I had what I can only call an interesting, somewhat unnerving and humbling experience yesterday. Mom started her annual treatments for her ever-present cancer. Four day-long drips of this, that and the other over the course of the same number of weeks. Just enough to keep the cancer at bay but not enough to knock her off her feet.
It has been at least an 8 year journey and she will most likely die of old age or a heart attack before the cancer has a chance to completely take over. While that may sound somewhat clinical, at 93 and with a heart condition, hard decisions have to be made regarding the level of cancer fighting chemicals and radiation she is subjected to. She agrees that a full-blown battle against her long-time nemesis is more than she can handle, and the more moderate approach has kept the cancer from taking over. But I digress.
What struck me at first was the number of patients who came to the clinic for treatment in a single day. If I put it in perspective to the size of the population that lives in the area, maybe it wasn't a lot of people ~ but it sure seemed like way too many patients to me. And with them were family members or friends for support and company during their time on the drip. It gave a face to cancer.
No, more succinctly, it gave a broader human face to cancer since I have friends who have personally battled this demon. It's just, well, I wasn't prepared for the sea of faces. I wasn't prepared to find both alarm and comfort in the families that came to engage in the same battle for a loved one.
I was humbled by the mini, personal dramas that unfolded throughout the day in that treatment room. I was humbled by the bravery, love, compassion and determination of patients, families and staff.
Cancer may have a face, too many faces, but it cannot deter the power of the human spirit.
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