Imagine the stress…your greatest loved one has received a cancer diagnosis which requires frequent treatments…four rounds of chemo and then seven weeks, five days a week of radiation. The closest service is over 80 miles round trip. In addition to the emotional and physical uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, you are now dealing with the challenge of getting your loved one to treatment! I am celebrating today because that did NOT happen to me.
The first part is all true. My greatest loved one was diagnosed with cancer this summer, did go through four rounds of chemo, and has begun seven weeks, five days a week of radiation. We however, are so fortunate to live in a rural community that has a satellite center for cancer treatment. When she finished chemo and we began planning for radiation, we weren’t sure there were services available where we live. My loved one told me if we had to travel that distance every day, she would refuse further treatment. I’m not sure she would have gone through with that, but I am glad we never had to make that decision.
This summer was a more difficult journey than we ever expected. What looked like a cut-and-dry diagnosis and treatment ended up being worse than expected. In the midst of the worry, I often stopped to be grateful. We had insurance; we had a car to get to treatments; and we had caring friends and family. And above all, I thought over and over how much harder the summer would have been if every treatment and every doctor visit required that 80 mile trip.
So today, during the week-long celebration of National Rural Health Day, I’m celebrating The Power of Rural. The “power” is profound. It’s not just about convenience and easy access, but at a deeper level, it can be about who not only survives, but also thrives.
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