July 29, 2010
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Set Apart
We got some bad news earlier this week. My mom’s best friend has been fighting pancreatic cancer for the past few years (yeah, you read right and if you know anything about pancreatic cancer, it’s really amazing that she is even still here). On Monday, she had to be put in hospice, which is usually a signal that the end is probably close.
This woman is absolutely amazing. She had breast cancer several years ago. She fought it and was cancer free for almost five years. About three years ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer totally separate from the breast cancer. She has literally fought tooth and nail to stay alive. Pancreatic cancer is incredibly difficult to control and spreads easily. Many times, pancreatic cancer patients may only have a few months to live just because the cancer is so difficult to handle.
I can honestly say that this woman is just about the bravest person I have ever known. She’s continued to work throughout her illness and even joined a crewing team. She’s not one to simply let things take their course. She’s stubborn and every time the doctors gave her a grave diagnosis, it’s almost as if she fought harder when so many other people would have just given up. She was even able to come up to my bridal shower a few weeks ago! And this new bump in the road is not defeat. She is absolutely amazing.
There are some things in life that set people apart and above so many of us. Thirst for life is definitely something that not everyone has. While I was on vacation, a man jumped out of one of the skyscrapers close to where I work. He meticulously cut a hole somehow through a glass window and jumped from the 7th floor of a building to his death. While no motive was ever given as to why this man jumped out the window, I feel that there definitely had to have been some infinite despair there. What if he had been able to find the same kind of fight? It makes you wonder… what if everyone had that fight in them? How would the world change?
Will or the absence of will makes all the difference really.
Comments (15)
Meg, I’m so sorry to hear about this turn of events. It sounds, though, like this lady has provided a lot of inspiration for those around her. With examples like her, I think we can all get a little closer to fulfilling your wish for a world where everyone has such resolve and tenacity and life in them.
Sounds like her quality of life is amazing because of her incredible will.
I am so sorry..sending you and her positive energy…..xoxox..from Minnesota..
My grandfather passed away after a fight with pancreatic cancer. I know the toll it took on him and it sounds as though your mom’s friend is indeed an amazing woman. My prayers are with her.
Sorry to hear Meg =(
sorry to here that.
Sorry to hear about your mom’s friend.
She had wonderful support from her family and her friends obviously. What a trooper. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to control mainly because it is almost always so late before it is diagnosed. ( Due to the fact that is one of the deepest organs in the body and it doesn’t surface until it is already too late.) I am truly sorry Meghan.
My mother is that kind of fighter. By all rights I’d have thought she would have been dead by now, but somehow she manages to fight to stay alive. I am sorry about this turn of events with you mom’s best friend. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer not too long ago. She has undergone chemo, had a stroke in the process, and her tumor which had shrunk is now growing again. She’s a fighter, too. I hope I am never faced with these things personally, but if I am I will take their example and fight for my life.
So much pain for one person. I am sorry. Faith and hope can put the steel into one’s resolve forming a strong will. –BTB
That fight depends on how much people think that life is worth living…also…that fight can lead to the demise of a person in that they develop a certain over confidence…
Your Moms friend is an amazing woman with a beautiful will to live. I think without that will we do not do the things we do to be able to enjoy life even when we are 100% healthy.
@christao408 - I truly hope so!
@BoureeMusique - She is a great example of just how full one can make their life against all odds.
@portiajules - @gwacemom@momaroo - @Roadlesstaken - @stupid_systemus - @Rob_of_the_Sky - @heyjulsiscoo - @buildthebridge - Thank you, all!
@ZSA_MD - The fact that the cancer was found so early definitely helped her survive as long as she has.
@CynaraJane - These fighters truly are inspirations!
@HereLiesNelsontheGreat - A sort of hubris seems to be the downfall of so many…
@grannyinboxers - She has been a great example for me!
I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s friend, Meg…