Why do bad things happen to good people?
As you know, I am well on my way to recovery after my shoulder surgery in August. Since then my life has had its fair share of ups and downs. Never being to hard or to critical I picked myself up and moved on. But just when things are looking up and things are going good life happens….
Sunday evening I recieved a phone call from my father to inform me that my baby brother (he’s 28), had an appointment to have an outpatirent surgery to remove a lympm node to help diagnose an ongoing issue. We were not alarmed at that point and were waitng to see what his diagnoses was. As I was sitting on my couch yesteday afternoon I got the call. My moms tone was the first clue that saomething was wrong. She told me that the surgery went well and that the doctor had done a biopsy of the removed node. This is were life stepped in. As a result of the test, it was detrermined that my brother has lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes.
I was speechless and in tears and could not rationalize what was going on around me. This is my brother, the youngest of four, and a great friend and person to all. How could this be happening to him, what the hell did he do to desrve this. Its not fair. I am mad and at odds with the high powers, although I know its not "his" fault. I just want this to be a bad dream and wake up to everything being normal.
Of course this is not the case and we have to deal with this as best as possible. My brother God bless him is taking this all in stride. His attitude is nothing short of amazing. He is in good spirits and is relieved that they know what it is. Hell he is taking this better than the rest of us and he is the one with the cancer. I truly admire his strength and courage. He is a true inspiration to me. I do not think I could deal with it as calmly and rationaly as he.
So here we are, waiting for the rest of the news and treatment. He goes back Monday for the complete panel results and then to the oncologist Thursday, were they will run more test and formulate a battle plan. Until then we are trying to keep our heads as well as our spirits up…..
October 9, 2008 at 5:57 am
Wow………my heart and prayers go out to you, my father is battling cancer at the moment so i know what your going through. I am glad to hear that your famiy is strong and your keeping your spirits up for your brother, that alone is very difficult but so important. Take care
October 9, 2008 at 6:23 am
I am so sorry to hear about your brother. But it helps to find strength from his outlook on everything. I wish your brother a strong and swift recovery.
October 9, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I have leukemia (CLL) & was diagnosed 6 yrs ago next month. When the docs tell you that your cancer is incurable & the average life span is 6-10 yrs, your values change. I tell my family each and every day that I love them, stop to enjoy the little things like sunsets, blooming flowers, clouds in the sky, etc. I think it is only around the holidays that I get a little bummed, wondering if this is my last Christmas with my family. I have a positive outlook overall. Hell, you have to… can’t spend time being sorry for yourself!
The best thing you can do for your brother is be there for him. Let him talk about his feelings, even if they make you sad. Don’t shut out his wanting to express his feelings on having cancer and knowing that death isn’t an abstract idea that happens to other people. Go to Dr. appts with him. Sitting alone at the cancer waiting room is stressful; you look at all the bald, sick people, thinking that you will look like that one day.
I’m sending my prayers to you, your brother and your family. Keep strong for each other!
October 18, 2008 at 11:00 am
So sorry to hear about your brother. I will keep both him and your family in my prayers. It always makes me wonder why bad things happen to good people, but I guess that’s a question that will never be answered. Not here on earth anyway. Keep your state of mind positive, and be there for him. God bless you and your family.