A. Word & Company
  • Home
  • About Aleasa Word
    • Speaking
    • #SUNNYTHURSDAYS
  • Programs | Resources
    • Coaching Vs Consulting
    • A. Word & Company Detailed Offerings
    • From Diagnosis to Living Again -Specialty
    • Chapter II for Men
    • Resources
  • Books & More
  • Testimonials | Media
    • Media
  • Contact | Booking
    • Booking
  • BLOG POSTS
  • EQLifeLab

The Wordallogic Blog™

Rebrand Your Mind™
​
Picture
Picture

How Do You Answer Cancer? - A  lesson on responding to the newly diagnosed

12/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Copyright 2011     Aleasa M. Word          All Rights Reserved
In memory of the man who inspired this story  in 2011 John C. I am reposting. R.I.P.

Walking into the room, oblivious to anything else  going on, there he stood. Not much to speak of, just a male doing what men do. I  said hello, then he said hello. Then silence. Shortly thereafter, I asked how he  was as we waited for his food to cook in the microwave. He began to make small  talk and then dropped the bomb on me. The "big C" 

Was I friends with this person? NO. Did I really know much about him? NO. Had  I even solicited this information by asking questions about his health? NO. I  was waiting just like he was and then he said it. In an instance I was silent,  yet I knew I should say something. What should I say? What would I say? How
should I react? Did my face have “the look” revealing the letters OMG that just  jumped into my head? Then it struck me. How do you answer cancer? 

I picked up my pieces after only a few seconds which seemed like an hour. I  looked him in the eye and said “you’re going to be fine” as if I  already knew.  I’m not quite sure that was what he expected to hear; but, that’s  what made sense in my mind at that moment. Maybe God gave me those words. For  all of the shock, there was a peace that passed all understanding for this  person who I never really knew on a personal level. (At least for a second that  is.) Though others had been sick before, I began to feel empty for him. He said  “kids get it all the time, so I’ll just have to man up and take my medicine like  they do.” At that second, that very moment, I just wanted to cry and give him a  hug. How could I? Would he be receptive? Would it be appropriate? I stood there  looking at him during that awkward moment crying inside and said “ I will pray  for you.”

When it comes to praying for people I realize praying for someone never costs  us anything. I didn’t even know this man’s views on religion; but,  it came natural to me to say that  to him. He politely said “thank you.” As it never skipping a beat, we continued  on about someone else I knew who’d been recently diagnosed and was getting  treatment. All the while I stood there stunned on the inside, hopeful on the outside.

Why did this man feel he needed to tell me about his recent diagnosis? Was he  that comfortable being around me? Did he feel a peace in the room that I was not privy too? Or  did he just need to talk? Was saying it his way of making it real and accepting  it? How could he just blurt it out? One thing for sure, this was not at all  about me. It was about what he needed to do deal with the cards he was dealt.   It was about my good friend who’d given me her praise report that same day that  she didn’t have the big "C" but had been concerned.  

Suddenly the microwave beeped. What was I supposed to do now? How was this  conversation supposed to end? How can you just walk away when someone drops something this heavy in your lap? How do you answer cancer?  

Having a few relatives who survived breast cancer when I was younger didn’t  give me a real insight into what people have to go through when they have it.  Unless you’re on the front line with them, you don’t have any idea of what it’s  like to deal with the chemotherapy and radiation. No clue about all of the  follow up visits hoping it’s gone. Whether you know these things exist or not,  to know it and to live it are two different beasts. 

God knows I hope we soon find a cure for this dreadful disease. Everyone from  celebrities to John Doe on the street can step into cancer’s path at any time.  They too may be hard pressed to answer the question - How do you answer  cancer?

To them and to you I hope that you may stay well. For those who have it, all  I can really say is be encouraged - though I have no idea at all how you are  really feeling inside. I do know that whatever you are feeling or whatever you  are going through, I give you my love and prayers. I have no answer for cancer
but I know God does.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    The links on this and subsequent pages on this site contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.
    mz_words_media_kit.pdf
    File Size: 1362 kb
    File Type: pdf
    Download File

    Picture
    Picture
    Click to set custom HTML

    Categories

    All
    Aleasa Word
    Allergy Words Consulting
    Apologize
    Arguments'
    Black Life Coach
    Boys To Men
    Chapter Ii For Men
    Chapter Ii Living
    Conflict Resolution
    Dating
    Decision Making
    Fear
    Forgiveness
    Fresh Start
    Get Right For Love
    Jessie Williams
    Lbgt
    Love
    Men Emotion
    Men Relationships
    Mz. Word
    Online Dating
    Racism
    Raising Boys
    Relationships
    Sexism
    Starting Over
    Strength
    Wordallogic

    Disclaimer

    *Commentary is not intended to replace professional legal or medical advice and are merely opinions.  All articles are under protected property and personal opinions only.  Direct links the blog with all copyrights and information as to rights in tact are allowed.  To republish, please contact the administrator.  All violators will be subject to legal action and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    Archives

    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

Picture
Picture
Picture
Protected by Copyscape
     Email: HELLO@AWORDANDCOMPANY.COM    
           GA (678)883-8243  DE (302)514-8243
  • Home
  • About Aleasa Word
    • Speaking
    • #SUNNYTHURSDAYS
  • Programs | Resources
    • Coaching Vs Consulting
    • A. Word & Company Detailed Offerings
    • From Diagnosis to Living Again -Specialty
    • Chapter II for Men
    • Resources
  • Books & More
  • Testimonials | Media
    • Media
  • Contact | Booking
    • Booking
  • BLOG POSTS
  • EQLifeLab