The ever-dreaded C-word

When I was little, I knew that cancer was bad. A family friend had a boy that died from cancer when I was four, but other than my great-aunty dying from it when I was nine, it didn’t really touch me – I felt quite removed from its reaches.

Now that I am a bit older, it seems that cancer seems to be looming around every corner. Mum’s cousin Lynne is fighting breast cancer, Mum has found out that she has the BRCA2 gene which means she is more prone to ovarian and breast cancer, and Dad recently had a spot of skin cancer removed from his back. Adam’s family has been touched even closer to home.

Just before Christmas, Adam’s beloved uncle (who happened to be our best man at our wedding) was diagnosed with a tumour on his kidney. It cannot be removed, and the chemo doesn’t seem to be helping. Soon after, at the start of March, Adam’s father Peter told us that he has cancer. With treatment he could still have a life expectancy of 10-15 years, but the cancer will never go away.

It was heartbreaking to see my in-laws and husband crying in our kitchen after they told us the news. When they left, Adam was a wreck. I knew that there wasn’t anything that I could do or say to make it better or easier for him. The cancer will not be overcome.

The only words that came to me were, “The lesson is not over”. Confused, Adam asked, “What do you mean?” “We still have so much to learn from Peter.”

I believe that everything happens for a reason. We may not be able to control what does happen, but I am positive that there is a lesson to be learned in every situation. I also know that we are only temporary visitors in this world, that we have something greater to strive for.

No amount of tears, sadness or despair will physically stop the cancer, and we must continue to give thanks for every day that we are blessed with, cherish each moment, and keep looking towards the future. I give thanks for the lessons and the joy that we have been brought by Uncle Jeff and Peter, and pray that all those touched by their cancer may find the courage, strength and hope to help them face each challenge head-on as it comes their way.