A Lesson in Resiliency

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the membership for the humbling opportunity to serve as your 2020 CSMFO President. It has truly been an honor. As I suspect is the case for many of you, CSMFO is at the very top of my list of highly valued professional memberships. It is a delightful privilege for me to be part of the leadership of this great organization, and I look forward to supporting 2021 CSMFO President Marcus Pimentel as I transition to my role as Past President in the new year.

As my term as CSMFO President winds down, and as I write my final President’s Message, I also wanted to take this opportunity to share a personal story of resiliency.

My mother, Lola, may she rest in peace, instilled in me, a love of life and a sense of steadfast optimism. She was very social and was always enthusiastic for any adventure, big or small. This is not to say that she wanted to travel the world or jump out of an airplane, but rather, live life to the fullest in her own way.

Whether it was a momentous occasion like the birth of a child or a wedding, or something as mundane as accompanying her son to get the oil changed in his car or on a quick trip to the grocery store, mom was always game. She especially enjoyed any opportunity to be surrounded by family, and while she slowed down in her later years, she always had a zest for life.

When she received a metastatic ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2000 after minor surgery to remove what was thought to be a benign cyst, we were told that Lola had a one-in-five chance of surviving five years. During a visit to her oncologist around the 10-year anniversary of mom’s diagnosis, I asked the doctor about the odds of her survival to the decade mark. “Dr. B,” as we affectionally came to know her oncologist, went on to say that 10-year survival rates were “statistically insignificant,” explaining that so few patients with mom’s prognosis made it to 10 years, survival statistics had not been studied.

Lola passed away in 2011, not only surviving, but thriving to the best of her ability and loving life for nearly 11 years post-diagnosis. We family members tend to believe that the combination of good medical care and treatment, a healthy dose of prayer, and a very positive outlook on life were a powerful combination that fueled the last decade plus of mom’s life. To be certain, there were some dark days, particularly during courses of chemotherapy, but Lola instilled in me and others around her, that life is good, and that the human spirit is remarkably resilient. Although mom’s lengthy cancer survival was technically statistically insignificant, her life was anything but, including those remarkable final years.

So, as we find ourselves in the midst of a devastating international public health crisis as well as perhaps most significant domestic political divide in my lifetime, I’m reminded of the life lessons my mom taught me. I’m reminded that resiliency is, perhaps, more important than ever.

Thank you again for the opportunity and privilege to serve this great organization. Take care, be well, and may your new year be filled with good health, peace, love and joy.