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As if starting grade nine isn’t scary enough, finding out that your dad has prostate cancer at the same time, is a nightmare. I will never forget the sinking feeling in my stomach when my dad sat me down in our family room to break the terrible news. The look in his face was almost like he was ashamed, but I knew it was simply fear. I couldn’t even react; I went straight to my room and researched everything possible on prostate cancer, only to find out that it is the leading cause of male deaths.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the cancer was caught early and my dad was able to receive the proper treatment to reduce his risks of spreading, four years later, halfway through my first year at university, the cancer returned. I remember the moment he told me. He had just picked me up for the Christmas break and we were driving back home when he said it so casually, “the cancer is back.” It was as if it were no big deal, and I know that it was his way of avoiding emotions and pretending like nothing was wrong, but to me it was the end of the world.
You never expect to grow up fearing that one day you will lose your best friend, your hero, and the man who raised you into who you are today. You especially don’t expect to be worrying about that at the age of 14. It’s been a constant presence in my mind since the day my parents first told me, and although he now has only one doctor’s appointment standing in the way of being deemed cancer free, the fear will never fade.
It amazes me how positive and happy my dad has always been, despite all of the obstacles that have been thrown in his path. Even if he is scared and afraid, he never shows it. It’s as if I am the one dealing with cancer and he is the one being my support system. I am constantly shocked and inspired at the man he is and I have never been so grateful to have such a wonderful and constant presence in my life. This man has dealt with more than I could ever imagine, yet he manages to be so full of life and joy. I will forever look up to my dad and have learned never to take a day for granted because you never know what life is going to throw at you. It is these people in our lives that make the biggest difference without even realizing it, and he will be my hero forever and always.