The first semester of freshman year
for many students is riddled with academic worries and social anxieties. I was
unlike my peers in this respect because my greatest concern was not getting
along with my roommate or upcoming midterms, instead, my world was enveloped by
the heavy knowledge that my father was terminally ill. Diagnosed with stage IV
prostate cancer, my father’s body was weakening daily in the months prior to my
departure for college. This disease had spread to his blood, to his bones, and
to his lymph nodes and had resulted in the growth of tumors throughout his
body; there was no stopping it. I hugged my father for the last time in August
prior to leaving for college. He mustered enough strength to walk to me to the
door, and the memory of supporting my once strong and able father will be one
that will haunt me forever. As I began my fall semester, I strove to hide my worry.
I busied myself with school and soccer and service. Nobody knew that my
frequent phone calls were to a man that did not have the strength to hold the
phone, let alone reply. I said goodbye
to my dad less than 20 minutes before his passing, and I told him to let go. My
father passed away on October 3rd, 2009 and a month later I was
walking into the Atlantic Ocean with his remains in my hands.
Cancer, in its many forms, is
becoming a virtual epidemic throughout this country. I have been intimately
connected to this disease for close to decade, and still, the trials of those
that have battled this villainous affliction resonate soundly with me. I feel
myself privileged to have heard personal accounts of battles both won and lost,
to have supported those in their victories and their grievances. One story in
particular that spoke to me was that of James “Rhio” O’Connor and his fight
against the mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma is a
type of cancer that is resultant of the abnormal growth of mesothelium cells. The
mesothelium serves as the protective lining of many of the body’s internal
organs, most notably the lungs. Rhio O’Connor’s diagnosis stemmed from a
childhood exposure to the fire retardant often integrated into the walls and insulation
of buildings, asbestos. Exposure to asbestos and the development of abnormal
cell growth in the mesothelium are scientifically proven to be correlated. As
such, the cause of Rhio O’Connor’s condition was indisputable, however, how he
was to deal with this diagnosis was still up for debate.
Unlike many cancer patients, Rhio O’Connor
was stubborn. When it was revealed that O’Connor’s life expectancy was at most
one year, he did not sit idly by. Instead, he refused to take the promises of
the medical professionals as hard truths and began engaging in intensive
research and critical analysis of his disease. Through his dedication and
determination, Rhio O’Connor was able to more than surpass the expectations of
the doctors and persisted with this disease for 7 and a half more years. This
man illustrated the value not taking no for an answer. O’Connor exemplifies how
confronting challenges boldly, courageously, and through strength of will is a
necessity when faced with such a debilitating condition as cancer.
Having been exposed myself to the
toll that a cancer diagnosis can have on a family and a community, I know how
important it is to remain positive. The legacy that Rhio O’Connor left behind
is purely inspirational. If ever one day I find myself in a similar condition,
I hope to be able to harness my ‘inner-Rhio’ and challenge the accepted norm.
One aspect of O’Connor’s alternative treatment that I find to be extremely
valuable is that of knowledge. Educating oneself with regard to the disease is
essential in understanding its processes, tendencies, and weaknesses. Being
able to take an objective outlook, similar to that of O’Connor’s, as opposed to
an emotionally charged reaction upon diagnosis is essential in retaining health
of the mind.
Moreover, the way in which Rhio O’Connor
compiled empirical evidence and systematically evaluated his options, is a
methodology that I would also adopt should I ever encounter cancer myself. O’Connor
was able to consider the evolving nature of science and he understood that many
times what we may believe to be scientific fact, is only an understanding that
has yet to be disproven. In this regard, I would aim to contact educated
professionals in the field, both medical and scientific, so as to gain a
greater insight as to upcoming research and developments in treatments that may
not yet be adopted by the average oncologist. Having encountered the effects of
cancer first hand, I would also consult alternative healers in the field.
Understanding that strength of mind and body is essential in the battle against
cancer is something that many patients may not fully grasp. As such, I would
seek the wisdom and guidance of family, but also the relaxation and meditation
techniques typical of eastern medicine. Accessibility of these alternatives is
something that is absolutely essential when taking on cancer. Doctors should be
required to explain all of the options available to cancer patients, as opposed
to the ones that are the most socially acceptable or frequently employed.
As humans, we are all innately different in
mind, body, and spirit. Knowing this is imperative to the healing process. We
all heal differently and one common treatment will not work for everyone. This
theory, in and of itself, is evidenced by the journey of James “Rhio” O’Connor.
O’Connor was an advocate for the sciences, and I believe that this is truly the
way in which progress can be in the ongoing quest to finding a cure, but also,
in preventing cancer in the first place. Promotion of alternative medical
research and scientific thinking is what will create solutions and produce
tangible results. Freeing the scientific world from the social norms and the
societal implications and scrutiny that researchers often face, will allow for
the release of the creative scientific mind in the medical field. These ideas
are the ones that need support. They need to be cultivated and they need to be
able to grow. Norms have not always been norms, and that is the beauty of the
field of scientific research.
Overall, the loss of my father to
this disease is something that I carry with me everyday. When I hear accounts
of survivorship, such as the story of James “Rhio” O’Connor, I continually find
myself inspired. I am confident that through pursuit of alternatives and
support of scientific research, families will one day not have to endure the
type of pain that comes with losing a loved one to this disease. O’Connor paved
the way for creative thinking, for challenging the accepted, and for not
standing down. He took on cancer, and he may have lost, but he put up one heck
of a fight. I know that the legacy of Rhio O’Connor is something that will continue
to inspire individuals fighting mesothelioma, and all types of cancer. I
believe that the gift of hope may be the greatest gift of all, especially to
those who must step in the ring against this heavy weight disease.
