We did not take the massive achievements of Artemis II for granted. I well recall my own fascination with Neil Armstrong ‘s first steps on the moon. Today we are spoiled, the brave astronauts interacted, and spoke directly to us during their entire adventure. We were captivated. TVs across the nation, took a break from The Masters to tune into real time video of dangerous reentry, and successful splashdown.
As the astronauts hobbled on their “space legs” they still appeared happy, healthy and hearty. There was exuberance replacing exhaustion. Thank goodness pioneers continue to fulfill the need and devotion to exploration with profound courage.
Even healthcare benefited as one of the hundreds of experiments examined the astronauts own cells to investigate radiation impact. Science never stops. Knowledge continues to grow exponentially. The good news for us in cancer care is that the desire for exploration to the tiniest minutia of nano particles and Epigenetics is bringing new life to treatments to extend life.
Just as we were able to watch the astronauts in real time with minimal transmission delay, these massive numbers of experiments and cancer treatments are also happening very very rapidly, in minutes instead of years. Treatments are moving from laboratory to rapid use. Physicians are hungry for the knowledge and the newest trials. The most deadly cancers are finally receiving their due instead of acceptance.
What I witnessed daily is that patients also have renewal. Many of us have friends, family, new acquaintances, who have taken the cancer journey and succeeded. I am most impressed how these brave individuals decide with faith and courage, their own personal reentry. They mention their experiences in an offhanded way. They have already lived the drama and intend with ferocity, to move forward. Beth casually mentions, “Oh, years ago I had catheters put in my breast for brachytherapy, and I was done with treatment in five days instead of six weeks”. I tell her how far we’ve come that we are using a ball like device to deliver the radiation in the lumpectomy cavity right in the OR now with the patient leaving the operating room and requiring no further treatments. A luncheon conversation regarding children and grandchildren on spring breaks, leads to Carly casually mentioning her child now moving into her own career after suffering osteosarcoma years ago. Gavin does not cancel, but instead just changes his golf reservation to make time for a focal prostate cancer treatment. Sharon casually mentions how a “bout of colon cancer“ changed her appetite as she peruses the menu. None of these conversations is placing the cancer at the center of attention. It is an aside, it is an event that happened and there has been acceptance and a determined desire to move forward with dignity and renewal. You will begin to see the shift as more and more leave cancer behind and view it as a life challenge, surely life-changing, but also life affirming. Every survivor, even those continuing treatment, develop their own magnificent reentry. These “former“ patients have determination to engage and enjoy, never forgetting or diminishing. They place cancer in the context of a full, rewarding, adventurous, and loving life. This is not to ignore or dismiss the tremendous chaos that cancer can bring into our own lives and homes, but to have faith that the struggle will eventually have less power.
We also humbly recognize that success is not guaranteed. For our loved ones whom we miss, we will find our own reentry as families and friends. We will honor their memory and develop greater awareness, empathy, forgiveness, and kindness.
May God continue to bless and inspire the amazing scientists who are impacting our lives, even from the farthest in space, and may we each know the peace to power our own re-entry.