I keep hearing how people "beat" and "lose" their battle with cancer. Cancer doesn't seem like a fair fight to me.
I'm not sure this is an appropriate way to describe it.
Beating cancer implies we have a say in the battle and we don't. There are so many uncontrollable variables (doctors, diagnosis, body type, cancer type etc.) that it makes the statement irrelevant and meaningless.
If you put a human in front of a tank, no matter what body armor he has, he can still survive if he steps to the side at the right time. The impossible battle isn't improbable to survive.
ReplyDeleteYes. But, if I read you right, you're assuming that someone finds out about it in its early stages thus allowing them to "sidestep" it.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that you can't mentally or physically "beat" cancer in any tangible way like a baseball score.
Everyone would love to "beat" it but it's sadly not the case. My neighbor's kid is in phase four - he's 12.
Ah, God. I hate to hear that a child ...
ReplyDeleteThe analogy of doing battle with cancer is how survivors frame their courage. Those who won - either all the way or just a reprieve - know that it is possible that they will battle again. I'd say that takes courage, life-changing courage, and a spirituality that is as clear and tangible as life itself.
The way I look at it, Lefty, is that you beat cancer if you die of something else.
ReplyDeleteLive strong.