The Patient

 

The Patient
by Dave Wright

About a year ago, on the sixth of November, The Patient woke to news that we all fear: The “C” word, Cancer.

The Patient pleaded for answers to all the common questions. “How bad is it? Has it spread? Is it curable?”

“It’s bad,” came the reply, “but you’re healthy, and you have a strong immune system.”

That assurance gave her hope.

But in the past year, conventional therapy has not been working. The cancer has been eating away at nearly every part of her body. What used to be healthy and vibrant has become decayed and crippled.

At a recent checkup, The Patient heard more bad news. “Your immune system is not functioning properly. Normally there are checks and balances to keep your body working. They are in place to prevent you from dying, but they’ve been compromised.”

“What happened?”

“The protective laws and systems in your body are being ignored. In addition to your cancer, a virus has infected you and taken control of every cell. You are now immunosuppressed. Your body suspects that there is a problem, but it can do nothing about it. It ignores the problem.”

“Is it terminal?” asked The Patient.

There was an uncomfortable pause.

“Well, Democracy,” came the unsteady reply, “miracles have been known to happen. Pray. Seek the truth. Repeat it often. Protest peacefully. Be kind to one another. And vote.”

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