At my next-to, next-to-last immunotherapy session this past week, the nice nurse drew a smile on my wristband. I didn't even notice until I left the Cancer Clinic, but it gave me such a boost, I wore it for the rest of the day.
An interesting thing I've learned during cancer treatments (only TWO MORE TO GO! YAY!) is that people under treatment are some of the happiest, most optimistic people I've ever encountered. Even those who've told me they're incurable are smiling (at least their eyes are smiling above their masks) chatting, and viewing the world in a generally rosy light.
I met a first-time-visit lady in the waiting room, accompanied by her husband, adult daughter, and adult son seeing to her paper work, lab work, and generally radiating concern and love for her.
As I left the treatment room after my immunotherapy, I saw her hooked up to her own cocktail of anti-cancer drugs. She lifted her hand toward me, so I walked over and took hold of it. As we gazed at one another, tears rose in both our eyes. Then I whispered, "You're going to be just fine." I didn't know her prognosis. I just meant that whether she lived or died, she was surrounded by love, which truly makes everything just fine.
Why are the outlooks of these people so positive, even for those who will experience their dying day on this year's calendar?
I don't know. Maybe it's because after cancer patients face death up close, they determined to live what's left of their lives for the truly important things.
What use is a brand new car, shiny jewelry, or runway clothes if you aren't around to use them?
Why hold grudges if they just hurt your heart?
What good is anger toward cancer if it's not going to cure it?
I find these attitudes very inspiring.
In a way, it's too bad that I have to receive cancer treatments to be around such uplifting people, caretakers and patients alike.
I'll just be happy to see them around town instead.
What experience have you had that changed your point of view?
No comments:
Post a Comment