Cancer and the Mission Update

Today I finished my first week of chemo. I hadn’t planned on posting much about my treatments because I didn’t want to distract from the important work going on at the School of Library and Information Science and the amazing progress we are making with the Knowledge School across the globe. Pardon the shameless self-promotion, but I do truly love my job and work with the most amazing set of faculty, staff, and students in the field.

However, I realize now, that we are all facing challenges as we pursue our missions in this life. It doesn’t detract from that work but enriches our understanding and appreciation of others. I struggle with balancing cancer and a job, but everyone is balancing something: illness, family obligations, financial issues, social pressures, discrimination…unfortunately a very long list.

In our LIS program we have full time teachers studying to be school librarians. Many of our doctoral students are becoming scholars while working in libraries. To hide one’s struggles simply ignores reality and ignores the honest concern and generosity of those who help us through.

So, I’ll let you know how things are going from time to time – no doubt focusing on the funny and absurd. I don’t see another book or anything so dramatic emerging from it. We caught a very treatable cancer early and I am very optimistic. There are plenty of more important things for folks to pay attention to and plenty of people more deserving of your generosity. But I want you to know I do treasure your support and kind words.

6 Replies to “Cancer and the Mission Update”

  1. Hey David…great to know about your completion of the first chemo and your feelings. You are right. Everyone has their issues. Please know that I am always looking forward to reading your posts because it tells me my friend and brother is doing good and it makes me feel good and feel so hopeful for you..and thinking about you gives me courage to go through my issues. All the best…and keep healthy…eat well and stay fit. Lots of blessings are on your way from Anjana

  2. Good to know you are through the first week, and that the cancer is being attacked already with strong medicines. You’re right about balance, and that everyone struggles to balance work and home stuff, as well as studying (in my case, a BA Hons in Library & Information Management), to further our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
    Keep on keeping on, David – you’ll beat this 🙂

  3. I know from experience, the diagnosis of Non Hodgkin’s or any cancer is shocking. My son had just turned one, and I was celebrating with friends and family, with Stage IV recovery hopes in the background. It is a milestone to get through the first chemo treatment. I went into remission two treatments earlier than expected, so I will pass on my recovery strength and support to you and wish you the best!

  4. Hi David
    I’ve held off responding to your news partly because I am a coward and didn’t know what to say.

    However I believe the love, respect and admiration you have engendered across the world can help you through this. Mountains of the stuff for a much loved and respected man from right across the world.

    Love and best wishes
    Liz McGettigan

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