On the 75th Anniversary of “D Day” I am moved by the ceremonies and honors, but even more captivated by videos and photos of that day, June 6, 1944. I heard stories from my father who was there at a young age 20 then headed to the Battle of the Bulge and Germany with Patton. Bravery, heroism, valor are words anemic in reflecting the sacrifice on those beaches. At the cancer center, war veterans are a joy to care for as they have a unique perspective when diagnosed with cancer. For Dad, diagnosed at 73, he sailed through therapy with ample time until 91 to explore a life of courage. He lived his life with a sense of fearlessness and gratefulness. As with many from the greatest generation, a cancer diagnosis is brushed off as just inconvenient. We refer to fighting cancer as a battle but do we have any idea what that signifies? These men do. If men have power to survive this enormous assault, shouldn’t we derive inspiration that we too have the human spirit and strength ready for our own battles?
Paul was shell shocked by his new diagnosis. “Doc, I may not be brave enough to handle this”. Yet he surprised us all with growing courage through the process of chemo and radiation for lung cancer. Marilyn cried and trembled her first week, but as the days passed without incident, she succeeded not only to survive but thrive. Katie had her eggs frozen to spare fertility at age twenty. Eight years later she returned with adorable twin girls. Jason wears the electrodes treating a brain cancer and pops a knit hat over his head on his way to work. Chris wears a “fight like a girl” T shirt yet never put on boxing gloves in her life.
I have the privilege to treat people at a critical time in their lives and witness valor they doubted they possessed. You or someone you love has been in the struggle. As physicians our job is to assure you that you do possess the fearlessness necessary to succeed. Sometimes to get past the terror, I recommend baby steps. Take one procedure at a time. It can be overwhelming. If the men 75 years ago, packing their equipment knew what they were to face on those beaches, the world would not be saved from tyranny. You have turning points too. You will look back at the months of therapy amazed at your own daring.
When I care for patients in the fray of their own conflict, I never ever take their courage for granted. Your war will be over and profound bravery will bring you through. Trust in yourself. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is courage to continue that counts.”