There was a moment, last weekend, when the country endured a swift succession of tragic news which then led to a moment of collective angst.
First there was the news of the death of Jerome Frendo, a radiant 20-year-old whose resilience in the face of cancer had become famous over the social media. His optimism, and his courage, was infectious.
Then on Saturday came the news of the death, again through cancer, of Susan Mulvaney, a veteran of broadcasting in Malta.
At about the same time, there was the untimely death of a midwife, Doreen Cassar, mother of three children, who continued working even after being diagnosed with cancer.
Around a day later, news came of the premature death of a NET TV employee, John Scerri, also from cancer.
Malta being a small community, there were people who in one way or another knew all four. So these four deaths in a very small period of time caused a tidal wave of shock and consternation with a ripple effect across the entire community, even touching those who did not personally know these four.
Now it is not as if the Black Death has returned. I do not know the stats and anyway these must be looked at in detail and in perspective. The fact remains that cancer is and remains a deadly disease. Research has brought about incredible progress in its diagnosis and treatment but for those in its grip and their families it is still as if the angel of death has visited.
To widen this a bit, never, I believe, has our country had recourse to the hospital (and to a lesser degree to the health centres) as it has now. No wonder parking at Mater Dei is insufficient and people have to park far away and walk the distance. The corridors and the Out-Patient Department (as well as the Day Care unit) pullulate with people and now that operations go on round the clock and also on weekends, the hospital is awake at all hours (very different from the old St Luke's which had nights as nights should be).
Some people who are diagnosed with cancer are healed. But for those who are not, it is a slow, sometimes painful decline.
It is not that people are not aware, or properly sensitized or do not take adequate care. Every person, surrounded by his or her family, does the utmost with doctors, second opinions, private and public healthcare, the lot. Some survive, some do not.
There is much advice regarding what a proper diet is and what is not, what are proper healthy lifestyles and what are not, and still people get sick through no fault of their own. It's every man (and woman) on his (her) own and statistics do not matter when it's your health that's on the line.
There are people who present themselves as 'cancer survivors' but I do not know if that is true. Others claim a miracle has happened, and, again, I do not know if there is any basis in this.
Last weekend happened to be the fourth anniversary of the death of that icon Nirvana Azzopardi who embodies the brave struggle against cancer that had a whole nation in admiration of a strong and indomitable spirit.
On that occasion, her last letter was re-presented. It makes wonderful reading today.
This is Nirvana's last message and advice:
"Having cancer doesn't come with many perks. However, there are a few. One is the chance to tell people you care about that you love them and are grateful for their presence in your life. Another is the huge learning curve you go through. Being faced with your own mortality gives you perspective, lots of it. It aligns life and sets about creating order in the 'what matters and what doesn't ' department. Yet another perk is that people really listen to you because every word you utter could be your last one, I guess! So I have taken these three advantages and used them to write this letter to all the people who care enough about me to be here today. A letter to thank you and give you some advice. And because these ARE actually my last words, I really hope that you will listen!
"The first piece of advice I give you is not to wait till you are sick to tell people you love that you love them. Even better than telling them, show them. Spend time with them. Write them little notes, buy them little thoughtful presents, surprise them, shower them with hugs and kisses and try and be there for them, no matter what it is they need.
"Forgive. If there are people who have wronged you, and there always are, even if they have not shown remorse, forgive them anyway. Someone once told me that holding on to anger is like holding on to a hot piece of coal, waiting to throw it at someone. In the meantime, it is you who is getting burnt. Let go. Forgive.
"Put work in perspective. Yes, we all need to work to earn a living, but not all of us need to work so hard. Work to live; don't live to work. It's not worth it. And it's when you get sick that you realize how insignificant that 'important' report was. How further from 'life or death' that deal actually was.
"Stop smoking. There is NOTHING good that we get from smoking. Only disease, bad breath, yellow fingers and a suppressed immune system. Quit. Today. When you leave this church. No excuses.
"Love yourself. Love yourself sick. Feed your body good stuff. Take exercise. Find time to do the things you enjoy. Every day. Try to dedicate 20 minutes a day to yourself doing what you enjoy. Make yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up and read a magazine. Have a relaxing bath. Do some gardening. Go for a walk. Spend time with your pets. 20 minutes a day. It's not a lot, really.
"Do not stress. Yes you can do it. Stress is how we choose to react to the problems in our lives. I went through a period of extended stress before I got sick. I am sure, beyond any doubt, that this stress was a major contributor to my illness. It's just not worth it. No matter who does what to you or your family, don't let it stress you. It will just make matters worse.
"Trust your instinct. You know better. If you ever sense that something is wrong, make your doctors rule out your fears with tests, not opinions. Had I done that I would probably not be writing this letter and you would not be here bidding me farewell.
"Connect with God. Now. Not when you need a miracle. Have faith. Believe in Him. Believe that even though you might not understand it, the universe is unfolding the way it should. He's got it under control.
"Count your blessings. Daily. I found so much more to be grateful for after I got struck with a terminal illness, it's quite sad really. I always tell my children, life is not about what you have, but how much you appreciate it.
"For you parents out there. There is nothing you will do in this life that is more important than bringing up your kids. They are the future; your legacy. Put that phone down. That message can be sent after they go to sleep. Close your laptop. Playing with your child is more important than seeing what rubbish everyone is posting on Facebook today. Enjoy them to the full, give them time, take in their beauty, learn from them, make beautiful memories with them. That is what will matter in the end. Tell them they are wonderful and special and show them that they are loved and valued."
Those are quite a few pearls of wisdom from someone who learnt a lot about life while facing death.
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