March 2, 2012 - A 12-Year Old Philosopher

Just a brief post today, to share something remarkable I just saw online.  National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” show featured a story about a 12-year-old cancer survivor, Grant Coursey.  After multiple surgeries for neuroblastoma, a tumor wrapped around his spinal cord that was impeding his breathing, he’s considered cancer-free.

Grant was very young when he was receiving his treatment, but the experience has evidently made a big impression on him.  I’ve written upstream about how cancer monkeys with the stages of human development, often giving survivors perspectives on life that are more commonly held by much older people.  This certainly seems true of young Grant, as this exchange with his mother, Jennifer, demonstrates:

"I always kind of hoped that you didn't really remember much," Jennifer says, "but the scary stuff really stuck with you."

"Yeah. You know, I've got big scars all over my back from getting cut open," Grant says. "Whenever that kind of starts to twinge a little bit, like if I touch it wrong or something like that, it just kind of reminds me I'm lucky."

"Yeah," Jennifer says.

"You know, life is really good," Grant says. "And there's this saying that says if you've been close to death, you understand life more. And sometimes I think of that, and I think, you know, if this had never happened to me, I never would have understood how much life means, kinda. You know? What if I had died? I'd never have this amazing life."

"That's right," his mother says.

"That's crazy to think about," Grant says.

"It is crazy to think about," Jennifer says. "Well, Grant, I'm sure glad you got well."

"Yeah."

"I sure love you. And I hope you're picking up that I'm so proud of you," Jennifer says. "I'm so proud of you."

"I pick that up a lot, honestly," Grant says.

"Good."

Cancer’s a stern teacher, but an effective one.  Blessings to Grant, and to so many other kids like him who have had this tough but life-changing experience!