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Cancer survivor credits Madigan, family, artistry

See Jane paint, see Jane laugh, see Jane survive

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Jane Seitz is infectious. Her smile, good nature and sense of humor are hard to ignore. She is happily married to a man named Dick, and yes, they've heard all the jokes.

Her sordid medical history started more than three decades ago, when severe intestinal problems left her in a coma for three days.

"I woke up and knew my life had changed forever," she said. "I knew I had to be the guiding force for my family and help them handle whatever would come. So I laughed, because what else can you do?"

In 2007, after not feeling great for weeks, Seitz went to the hospital at her daughter-in-law's insistence. Within a day, doctors had diagnosed her with terminal pancreatic cancer and given her 18 months to live. Almost immediately, she underwent a Whipple procedure, which is an extremely risky surgery with a relatively low success rate. Following the procedure, Seitz was informed that the tumors were advanced and that her next step was chemotherapy, though she was reminded it was not a cure.

Yet, she continued to take it all in stride, with grace and an infallible instinct to smile through the pain. 

"She refused to just wait for the end, she just kept moving forward. I think she is a great example and motivation to those that need to have hope and can learn that there can still be quality of life," explained Seitz's husband of 30 years, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Dick Seitz.

From her surgeon, to the nurses who welcomed her at each appointment, to her two oncologists - one of whom told her in September that she was cancer-free - Seitz's experience at Madigan defied the stereotypes of military medical care.

"None of this would be possible if it were not for the outstanding work of the medical staff at Madigan," Dick added. "We all hear the complaints, but rarely do we hear about their dedication that saves lives and gives new hope to thousands."

Without them, Seitz wouldn't be where she is today: turning 65 this October, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and an accomplished artist coming into her second act.

In the past, she had always turned to painting when stressed, but it was a hobby and nothing more. With time on her hands as she recovered, Seitz began to turn more to her brushes and canvases. Then, a few years ago she showed some of her work at a public show and every piece sold within an hour.

"Right then it grew from a hobby into a fulltime passion, something I could do sitting around in my underwear and just love," she joked. 

Her creations are primarily either vibrant, unique florals or scenes featuring penguins (no particular species, just her own take on the loveable animals), doing everything from Shakespeare in the Park to serving in the military. While Seitz does all of her work at her Fox Island home, she often displays work at Gig Harbor's Waters Edge Gallery (7808 Pioneer Way, (253) 858-7449). She also takes orders for commissioned work...some of which has wound up in rather interesting places.

Seitz shared a recent personal note she received in the mail from former talk show host Sally Jesse Raphael, and explained that while she had never met nor sold directly to Raphael, her art had wound up in the celebrity's home. Similarly, when former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld visited the JBLM Main PX, Seitz presented him with an autographed paining of her signature penguins donning uniforms from every military branch.

"Everybody who is affected by cancer needs to find their flowers and penguins," she said. "For me, it is painting, but for others it may be something entirely different. I enjoy an audience who appreciates what I've done, it is my validation."

In March, Seitz will speak at the Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference, which is free to the public, about dealing with cancer through art.

"When I was in the midst of chemo and radiation, it was the worst time of my life," she said. "Then a stranger complimented my wig one day. For her to say something kind at that time was amazing. Don't stop sharing positive thoughts when you have them - even if they seem inconsequential."

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