I was recently reminded of the important fact that water is truly the elixir of life. I mean, 60% of the human body is water - that's more than blood. Our earth is covered with 75% water - granted roughly only 3% of that is potable. And every creature on earth needs water to survive. But why does this essential element get the short straw? The critical elements Earth, Wind and Fire have a rock band. But the closest poor water gets to the shores of fame and notoriety might be the Beach Boys (or maybe Oasis). And yet, unheralded and even less appreciated, this most basic of ingredients keeps flowing along - serving our needs and keeping us alive (and healthy).
In the life of a cancer patient, this is no exception. True there are increasingly more medicines, therapies and miracle innovations that keep advancing the progress. But behind it all, is this odorless, flavorless, sugar-free, no sodium, no cholesterol, no calorie nectar (serve it hot or cold). As a culture, we seem to understand the foundational value of this beverage. Think about how often you see someone: walking around clutching a bottle of water, rocking a cool drinking vessel, or biking with a hydration bladder on their back. We get it.
However, it's more than just about thirst quenching. True, it is not the world's great secret panacea, but it is about the easiest thing that we can do for ourselves, and often the hardest thing to remember. There are myriad more interesting choices out there for wetting one's whistle. Yet stalwart water waits patiently for us, and is there when duty calls; when all other libations are not as universally or uniquely qualified to meet our most elemental needs.
My recent revelation came in the form of a gastro-intestinal upheaval (rhymes with and is as insidious as North Korea). Unbeknownst to me, an extended "visit" to North Korea has the capacity to quickly deplete almost all of the fluids in your body. Acute dehydration landed me on the floor of a men's room at the Mall of America, a siren-less ambulance ride to the hospital for a couple of 500ml bags of saline put me back on the mend, and now I'm planning to never be too far from a glass, bottle or jug of water. North Korea visits aside (may they be rare), my Revlimid maintenance drug also demands vigilant hydration, so forewarned is now forearmed for me.
So my dear family and friends - drink up! (water that is, at least). I know I will be.
