Cancer - Worth Dying For?

Sitting in a fishing boat, a rather handsome (in a rugged, Grizzly Adams, sort of way) casts his lure out onto the still, glass-like lake. He leans back against the side of the boat and pushes his cowboy hat down over his eyes. This is his typical posture while he waits for the tug on his line. He only has to wait for a few moments. Excitedly, he reels in a nice two pound rainbow trout. Gently, almost tenderly, he frees the lure from the trout's mouth and lowers it back into the lake. He has done what he came here to do. One last fishing trip.

The simplicity of fishing is a God-send to him in his life at the moment. He dreads going home. He dreads the constant questioning. "How are you feeling?" "Did you have a good day today?" "What can I do for you?" In his heart he knows these questions are spoken with sincerity, but he has three months of "sincerity" yet to face. The questions wear on him as much as the disease.

Eighteen months ago, Steve was diagnosed with colon cancer. He was fortunate they caught it in time. Surgery removed a large portion of his colon and bowel. The doctor told him that the surgery was sucessful "we got it all." A year later, it reoccurred but metastocized so quickly that nothing could be done.

Steve will not live to see his 40th birthday. He has two ex-wives, a current wife and five children (who live with his first wife). He has no life insurance and the company he had been working for (for 18 years) just declared bankruptcy. So he has no job either. Additionally, the pension plan set aside has been revoked. What is he going to do for his family before he dies?

This was the reason for his fishing trip. He has to decide how he is going to take care of his family. He has to decide what course of action to take for all his loved ones.

First, the house is going up for sale. It presents a problem for his wife, but a monthly rental fee is less than a monthly mortgage payment. The equity in the house will help out for at least 6 months of rent. It will also save a commute of 50 miles into the city for his wife.

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