The Big C That Rudely Interrupts

[mimitothree]

I'm tired of the C word.  So.  Very.  Tired. 

It started about six years ago, when I heard my brother's "one who got away" was battling breast cancer.  Barely 30, married, with a small child.  The girl who was supposed to be my sister in law...my friend.  The years passed, with surgeries, chemo, radiation, only for it to come back with a vengeance in her liver and brain.  I said goodbye. 

While this was happening, a very good customer of ours, who we had watched grow up from a young girl, to a young woman, was also fighting her fight with breast cancer.  Again, surgeries, chemo, radiation, radical experimental treatments, fighting a good fight, only to have it too, come back, and attack her brain.  She left behind two small children, and a mother who had already buried a child due to a car accident that same year.  We said goodbye. 

Shortly after, I watched my coworker and family friend lose a sister to bladder cancer, that spread through her body at a ferocious pace.  Later that same year, my friend's other sister discovered she had cancer as well, spreading throughout her brain.  Two sisters, gone within 18 months.  She said goodbye. 

My friend now has the same cancer her sister succumbed to.  She has gone through the treatments, surgeries, and is currently refusing to be beaten by this terrible enemy that exists in her family. 

I have watched another familiar face at work battle breast cancer, and she is currently cancer free...finally, a story of success! 

I have watched as my uncle's family dealt with his cancer, and the fear they live with daily that he will have not beaten a very agressive form of the disease. 

And now, my father in law.  My husband never had the all American dad.  Instead, he had the father who was doing the right thing, and keeping up the appearances he had been taught to project.  He's gay, but in the 50's and 60's in a strict Catholic family, that was just unacceptable.  So, he didn't know how to be a father to his adopted son, and they were at odds for many years.  Recently, in the last few years especially, my husband has reached out, and reconnected with his dad.  They are at peace with each other, and share news, thoughts, and have slowly built the relationship they always should have had.  And he was just diagnosed with breast cancer.  Yes, this is not just a women's disease.  Men, though rare, do get it also.  My husband is not only worried for the obvious reason, but fears his dad being alone, where he lives five states away.  He has close friends, but of course, my husband would like him here, where his famly is. 

I am tired of saying goodbye.  I am tired of watching those I love suffer and grieve because of this terrible disease.  THIS is why I support cancer research.  This is why I think we need to raise awareness, and concentrate on finding a cure.  How many more goodbyes do we have to say before we've finally had enough?

[mimitothree]

Sep. 18, 2008 at 11:46 PM

While we have made great strides in dealing with and curing some cancers.  I do agree that more research is necessary. 

[MsCreant]

Sep. 18, 2008 at 11:57 PM

I'm very sorry Marian. Your f-i-l will be in my thoughts... and I will send positive energy his way. *hugs*

[Woodbabe]

Sep. 18, 2008 at 11:59 PM

Marian I am so sorry for this.  It just never ends and really wears you down.  Be strong when you need to be but don't be afraid to be weak when you need to be as well....love ya!

[KC33]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 12:10 AM

{{hugs}} Marian.  I'm right with you in fighting for a cure. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[kirsten1]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 12:40 AM

   You and your family are in my thoughts. I am very tired of the "C" word too. I am all for doing whatever we have to find a cure. Research is the key.

[Lillyanna444]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 6:59 AM

So sorry to hear your news. I, too have seen this dreaded disease strike and take several very close family members and friends. I have been fighting for a cure for many years. My heart goes out to you, your family and your friends. Hold them close.

[MasonsMommy1707]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 8:44 AM

Cancer is devestating and I fully support cancer research as well!  You write so eloquently you drew me in within the first sentence.  Great journal :)

[theygrowsofast]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Well, ignore my pm, Marian...you know more about it than I do.  I'll be thinking of you, praying for you and yours and sending good juju that way.

[Schmoopi]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM

I'm sorry for your crappy news. I share your feelings about it and we just went through this last month. If you want to vent, we're here for you. You're all in my prayers.

[GladdenGirl4]

Sep. 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Cancer has been an obscene presence in my family for so long, I barely remember a time without it. Brain, uterine, colon, lung, melanoma, and male breast cancer. I have to check an awful lot of boxes on any medical questionaire I complete.

Always here for you.... and I pray your FIL's story ends successfully, as my father's did.