Dear Cancer, I Know Your Name

I wrote this letter to cancer because my brother died too early. I was there along his journey to see him affected by cancer. He was always so happy, tall and strong until the day he was told he had prostate cancer. His journey hit me and my family hard. It took his life — and a huge piece of my heart —away. I watched him take his last breath and I will never forget it. I pray for all those who have this disease that a cure will be found, and lives will be saved.

Dear Cancer,

I know your name.

You have claimed my brother, his wife, my grandfather and a good friend. You entered my world one day when my immediate family, my brother, said he had prostate cancer. I was so devastated you came.

You took away a precious soul and left me with a huge hole. I wished to have my brother here today to age with him another day. Watching him go from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, it never ended. His countenance changed from day to day — sometimes up, but most of the time down.

Everything was going fine until the day cancer came. It also came another other time way back when my grandpa said he had pain. It ended up the same prostrate cancer is the name.

But I saw my brother try to stay strong, working and loving his life as it came. He fought and fought, and I thought, and I thought, we thought he would beat this beastly thing. I just knew he had it in him! He was a fighter!

Then, one day he fell so ill that his pain medicines could not stop the pain. The cancer was still growing, and it was calling his name. If I could have just given him a magic position, his family and I would not be sharing our memories today.

It was not long before cancer called his name. He fought a good fight, and did the best he could, but this disease called prostrate cancer had another answer. Prostrate cancer took his life but, I will always remember his fight. You fought hard; I saw you! I prayed for you.

My brother’s name will go down the same as those who fought this vicious game. For each person out there, I pray for you the same. Maybe cancer is present in your body, but the game may not be played the same, and hopefully you will win the battle that came to be claimed. Hold on to your loved ones, always try to understand their pain. I am praying for a cure today in my brother’s name, in my grandfather’s name and his wife and my friend the same. The runs, the marathons, the walks, we will not forget! They deserve a badge of honor in my books. Research, please act sooner cancer is claiming our loved ones and who knows who will be next.

This post was written and submitted by Angela Pinkins. The article reflects the views Pinkins and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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