So much of what I have been "saved" by is the result of countless hours of painstaking research. It has been explained to me that there are procedures and medications that I have benefited from which did not even exist three years ago:
A variety of chemo options that were specifically chosen to guard against causing further damage to my cancer-compromised kidneys.
The entire stem cell procedure, which has been around for years, but has been fine-tuned to practically an art form.
And maintenance medication tailored to my ongoing needs.
I was recently working on a project for one of our clients who specializes in pharmaceutical R&D - with a particular focus on oncology. In one of their presentations to their staff, they dwelt upon the word "research" and it resonated with me. I saw a new perspective on the word and came to understand its meaning as re-search - as in to search once and then search again, and again, and again - until a result of some kind is gleaned. Perhaps not the outcome initially sought, or perhaps not a scientific revelation; but endless searching nonetheless - probing for answers. Because from any one answer (designed or serendipitous), comes the birth of new directions, new possibilities, and new interventions that could help the intended or the lucky coincidental recipient.
These angels of analytics, these saints of searching, these titans of tenacity - are unsung heroes who have committed to devoting a lifetime of anticipated failure to the pursuit of knowledge whose benefits can save lives. Whether their motivation is benevolence or obsession, I'm grateful to them all (past, present and future) for their dedication to what has now become MY need. I continue to search for ways to learn from my health experience (the consequences of which are some positive and some negative), while others continue to search and search again for ways to conquer the cancer curse.
