My dear friend of 25 years was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prognosis is good and she feels she has an excellent medical team. But she's only 50 years old, has been married for just 11 years, and has a beautiful 6 year old daughter. She and I have shared so much during our friendship; it is difficult for me, as a friend, to be so far away from her during this time.
As I've been thinking about this very special frend of mine and this health challenge she's facing, it's occurred to me that over the past several years, cancer has touched the lives of too many people I know.
About 7 years ago, a former co-worker who became a great friend was given a severe cancer diagnosis and not a very good percentage that he would beat it. He fought a very couragous battle that included months in the hospital, more than a year of isolation, and a relapse. He's cancer free today, but he sacrificed many years of his life, as well as part of his career.
Five years ago pancreatic cancer took my favorite, loving aunt. There's no real treatment for pancreatic cancer; by the time one receives a diagnosis it's basically too late for any treatment to stop the cancer or prolong life. I remember the pain of saying good bye to her. We both knew it would be the last time we saw one another.
My faithful, compassionate father-in-law lived with lung cancer for several years before he succummbed to this awful disease late in 2011. He never feared the disease, just prayed for God's hand to help the doctors who cared for him; and when the doctors could do no more, Dad prayed for God's will.
A neighbor received her breast cancer diagnosis last year. "Death to Cancer" has been her battle cry, and today she is cancer free, to the amazement of her doctors and the joy of her family. I saw her last weekend and she is thankful for the re-growth of her eyebrows and eye lashes.
Finally, I learned that a high school friend with whom I reconnected through Facebook has colon cancer. He was a football star, and all around popular student. He's about to undergo his sixth and final chemo treatment.
According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. This weekend, the high school in my neighborhood will host a Relay for Life. Relay for Life is an event that helps communities celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, allows families and friends to remember loves ones lost to this awful disease, and raises money to fight back against cancer. I've never participated in a Relay for Life event, but this weekend I will go to the high school with a decorated luminaria bag for my dear, special friend facing breast cancer; for my former co-worker and great friend who beat a severe cancer diagnoses; for my favorite, loving aunt who I remember and miss every day; for my compassionate father-in-law who I see in my husband; for my neighbor who rejoices in little things like eyebrows and eye lashes; and for a high school classmate whose last status update was "one more to go."
@#%! Cancer.
