The "C" Word

My friend has Cancer.

This isn’t anything she asked for and it is not something she deserves.  It is a mean, ugly disease that can ravage without permission and consume without warning.  Cancer is discussed in hushed tones and heads are silently nodded.  Limp smiles are exchanged and tears wordlessly wiped.  Astonishment and “why?” is asked over and over, without an answer.

Facts and information, as it comes, is steadfastly passed from one friend to another, leadership is taken and the army of support is formed - the backbone of defense for the combatant that plans meals, childcare, cleaning, shopping and basic sanity while everything that can be figured out is and the long hours of doctor visits buoyed.  This chain of willing hands is just as much for her as it is for all of us who want (and need) to help.

As all of this goes on in the shadows, my friend is fighting the Cancer.  This is and should be where her energy is focused, on the attack of this unwanted intruder.  The warrior in her has come out full force and step aside Cancer; she is going to kick your butt.

Long distant phone calls to the best doctors are made, second opinions are received; friends with medical knowledge are summoned late in the night.  Alternative methods of medicine are researched and implemented like soldiers in a battle.  Potential strategies are propelled into gear.  When its war and you are going to win, you arm yourself with weapons of destruction and hit the ground fighting.

And fighting she is.  She has a lot going in – amazing attitude and fortitude, zest for life, positive karma and a sassiness that only a few possess.  There is no room for sympathy; it takes up too much of the good energy.  No feeling sorry for her, that force should be focused on the positive.  The only time she stops is to e-mail her troops to let us know the latest status of her chemo treatments and to reinforce that Cancer isn’t going to take her prisoner.

Whatever the combination of things she is doing seems to be the right mix for her and progress is being seen.  Out of the three tumors measured before treatment, two have shrunk and the third one couldn’t be measured – because it is gone!  She won’t give up until the prediction she gave her doctor that the Cancer will be gone has been realized.  If Cancer were smart it would just get out of her way and quickly.

Her life will never be the same by this encounter and neither will any of our lives, us that she has allowed into her fight.  You learn a lot about people, yourself and the power you have inside when thrust into a circumstance like this.  And, sometimes, you wonder what would we do if it were happening to us?  Would we handle the situation with the same vitality, determination and courage?  I don’t know those answers…what I do know is my friend is going to beat this pest with her motto flying high…”Cancer sucks”.   You go girl, we are with you all the way.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life. Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-