What is good about cancer?
“MAY you live all the days of your life”. Thus begins the intro with a quote from Jonathan Swift in the book Cancer has its Privileges, by Christine Clifford.
It has all the stories of `hope and laughter’ to highlight what it means to be a survivor and why comedy has a place in cancer. Excerpts:
It’s a strange phenomenon what happens to people when they hear that a friend or loved one has cancer.
Most people don’t know what to say. They don’t want to say the wrong thing, so they end up saying nothing. A cycle of avoidance and denial only deepens the loneliness and isolation the cancer patient feels.
Cancer does not just affect the patient. It permeates the home environment and reaches across state lines to pull every living relative into its path. Whatever the mix of families today, be they blended or not, everyone’s life in the family will be turned upside down.
“When told I would have to have a bilateral mastectomy upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer, my husband hugged me and said, `When we hug our hearts will be closer’.” (A survivor mail to The Cancer Club)
Cancer patients and survivors are among the most creative people on earth. Cancer can often bring out the passion in people. The creativity and growth that is so very often experienced in cancer patients is a life-affirming experience that tells the world, “I’ve faced adversity, but I’m not ready to give up yet!”
People going through cancer treatment often feel unattractive due to hair loss, weight changes, problems with their complexion or just not feeling “up to par”.
It’s amazing what a compliment can do to lift one’s spirits! Look the cancer patient in the eye and tell them they look great! Call attention to the positive changes or just the fact that the patient has made an effort to get out of the house to go to a movie or meet you for lunch.
Life is a gift. I didn’t always have this appreciation for life living was something I simply took for granted. Cancer allowed me to realise that every day is a gift to be cherished. Did you wake up this morning and embrace the day?
A book you can buy to gift appropriately.
(Book courtesy: EastWest Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. E-mail: ewb@vsnl.com
source : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/mentor/2003/05/19/stories/2003051900401000.htm