I went to see my ENT for my monthly "Watchful Vigilance" checkup and was surprised to be greeted, for the second appointment in a row, by his colleague. I was informed that my ENT was diagnosed with melanoma with some lymph node involvement and was participating in a clinical study for his treatment. My own checkup went well. No sign of my own cancer recurring; radiation side effects, including oral ulcers and pain, are slowly starting to resolve; weight is stable and my nutrition is good.

When I left and sat in my car I was engulfed with sadness. Sadness for my doctor; sadness for his young children; sadness for life itself that can be so cruel and heartless and unfair. I wept. I wept for that young man who has done so much for me. I wept for his family that will have to provide him with the support he needs for his own struggle. I wept for the maddening, frustrating, tides in the sea of life.

Then, my despair was replaced by hope. Hope for that nice, brilliant young man, and his family. Hope for all melanoma patients who might benefit from his participation in the study. Hope for life itself and its unending drive for survival and renewal. Where there is hope, despair must, and will, fade - and there is hope. There can always be hope.