IN THE PAINT: Cancer doesn't slow North Pocono's biggest fan
Jan. 29—COVINGTON TWP. — The discussion pivoted from the course of treatment to something even more important in the patient's eyes.
Brushing aside her breast cancer diagnosis, Margy Monahan had more pressing issues with her physician at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
"She literally told the doctor she had to have the surgery done before basketball season because her daughter is coaching," North Pocono assistant coach Kate Brown recalled.
And her granddaughter, Kelly Brown, is a senior guard for the Lady Trojans.
Slim chance Monahan was going to let her cancer force her to miss that, or the 15th annual Pink Game on Monday night.
"She's probably the biggest North Pocono basketball fan you will ever meet," head coach Lauren Carra said of the 82-year old Monahan. "She can give you every stat of every player.
"She adores our kids and the kids love her."
She's never far from their hearts, or the bench. And Monahan, in the midst of radiation treatments to treat her breast cancer, will be one of those North Pocono will be playing for, and coaching for, when the game tips at 7:30 p.m. at North Pocono High School.
The sixth-ranked Lady Trojans will host No. 3 Abington Heights in the event that, so far, has raised $289,000 for the Foundation for Cancer Care, which offers emotional and financial support to breast cancer victims, transportation to treatment and mammograms for women who can't afford them.
Monahan's mammogram revealed a growth and necessitated the trip to Penn, where she started her nursing career 60 years before. The chat with Dahlia Sataloff, her surgeon at Penn, was abrupt.
"My doctor sat back and when she said, 'How are you Margaret?' I said, 'Well, I'd like to have it done because I do enjoy the basketball.' She just had the biggest smile on her face and we were told it could be two to three weeks. Fortunately, we were able to have (the testing) that day and they set it up for the following week. That was a blessing. The worriment was very short."
Both for her health, and about missing the start of North Pocono's season. She had the surgery in November and hasn't missed a beat.
"She's been yelling at officials since the 1980s," said Kate, who played basketball and softball at Bishop O'Hara. "I told the doctor she's not the starting point guard. I think she could probably name all the point guards from the 90s."
And stats for this edition of the North Pocono squad, too. There might not be anyone as versed, or dedicated, to a high school team as Monahan.
"We were in a close game at Wallenpaupack and we had taken a full timeout so the kids are sitting," Carra said.
The Browns were standing and looked a few rows behind the bench, where Monahan is leaning forward, intently listening to Carra's instructions.
"Kate and Kelly were laughing because she's more engaged than some of my kids were," Carra laughed.
She's also big on pre-game instruction, telling players to hit the white lines on the backboard with their layups. It's a quick turnaround from her lumpectomy and radiation.
"I'm a person who doesn't show emotion," Kelly said. "I was very upset by it. But I know how strong she is. And I knew she would be there. Just like every day she does. You wouldn't even know what she's going through."
Especially because she keeps putting others first. While Kelly was recovering from wisdom teeth surgery, Monahan put her own illness on the back burner.
"Right after she got her surgery and she was more worried about making me chicken noodle soup than she was about herself," Kelly said. "That kind of made me laugh. Just shows how she is."
Her six grandchildren always come first.
"It's a rewarding thing when you raise your children and then your grandkids come along so you can continue enjoying life," Monahan said. "I refer to my six grandchildren as my bonuses. That's what keeps me going."
Based on the greeting from every North Pocono player that passed, she may have a slew of unofficial grandchildren, too.
"I think it's rewarding that I do not just sit at home and feel sorry for myself," she said.
When she's not cheering on the Lady Trojans, Monahan doesn't let her arthritic back and knees slow her.
Involved in a crochet group in the nine years since her husband died, the ladies donate sweaters, afghans and full body covers for a dialysis unit in Childs.
"We meet every Monday from 1 to 3. We're all kind of the same age, and it's rewarding," Monahan said. "I love life, put it that way. I'm very blessed."
She also loves her one other hobby: trips to the casino.
"That's the one thing that I enjoy aside from going to basketball games," Monahan said.
Her favorite slot machine? Instant Riches.
Appropriate for someone who's just hit one jackpot.
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