Making A New Plan
It seems like a familiar story, at least in my world.
A patient comes in with a new lump, bump or ache and immediately the process begins. The “medical” process of testing, getting x-rays, and biopsies. All in an effort to get the best and most critical information as quickly as possible so that the appropriate decisions can be made. Decisions like planning surgery, beginning chemotherapy, starting weeks of radiation therapy…all decisions that will change the course of a life in one way or another. Decisions that are usually made very quickly, often in a matter of a few minutes and which have many implications. Decisions that are usually made right there in a the tiny office of a medical clinic. When we hear words like malignant, cancer, or metastasis we want to move quickly. Cancer is a scary word. Some folks don’t even want to say it out loud. We all want to live the best and longest life possible, right? To feel our best, to be vibrant and able to do the things we want to do. Sometimes we don’t think much about those things until some type of event stops us in our tracks. Often that is event is an illness. Always unplanned and unexpected. And unpredictable.
Here’s the thing; everyone gets to make their own decisions. It’s true, family members and friends might not agree, but at the end of the day, and at the end of your life, you get to choose. I saw this video on the news recently and it touched me deeply. Many women would have signed the consent form, went home and prepared for surgery. And the recovery that followed, which even without complication would have involved time in a hospital, a doctor’s office and in bed. While many women might not have made this choice, or had the opportunity to do so, I am both impressed with Miss Norma’s bravery and delighted with her decision to choose life. To get to know her son and daughter in law, and more importantly to live. What do you think of Miss Norma’s choice to travel the country? What kind of choice do you think you might make at the age of 90? Where would you go?
