Fighting the Big C

this year is not gonna be easy, we all know that. and i must say, some are having it more difficult than the others. i should know. i have friends who are losing their jobs and i, myself, won't get a raise this year. boo hoo, i know, but when i learned about another friend's situation, i gave me a lashing because yes, i have no right to complain.

one of my closest friend's father was diagnosed with cancer. and it was cancer too which took her mother several years ago. another close friend lost her father to the big C a few years back. and until now, she hasn't gotten over it that she cries whenever she talks about it. my heart bleeds whenever i see how these people continue to struggle and fight for their loved ones. yes, i may not know how they feel exactly, but i understand their pain.

my father's friend just discovered his illness when he had an operation. prior to that, he didn't have any idea that some dangerous cells are lurking in his system somewhere. isn't it unfair? there are no signs, no symptoms or perhaps, if there were any, those were very minimal that they were overlooked. then BAM, the doctor tells you, you have stage 3 cancer? i bet my friend's dad felt cheated.

cancer, for me, is not only a dreaded disease that gnaws and eats at your system then leaves you dried and withered. it's a dealbreaker. it's like an ugly mistress that lures innocent people into eating the "shouldn't-be-eaten" and doing the "shouldn't-be-done" so it can claim your soul and break your family apart. the saddest part is that, it's not only the patient that suffers. it's the rest of his family and friends.

but then, cancer is reality. we cannot just hurl it to the wind and say, "go away" but we can avoid it. everything starts with a healthy lifestyle. now, with the economic crisis and all, is the right time to take those steps to cancer awareness and prevention. we can save ourselves, and our family and friends.

my friend and i were talking last week and i tell her, "you know, if everything doesn't work out the way we want it to work out, just be strong." i am heartbroken for her, and i am sure, whatever i am feeling, is not even 1/4 of the devastation she's going through. this is her dad, and this is cancer.

to everyone who cares to drop by my blog, i'd like to request for a small prayer for all cancer patients out there. this is for them, brave souls who decided to fight and those stronghearted who lost but persevered. cancer is a menace but nothing beats the miracle of a prayer. this is not only the battle of those stricken with the disease. this is our battle.