Have I gotten beyond the shock of the diagnosis? No. I probably never will. Dad ordered me to stop crying all the time. I’ve done my best, but it’s hard at times. Uncomfortably, our family’s had to discuss many urgent matters relating to my father’s illness.
On the bright side, my dad is still with us. I can ride my bike to his home daily, and sit and visit with him. Dad, Mom, and my daughter will sit and play rummy together. Recently, my parents returned from a cruise to Alaska with old high school friends. We still have time to spend with each other.
I’ve discovered that cancer is never fair, but little in life is. Everyone I’ve spoken with either has had the disease, or knows someone else who has. Like the generations before us who developed vaccines and sent men to the moon, I believe we as Americans need to be the next great generation, and begin to find the answers to the cancer problem which affects almost every family. Personally, I’ve chosen to support Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong Foundation.
Article comments
1 - Emily
I'm 14 and went through that myself and my father! I don't think anyone could ever really get over that. I think it changed me forever, as it would anyone
2 - Kelly Jad'on
Thanks for your comment. It seems that cancer is every where in the news lately, affecting us all.