International Falls Journal - A road to hope, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer - Comments

Gary and Thomas, Your words

Faye Whitbeck — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:02:35 -0500

Gary and Thomas,
Your words validate why I thought Gwen's honesty was so important. It's true that we tend to stand above other's diagnoses, as if by some wonderful qualities of our own we aren't in that boat. So ridiculous. Just statistics alone should clear away those notions. But like Thomas said, it is fear.
If we can become more honestly connected to seriously ill people and their diseases, we could all help each other, should tomorrow it be one of us.
Gary, you know that life really only exists in the moment, and I agree that it is something that can be learned from cancer. But we should all live that knowledge, cancer or not. I wish you rich moments — and happiness today.
Faye

Wonderful words, Gary. I

Thomas L. Johnson — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:11:25 -0500

Wonderful words, Gary. I think we all know that we are one diagnosis or incident away from facing death. I once sat across the table from a man who was having a stroke as he sat there. We got him to the hospital, but many aren't that lucky. Americans are obsessively healthy people -- that is part of our "culture code." We do a terrible job of dealing with people who are sick or who have been diagnosed with something we ourselves fear. Yesterday, I heard of someone my age facing "early onset Alzheimers." We are under the illusion that if we do enough crosswords or puzzles we can avoid it, so the people who get it have failed in some way. I had a mole removed last summer that looked terrible but wasn't eventually malignant. I thought of the time I got overly sunburned in my 20's -- It's like our foolish errors lead to the diagnosis. Usually not true. I like the way you end your piece: "cancer can be a good thing." Most people are not lucky enough to be able to say that.

Dear Faye, With regard to

garyM154 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:12:19 -0500

Dear Faye,
With regard to your article on Gwen Street, I must comment on how honest and totally accurate her words are. It is amazing how people treat cancer patients. I was diagnosed with stage III malignant melanoma a couple of years ago. I've had alot of surgeries and several weeks of brutal chemotherapy. I felt I was not on this planet for months and couldn't work for six months but I got thru it and every day since I really don't know what will be next. I've prepared for my funeral and now I can begin to live again. But I still have situations which I don't know how to deal with. I've lost most of my friends. I guess like Gwen's says so well ( they don't want to be close to you. Afraid of the emotional attachments.) Most of my family is similiar. Does most of my classmates feel the same? I getting used to feeling like a lepper!
At least cancer also has done wonderful things for me. It has taught me to enjoy life. It usually gives an individual a chance to prepare for death, which is really good. I have made some ammends to old mistakes and past relationships. I am now in better shape than I have been in years. I eat healthy and I love smelling the roses of life. Cancer can be a good thing. Maybe it will let us live the right way instead of the rat race that most of us are accustomed to.
Gary Marsh

A road to hope, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

Faye Whitbeck — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:54:44 -0500

And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.
... some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.