Other Journeys, Other Heroes

The Hero is not the only one seeking the elixir. In parallel lives others face similar challenges. They too must develop mentors, take tests and ultimately seek their own inmost cave and obtain the elixir. I recently found out one of my colleagues has had a relapse and yesterday I received a card from Rob's cousin Liz. Their stories are far more gripping than my own, which in comparison is a stroll through the park.

Socrates is a member of the Colorado team. Since the beginning I have received frequent cards, gifts and words of encouragement from this group. Messages from both Socrates and Kathy W. were especially thoughtful as both have been through the battle before. He would write thoughts like: "Glad to hear you've started the fight! Keep your head up and your tummy full. Doughnuts got me through the worst of it." or "Keep forging on. Each day brings you closer." or "It always helped me to put things in perspective, no matter how bad you feel at times, the cancer is always doing worse! Your sacrifice is serving an extraordinary purpose."

Socrates has cancer in a lymph node on his back, situated near a nerve mass on his spine. Like my own cancer, the doctors want to shrink the growth before surgery, however Socrates' treatment is far more aggressive. He has four cycles; however, each cycle includes five days of eight- to nine-hour chemo sessions. These leave him drained. Then he has two weeks off and he repeats the cycle. We chatted by email yesterday and this is part of his story:

"By the end of the week I can hardly eat, I’m in pain from head to toe and would just love to crawl into a hole. The body aches are new this time and very strange. I was massaging my feet the other day, as though I had ran a marathon! Even salt and pepper become too much to handle. Simply fruits (non-citrus, of course) and cereals are about all I can muster...Another odd and new side-effect is hyper-sensitivity. By the end of the week, if the TV was on while someone was talking to me it was almost too much to handle. Bright lights and all aromas are very overwhelming as well."

I'm not as familiar with Liz's story and only know about it second-hand through Rob's Mom. We have never met (to my recollection), her father and Rob's father's are brothers and there are several years between them. Liz was diagnosed two years ago with a brain tumour and has been through chemo treatments herself. I'm not sure of her prognosis, but I do know from what I have heard her battle has been heroic.

She writes: "Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and can imagine the many levels of emotion you are going through. I have found it very helpful and comforting to know people, and family especially, care and are thinking of you. It is a difficult journey, but there are always positive sides to thing. Aunt Eileen and Uncle Darrell have been very supportive since I was diagnosed and I appreciate their thoughtful cards and flowers so much."

Liz included a bookmark in her card with a poem entitled "Don't Quit". It is a reminder that when life seems to be handing you its worst, you're at a turning point and it will be better soon.

As I've learned over the past months, ongoing support, positive thoughts and prayers keep us going, and if you think of it please add Socrates and Liz to your thoughts and prayers or send a little positive energy their way periodically. Even when the Hero walks alone he carries the essence of his friends and family with him.