What else can you say about it? It's unexpected, unfair, and undeniable. Cancer doesn't care if you're rich or poor, old or young, religious or not. It's an equal opportunity offender.
This is my Uncle Don. A year ago, he was diagnosed with malignant myeloma. It's a blood cancer that attacks the plasma cells. Since his diagnosis, he's had two stem cell transplants and so much chemo that we've lost count. He's had a miserable year to say the least, but he's in remission now, thank God.
We lost his brother, my Uncle Slick, to leukemia several years ago. My neighbor, Chris, is dying of leukemia. He's at MD Anderson in Houston right now doing an experimental program as a last resort to save his life. He's got two little children under age 4.
My other neighbor, Moe, is recovering from treatment for colon cancer, as is our friend Mitch.
Andy's secretary, Stephanie, is undergoing chemo for breast cancer. If the chemo and the cancer weren't bad enough, her lung collapsed this week while she was getting her chemo. She can't seem to get out of the hospital. My friend Sylvia is going through treatment as well.
My friend Kelly's dad is in treatment for prostate cancer along with Andy's Uncle Bill and one of the partners in his law firm.
Karen, a college friend of mine, died of ovarian cancer about a year ago. She never had children, her cancer was found when she went through infertility treatments.
My freind David's mom died of lung cancer while we were in college. It was horrible. I'll never forget those days. My friend Bill's mom has lung cancer as well. Ginger's dad died of lung cancer.
My friend Diane is a survivor, she beat uterine cancer, also found through infertility treatments. Her sister in law beat leukemia. I know several women who beat breast cancer. Rock on! There are more and more survivors beating this nightmare every day.
Yesterday we got another call. My father in law has lung cancer. What can you say?
Don't smoke and if you do, try to quit. Your life isn't worth it.
Take care of yourself.
Pray.
Cancer sucks.
Wow! barb I had no idea. All four of my Grandparents died of various forms of Cancer. You're rights, it' sucks!
Posted by: Anna Aspnes | August 17, 2006 at 02:49 AM
I am so sorry Barb. Much love to you and your family.
Posted by: Laura | August 14, 2006 at 04:09 PM
Barb,
I am so sorry. Lost my dad three years ago to cancer and he never smoked a day in his life. Very unfair. A disease that doesn't discriminate. I wish you strength, love, and peace. I will pray.
Posted by: Jlyne Hanback | August 13, 2006 at 04:18 AM
Wow. Definitely a reality check. Cancer is a scary thing. It seems to touch so many that are so close to us. Prayer - definitely a good thing.
Posted by: Heather D. White | August 13, 2006 at 02:16 AM
wow- Barb- this breaks my heart...I have relatives w/ cancer too-
such a tough thing
Hugs to you my friend!
Posted by: Christa H. | August 12, 2006 at 09:14 AM
oh MAN Barb...I'm so so sorry. We lost my dad and my mother in law to cancer within a year and you're right...it DOES suck. HARD.
Huge HUGS to you!!
Posted by: Janet Ohlson | August 11, 2006 at 07:23 PM