Bear Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited supports Montezuma youth battling cancer

MALCOM — The Bear Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited is a lot more than a deer conservation organization. It’s are a group of men and women who support their communities.

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That was evident at the chapter’s annual meeting Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Malcom American Legion Hall.

Each year the chapter holds a special auction to raise funds for an area family in need. This year the auction raised money for Peyton Tindle, 16, of Montezuma.

Peyton, son of Jeff and Megan Tindle, was diagnosed this spring with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 2.

“Peyton started his treatments on May 1, and promptly had a severe reaction to the first medicine they gave him,” said his dad, Jeff. “After that, each treatment had challenges that Peyton persevered through.”

Peyton completed his fourth and final round of chemotherapy (eight treatments in total) Wednesday, Aug. 7. On Aug. 23, Peyton found out the treatments had been successful and that he is in remission.

Eric Hodina, president of the local chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, said the chapter has done a benefit for a family in need (typically due to medical reasons) within Poweshiek County for 17 years.

“Now after 17 years on the committee and three years into being president of the chapter, I want to be sure we continue this tradition for as long as the chapter exists,” said Hodina.

“With everything that is going on in this world, I want to be sure that we set an example as Americans, as Iowans and members of the small-town communities we live in that we have each other’s backs when it comes right down to it.”

Hodina said that when someone in these small towns (in Poweshiek County) is affected by something, it doesn't just affect that family, it affects the community.

Peyton’s cancer journey began innocently enough. In late March, he noticed his lymph nodes on the left side of his neck were larger than normal.

“We assumed he had a cold or virus,” said Jeff. “After a few days, with no symptoms of sickness, the lymph nodes were still swollen and we decided to take him to the doctor.”

Peyton’s doctor did a blood test and treated him with antibiotics followed by a re-check.

“Five days later, the antibiotics had made no improvement in his condition,” Jeff said of his son. “The doctor told us he should have a CT scan — “just in case.”

A few hours later, the doctor received the results. She immediately referred us to an oncology doctor at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.”

Over the next few days, Peyton underwent many tests to rule out any cause other than cancer.

“They all came back negative,” noted his mom, Megan. “Next, they did a biopsy of his lymph node. It was positive for cancer.”

Installation of a port was the next step.

Apparently, standard procedure is to place the port on the right-hand side. Peyton’s favorite sport is trap shooting with Montezuma Scholastic Shooting Sports. He is a right-handed shooter.

With persistent advocating from Peyton, his parents and the oncology doctor, he managed to get his port installed on the left side so he could continue to shoot.

After his first PET scan, doctors suspected Peyton also had cancer in his bone marrow.

“However, another biopsy proved that not to be the case,” said Jeff.

Doctors and his family and friends were amazed how Peyton persevered through it all.

“During his treatments, he continued to shoot, including state trap,” said his dad.

“He showed livestock at the Poweshiek County Fair and attended FFA practice with his Ag Communications Team, which will be competing at the National FFA Competition in Indianapolis in October.”

Peyton’s parents said that the past several months have been challenging, but both are so thankful for the support of family, friends and the community.

“It has been truly amazing and makes you appreciate where you live,” said Jeff.

“And the community will always come together to support and help when and where it’s possible,” noted Hodina.

Peyton is a junior at Montezuma High School.