From: Chuck Rossier <chuck@...>
Subject: [cancer_survivors_gathering_place] My interesting week
To: cancer_survivors_gathering_place@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, May 22, 2009, 8:04 AM

On Wednesday I drove a Cancer survivor from New Hampshire into Boston for another appointment. This person has been seeing dozens of doctors several times a week for several years. Each new doctor says, "I've never seen this before and there is no other doctor who can treat you, but I have something that might work."

She is not expecting a cure - just something that will alleviate some of the side effects of previous treatments and make her life a little more comfortable.

While I was waiting in the doctor's office to take her home, a total stranger (amazing how Cancer patients open up to strangers) began to tell me about his health issues. He stunned me when he said that he was fed up with all the pain and suffering and was going to "euthanize" himself on June 1st. I really didn't know what to say or do. So I said nothing and did nothing. I still feel a chill when I think about it. I remember having felt the same way 11 years ago. I hope he does the same thing I did - nothing.

On Thursday I had my 6 month followup with my medical oncologist and everything is fine. In the evening Jackie confessed that 4 years ago when I had my surgery and cdif infection my doctors told her daily that they didn't expect me to survive. I knew that she was under a lot of stress then, but I was too busy fighting the infection to know that I didn't have a chance of winning.

While I was writing this the birds outside made such a racket that I went out to see what was going on and to listen to their songs. I opened the door in time to see something I never saw before: a pair of chipping sparrows were mating. Now I feel that everything is right in the world.

Shalom,
Chuck