Good Man Receives Good News

Byline: Dale Huffman Dayton Daily News
Date: September 10, 2003
Publication: Dayton Daily News (OH)
Edition: City
Section: Local
Page: B3
Column: Dale Huffman Column

Something incredible happened to retired businessman James "Jim" Wilger.

Sixteen months ago, his body was full of growing cancer cells. Cancer was detected first in his colon. It then spread to his lymph nodes and liver, and there were spots on his lungs.

"It was the worst of all times," said his wife, Ann, who in October will celebrate 44 years of being married to Jim. "The news was so bad. Things were so serious. The future was so dark."

We fast forward now, past the grueling, challenging months of the fight.

On Sunday, more than 170 family members, friends and good folks who really care showed up at the Wilger home in Oakwood for a Life Celebration.

The party was planned before they knew for sure. But it became official Monday morning after the party when Jim and Ann drove to Cincinnati where Jim's surgeon confirmed the phenomenal news:

"I am cancer-free," said Jim, 69. "The news is outstanding."

Ann added, "I don't want to be sappy or saccharine, but you know what, this is nothing short of a miracle."

Jim had just stepped down from his position as director of an electronics manufacturing company and was beginning to plan retirement activities when the cancer interfered. A former B-52 pilot who spent five years in the Air Force, he was serving as president of the Dayton chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) when he became ill. His wife, a pianist, retired music teacher at Sinclair Community College and a community activist, will step down at the end of October after a long term as regional director of PFLAG.

Those attending the party Sunday pointed out time and again that the Wilgers are caring people and good neighbors, and that positive living might have played a part in Jim's recovery.

"Jim is a blessing in the world," said Charlie Campbell, a neighbor who lives four doors away and the president of the board of Miami-Jacobs Career College. Charlie, who survived a serious stroke to make his way back into life's mainstream, added, "Jim always makes things happen for others. He is such a giver. He really touches lives and does so many things, along with Ann. He is a good neighbor, a good man."

The Wilgers have a son who works for the government and is in foreign service in Bangladesh, three daughters who make their homes in Cincinnati and six grandchildren.

Ann also is an author and wrote Becoming Out: The Journey with a Gay Son.

" We have faced issues and hurdles in our lives," Ann said. "But over the last 16 months, we have faced the real test. Now we thank God and all those who supported us with love."

In addition to the medical attention, including eight months of chemotherapy and two surgeries, the Wilgers were introduced to a method of natural healing known as Reiki, a form of energy healing.

"I am an engineer and skeptical of these types of things,' Jim said. "But I do feel I had a response to the sessions. I found it to be a comforting, satisfying thing. Did it kill cancer cells? I would have a hard time defending that. But it certainly had a spiritual, emotional and important part in the overall healing process."

Jim added, "I honestly feel that attitude is a dominant factor in healing. I never once felt that this would get me. I never had that feeling at all."

When they drove home from the doctors Monday, after getting the good news confirmed, Ann said she told her husband, "You know, Jim, you still have something important to do. We all have things to do in this world, and when we are done, we die. You still have things to do. There are more lives needing to be touched."