I am sorry to learn that you lost a patient last Friday (2020-11-27).
In my experience, navigating the treacherous terrain of cancer is “complicated” indeed.
I told Gary a number of times that I did not think of myself as being engaged in a war, battle, or fight with cancer. I rejected that combative framework. Because, as you said, it is in no way a fair fight. I know that wars, battles, and fights are rarely “fair.” It was just that I did not want my epitaph to be “He finally lost his battle with cancer.” To me, that sounds so demeaning. We don’t say he finally lost his battle with old age or his fight with reckless driving.
I thought of my cancer simply as a disease process that might or might not be “curable” in my case. In either case, a struggle would be required. I focused on meeting the challenges required of us in recovering from my surgery, getting through the Chemo, and adapting to new, lifelong limitations. So for me it was just a matter of doing my best to meet the challenges; I felt successful whenever I did so. Whether or not our efforts would be enough ultimately to save my life and underlying health, was out of my hands. I failed only when I failed to give it my best. I did not “beat” cancer; but I was saved from cancer (at least for now) by my doctors and nurses, my caregiver, and my own diligent efforts.
I am sorry to learn that you lost a patient last Friday (2020-11-27).
In my experience, navigating the treacherous terrain of cancer is “complicated” indeed.
I told Gary a number of times that I did not think of myself as being engaged in a war, battle, or fight with cancer. I rejected that combative framework. Because, as you said, it is in no way a fair fight. I know that wars, battles, and fights are rarely “fair.” It was just that I did not want my epitaph to be “He finally lost his battle with cancer.” To me, that sounds so demeaning. We don’t say he finally lost his battle with old age or his fight with reckless driving.
I thought of my cancer simply as a disease process that might or might not be “curable” in my case. In either case, a struggle would be required. I focused on meeting the challenges required of us in recovering from my surgery, getting through the Chemo, and adapting to new, lifelong limitations. So for me it was just a matter of doing my best to meet the challenges; I felt successful whenever I did so. Whether or not our efforts would be enough ultimately to save my life and underlying health, was out of my hands. I failed only when I failed to give it my best. I did not “beat” cancer; but I was saved from cancer (at least for now) by my doctors and nurses, my caregiver, and my own diligent efforts.
Best Regards,
Dave Swatzler
Sorry, Doctor. I see your post was from Fri 12-04. I wondered how I missed it for a whole week. I didn’t; it wasn’t there yet.
Regards,
Dave S.