My Son's Paper about having Cancer Horseface: Here is an article that my 18 year old son wrote for a school project. I think it shows more wisdom than his years so I thought I would share it.
Pardon the self promotion but this is wonderful to me...
"You have cancer" are three of the most terrifying words a person can ever hear. When I heard I had cancer, I was forced to confront my own mortality. Also, the diagnosis made me re-examine the things I did with the time I have. In addition to this, the diagnosis caused me to mature very quickly.
Sitting in Pediatric Oncology, room 2408, I looked around at the plaster-white walls, with pictures of cartoon characters laughing and smiling. I thought how ironic it was, in a room where nothing good ever happens. I wondered if this was all just a sick dream, if perhaps I would wake up in an hour or two in a cold sweat, my life forever changed by this nightmare. As I listened, I heard the beeps and clicks of the blood pressure machine, the shuffle of feet in and out of the room and the faint, almost inaudible sobs of my family and closest friends. My mind raced, going through every possibility. Maybe the doctor would come in and say it isn't me. Maybe he picked up the wrong chart, dialed the wrong number and this is all just a huge mistake. The doctor walked in, and my heart pounded in sync it seemed with his steps. He sat down, his eyes fixed on a file with my name on it. As he filed through papers, his mouth fumbled through inaudible words, as if he was silently praying to be wrong. After what seemed an eternity, his eyes looked up and he almost struggled to find the words.
When I was given the diagnosis, I was instantly forced to confront my own mortality. I had no choice but to look at the situation and come to terms with the fact that I might die from this. All at once my dream of going to college, getting my degree in Divinity and Comparative Religion, raising a family and becoming a pastor might not happen. I needed to get through almost insurmountable grief to see that the odds were dramatically in my favor.
Upon diagnosis I had to re-examine the time I had left, as well as the time I had already spent. I no longer had the careless years of being a teenager, the "go-along-get-along" attitude that goes with it. I was now in charge of my life, whether I liked it or not. I was given the responsibility of knowing what was going on all the time, carefully looking at each decision and weighing the possible outcomes. The diagnosis put into perspective anything and everything I had ever wanted, hoped for, and achieved. The plan for treatment I was put on will last roughly 2.5 to 3 years. The doctors and nurses hope that at the end of the 3 years I will be cancer free. I'm given no guarantee that they can cure it, no promise that it will be ok. Only a promise that the oncologists and nurses will do everything they can to the best of their ability to take care of this. I didn't get to let my parents and friends worry about it. This was my problem and I to deal with it.
I addition, I had to mature very quickly. I was the only one who could have a say in what happened next. In dealing with the cancer, I have had to make decisions not based on what will happen immediately thereafter but what the long-term possibilities are. It's my responsibility to take the medicines, to have the treatments, to go to the physicals and check-ups. I have gained a new perspective on my life and how I should live. I learned, because of the diagnosis, how to concentrate on the small stuff. The diagnosis changed how I see everything; I appreciate everything I have been given since then more than ever. The diagnosis made me realize there is more to life than having fun.
Cancer is a terrible thing, but there is also good that can come from it. People can learn from the sick, lessons about life and keeping people close. Coming to terms with my own mortality, the introspection I have done during treatments, and maturing as fast as I needed to ahs changed my life forever.
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You have just read an article written by my son who is also paralyzed at birth by Spina Bifida. He is wheelchair bound because his hips are out of their socket as he does not have the muscle tone to hold them in place. During his 18 years, he has had back surgeries, foot surgeries, hip surgeries and three cranial shunt revisions including the original shunt insertion at 10 days old.
Here is a picture of my son...
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkbwqv.jpg
Folks, I am stunned by my children. They are amazing
Re: My Son's Paper about having Cancer IlliniGirl: Your son seems absolutely amazing. I would imagine that you are very proud. He is wise beyond his years.
Re: My Son's Paper about having Cancer ga_sunshyne: Horsey....
U have been truly blessed with your son....he is a handsome guy and obviously wise beyond his years!!! That was a great piece of writing. I am sure he makes you very proud!!!
Having an awesome dad like urself helped, I am sure.
U are certainly blessed Horsey!!!
Sunshyne
Re: My Son's Paper about having Cancer twobeautifulkids: What a heartfelt writing. He definitely is wise beyond his years. He's been through so much and sounds like he's a fighter. An amazing individual. You're blessed to have him. He's blessed to have you.
