Health Director helping me with medical items and medical supplies that was not always available. We have been friends since and I have adopted her as my daughter in the traditional way.” She went on to say: “Julie hired me at the Clinic after I was healed and ready to go to work. In these nine years of being cancer free, I went back to work for the Tribe, drove a semi truck hauling mail from Denver, Colorado to Chicago; presently I am working as an assistant to John Bechen for EPA at the Natural Resources office.”
“Jodene (Jo Bug) Hansen made my pink shawl and following the tradition, prayed for me all the while making and sewing the shawl and presented it to me at the Pink Shawl dance. I danced in the Pink Shawl Dance for Julie and Laurie and in the line up, Linda Allen, my aunt as she was a close friend of my aunt Inez Wakeman and my cousin Happy Lonehill joined me and arm in arm we danced together. I was very touched by that and it meant a lot to me,” Charlene said. Charlene also mentioned people that were supportive of in her younger years and adult life while living in Sioux Falls, her god parents, the late Howard & Catherine Robertson.
Julie Stephens stated: “I have a breast examination every year and had two biopsies done and both were benign. I have my yearly exam because of Charlene and she has told me how important it is to have annual check ups. I am very thankful for Charlene as she advocates for all women to have their check ups routinely, because of her, I do.”
Charlene is the picture of health and is always good natured, has a great sense of humor, a hug and kiss for all she greets and loves to laugh with relatives and friends. She likes to reminisce about the “good old days” here at Flandreau. Her positive attitude and love for everyone is one of the many reasons she continues to be the “Charlene” we always have known. -Editor |
