story by Siri Stevens
Braxton Corman is a team roper and calf roper that just finished his junior year in high school. His year was not how most juniors spend their days though. His life changed last November when he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), an aggressive cancer that develops in the body’s soft tissues, including muscles and connective tissue. The junior from Burlington, Colorado, found a lump the size of a grape while taking a shower, and when it didn’t go away, he mentioned it to his parents. His percentages of overcoming it was definitely increased by his early detection. He went through five surgeries, 22 chemo treatments and 23 radiation treatments. His family and rodeo family were behind him all the way. His mom and dad (Juhree Stowe Corman and Greg), and his older brother, Stetson and older sister, Cheylin, all did what they could to help. “It was pretty hard on my family, both my sister and brother were both down in Texas, my brother has moved back and has a different job – working for Zoetis Animal Health, he’s a rep for them. Cheylin is studying Ag business in Lubbock.”
Seven months later, he is in remission; he will be considered cured in five years if there is no reoccurrence. For now, he’s ready to get on with the summer. When he first heard the diagnosis, he really didn’t think about. “It took me awhile to believe it. Once I did, then I realized that I needed to get through the treatments and have faith in God that He’s going to help me through it.”
“The first week was tough; I didn’t know what to expect, it’s been pretty good after the first week,” said the 17 year old. “Even when I got really sick, I got through it by pushing through and knowing there would be an end to it.” Born and raised in Burlington, Braxton started rodeo when he was five. Currently he is just competing in the team roping, he used to compete in calf roping. The treatments kept him from doing the normal things kids do. “I don’t like to be stuck in the house – I like to be out – so that was the most challenging part – but I kept my head up because I had to stay inside because the blood counts weren’t good.”
He made the trip to Denver (three hours one way) once a week, every Tuesday, where he would sit in a small cubicle for two hours of chemo. “Then we went home.” His class schedule was shortened to three classes, and the school set up a Google classroom so he could get his assignments when he was unable to get to class. He not only finished out the year, he made it to the Colorado State High School Finals, where he finished third in the team roping heading for Trevor Singleton, and they are heading to Nationals in July. He plays football in the fall and played comeback, coming into the Finals fourth.
After he enjoys his summer, he plans to enjoy his senior year and then go to Universal Technical Institute in Dallas, and study their diesel program. “I’ve always liked using my hands and tinkering with things and I help a guy in Burlington who has a diesel mechanic shop and we’ve got our own equipment.” He will go for regular scans to make sure he is cancer-free, and those will lessen with time.
The end result is a much more mature Corman, and the knowledge that his rodeo family is truly family and his God is mighty; he never got mad at God for his condition. “If I got mad at God, He wouldn’t be able to help me through it. He’s given me guidance and hope and strength and an incredible support system. Never take anything for granted – live life to the fullest.”
