who knows.....

It came totally as a shock. A good friend's husband whom I recently met was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer. This is the 2nd case of "surprise" cancer that has befallen my friends. The 1st incident happened last year when one of my neighbours was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Whatever is happening inside our bodies, who could ever tell. Both friends were unsuspecting victims - healthy career people; going about their daily lives and chores as anybody would. Our lives are likened to a "candle in the wind" and we are at the mercy of a power and force beyond our imagination. When Z was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she never told anyone. I was told that Z was shamed by the fact that cancer is born of bad karma. To let it be known that she was a cancer victim would have been similar to admitting that her ancestors has done wrong and were bad people. She suffered alone until word started getting around and while we showered her with friendship and understanding, she soon accepted that cancer was not a stigma that would attach to her nor her family; but rather a really bad bug that had to be squashed. Nothing can confirm what I have written as it was (and still is) a sensitive question to ask and not to mention, rude. K however was simply complaining of a bloated stomach and when doctors told him that he was having a bad case of constipation, thought nothing much of it. It was not until a few days later when his wife noticed that he was not getting any better and insisted on an immediate visit to the clinic. Thankfully, the doctor was cautious and insisted that certain tests were taken almost immediately. At times like this, should we be thankful or do we curse the world for this misfortune ? With much pain and discomfort, both Z and K have undergone surgeries and treatments that I pray will lead them to the road of recovery. None of these could have been or will ever be easy on the families and my heart goes out to them. Indeed it is God's will but it is also our own will to survive that matters. My prayers and thoughts are constantly with Z and K and their families.