Cancer Sucks.

I have had an emotional week. I have two of my artists friends that are part of a small cadre that meets whenever we can. Both of them have come down with different types of cancers. One of the individuals is in the Metastasis stage whereas the other is first time, but a dangerous diagnosis.

Myself, I am the old hand, living with a cancer for over 34 years now. I am doing well; still here, still looking over my shoulder, under my bed, throwing the Tarot, wondering, wondering when and how will this all end. And you know it will, because that is the deal. I am in the Metastasis stage ( not given a number) third time around, it’s either 3 times you’re out or third times the charm. So far it’s been the charm, only it is my skin now, the biggest organ of our body.

My friend is also at this stage as I am and that is getting a little too close to home for me emotionally.

Unlike myself, my friend lives alone, a bit out of town, having to work because Social Security is not enough. He has a daughter who I hope becomes more involved. I am worried about him because he is at that point of his life that he is struggling coming to terms with his latest diagnosis. He thinks he can control it, he thinks he has command of his body and time is on his side or conditions are doable, for now.

Realistically that is all anyone can deal with when the body goes unexpectedly south.

So what do you do as a friend, acquaintance? You step back and honor their decisions with the understanding any suggestions maybe too overwhelming. Pride also can be such a big obstacle at times or maybe it’s not pride but survival.

So I come bearing chicken soup fixings, and some frozen left over homemade lasagna.

I have the history of being a rescuer. I have worked on this proclivity for the last 10 years. Therapy helped me. So for me, it is a real struggle to not become overly involved when that side of me is chomping on the bit to do so. Yet the side of me that has my own sense of survival, tells me to keep my boundaries. This is not my fight. I have my own health and my own husband’s to deal with. That is appropriate.

Personally I think Cancer needs great respect and the incredible challenges doctors have. I credit my longevity to paying attention and respecting our alliance, Cancer, doctors and me. I do all the things doctors tell me, keep up to date on research articles, paying attention to what I know to be true, for me. Everyone has to find their own path within the system.

And yes I believe in a higher power who stands behind me and says “Listen, this is your time to pay attention”. Cancer has been that wake up call for me.

I have included an article in the New York Times of someone who took personal power to a fatal level. It is an extreme cautionary tale based on the individual’s need to control what is not understood and what is feared. It made me think of my friend and how vulnerable we are when our body betrays us. All we are left with is pure speculation, scientific or not. The one truth is “Cancer Sucks”.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/well/ai-chatbots-cancer.html?smid=url-share