Is my situation in any way helping you?
I realize this isn’t about me, though technically it is actually all about me, but it’s really about us. As I look around and think about my medical progress, I concurrently wonder if as I’m learning new things about cancer am I able to help you learn new things about cancer as well.
A friend came to see me recently and as he left, he turned back and said, “It’s so great to get to visit someone with cancer and know that they’re going to make it, that I’m going to get to see you again.” I take for granted that survival is the only option, but for too many, it hasn’t always worked out that way for themselves or their loved ones.
As my hair grows back and I go from “cancer bald” (which is different from “shaved-head bald”) to having fertile follicles again, this must be a strange thing to watch happen. We’re all wondering: how long will it take; will any red come back; will it be straight or curly. But it really does grow back and this is what that looks like.
I’m working, I’m functioning, I’m on maintenance medication – and yet it looks like I’m pretty much the same as before. True I have more color in my complexion and have found back a few lost pounds, but if you didn’t know where I’ve been for the last six months, you wouldn’t immediately guess I’ve been to CancerTown. So see, there is life on the other side of this uphill battle.
In the end, I’m happy to possibly be that guy in your life that has cancer and it all works out. You can watch with both eyes wide open at my progression and not have to look away – too embarrassed to stare or too worried about my fate. That if this unfortunately enters your world in some way, you can be more prepared or more empowered to tackle it.
