Monday, September 30, 2019

The First Day of the Rest of My Life – Cancer Doesn't Discriminate – September 30, 2019 – Day 30

What I quickly learned after my diagnosis is that the world of a cancer patient has many parts and a good deal of uncertainty. - Tom Brokaw

Today is Day 30 of my adventure. I left from my West Virginia base and drove the 70-mile trek to Winchester, Virginia for my 10:15 AM radiation treatment. It was raining when I left at approximately 8 AM and the drive was uneventful, except for passing two accidents along the way, and I arrived about a half-hour early for my appointment.

Cancer doesn't discriminate is my theme for today. As you can see from today's quotation, it victimizes people of celebrity status. And, as it was reinforced today, it doesn't have any problem with taking prominent, wealthy business people and making them cancer patients either.

Today, while I was sitting in the waiting area, a beautiful, tranquil lobby outside the radiation and chemotherapy practices, a gentleman and his wife sat in the chairs next to where I was sitting. We passed pleasantries and began a conversation. He was there to begin radiation treatments. He had prostate cancer that had been dealt with and appeared to be “cured” as was mine. However, unlike me, his prostate cancer had spread to his spine before they found and treated the prostate cancer.

So, cancer does not discriminate. This gentleman was a prominent business owner in Winchester. I had never met him before, but I knew his company very well. He was in the construction business and had branched into the ownership of a sizable apartment complex and a mini-mall as well as some office complexes. He appeared to be a bit younger than me. But, while he was quite well off financially, that didn't stop or impede cancer from changing his life.

As we chatted he noted that the cancer had helped him change some of his outlook on his own life and he was selling off sizable parts, at least 50%, of his business. He found that he wanted to spend more time focusing on living and enjoying whatever life he had left (he did not have a death sentence) and not spend as much time dealing with the significant amount of stress his business presented to him on a daily basis. He didn't want to retire, like most entrepreneurial people, he enjoys the challenge of business. He just didn't want to work as hard any longer. I, of course, related my own story and how I came to that conclusion 11 years earlier. I went in for my radiation treatment on time, and as I told him, I was out 15 minutes later. It was, like clockwork.

He and his wife were still there waiting to be called in. We chatted for a while longer. Then he was called in. I bid adieu to the various administrative ladies working at the reception desks and told them I'd see them tomorrow.

I then hopped in my van, drove to a nearby fast-food restaurant, had a bit of breakfast, then to Walmart to make a purchase and then to the gas station where the gas was still (now almost) the lowest price in the region to top off the van tank. From there I headed to my friend Judy's house. Judy was heading out to an appointment when I arrived. So, I brought in my stuff. It was probably about 12:30 PM.

Even at that early hour, I had to use all my strength to carry my few bags in and get them upstairs to my room in her house. I sat down on the bed and, went out like a light. Believe me when I say this process takes the wind out of your sails. Later Judy and I shared a pizza at a local eatery, then came back and chatted a while. Carolyn called to check in on me. Now, I'm finishing up today's post and then it's lights out to prepare for a busy morning tomorrow.

Live free and be happy. EH

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