By David Hale
An Orem woman”s health battle became the inspiration for a benefit concert Friday, Nov. 1, at Orem High School.
In 1990, Karen Bascom was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a type cancer that progresses rapidly, while six months pregnant with her sixth child.
Doctors gave her two weeks to live and immediately began chemotherapy.
A month later, her baby boy was born, premature, and died shortly thereafter.
As she battled through cancer, reactions to chemo drugs caused congestive heart failure and several other health problems.
However, Bascom never gave up.
“I just felt that my work here was not done,” Bascom said. “My son had died, but I wanted to stay here and raise my other children.”
With her children in mind, Bascom fought through three years of chemotherapy before her cancer went into remission, but she now has another challenge, her heart.
Despite all the setbacks she has faced, Bascom”s constant positive outlook motivates those around her.
“Karen is just a fighter,” said Gaylamarie Rosenberg, Bascoms sister. “She has been a fighter from the very beginning.”
Bascom continues to surprised and inspire even her doctors.
The first surprise she had for her heart surgeon was when he heard about her notebooks full of information and medical records.
“He said, ”Oh right,”” Rosenberg said. “However, he says that because of that and her sheer will to live she is still alive.”
A nurse by trade, doctors are continually amazed by her knowledge and understanding the medical treatment and medication that she receives.
Even her children have developed a newfound respect for their mother.
“The courage she has to keep fighting is inspiring,” her son Tom said.
In July 2000, Bascom received an artificial heart and was placed on the transplant list. The implant is a Left Ventricular Assist Device, which is intended only for short-term use in patients waiting for a transplant.
After two years on L.V.A.D”s, which must be replaced periodically, Bascom is now waiting for a heart at the UCLA Medical Center.
“I came to UCLA after a long search,” Bascom said. “They do a procedure that lowers antibody levels so that my body won”t reject a transplant.”
This procedure, plasmaphorisis, has only been successfully performed at UCLA and a handful of other elite medical centers
Finding a donor match is only one of the problems facing Bascom and her family. After 13 years of fighting illness the financial burden continues to mount.
Even with insurance, the past few years” medical expenses have been in excess of 1.5 million dollars.
Still, she continues to amaze her friends and relatives with her positive attitude, who created the Karen Green Bascom Foundation in her honor.
“It takes more energy to be negative,” Bascom said. “I only have so much energy, so I am going to use it being positive.”
James O”Neil Miner, a renowned pianist, found Bascom”s attitude inspiring and offered to help.
“I feel fortunate to be able to do this concert for Karen,” Miner said. “It has been a life goal of mine to touch people through music.”
While Miner touches people through music, Bascom continues to inspire through life.
“For 13 years she has climbed one mountain after another,” said Rosenberg. “When you are around someone like that, you can”t help but be inspired.”
