cancer – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Meeting these little smiles on a Saturday afternoon ( as a part of the weekend voluntary community service) taught me a lot about life, His Grace and happiness. Attached to the hospital, along with the regular hospitalized patients, in association with the local NGO, there was a small home set up for the cancer patients ranging from the elderly and the few enrolled children, meant for their regular chemotherapy and minor hospitalizations. The purpose was to avoid them being cross infected by the general population. Spending an afternoon with them teaches one about the real essence and gifts of life.

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“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17)

Despite the pain of the disease and the load of chemotherapy, the smile on their faces especially the little ones, never wavers. For them, the disease is indeed a part of their life but it doesn’t rule them. From engaging in their activities of school lessons, music and learning new skills of art and the like; their days aren’t lost in cribbing about their state of affairs, finding fault with life and God. Instead the spirit of resilience is seen in their approach to life. In comparison, it shames one when thinking about the usual grumbling at own lives, at the workplace or even within.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Interacting with the caregivers too, one learns a lot from their quiet acceptance to the strength that radiates from within. On seeing the suffering and the pain of their wards, along with the lost years of life can result in any parent or guardian being depressed, loosing hope in His Faith and dwelling in the negativity. Yet they face all those, come out from the bouts of depressing thoughts and conquer the storm within; so that their children can have their happy moments in life. While certain things may never change, the way we live in the present matters the most. No one ever knows the entirety of His Plan, but what one does know is that His Hope, His Grace and His Love is sufficient to survive in the world of the present.

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:8-9)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

“Cancer”- this word is one of the most dreaded ones to be heard or even thought of. It brings fear not only to the ones struck by it but even family members and loved ones bear the brunt. Although sometimes we may be able to fight it; other times we may not succeed. The hardest part even after all the treatment, is not knowing whether it is gone permanently or may make a comeback.

One saddest parts of life is when cancer occurs at a very young age, either in childhood or adolescence and sometimes even as early as infancy. These children have to forgo their regular life and endure months and months of treatment. Sometimes it doesn’t work out and they give into the disease. Sometimes they do survive. Yet even if the cancer has regressed or has been removed; there would be countless visits to the hospital. These children, if they survive will have to deal with countless side-effects ranging from chronic pain to thyroid problems and worst of all, secondary cancers.

The National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month which is observed in the September is an annual national health campaign organized by major childhood cancer organizations to increase awareness of pediatric cancer and to raise funds for various aspects of its research. While many of us may not be actively involved in the pediatric cancer units or dealing with survivors, what we can is to raise awareness and give support.

By support, it doesn’t necessarily mean monetary support alone but even emotional, mental, physical and even spiritual support. There may be cancer survivors in our neighbourhood, church groups, extended family, schools and workplaces. Some of the small town hospitals may have a few cancer victims admitted with concurrent ailments.

What we can do is to lend a hand and more importantly our time if, where or when required and above all, extend our support to their families too. It is in these hard times that we need to help and share our Faith and support. Sharing our time and faith will help to ease the stress and burden for both the survivors and the victims as well as their families.

As the Scripture says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6)

Our time in this world is short, for we never when or how will our call come ? As, Albert Einstein had said, “Time is an illusion.” Thus, what we do with our time is valuable as it builds our character and eventually our faith. For, I believe there are no casual encounters: either God sends the person we need, or we are sent to someone by God, unknown to us. So this month, let us wear the gold ribbon and give our time to the children with cancer. And give them the faith to fight the battle.

“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-19)