While
I don't know how this relates to your situation, it felt right
to share. I had my 6th of 8 chemo treatments for follicular
lymphoma this past Tuesday. I'm in all day while others, w/other
sorts of cancer, come & go for treatment.
At one
point, a lady I'd seen before but not talked to at length sat in
the chair next to me. We began chatting, & I learned she had
ovarian cancer, considered incurable, & on chemo non-stop for 4
years.
She's
probably pushing 70-give or take. To look at her, you'd think
there's not a thing wrong - poised, always well-dressed &
smiling, happy, friendly. When I've heard her speak to others,
she's a shining light, offering support & good words at every
turn. Never a negative word out of her mouth. The kind of person
we'd all like to be, I believe.
As she & I spoke at length, though, she said she does gets
down-isn't that human?! Sometimes she's at a point where she
wonders how much longer she can do this, ie, ongoing treatments.
We talked about how, in today's world where new drugs are on the
scene nearly daily & possible cures & long-term remission
options but a breath away, it's often not the science & medicine
that keeps us going but, rather, the will to go on that does the
trick.
And then this lovely lady smiled-such a beautiful, transforming
smile-& she told me how she shakes herself out of sadness. She
thought of all the folks in the care center who "had it worse"
than she, knowing they cont'd day in/day out & she told herself
that, yes, she could do it if they could do it.
For what it's worth, we can worry & worry but in the long run,
life is often what we take from it in each precious moment. And
worry is at least as bad, often worse, than reality, which helps
us realize we can live in the moment & enjoy each goodness that
each of those moments bring -- no matter what reality brings.
Blessed holiday season to you & your family. I'll keep you in my
prayers.
> ~ Linda
