I was a stage 4 cancer patient given a 25% chance of living 12 months. That was 16 years ago and I was just over 40 years old.
I was quite sick for more than 2 years, multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, feeding tube for over a year, etc. There was no "fight" on my behalf as I just did what the doctors told me to do and got lucky. Statistically, very lucky. I really don't care for the word "fight" used in the context of one's cancer experience. Cancer is not an enemy that can be fought in any traditional sense other than to have access to (and follow up on) treatments, as barbaric as they can be even in our "modern" world of medicine.
My mantra during the time was not to "fight" because that would require me to fight myself since my body full of disease was the enemy at the time and I did not fancy losing a fight with myself, nor did I want to fight myself as that would have been counterproductive at best. Besides, it took far too much energy when I could hardly get out of bed to the damn bathroom for months on end. To fight something often requires a loser in the fight, not a particularly healthy attitude when things are not in ones control. My mantra was to give up and give in to the process and I actually found no small amount of beauty in the experience of it all. Being confronted with my own mortality, and embracing it, was one of the more profound and beautiful experiences of my life. It was only when I stopped asking "why me?" and began asking "why not me?" that opened my mind to a quality of life and emotional peace that I did not know could exist in my fragile, sick, and weakened state.
Bad things happen to profoundly good people and I wish Rep. John Lewis all the good fortune in the world as we are all better off with him in it. I hold this man very dearly in my heart and will always aspire to be a fraction of the person he is.
Now, let's get to petitioning for a name change of a certain bridge, the future "Representative John Lewis Bridge".
John Lewis is the Anti-Trump. Lewis has stood for, and fought for, all that is good and just, while The Other has broken numerous laws to advance his vision of himelf as an Aryan god.
A good friend of mine died two years ago, four years and eight months after diagnosis. He made those years count, despite the debilitating effects of chemo. He got to see his kids graduate from college. The family was able to take a few vacations together. It was often painful and awful but honestly there were moments of grace. I wish Rep. Lewis the best.
One of the most horrid cancer diagnoses anyone can receive.
My uncle's oncologist only ever "cured" one case of pancreatic cancer in his entire, distinguished practice: that was the case of a young woman whose pancreas had caught her surgeon's eye while she was undergoing an open abdominal procedure for an entirely unrelated ailment---he saw something minute, just a little bit off, and he decided to follow his instinct, snip out some tissue and biopsy it, since she was opened up anyhow. It turned out he got the malignancy in its incipiency, he got the whole thing, and she lived on for decades, although with a rigorous schedule of regular screenings.
Most cases come to the attention of a doctor in Stage III or, as in my uncle's case, Stage IV. It's a vile cancer that does not generally become symptomatic until it's far too late.
So for those who hope, let's hope Representative Lewis beats it; for those who pray, let's pray.
But either way, let's resolve to fight on in his name, with his ferocity, instead of hoping he can go on carrying our burden all by himself. For every great fighter we lose, let a thousand spring up in his place.
I cried last night when I heard the news and am doing so again. I greatly admire John Lewis (and all who stood with him) and am sending good thoughts into the universe for him. Thank you for this beautiful article, Stephen.
Gentry in Atlanta? With all due respect, Atlantans always have had highnfalootin airs.
Yes, absolutely so. The best thing I can say about my congressman is that he finally resigned and is going to jail.
Sharing one's thoughts requires the capacity for introspection.
I know.
(I can't answer your question, but I thought I'd throw a name out there.)
I was a stage 4 cancer patient given a 25% chance of living 12 months. That was 16 years ago and I was just over 40 years old.
I was quite sick for more than 2 years, multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, feeding tube for over a year, etc. There was no "fight" on my behalf as I just did what the doctors told me to do and got lucky. Statistically, very lucky. I really don't care for the word "fight" used in the context of one's cancer experience. Cancer is not an enemy that can be fought in any traditional sense other than to have access to (and follow up on) treatments, as barbaric as they can be even in our "modern" world of medicine.
My mantra during the time was not to "fight" because that would require me to fight myself since my body full of disease was the enemy at the time and I did not fancy losing a fight with myself, nor did I want to fight myself as that would have been counterproductive at best. Besides, it took far too much energy when I could hardly get out of bed to the damn bathroom for months on end. To fight something often requires a loser in the fight, not a particularly healthy attitude when things are not in ones control. My mantra was to give up and give in to the process and I actually found no small amount of beauty in the experience of it all. Being confronted with my own mortality, and embracing it, was one of the more profound and beautiful experiences of my life. It was only when I stopped asking "why me?" and began asking "why not me?" that opened my mind to a quality of life and emotional peace that I did not know could exist in my fragile, sick, and weakened state.
Bad things happen to profoundly good people and I wish Rep. John Lewis all the good fortune in the world as we are all better off with him in it. I hold this man very dearly in my heart and will always aspire to be a fraction of the person he is.
Now, let's get to petitioning for a name change of a certain bridge, the future "Representative John Lewis Bridge".
It was tried several years ago.
Background on Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer.
https://www.medicalnewstoda...
John Lewis is the Anti-Trump. Lewis has stood for, and fought for, all that is good and just, while The Other has broken numerous laws to advance his vision of himelf as an Aryan god.
That cancer should be terrified right now. It has no idea what kind of fight it's in for.
Thank you, Rank Member, for sharing that. And I'm glad you are here today, with us, here and out in the real world.
A good friend of mine died two years ago, four years and eight months after diagnosis. He made those years count, despite the debilitating effects of chemo. He got to see his kids graduate from college. The family was able to take a few vacations together. It was often painful and awful but honestly there were moments of grace. I wish Rep. Lewis the best.
That was beautiful. So glad that mortality did not decide to embrace you back.
The Urban Spaceman has ceased to be. He has rung up the curtain and joined the choir invisible. https://www.youtube.com/wat...
One of the most horrid cancer diagnoses anyone can receive.
My uncle's oncologist only ever "cured" one case of pancreatic cancer in his entire, distinguished practice: that was the case of a young woman whose pancreas had caught her surgeon's eye while she was undergoing an open abdominal procedure for an entirely unrelated ailment---he saw something minute, just a little bit off, and he decided to follow his instinct, snip out some tissue and biopsy it, since she was opened up anyhow. It turned out he got the malignancy in its incipiency, he got the whole thing, and she lived on for decades, although with a rigorous schedule of regular screenings.
Most cases come to the attention of a doctor in Stage III or, as in my uncle's case, Stage IV. It's a vile cancer that does not generally become symptomatic until it's far too late.
So for those who hope, let's hope Representative Lewis beats it; for those who pray, let's pray.
But either way, let's resolve to fight on in his name, with his ferocity, instead of hoping he can go on carrying our burden all by himself. For every great fighter we lose, let a thousand spring up in his place.
I cried last night when I heard the news and am doing so again. I greatly admire John Lewis (and all who stood with him) and am sending good thoughts into the universe for him. Thank you for this beautiful article, Stephen.
Nice suggestion to rename the bridge, Stephen. It'd be a significant step in the yr right direction.