It has been about a month since my last Chemo treatment but i have been feeling better only the last two weeks. I was talking today to someone I have known since the college days about his bout with esophageal cancer. There was a bond in shared experiences. Surgery, Chemo, the affects during and the continuing reminders. He is now 3 years cancer free.
It felt comforting to have the shared experiences. It's one of those things that are hard to describe. It is like being a grandparent. Once you become one, you understand that look. The look when you gaze upon the child in your arms. It is different than when your child was born. That next generation that is a part of you.
The comfort in shared cancer experiences vary. Gayle tried attending a cancer support group. She found people where their personal situation was considerably more drastic. But one common denominator was a lack of faith in God. The suffering becomes self centered. What I have been reading is that our faith in God diverts the suffering, the burden, to be given up, not just shared. Of course I admit I have not gotten to that point yet.
The forgotten people are the support folks. Especially family. Gayle has been the rock, support and brunt of my emotional mood swings. Pair that with her profession as a public school teacher, increases the pressures of life. Which reinforces the concept that love is blind.
No comments:
Post a Comment