Red Cedar
More apocalypse, less angst
Sobering moments.
Posted on June 1, 2011 by Megan
A friend of mine has just come out of the hospital: Cervical cancer resulting in a hysterectomy at 36. I visited her yesterday and was reminded that not even two years ago, a woman I knew died of cervical cancer spread to uterine cancer at the age of 38. And I recognize the beginning of the long march through our forties and fifties where these things become more common. Not that I expect to lose dozens of friends – but for women, approaching middle-age is a more dangerous time. Personally, my biggest fear is breast-cancer (and early dementia, but that’s for another post).
I’m just glad that at least there is a medical system to deal with it all. In the words of the friend I visited yesterday – when the C word is mentioned, things start to move pretty fast. Which is pretty much what a co-worker of mine who had liver cancer opined a few years ago.
There have been a lot of death and illness reminders around me lately – confluence of suicide threats, cancer scares and parental aging issues. I wish I could sum it all up neatly with a pithy statement, but unfortunately I am just left with the strands all waving about me. Not easily woven into anything tidy.
Red Cedar 
Megan, you are one of the strongest women I know, and a good friend. Let’s hope that old age is good to us both (and the people we love).
Just hope that I don’t get early dementia – then I won’t be so strong 🙂 I think old age will be good to us both and I’m just glad that you’re doing okay!