Survivors All

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged, but there’s been a lot happening. Work just seems to never end. One would think that with a new building and not many residents (compared to the full number of beds available) that there wouldn’t be much to do maintenance/housekeeping-wise. But that’s not the case as I’ve already put in a full week of work (over 38 hours) and it’s not Friday yet.

I’ve had the privilege of taking some of our residents to radiation therapy at one of the larger hospitals in the area. I take them in our nursing home van and wait for them as they are getting their therapy. It usually doesn’t take very long.

I have been looking around at those others who are waiting for their treatments. There are a lot of hats, do-rags, and bald heads in the waiting room. Some can walk around on their own; others require assistance of a greater or lesser amount. They are young and old, male and female. They have one common denominator…they have cancer.

As I look around and observe them interact with others who are undergoing treatment, or with those who brought them to the center, or with the staff, I am reminded of some things. These people who are receiving treatment will have success in some instances. In others, the cancer will return or will never go away. Regardless, this is a life-changing event and forever alters the way one thinks, lives, and relates to both himself and his surroundings.

These folks probably have (or had) jobs, family, dreams, homes, plans, and aspirations. For all of them, the cancer that has invaded their bodies has changed their priorities and has caused things to be in an “upset the applecart” kind of way. There’s no choice on whether or not to have cancer. We can only know the statistical evidence for or against the disease based on our environment, lifestyle, and choices, and change what we do in order to lessen (but not eliminate) the chances.

I marvel at the resiliency of the human race and the overwhelming desire to survive. And I see great evidence of that not only in the faces of those cancer survivors, but also in the faces and lives of our staff, residents, and their families. We were created in a wondrous, marvelous way and we are of all the creation most blessed.