Sorry I know, a lot of posts lately. A pretty quick one today.

I just want to say real quick - I really, really HATE cancer. I mean WTF. All types. It’s taking too many people I love. I genuinely despise how powerless it feels to lose someone to cancer. Whether fast, slow, young, old - it just sucks in the most complete way possible.

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21 years ago today my cousin and truly one of my best friends Rachel Paulson passed away at 16 years old after a year and a half battle with cancer. I know my pain from the loss of Rachel is nothing compared to that of her parents, and siblings. But today I recall this loss with vivid recollection of the swirling confusion and emotional upheaval that came with it.

She would have been 37. How many birthdays, and graduations and milestones did we miss? We missed out on her eventual wedding and kids, and she never got to meet Sara - although I would like to believe that she and Sara are getting to know each other right now and are likely poking fun at me, haha.

But I know sincerely, she would have been a lifelong friend. She was an amazing and spirited young woman, a friend, cousin, sister and beloved daughter ripped from our lives way too soon. I’ve mourned her death for many years, but I won’t lie - it’s hurting more today than it has for some time. Probably as we’re shocked by the reality of the years of life that have come and gone since November 9, 2000.

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Also today we are celebrating the life of Bruce Smith, Sara’s uncle, who battled colorectal cancer for nine years. Many of Bruce’s experiences with cancer treatment paralleled those experienced by Sara. Sharing of CRC treatment tips and tricks have been common between our households.

It seems his cancer was less aggressive than Sara’s overall, but in the end he passed away on October 16, the very next day after Sara died on October 15. We have speculated that Sara may have shown him the way/helped him realize it was his time.

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I won’t list off all of my loved ones, friends and coworkers who have fought and survived cancer, or fought and died from cancer. But like many of you, my list is WAY too long.

I don’t really have a special message otherwise today other than I am absolutely filled with RAGE about cancer. We MUST stop cancer. For all cancers that are preventable through screening - we all MUST do what we can to get screened when it is available. And if screening is not available, DO NOT take NO for an answer if you have troubling symptoms!

That is all. Thanks.
Jarod

Rage Against the Malignant Machine