Cancer


"Grief" (c1965) - Gene Gould

One of my friends has cancer -brain cancer. After his last MRI, the oncologist told him that the chemo. is no longer effective. 6 years of painful treatment and for what? He is not expected to live to see Christmas.

His wife and he now are meeting palliative care staff and making funeral arrangements. He has 2 kids - 8 and 10. They cry every time he talks to them about how daddy's cancer is winning. Must be tough to be so young and have to grapple with questions of mortality and loss.

There is a musician called Warren Zevon who was also diagnosed with cancer. On his last appearance on the Letterman show, Letterman asked him how the diagnosis had changed him. He said, "Well, you learn to enjoy every sandwich." I've always loved that line. Taking the gift of life for granted may be our biggest road-block to fully appreciating and enjoying every moment.

May we all have the grace to "enjoy every sandwich" as long as God gives us breath.

Comments

ReverendKathryn said…
Cancer is a monsterous phenomenon. My father died as a result of a brain tumor. He continued to work until the pain and functioning made it difficult.
Death at any time is tragic, but we, human kind, tends to get angry or confused when it takes those who are "young".

It is harder for some of us to understand or figure out what to do when it is something like cancer. We are able to "anticipate" the end and hence make preparations, nurture our relationships, "savor the sandwich", but it is still not easy. Grief and dying are not always embraced well.

My heart goes out to this man and all whom consider him "family". I pray that he is able to "savor" the moments as they come.
3:20 PM
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