Mayor's cancer treatment completed

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mayor Sam Jones has had quite a year. In March 2009, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and potentially lethal blood cancer that destroys bone tissue. He has spent the last year traveling for treatment.

In Tuesday morning's city council meeting, Mayor Jones announced he had made his final trip to an outpatient clinic in Arkansas. Jones reflected on this past year of treatment.

"At some point, you have to get to where you trust the professionals treating you. You also trust God," Jones said.

Trust, a positive attitude, and support. Jones said those are three of the most important things to have when battling cancer. He said the first two came from within. The third, came from others.

"The people in Mobile are a tremendous support base. I would go through the grocery store and people would stop me and say that their church had been praying for me," Jones said, smiling.

Jones said it was that outreach that continued through his entire treatment. He admits, though, he's been lucky.

"I haven't been sick, I've not had any pain. I haven't had any real effects from the treatment which is rare," Jones added.

Jones said now that is treatment is done, he will now look at another side of cancer: the side of helping others.

"If I can assist someone else who is going through this, I would like to be able to tell them my experience. I have some phone calls I need to get to now of people asking for advice," said Jones.

Jones said he will continue on with medication and, "do what the doctors tell him to do". Jones thanked everyone for their prayers, and said that they are working.