Cancer brings to light life's little ironies

Irony is all around for those of us who live with cancer.

Consider my most recent appointments at the Kellogg Cancer Center at Glenbrook Hospital. Last Monday, I had my usual CAT scan. All went well in spite of the fact that the little faces on the machine that say "Hold your breath" or "Breathe" didn't light up.

The report my oncologist shared with me on Wednesday showed only a couple of vague shadows in soft tissue -- "Nothing to worry about, for now."

It was the ache in my bones that had him concerned enough to suggest a bone scan. In spite of the fact that some people feel a little claustrophobic inside the CAT scan machine, it doesn't bother me.

It's ironic that the soft tissue is fine, but the bones are questionable. It's also ironic that during my trips to and from Glenbrook, I see people all around me who are hell-bent on self-destruction.

And, while they are at it, they might just take out a few of us who are trying hard to live.

One woman, driving 15 mph below the speed limit in the left lane, swerved all over the road and screamed at anyone who passed her on the right.

The other irony on Wednesday was arriving home in time to greet costumed kids, anxious to scarf down as much candy as possible before their parents could take an inventory. I guess they didn't hear the latest reports that too many sweets can lead to cancer.

Fortunately, while awaiting Thursday's bone scan, I was not really nervous. My oncologist told me he has another new med in case we need it to keep me one step ahead of the cancer.

I left in plenty of time to get to my appointment and was very calm when I arrived. Though I didn't yet have results, I was also calm driving home.

But I was on the lookout for the left-lane lunatic.