An Important Message from An Important Friend

MESSAGE FROM A CANCER PATIENT

My last radiation treatment for prostate cancer was yesterday. I'm a graduate.

Now we wait, perhaps 8 months. Awaiting the live-die announcement somehow diminishes the importance of yesterday's front page story. If I recollect, that story involved the fact that a very rich chef, from a very rich restaurant, was fired from same restaurant. Such are the stories that grip Vancouver.

We, who may die soon, are left to ponder whether a man who perfected saffron fried lobster tails will survive while we die.

On a much less important level, my experience has left me in awe of our medical system. Sorry to all the whiners. We really do live in the best country in the world, with all of its imperfections.

The professionalism, compassion and good cheer of the cancer treatment staff was humbling.

When you at your least dignified, shocking point in life. with mutant cells ravaging your testicles, anus or breasts, here in BC, there are truly wonderful people who respect your modesty, deliver the best that science can offer, and ask you to drop in, anytime, when your treatment is finished.

Yes, if you show up in emergency with a serious problem, they may have problems sorting out the little old lady with pelvic pains from the gangster who has a well deserved bullet in his brain.
And we may wait too long for a doctor's appointment, largely because we equate the billionaire with the destitute crack criminal, so as to keep them on the same level of socialized medicine.