Bell Lap Blog

Cancer's Bell Lap Blogs are secular and practical guidance. For opportunities of a spiritual journey in a life with cancer, see the Cancers' Windrunners Blog.

70 -BATON PASSING TRADITION - GO BEYOND IN THE FAR CORNER

Submitted by Dr. Robert F. Lane on

GO BEYOND TRADITION

Passing the baton is an elaboration of an age-old deathbed tradition of uttering a few final words before the body’s long nap in the dirt but it can be much more. The book of Genesis recounts how the blind and dying patriarch, Isaac, called his firstborn, Esau, to his bedside to bestow his blessing. Generations later, Joseph took his two sons to the bedside of their dying grandfather, Jacob, to receive his blessing. And Jacob called his 12 sons to his bedside to give them final instructions about inheritance and responsibilities.

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DEATHBED TRADITIONS

72 - HOMESTRETCH

Submitted by Dr. Robert F. Lane on

When your last remission comes to an end and you accept that there is no more treatment worth taking, you’re on the homestretch. There is little telling how long it will last - could be weeks or maybe months, unlikely to be days or years. You don’t have to have figured it all out; you just have to have admitted that you can’t.

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CHOICES
HOMESTRETCH
FINISH STRONG

72 - HOMESTRETCH: SIZE IT UP

Submitted by Dr. Robert F. Lane on

The work of the first stretch and the near corner are long past. The legal and financial issues long since resolved (or should be!). Anger, denial, depression, and bargaining have long ago been hurtled or abandoned. The charades of your life (we all have them) have hopefully been revealed through backstretch reflections.  Wounds have been uncovered, healing has begun, strained relationships are mending and new hopes for the next generation transmitted.

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HOMESTRETCH
WHAT IS IT LIKE

74 - HOMESTRETCH OF A WINDRUNNER

Submitted by Dr. Robert F. Lane on

Ken did it well. Many marveled at just how well he did do it, and wondered just how he could. The sounding of his bell had been as strident and startling as it could be for anyone. One day he was completely well, a man of 55, actively engaged in life, family and work, and the next he was learning he had a stage IV high-grade lymphoma threatening his life in short order. He marshaled the stamina to endure surgery and aggressive chemotherapy chasing a cure and was rapidly rewarded with a complete remission. But it didn’t last long. ....

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HOMESTRETCH
WINDRUNNERS

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