THE LIGHT BRIGADE

Once again, I realize my task is to shine the light of words on my nemesis. I’ll do my best but somehow, words about this second cancer go-around are difficult to find.

Maybe it’s because of my increased first hand knowledge about the ravages of cancer; maybe it’s the fact that up until about a month ago, I thought I had this cancer beat; or maybe it’s because I feel something is definitely amiss within my body.

In any event, I’m off to see Dr. Goldman this Friday for a consultation.

I still have the faith that says this is part of the plan for Mike 2.0 but that doesn’t make the reality of what may lie in the months ahead any easier.

And then I think of a woman that I saw on 100 Huntley Street almost a year ago now. She had pancreatic cancer and although she was terminal, she continued to inspire others with her enthusiasm for life as she jogged in cancer relays in the Hamilton area.

I can’t remember all the details of her story but I do remember she was 55 years old.

“Who says I have any right to live to 70 or 80 or 90?” she said. “I’ve already exceeded the life expectancy in most developing countries.”

A remarkable lady.

Over the past twelve months, I’ve personally witnessed so many such stories of courage. Of course, there’s Jacques’ heroism and the story of my double amputee neighbour John who is now out and about our neighbourhood in his motorized wheelchair. Then there’s nursing home captive Jack who has actually decided to begin a fitness regime to keep his spirits up. And Peter’s parents, Helen and Sean, whose daily sacrifices to enrich the life of their autistic son are proving successful.

My teaching protégé Andrei is doing extremely well in his battle against Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hopes to be back in the classroom next February while Ana, another Room 309 casualty, will have one more round of radiation in November to ensure that her thyroid cancer has been completely eradicated.

I take strength from the example of this brigade of heroes, I take hope from the many successes I’ve seen against cancer, and I take consolation from knowing that my new path has been chosen for me by someone far wiser and caring than I can ever imagine.

 I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9