To avoid predator cycles, Cicadas emerge from their underground nests in a non-prime year of 13 or 17 (homeschooling math). We wouldn’t blame them if they pop their heads up and dive back in when they see what’s going on this year! A few months of quarantine is one thing, avoidance behavior is another… then there is this amazing wild natural phenomenon of 17 years! In the South, we are treated to the male mating calls chirping. I can only suspect that the females, who are silent, have had their say for the past many years underground. When we think we are too sheltered, bored, and controlled, just imagine living buried for so long, emerge to the light of day then just drop in 5-6 weeks!
These subterranean tree parasites can teach us a thing or two about patience. But come ON we cannot stay in solitary confinement forever. We thought it was two weeks, then six then it kept creeping longer and longer until many have said ENOUGH! The need to rejoin the living, active, working, surviving, nurturing, teaching, loving, just plain doing is an absolute necessity.
In the cancer center, we are just one small slice of life and one aspect of wellness. We are happy to see people poking their heads out to find care. It’s time to stop devotion to madness. My best recommendation for us all is be in control of your own well being.
Marcy tells me she was invited to a granddaughter’s graduation party in June with 38 people. Marcy had the good sense to stay home… Come on. Pam wants to visit her father who has covid and is in hospice. She is getting ready to begin her cancer treatment and is high risk. “Pam, I can say one thing for sure- your father would not want you to sacrifice for him. Send him love by face time, give him comfort, tell him you will be fine and all the messages you want to share. Getting yourself well is exactly what he would want for you.” So let us behave in a smart, thoughtful, and careful way. The good news is we are learning more about treating the disease- reducing inflammation, keeping people off the vent when possible, taking Vit C and D. Every pharmaceutical company and university medical center in the world have converted research efforts- something will breakthrough, even if it is just to ameliorate the severity of the virus.
In every specialty, doctors are finding ways to treat more efficiently, quicker, less intrusive, yet effectively. Many positive changes in cancer care will eventually come from these efforts. There are studies using only a few radiation treatments instead of weeks to avoid coming into the center. More chemo and immunotherapy drugs in pill form are helping to keep patients out of the chemo chair and at home (no one misses that visit!), some immunologic agents are even being studied as a defense for the virus (monoclonal antibodies). Healthcare on every front does not have its head in the ground. Efforts are feverishly moving toward improvements, not sitting by, and waiting for magic. Have faith we will arrive to the light of change, growth, wellness. This well-honed skill of patience will benefit us all. When a cicada drops on your head as one did to me this week, thank him for reminding you just how strong all of God’s creatures are.