Strangers, Yet So Alike
Two men who don’t know each other. Two men fighting the beast with every thing they’ve got.
Two of the strongest men I’ve ever met.
They were both diagnosed around the same time. One has colon cancer, the other has leukemia. Both have gone through extreme steps to stay alive. Multiple surgeries on the colon and a bone marrow transplant….and that’s just dealing with the cancer.
It’s what has happened to each of them aside from the cancer, that’s made them into warriors.
Not that having colon cancer isn’t enough, one warrior suffered a stroke in the midst of his cancer treatment. The doctors had to stop treating the cancer, while a new set of doctors stepped-up to treat the stroke. It took a very long time to get him to a place where they could concentrate on the cancer again. But they did it and he had the strength and the will to fight another battle.
With leukemia and a bone marrow transplant, a big bag of side effects comes with the procedure. This has got to be one of the most difficult “corrections” of a disease out there. In many cases, if the leukemia doesn’t kill you, the bone marrow transplant certainly could and if you get through those two killers, all the other problems that arise from the new marrow put a body through such an ordeal, it’s a wonder, my friend is still, as he likes to put it, “vertical.”
But these are two of the strongest warriors to walk this earth. I’m sure they don’t see themselves this way….but I want them to know, I do.
I bow to your spirit. I applaud your will to live another day.
You may not know each other, but you were cut from the same cloth. Bravo!
July 6, 2011 @ 11:29 am
I have the utmost respect and admiration for these patients, and others like them. They show us how strong we can be when hit with catastrophe; how brave, resilient and still hopeful, despite the odds and day to day happenings. They show us so well, how to face adversity and, I believe, this attitude helps THEM as well, making their days a positive moment in their lives and not one to be slept away. God bless them all.
July 6, 2011 @ 8:52 am
A great salute to those two guys. May they both be successful in their fights.
I must tell you about another person who personifies hope and a fighting spirit. I got to know her from our prayer list at church. She was diagnosed with lung cancer over a year ago. She has endured 35 sessions of radiation as well as chemo. I had not met her face-to-face but we’d correspond via email with words of encouragement. I had asked about her to one of our pastors as to whether or not she was able to still come to church. The pastor said yes she does…just look for a woman pulling an oxygen tank and that’ll be her. So last Sunday after the service I was walking out when there was a woman with an oxygen tank. I introduced myself and asked her name. It was my email friend. We visited. The cancer has spread all over; no further treatments; she has hospice come in 2 times a week. She has also had a meeting with our pastors to discuss and finalize her funeral service….what she wants done. So I asked her how she felt she was doing…..she said “I’m doing well. I don’t feel bad. I have some days that are not too good but I’m OK.” She also said “I just renewed my automobile insurance for another 6 months so you know I’m OK and she laughed.” The thing she continued to emphasize that she was OK. She’d laugh and the sparkle in her eyes told it all for me. The cancer may take her life soon but it would never take her soul nor her spirit. Now this is someone to admire. “As the good night folds around her, she’ll be led by guardian angels to her Heavenly home!”
July 6, 2011 @ 1:19 am
Cancer patients are the most awesome people on the earth. We all thought Jim was an amazing person before cancer but when he began the fight he was even more awesome. He never lost his spirit or sense of humor no matter what. He kept us going most of the time. I salute all of “the fighters”.