The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

Column: Cancer isn’t the end

Cancer doesn’t just affect one person; it infects an entire family.  It is a toxic word that poisons the lives of many.

This includes my family.Oona O'Toole

On June 17, 2012, my dad was diagnosed with lymphoma. This type of cancer attacks a person’s lymph system. A month prior to this I received a call from my sister during my shift at Barnes and Noble in San Luis Obispo letting me knows she had just been diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 42.

Dealing with a sick parent is something I thought I could wait until my forties to deal with. And for a moment, I thought I could go back to waiting.

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But, after four months of remission, my dad’s lymphoma has come back. He must endure another six chemotherapy treatments.

The unexpected return of his lymphoma brought on a whirlwind of emotion. I relentlessly run scenarios through my mind of the potential outcomes.

Chemotherapy is accurately described in most movies and TV shows. Hair falls out; days go by when even the strongest of medications can’t control the pain.

On the day of my dad’s first chemotherapy treatment we walked into the cancer center, which was lined with large, gray vinyl reclining chairs and IVs. He was led to one of the few open chairs and set up with his drip.

For three long hours we waited while clear liquid dripped down a tube into my father’s bloodstream and watched community members come and go. As I sat there while my dad dozed off, I picked up countless pamphlets on dealing with cancer littered across the coffee table in the waiting room.

It is remarkable to see how many people have been affected by cancer. New faces come in and out of the cancer center on each of our visits.

The chemo attacks the fast growing cells, like the ones in your mouth.  Because of this even my dad’s favorite foods have lost their flare. His palette is currently limited to a diet of vanilla ice cream, grilled cheese and yogurt.

It’s extremely frustrating for someone who loves to cook as much as I do. When my customer is limited to someone who dislikes salt, spice, or basically any flavor whatsoever, cooking becomes torturous.

Although it didn’t show at times, I know my dad was appreciative of everything I tried to do for him during his first few months of chemo. I know he will appreciate it when it has passed this second time.

Needless to say, this past year has been a tough one.

I have stood in the wings and watched my family members suffer while battling the chemo treatments, radiation and surgery.

Sometimes it is hard to take a step back and realize that it isn’t your fault. You are doing everything right by doing anything you can to make someone happy.

I have learned one of the best things you can do is to tell people what you are struggling with. Not to invoke pity, but to help people get an understanding of the cards that life deals us.

Despite the magic eight ball trying to tell me that the “outlook [is] not so good,” I can’t think of a reason for me to assume the future is bleak.

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