This efin disease takes another

When I was first diagnosed my good friend Garry, who sometime later lost his mom to Cancer, said.  "this terrible disease always picks the good ones".  His comment has stuck with me ever since. I know every day people lose their battle with Cancer, and I agree with Garry's statement.

       Since being diagnosed a year and half ago we have lost a family member and 2 others I knew to Cancer all part of this group we call the "good ones".  Then there is another gentleman here in Regina. whom I never met, though through conversations with our close friends - I feel I got to know him over the past year.  Just last week his journey ended and Cancer took another good one from us, at too young an age.  We are saddened and heart broken for the family's loss. 

here is a brief story - which may sound very similar to some of you. 

  This wonderful couple, in their mid thirties, had just enjoyed a vacation and ready to move on with life.  The holiday was to hep coup with being  advised by doctors they would have trouble starting a family.    A tough emotional situation to go through and it took some time. Then but while away he started not feeling well.  Visits to the doctor they were not able to pin point what was wrong right away.  After a battery of testing the diagnosis was an advanced stage 4 Cancer. Treatments would start right away and another challenge faced this couple. 

Daffodils - the flower of hope.

 Teresa and I have been able to relate to their situation since upto that point we have the exact same story and could relate to how they were feeling or going through. Their battle with Cancer had many turns and bumps over the past number of months.   This is where the emotional roller coaster begins - when I learn of someones journey turning for the worse and Cancer taking another good one.    Whether I personally knew them or not.

Feelings of sadness, guilt, anger and heart ache all happen at once.   The Leviathan at Wonderland has nothing on what this roller coaster is like.  There is no 30 second heart bounding drop.  It is days and weeks of ups, downs  twists turns and a few drops.   

In the end we can only celebrate the life that was had and remember the smile.  Hope is one day we can end this maddness and give the big C the boot.

Jtee