Cancer in Lymph Nodes

Giving Thanks

Today is the one day a year that we stop to appreciate everything
we have -- our friends, our family, our health, and our good
fortune. But before I do that, I have to tell you a story about my
friend Larry.

Last year, Larry invited me to Thanksgiving dinner at his new
house. He had recently reunited with a woman named Carol, who
he had loved as a young man, but twists in their fate had kept them
apart until a few months prior. Both in their early 60s, they were
happily making up for the years they didn't spend together by
celebrating holidays with vigor, and surrounding themselves with
friends and family whenever they had the chance.
 
My reasons for not going seem silly to me now: It had become my
custom to enjoy Thanksgiving with friends, family, and neighbors
right here on my own block -- and Larry and Carol lived across
town. So I opted to stick close to home.  

In July, Larry went into the hospital for some tests. He'd been
nauseous, unable to keep his food down for a few days, and
experiencing abdominal pain. The doctors suspected his
gallbladder.

It turned out that Larry had advanced gallbladder cancer, and it had
already spread throughout his liver and his lymph nodes. It was
everywhere. Just 12 weeks after his diagnosis, Larry died. He and
Carol were married four days before at his bedside. We celebrated
their vows at his memorial service.

I'm thankful every day for the time we had as friends. And today
especially, I am thankful for the reminder he gave me to appreciate
the present moment -- and not to take the next moment for granted.
Nothing is guaranteed.

That's why it's so important not to  take your health for granted --
even for a minute. Don't put off the diet changes you need to
make, or the exercise you know you should do. Get rid of
everything in your kitchen cupboard that you know for sure isn't
good for you.

Make your physical and mental health your number one priority
this year, starting right now: Don't wait to make it your New
Year's resolution.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing