THE SCOURGE OF CANCER

I am headed off to church soon. A time to reflect is always a good thing. Today, I have cause to reflect on a very personal experience: Some 20 years ago, my friend's mom was diagnosed with Cancer...Cancer of the Lungs. Its not good, I have found, to pass judgement. Cancer has many rampant agents...hereditary and otherwise. That been said, she was a smoker...a very heavy smoker, so I leave you to draw the conclusions.

Anyone who has ever been close to these situations understand the monumental sadness, made worse in this case, by the stark reality that we all had very little hope that she would survive. The worst thing for me was that,  it all happened so suddenly...one minute, there she was, even though in her early Sixties, unbridled and full of life, and the next, bedridden and seemingly facing "last rites"...the "grim reaper". When faced with finality of death you can't help but wonder what life is all about. This lady, to many of us, was a role model...she was wealthy, had a successful career as a lawyer, served her country abroad and had many friends in high places...yet with all of this, there she was, totally helpless.

Second comings though, are great stories...they are stories of missteps, sickness, struggle, rebirth...and triumph. Bear in mind, I said 20 years ago. Today my friend's mom is alive and well...well, not so well, but she is alive! Its a story that should give all of us strength. After the unfortunate diagnosis and that initial eternal spell of gloom and doom, she had surgery to remove the diseased lung and surrounding cancerous cells. For a time, everyone was on "pins and needles" as the Doctor had warned that there was a good chance that the cells could re-emerge and spread to the other lung and other organs. Happy to say, this story had a great ending....in fact, too great.

She recovered fully and even went back to her favorite pastime - smoking. This was truly a "second coming"! Over the twenty years, she did make other adjustments to her lifestyle...but hey, being at death's door and coming back like she did, the changes were minor in the grand scheme of things. I am sure we would all trade a few vices and comforts for a chance to live 20 more years. Besides, she did return, albeit against stiff advice, to the one thing she loved - smoking.

Over a year ago, however, this story took another turn...another sad twist The cancer had returned...this time with a vengeance. She had serious complications this time around with more organs being affected. She was again in the "departure lounge". But, as she did the first time around, she has undergone the required treatment and has defied the odds, much to everyone's surprise. I have heard (even written) about second comings...but a third?  Those are very rare. Makes you wonder if we can somehow summon a greater will to live and overcome extreme and impossible adversity. What do you think? After church, I will give her a call to let her know that she is an inspiration to me, and to many others - to Jollyjo readers, that is! I hope she will tell me that she has now given up smoking for good.

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Here is an excellent video on cancer treatments: