Sitting with what is

I talked with a woman this week who has been diagnosed with a form of cancer that is especially lethal.  She told me the story of how her local physician had performed surgery and then informed her that he had prolonged her life, but not to expect more.  She traveled to a specialist in another state who gave some addional treatment, but only after informing her that he could prolong her life only a little longer.  She and her husband have moved with their two children across the country to be near family.  Basically, they want to make sure that, not if, but when, she dies, her husband and children will be surrounded by a loving support group.  It made me realize that while patients can be Fighters to get the best treatment,  there may come a time when the only option left is to accept life as it is, and not as we wish it might be, and to focus the Fighter instinct on doing everything possible to take care of the people we love.