In honor of Brenda Denzler
When ground was broken for the Cancer Hospital in 2005, I didn’t pay much attention. I couldn’t imagine myself getting cancer, and if I did, I couldn’t imagine myself relying on harsh, difficult, conventional cancer treatment. I imagined I’d rely exclusively on gentle, natural, alternative treatment.
Turns out I was wrong on both counts.
On June 30, 2009, I was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of breast cancer. A little checking around showed that although progress is being made, research and clinical evidence for the curative power of alternative cancer treatments at this point in time is not very good. There is much more solid evidence for the effectiveness of conventional treatments. And when you have a fast-growing, prone to spreading, prone to recurrence kind of cancer—you don’t have much time to mess around. Where are you going to place your trust? I’ve placed my trust with my team at the N.C. Cancer Hospital.
My trust has not only been in the ability of my health team to be good technicians—good mechanics for my sick body. I have also had to trust them to help me with the psychological, emotional and spiritual challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. For me, those divided immediately into a split between issues raised by the cancer itself, and issues raised by the planned treatment protocol. I also brought some uniquely personal “baggage” that we have had to engage.
Since I am, by nature, highly inquisitive and very vocal, and these traits can be perceived as being rather demanding, this has made for an interesting journey into Cancer Land, so far—but one my treatment team has been able to take with me. They have helped me to cope and have even been willing to bend and learn in order to travel with me.
The N.C. Cancer Hospital is a magnificent RESOURCE FOR the people of North Carolina. It is a magnificent GIFT FROM the people of North Carolina. And I will always be grateful.