It’s hard to look away as the political world is on fire. It’s scorched earth everywhere and will only logarithmically increase the next weeks and months with conventions and elections. Had enough already? You are not alone. It is almost a peaceful respite in the cancer center. No one is discussing the elitist, self -centered drama and hubris of government.

You may think it is because patients on treatment have enough on their plate without buying into more craziness. No. For many the cancer diagnosis is just an inconvenience in the real life they live. Greg has one question: “How quick can we get done with this so I can pick up my granddaughter from NJ? Her mom is single and works full time, so she comes down to me for the summer. His eyes are big and his voice concerned. For Louisa, she declines the interpreter for her mother who sits wringing her hands. At 35, a devastating diagnosis is enough without subjecting her Mom to more grieving as we discuss. Roger says, “Doc, just get me in really early so I can keep landscaping.” At 84 his face becomes blissful as he describes wearing his headphones and riding his mower for his job. He isn’t sitting at home with feet up. ” Roger, it’s as if you have your own moving man cave!” He chuckles. Penny is terrified but not about her lung cancer journey. “Doc, help me get through this and stay strong. My husband has dementia and I have to care for him. I can’t imagine if something happens to me”. Donna has a rapidly growing breast cancer at age 50, found on her first mammogram. “Doc, let’s get started, my staff depends on me to keep the restaurant going. They have families to feed, not just customers”.

This week the stories change with each door opening. This is real life. Battling for influence, criticizing, pontificating and bad behavior is so self centered. It is all a world away. None of that will change these situations now.

I will listen to politicians when, instead of yelling at us, these privileged, self -centered people, who have gotten paid by our own hard work, actually ask…. “How are you? How can I help?”

So ignore these weeks. It’s a side show. Vote when the time comes, but don’t over invest. Only you can care about yourself, family and friends with real impact. Take and use your own power for good. Stay peaceful. Cancer teaches that when everything is taken away and your world is upended, the only thing that matters is kindness, caring and love.