Gratitude It's Not Harder Than Cancer

More Than Tattoos

There are no coincidences. The longer I live, the more I’m convinced it’s true.

As part of my celebration of the three years since Dr. Greg Midis told me there were no living cancer cells in any of the tissue he removed during surgery, I decided to add a couple tattoos to my collection.

Imagine That is running a month-long special in honor of the semicolon project. I thought a semicolon would be most appropriate because 1) my story isn’t over and 2) I have a semicolon. I also thought it would be cool to get a tattoo of the “running man” stick figure that is part of the art for the Subway Race Against Cancer, of which I’m chair.

My tattoo artist was a young guy named Michael. As he prepared to start his work, we talked about the meanings behind the tattoos he was about to create. I told him about my cancer experience and why both the semicolon and the running man are important.

He told me about his mom, who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. As is the case with anyone who loves someone with cancer, he had a lot of questions and concerns. How was she going to afford it? Where would they get treatment? He told me where she had been referred and I assured him they would take good care of his mom. And, the big question, is there hope?

“There is always hope, Michael. Always. Never forget that,” I said. I told about my book and promised I would give him a copy when we were finished.

Our conversation added new meaning to a day that was already important to me. It was clear it meant a lot to Michael as well. He seemed relieved. We were both a little teary as I left.

God brought Michael and me together yesterday. I know that without a doubt. There are no coincidences.

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