Cancer

Dear Diary,

OMGOSH, I forgot to write this and it just came to my mind.

Yesterday the guy called that I have planned to tear out and put in a new shower for me.

He was having surgery that mon a few weeks ago after he came over for the quote, cancerous growth above his lip, well or they are removing it and testing it.

So he calls yesterday and asks how Im doing. I ask how he was and he said “Well sorry I didnt call you sooner, you remember that surgery? Well I almost died”

Im sitting there all “OMGOSH”

He said he had a reaction to the anethesia and it collapsed his lung, They had to drill a hole he said in through his rib cage, he was hospitalized, he had to have his lung drained, etc etc”

Im just listening going WOW… OMGOSH……

And then he says “So my surgery has been rescheduled and Ill call you in a few days about the job”

Im just sitting there, as he is so matter of fact in the way he talks. Hes an older man, whos already lost an ear to cancer, and told us the story.

I said “Well, are you sure? I dont want my shower job doing you in” Hes all “No I can do it”

And then he is all “So you are doing okay?” all concerned about me and all.

Wow, I got back from the call and spoke to B, I was all “B! The guy told me almost just died and he will see me in a few days to do my shower???”

I feel bad in a way. But the guy can say No. B said “Its part of his character, its ingrained in him, that a man works, hes old school, and you know what, he will probably die working or kill himself that way, but he will die happy”

I know he does not have insurance either, I said to B “Well maybe he needs the money also thats why he still works?” I mean cause he can outright say No.

This got me thinking about J. She is the girl who died at age 29 a year or so ago that I was friends with. She had cancer, and died with a 10 yr old son to leave behind.

I was reading Adored today and saw her mention thoughts of someone she knew also dealing with an illness.

How scary this stuff can be, some people make it, others dont, and often times early diagnosis is the key.

Just like my hair dresser, her husband has throat cancer, he basically will not lick this, its spreading, but he still goes to work also, she has 3 kids with him, her oldest daughter is handicapped and will require care all her life.

She said “If he wanted to quit his job I would not be upset with him. But he chooses to go, I think it makes him feel better to do it, but there are times when hes going through chemo its really hard”

Wow, I cant even imagine.