First the good news. My good friend Canape’s mother has been confirmed cancer-free! Or in remission! Or even… healthy? I’m not really sure of the right terminology (forgive me, Canape), but I know that they received some very excellent news and I want to shout it from the rooftops. HOORAY! Yippee! Huzzah! Head over there and celebrate this good news with her!
And now, for those of you not in a mood to celebrate, the other shoe. On the same day that I read about Canape’s momma, I also learned that my next-door-neighbor’s cancer has metastasized and spread throughout his body. He’s been having chemo for a few months now, but they were hopeful that they’d find the primary site in time. They didn’t. It’s now spread throughout his bones and is causing him great pain, both chronic and acute as his bones turn brittle. In fact, he broke a bone just turning over in bed last night and had to go to the ER. I hadn’t seen him in a while (being housebound for all those months will do that to you), but we’re on friendly terms, and this just makes me sad. Very sad. We immediately offered to do what we can for them, helping around the house and such, but realize that there is really very little we can do. He’s 72. He was diagnosed less than a year ago. But it has metastasized already and so his cancer is most likely terminal. My heart aches for him and for his wife and family.
He was diagnosed with cancer less than a month after retiring from his lifelong career, which he loved, but which took him away from his wife and family for long hours and little opportunity for vacations. It just seems wrong for him to get so sick so quickly after retiring to spend more time with them.
Edited to add: And now Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer has returned as well. It’s also spread to her bones. My heart aches for her and her family, and all those struggling with cancer today.
Posted in In The News
