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Page 1 of 2  GRAPEVINE, Texas—As I cool my heels in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport waiting for my flight, I wonder how many of the hundreds of people passing by have heard these words:
“You have cancer.” Will the guy sitting in front of me, wearing an Orlando Magic jersey, munching on an egg sandwich, sucking water through a straw, and talking on a cell phone? Or the lonely-looking guy at the bar nursing a Bloody Mary and watching TV replays of Barry Bonds’ historic homer from the night before? Or the waitress who greeted me at the door with a “Breakfast, sir?” From the time I heard those three, bone-chilling words five years ago, I have been amazed constantly at how many people have experienced cancer or are going through the trenches right now. Talk about a curse on humanity.
When I read that ABC News “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts was diagnosed recently with breast cancer, my immediate reaction was, “Sheesh, not another one!” Later that night, my massage therapist told me his wife is battling breast cancer. And just two weeks ago, entertainer Merv Griffin started undergoing treatment after prostate cancer knocked a second time. Preachers, too Of course, I know people who've never had cancer. However, six of my best female friends all endured breast cancer. Among them, Alice faced it three times, Jenifer two times. Doctors told Kristi she only had six months to live after her breast cancer invaded her liver, but she's alive and kicking eight years later, cancer free. The woman I should’ve married back in Rock Hill, S.C. just got over a bout with breast cancer. As he was getting his clergy career off the ground 25 years ago, my pastor was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Another pastor spoke at my church recently about her breast cancer, which she has parlayed into a national awareness campaign. Yet another pastor spoke the very next weekend about her cancer that’s now rooted firmly throughout her chest cavity. Four years ago, the vet put down my beloved border collie, Sammy. Again, cancer. My mother had uterine cancer 45 years ago; my father, skin cancer. I have friends who suffered through cancers of the colon, lungs and pancreas. And let’s not forget Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards, who is battling breast cancer. Rocker Sheryl Crow is a breast-cancer survivor, and her former squeeze, Lance Armstrong, battled testicular cancer. And think of the famous men who, along with me, fought prostate cancer: John Kerry, Rudy Giuliani, Louis Farahkan, Colin Powell, retired Gen. Norman Schwarzfopf, Robert DeNiro, Arnold Palmer, Nelson Mandela. Actors Telly “Kojak” Savalas, Jerry Orbach of “Law and Order,” and rocker Frank Zappa battled prostate cancer—and lost. So did my grandfather. I could continue naming names. Good people who don’t deserve it, and jerks who do deserve it. Both genders, all races. The rich, the poor, and folks like me. Maybe the dude in the Orlando Magic jersey who just let out a loud burp from his egg sandwich then sheepishly looked around will wind up one of the lucky ones to never hear, “You have cancer.” Then again, aren’t we all lucky, blessed, or whatever you want to call it? We heard the words, “You have cancer,” and we’re living! Yes, we are lucky and blessed! I think I’ll have an egg sandwich. Over easy, please.
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