From Ann... Tell The Truth

I wasn't entirely sure where to begin this blog so I just started writing...It's weird how cancer can become so routine, so normal. As a 4th grader I'm not sure it meant a whole lot to me. Let's face it at that point in my life I was more interested in acquiring a pet cockatiel than I was in understanding the terminology of lymphoma. I don't remember being told my Dad had cancer. I remember being in the hospital and wondering why there was a tube in his nose if the sickness was in his lungs? Why did he have a hose in his side if he was sick in his chest? Gee he looked pale. And could I keep the cute stuffed lion with the velvet purple cape? Cancer became routine, normal. It was just there. It was confusing that I couldn't bring a picture of Dad with of a Wonder bread bag taped to his throat for show and tell. Why not? It never occurred to me that might make others uncomfortable. I knew when CAT scans were because there was a bottle of chalky white liquid that looked miserable to drink sitting on the counter at breakfast. But as a high schooler, whatever, I so totally had other things to think about.

Maybe we took it too in stride as a family. On the other hand maybe our (at least my perceived) attitude of "we can't change it so we best accept it, do the best we can to stop it, and carry on" worked in our favor. I don't know about my parents but as a kid, I pretty much went on my way. Looking back perhaps I was selfish. Maybe I didn't take the time to truly understand cancer. But I'm not sure my parents wanted us to. My Dad says he doesn't think he's particularly brave. I think that's crap. I think being told you have cancer when you have a 2nd grader, a 4th grader, and a pet cockatiel on the way and choosing to adopt a "keep calm and carry on" attitude requires a great deal of strength and bravery. And since he can't edit this post (bwahaha) I get to let cyberspace know he's a swell guy.

Many people with cancer are incredible. They live their everyday lives never knowing what those malicious cells are going to do. And it's amazing that through it all Dad has chosen to be positive. He lives life in love for all those around him and because of this, I believe, we will all keep calm and carry on for quite some time.

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