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It is every parent's worst nightmare to hear the dreaded diagnosis of cancer in one's child. Large B cell lymphoma, the number 1 cause of cancer deaths in men 18-39, and advanced to stage 4 by time of discovery. Once a smiling, darling baby held in one's arms, then at 16 on the verge of being a man and diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the type that kills more young men than any other. It is an excruciating experience for any family.

This report is the story of Jacob Bumpass, now 20 yrs old, tall and good looking, bearing the fierce features of his Kiowa and Apache ancestors, and a member of the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma. He has a brilliant mind, is stronger than most men, is an avid reader, and has been engaged in politics from an early age. Jacob passes his time in jail studying scripture, sketching, writing, watching BBC World News daily, reading Time and Newsweek, watching football, and reading the many books he requests his family send to him on religion and politics.

Jacob sits in the jails of Northern Kentucky unable to obtain the scans ordered by his oncologist, Dr. Komrokji of University Hospital Cincinnati. He has been held in Kentucky jails for almost a year now awaiting disposition of the charges against him. He is one year past due for completion of cancer scans. Should the cancer return, his chance of survival beyond 5 years from initial diagnosis is drastically reduced. Monitoring is imperative per the oncologist. If relapse occurs, the treatment must be immediate, yet the Kentucky jails have refused to complete the required testing.

Thus far, having encountered more difficulties in his short life than many men do in a lifetime, Jacob has survived and gained experience and introspection beyond his years. Once a Republican and active in campaigns, Jacob knows many who run the state of Kentucky. He relates that he has a few things he would speak with them about when he is out of jail.

If there were a penned and chained dog in need of medical treatment and denied that by the owner, would that owner not be charged with inhumane treatment of his animal? California has passed laws regarding humane treatment of caged chickens. Shall caged young men in Kentucky forfeit their lives while dogs and chickens are spared?

U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis wrote a postcard commending Jacob and his brother for their patriotism and attention to civic duty after working on his first campaign. Rep. Davis has animal rights on his government web site, yet he represents a state in which young cancer patients cannot receive treatment while held in state custody.

Jacob's poem written from jail is below. It speaks volumes of the man he has become. He is yet a young man, and one can only hope he receives the medical care he requires soon.

Say, I can

Figure it out yourself, my lad,

You've all that the greatest of men have had,

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,

And a brain to use if you would be wise,

With this equipment they all began,

So start for the top and say, I can.

Look them over, the wise and the great,

They take their food from a common plate,

And similar knives and forks they use,

With similar laces they tie their shoes,

The world considers them brave and smart,

But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,

You can be great if you only will,

You're well equipped for what fight you choose,

You have legs and arms and a brain to use;

And the man who has risen great deeds to do,

Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,

You are the one who must choose your place,

You must say where you want to go,

How much you will study the truth to know;

God has equipped you for life, but He

Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,

The man must furnish the will to win.

So figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You were born with all the great have had,

With your equipment they all began.

Get a hold of yourself and say, I can.

Jacob Tsotigh 3-23-08