She told me that her mother, my aunt, is not expected to live more than nine months.

Colon cancer.

In an ideal world, the major side effects of cancer would be bravery, serenity, wisdom and dazzling hair for everyone involved.

It’s the same world in which parenthood causes excess energy and power breeds compassion.

We don’t live in that world.

When it comes to people with cancer, though, we see that fantasy world depicted all the time on the silver screen.

The brave patient serves as the emotional rock to family and friends, and it’s impossible to tell whether that celestial glow around the patient’s head is a halo or just a particularly brilliant case of scalp glare.

I can joke because I’ve had that glare gleaming off my own head. As I approach the third anniversary of my diagnosis _ three years of clear check-ups and cause for much celebration and optimism _ I can say with all honesty that cancer never brought me wisdom or bravery.

And serenity? You’ve got to be kidding. [an error occurred while processing this directive]