With another blizzard due to hit the Northeast this weekend, looks like Punxsutawney Phil was right adding six more weeks of winter. But many in the northern regions, just brush the snow off their shoulders and shrug. I found after many years, you could actually get used to temperatures in the teens and shoveling daily. We never closed the centers and when the morning radio would announce 13 inches, the school buses still ran. We all learned to manage and even thrive. The weather provides another lesson for people with all sorts of challenged lives now. I encourage you to have faith that you are resilient.
Have you noticed a shift in conversations lately? Yes you’re not imagining, at a certain age in life, you can’t meet up with friends and family without hearing someone describe their new cancer journey. It seems ubiquitous.

When Mark and Jane came to the center, their faces showed the dismay since they both have been diagnosed this past month. We triage what is most urgent, since family is far and they will try to care for each other. We tag team scans for efficiency and send both for bloodwork and discussed managing the cancers in tumor boards. .After a few weeks, the shock is over and the work begins. They hold hands as one heads to the chemo unit and the other to radiation. I overhear their discussions of running errands and picking up at the end of treatment. What we witness is developing acceptance, strength, and confidence. Their devotion to each other and focus to the tasks at hand is beautiful to witness. At one point, while Mark is perched on the exam table, Jane surprises me by saying “I am glad we are going through this together”.

Mark and Jane teach us that we are stronger than we know. Healthcare and diagnoses don’t scare us. We are more powerful because we are prepared for every storm. We can dig in and be part of solutions instead of fearing and fighting. This week, a new friend at an event, knowing my career, whispered that she is having whole body scans this week because of new abnormal blood work. Her demeanor of concern changed with my comment, “ Good. Then you will have knowledge and a plan. Don’t fear the scans. Be grateful for them. It’s the first step in healing“.
Life changes in many forms are going to happen, trust that you are well armed for them. You got this. Once again, stay safe my friends.