Screw You Cancer- Mesothelioma
I hate cancer. It has robbed me of too many folks that I care about. It has hurt too many folks that I find amazing. Yet it has made warriors of many. I will always hate the beast, but will stand in awe at the warriors as that get up in the morning and tend to their wounds or their losses.
My son lost one of his mentors this year, Master Bobby.
Master Bobby was the ultimate role model for young men. Great father to his children, caring husband, humble yet full of strength, gave back to his community and helped women, men and children how to defend themselves in this every changing- difficult world using Bruce Lee’s JEET KUNE DO.
But my little guy has another on-line mentor that he has never met who battled that beast from Stage 4 coupled with HIV and won, his a pretty cool guy with the kindest heart in the world.
Both folks have played a role in making my son the outstanding kid he is today, but one is here and one is not. Why?
Screw you cancer.
My aunt Ruby died of cancer. She was a remarkable person and such a joy to experience. She did some pretty far out things during her illness and I am not sure if I remember most of correctly but I remember lots and lots of candles and some cows wearing apron, that is pretty much enough.
The first funeral I ever lead as a Cantor was for a man who’s wife died of brain cancer, I was so upset and so dang young that I passed out during the Ave Maria, just for a couple of seconds ( locked my knees like a newbie in the Corp). Mrs. Dewitt came to my rescue and her rich Alto voice sang with me while her comforting experienced presence held my hand as we finished the song, all the time I am watching the widow as he cries and the children as they look confused. I was around 18 and seriously considered dropping everything to raise those kids as my own.
Screw you cancer.
My cousin-in-law Stacy was the prettiest thing in the world. Cancer took her away not to far after she married my cousin Jimmy. She wore white in the casket, and it was such a short time after the wedding that someone asked one of the attendants which side the bride’s family was sitting on.
One of my favorite people in the world from my high school days lost her momma, and she now works very hard to raise awareness to keep more women from losing their mommas.
My husband and I visited St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital a couple of years ago and it was like the best museum ever, seeing the stats raised/lives saved as they find cures. But when I saw those children it nearly ripped me in half. Children are the only thing keeping this world good and to see them suffer shatters your soul.
Screw you cancer.
But I had no idea cancer lurked in hidden, what are thought to be normal everyday spaces.
Have you ever heard of Mesothelioma?
Every year close to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma and are given an average of 10 months to live.
I may have heard a couple of commercials about this cancer, but it was random and seemed like some kind of lawsuit flavor of the week. However, when you Google “Mesothelioma Blog Posts” you will see a sea of folks living, dying and suffering from this form of cancer. This one made me cry. The Bad News.
The best way to beat a monster is to learn where he came from, what he feeds on, and to keep him off your turn or how to get him out if he shows up. Mesothelioma is a monster.
Symptoms may not appear until 30-60 years after initial exposure to asbestos.
That is a pretty incredible length of time and the symptoms are very similar to other respiratory issues so it can be difficult to diagnose.
Have you or a loved one been near asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in older building for example: older educational facilities, factories and other commercial buildings.
Veterans are at the great risk for diagnosis.
Now that is pretty scary to me, my dad was in the Air Force for more than 25 years!
If you would like more facts about this cancer check out this website.
