I see people who have been living with cancer for YEARS, off and on. Sometimes they had one kind that had been "cured" and then another spot somewhere else comes back. I see those newly diagnosed, faciing a long haul. Sometimes those who are at the end of their haul.
I'm sure they are human and have their bad days and aren't always nice, just like everybody else. But facing death changes you. It humbles you. In humility there is dignity.
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Dignity is sometimes what one has left after cancer has taken all else.
Often, even with all they've got going on, these patients are the most gracious, while the guy in the next room with the ingrown toenail is acting like a big jerk.
Which makes me all the more want to smack un-sick drug seekers and those with entitlement who demand immediate service for minor crap.
As an onco/MS nurse, I am amazed daily by my patients. Generally speaking, the actual oncology patients are some of the kindest people I care for. The clock watchers and pillow fluffers? Usually med/surg patients. To each their own...
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