People Are Often More Than They Appear

I was standing in line for a flu shot at my local health department with a long line of men and women who probably tipped the scales at a median age of 75. I was 45 and had the distinction of being the youngest in line.

That year, there was a shortage of flu vaccine. A call had gone out to the media informing the public that shots would be reserved for the old and those who were exceptionally ill. I was standing in line, five years post-cancer, for one reason only. My heart had taken a beating from radiation and was wreaking havoc with my body. I had trouble breathing. My heart rate often exceeded 120 bpm. Walking was difficult. Walking upstairs was nearly impossible. After pushing back for months, I had finally (and mournfully) put handicapped stickers on my car. I needed surgery to remove the lining of my heart. But I hadn’t quite gotten my head wrapped around that yet.

The problem was this, I didn’t look sick. In fact, I pretty much looked like an average, healthy 45-year-old woman.

When I got to the front of the line, the nurse expressed her disapproval quickly and loudly. When I told her I was a cancer survivor, she asked if I was currently in treatment. Since I wasn’t, she adamantly tried to push me out of line claiming they were giving vaccinations only to people who really needed them. So, now on top of everything else, I had to explain — with everyone listening — why I desperately needed that vaccine shot. Doctor’s orders.

Some people who go through cancer treatment or surgery look sick. Others do not. As we have all learned repeatedly in our lifetimes, sometimes you draw poor conclusions based on what your eyes tell you. People are often more than they appear.

Share Your Thoughts

How did you cancer symptoms and treatment affect your appearance? Did you have ever have to explain that, despite outward appearances, you were actually very sick? Share your comments below.