Hanging in there

“Hanging In There”
Lung Cancer level 4 A….
It has now been over 5 years I was diagnosed .
2.5+ that I have been cancer free….
Why am I sharing today’s thoughts?
Due to my “openness “ about this trip.
Many of my contacts have contacted me privately and shared their fears, their worries and often to communicate privately their approaching death.
Most of them, Fabbio Mucchi being the exception chose to go on denial.
Oh!
Everything is going to be alright. You are looking much better, you are looking great.
I understood the reasons for such reactions.
They either reflected a message of Love and support or outright wishes of denial.
No, not denial about my cancer but rather denial that death is a reality.
Once, when the doctor that removed my ribs and long asked me if I was worried or scared.
She did it twice.
1- the first time we met.
2- Holding my hand just as I was being wheeled into the operating table.
The first time my reply was:” Doctor, Death is an integral part of life!”

She stopped . She looked at me calmly and replied:” Yes! You are right. But no one had ever put it that way.

At first I was surprised…
It was so clear to me that was a fact that the words had simply flowed out of my mouth.
At that moment I felt lithe same way I did many years ago.
I was around 9 when a bunch of us decided to take a 60 mile trip on our bikes . It would be a big deal if it would have been in a paved road but the road we had chosen was an African dirt road between Lourenço Marques and Marracuene.
I had a few flat tires. My state of mind about my cancer was the same as on that day. I had various alternatives:
1- give up and wait for help.
2- accept reality and find a solution.
I picked the second with a friend’s help.

With the cancer?
It was basically the same situation…. Evaluate the situation and find the best solution and help.
Dr. Kumar and Dr. Elizabeth David had been my choices. So, I had nothing to complain about.

To her second: Are you worried?”
I replied with a naughty smile:
“ Dr, from this point on until I wake up. You are the one that is going to be worried . If I die… I will be asleep.. Are you worried?”
She smiled and replied:” No!” But I could see she was . That to me was a good sign. It meant she cared.

iSight or nine hours later I woke up.
Feeling a little dizzy but otherwise fine.
My next hurdle would be to get out of that hospital asap.
I did… three days later I was at a Marriott Suites across the street.
There I spent two weeks.
During those 15 days I had what probably were some of the most enlightening experiences of my life.
1- be reborn….🤔😜😜😜😂😂😂 that one is an obvious reaction.
2- the second was the most important…. When a “close friend” had promised she would keep me company during that period failed on her plans. Two people stepped forward without blinking.
Two people that showed what true love and Friendship means:
My daughter Dana and a 50 years Friend. Francesca Gagliano.
Their actions showed me that in this World there are people that make it worth one’s effort to be alive.
So….
5 years after a death sentence. I am alive and well.

The ones amongst you that are fighting cancer.
Don’t fret, don’t fear… simply do your research and if someone tells you there is no solution.
It is our job to find one.