A lovely patient has been busy through chemo and radiation sewing beautiful masks. The fabrics are fun and fanciful yet keep toxic inhalations at bay. She even included some college teams. Her gift of love is extended not only to our staff and fellow patients, but she is mailing to Texas, Ohio and other cities in Florida. It is a great way to share the “we’re in this the together” time. Another patient is making meals she shares with an elderly neighbor. He helped her through her drama of diagnosis with his own strength with cancer history. Mrs. Charles gifts a large pack of precious toilet paper to another patient, Mrs. Evans who is in a wheelchair and unable to go anywhere except this therapy. The gifting and kindnesses go on and on (as is usual with cancer patients anyway) but more so now. This lifts everyone’s spirits.”Doc, its never about me- everything I do, even this therapy is for my family” Hank says. Malinda is a substitute teacher, unemployed. She is “manning up” accepting the risk  helping at the church to make food bags for children- her heart is breaking for them more than her need to feel safe.

What is it with these cancer patients? They are such a fierce group. “Doc, you concern yourself with my treatment but let me live how I need to”. Maybe these gifts from the heart are what is keeping them going- being needed, which is a prime motivator for life. So these feisty cancer patients and survivors are changing my own dialogue. I want to say “be safe, stay home until there is a better way to manage this disease, don’t put yourself at risk (there are patients who have lost the battle not from cancer but the virus). But instead they teach me everyday. I now think: Be strong, don’t cower, push back, remain tough as you had to for treatment, don’t be bullied, spread love which boosts the immune system like nothing else can.

So a new message is evolving: Continue to gift your spirit- even  with a phone call. There is so much rescuing to do. The pain will only heal with human kindness- not a vaccine or drug.

There will be a time when our formerly self-centered lives return to a new normal. But the break in our focus is so dramatic, devastating and gut wrenching that we will all be changed. People are waiting hours in line for food (“Doc, I’ve worked everyday since I was 14 now I can’t afford gas to come for treatment”.) There is no way this won’t have a lasting impact.

If you feel compelled and are able to help, I will not direct that you cower to the threat. Of course I want you to stay safe which may mean staying home. But we know that you are fearless and unlikely to listen to caution after these past months of peeking through the blinds.  Instead I encourage you to live that life of sacrifice and strength that helps you to fight this cancer battle and continue to be unafraid. You are needed. (Just wash your hands and wear a mask).