SPIRIT / LOL

Diagnosis: Critical Mass

BY FRAN Di GIACOMO

My husband made the appointment with this new specialist against my wishes and was now directing her to the living room, where I sat staring at my clenched hands. As a career cancer patient, I was fed up with specialists.

 “Did you bring anesthesia?”

She pulled from her briefcase the required remedy — fresh, gooey fudge generously embedded with pecans and drizzled all over with caramel.

 “Let her start the examination,” I relented. My husband took her down the hall to the bedroom and opened the closet. I heard the audible gasp.

She obviously didn’t understand the complex clothing requirements of a chronic cancer lifestyle. ...

[THIS STORY APPEARS IN FULL IN THE SPRING 2008 ISSUE OF HEAL]