Cancer does not discriminate who its victims are. From the
young to the old, the doctors utter “You have cancer.” No matter how it’s said,
the result is the same, an uphill battle with some unknowns.
The lucky ones are diagnosed in the early stages where there
is a high probability of recovery. Note, I did not say getting rid of cancer
because, in many cases, that assurance just cannot be there. When cancer is not
confined to one particular organ or cell groupings, it is hard for doctors to
predict its spread and the long-term impact of its existence in the body. Nor
can the long term effects of the treatment often be contained.
Therefore we are a society that seems to be plagued with
hearing of loved ones, friends and neighbors getting diagnosed these days and
wondering what lies ahead. In the back
of our mind is the over-riding question, who is next? Will it be my loved one or me?
The number of survivors continues to grow giving more hope
that there is life post-cancer diagnosis. The re occurrence of cancer for those
thought to have “beat it” which in and of itself is a bit of a misnomer, gives
survivors fuel for fear. Yet, life is precious, perhaps more so for one who has
waged a battle against the foreign invader already, cancer. Learned is the principle one must go on, day
by day, realizing the preciousness of a day in the life of ______.
And so must we all, even with the influx of stories of those
affected and touched by cancer, move forward with hopes for cures. Be diligent
in knowledge-gathering on the disease. But be careful to not become
hyper-vigilant to the point where fear rules your day. Be compassionate towards
those that are directly touched by cancer knowing their attitude towards the
word and life has forever changed. Be supportive of efforts to fund research
for better treatment options, early detection and eradication of the dreaded
diagnosis. And at the end of the day, be grateful for the time you are given
for far too many are gone too soon!
Written in honor of those who have touched my life with
their diagnoses and challenges.
