Cancer - Not Cancer

On January 24th, my dear friend called me and said the PET scan shows what is 99% sure to be cancer in his lymph nodes throughout his entire body. The doctor said that of the 10 things it could be, 9 of them were a form of cancer and the 10th had such a low possibility that he had never seen it. So we prepared for the final diagnosis of cancer, following a biopsy, and looked into possible treatments.

On January 25th, another beautiful dear friend of mine was put into hospice after a very short battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer). She was diagnosed late last year and had surgery and chemo and radiation. There was never a prognosis that allowed her to survive, just extended the time we had with her. It was determined that none of those things works and that the tumor was bigger and growing.

Last night, the world lost a beautiful, beautiful soul. She was my first real friend at W&R and she gave incredible advice and was a source of amusement and always reminded me of the bigger picture when I got in my own way. From our Laffy Taffy breaks to Weight Watcher Saturdays and lunches, to Pizza Friday and fried green beans, to mall walking and sharing Honest Abe's burgers and fries. She was bigger than life and one of the most generous beings on the planet. She truly lived life her way and lived her life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed. My heart is sad for those of us she left behind but happy for her that she is at peace and no longer suffering. Her presence will be missed by many.

Today, we found out that my other dear friend does not in fact have cancer. He is a UNICORN of all unicorns in that what was 99% cancer, is not cancer and is an infection of some sorts. While I know that an infection can be very serious and dangerous (especially as it courses through so many parts of his body), I refuse not to let my heart do a little dance for him not having cancer. Today I will celebrate his not having cancer. We will deal with whatever the infectious disease doctors have to say when that day comes. For now I am going to proclaim "cancer will NOT get THIS friend!"

A heavy heart that is able to find the joy in the non-heavy moments. Cancer is ugly. Cancer is powerful. Not having cancer is beautiful and a non-cancer diagnosis will be cheered for.