The Wake-up Call
Recently, my
12 year old daughter took an interest in my blog. She wanted to know what I
write about and how I decide on which topics to talk about. I explained to her
that I usually write on events that are happening around our country. I also
told her that I write about those issues that touch my heart in one way or
another. She read a few of my articles but I could tell she was not impressed.
She could not relate with what I had taken hours to put together. She gave me
her opinion in the blunt way kids do. She told me, “When you write next, why
don’t you write about Cucu (Her grandmother and my mother). I had never thought
of that. You see, my Mum has been grappling with breast cancer for the last few
years.
Unable to Relate
When my Mum
was diagnosed with breast cancer, it caught us (my siblings and I) off guard –
I guess nobody is ever prepared for the dreaded doctor’s words – “Am afraid it’s
cancer”. Although it is no excuse for me to literally ignore the harsh verdict,
my Mum is very strong. Since the diagnosis, she vowed to fight and win against
the cancer. I had, like many Kenyans, heard of cancer and how bad it is. I was
however only able to truly relate to its diabolical nature when it infected my
Mum and affected all of us who love her.
Hidden until it is Too Late
Experts
claim that all of us have cancer cells in our bodies at all times. For some
reasons that even they can’t explain, some of these cells start spreading and
growing out of control (become malignant). There will be no symptoms until the
cancer is relatively well established. In my Mum’s case for instance, she has
never experienced any pain from the cancer itself. Any pain and discomfort she
has felt so far has actually been as a side effect of the treatment. The
nightmare stories of nausea and weakness from chemotherapy and irritation from
radiotherapy, am afraid are all too real for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Acceptance
I thank God
that my Mum accepted her condition and is positively committed to fighting it.
This is not so with many cancer patients we have met as we take our Mum for
treatment. Some have waited until almost the point of death to seek treatment. Doctors
concur that this exponentially reduces their chances of hearing those golden
words, “You are now Cancer-Free!”
Denial of the Affected
I am not
infected but am affected in a big way by cancer. It is one thing for a person
diagnosed with cancer to accept their fate. It is a completely different thing
for those close to the person to come to terms. One hindrance to acceptance is
the cost of treatment. Cancer treatment is capable of impoverishing even the
most stable of families. When many family members think of the financial
implications of cancer treatment, it makes it understandable why they go into
denial.
Lifestyle Diseases
Lifestyle
diseases are not necessarily caused by poor lifestyle, but they are nurtured by
it. Cancer has always existed but its spread is largely attributed to lifestyle
changes of modern times. The same case applies to hypertension and diabetes
type 2. It is claimed that a sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of processed
food has led to an increase in these diseases. All these diseases are expensive
to treat and almost always lead to an untimely death. I guess it is the price
we have to pay for what we fondly refer to as “civilisation”.
The Way Forward
Late last
year, I embarked on a weight loss program as recounted here http://thelaymanspoint.blogspot.co.ke/2015/05/weight-loss-my-personal-journey.html.
I was not driven by the desire to grow my very own six-pack. Rather, I did it
out of the fear of death. You see, my boss once came and told me that I and
another of my equally obese colleague would never live to see 60 years if we
continued gaining weight the way we were doing. That did it for me, especially
coming from a 75 year old man whom I respect like my own father.
In my
research on a healthy lifestyle, I came up with 3 aspects that seem to sum up
everything. These are a good diet, regular exercise, and peace of mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment