Medical Director
Anthony Lazzara, M.D.,
SFO

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How often we encounter the paradox of the above statement. There are circumstances in which the most sophisticated and technologically advanced efforts are expended to preserve the life of a person and in other circumstances little or nothing is done, despite the direness and severity of the illness. We have three children in our home at the moment who have confronted such a paradox. Richard is a 10 year old who developed pain and swelling of his left knee one year ago. The swelling and pain intensified and he was eventually diagnosed as having bone cancer of the left lower leg The parents were given prescriptions to buy medications for chemotherapy but being unable to do so, bought him only pain relievers. The parents brought him to us a week ago with a football sized swelling of the left lower leg which provoked periods of intense pain. He was taken to a hospital specializing in cancer where it was determined that spread of the tumor to the lungs had occurred. Only palliative care, including amputation of the leg and chemotherapy, can be offered. A cure is not possible. Julio Cesar is a lovely 18 month old with dark limpid eyes who is very attentive and curious about his surroundings. At the age of three months his mother noticed a swelling of the right buttock. Various doctors told her it was due to immunizations, which had been given in the buttocks. The swelling continued to increase in size and the skin over the swelling broke down. Further medical consultations revealed the need for diagnostic techniques beyond the reach of the family. Nothing was done for over a year and when finally brought to us the tumor had completely replaced the buttock and had a large central ulcer. The tumor is benign but will require extensive surgery and rehabilitation as it has grown into the spine and spinal cord. Erica is a thin, graceful 18 year old, the "big sister" of the smaller children. She began to suffer from back and flank pain 8 years ago. Analysis of urine revealed signs of inflammation of the kidneys, which have left her with a kidney function one-third of normal. The inflammation is progressive and eventually will result in total kidney failure. Earlier treatment would have ameliorated the inflammation.

The paradox, then, is how a value can be placed on life, which is essentially what was done with these children and is done with millions of others daily. Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all interconnected due to our Divine Paternity? Does not the lack of well being or death of one individual affect the communal soul of the World? The answer to these questions is a resounding YES. The solution to these inequities may seem too idealistic, unreachable but none the les s they are compelling and must be addressed. No one should have to watch a child or loved on suffer because societal norms demand payment for goods and services and payment is not possible. The Richards of this world, and they are countless, can only find justice through our efforts. The interconnectedness we experience due to the universality of creation, the fact that we all proceed from the same Father, compels us to work and pray for a better, more humane world and to derogate the absurd notion that only one's financial worth or capabilities determine one's right to life and health.

God cannot stop injustice without finding people fearless enough to do it. God needs human ears to listen to the cries of people's pain.

Grace Adolpsen Brame

It is up to you to make God's love visible; a love which welcomes and reconciles, which forgives and renews the hearts of believers, drawing into a consoling embrace every man and woman. Pope John Paul II Change is possible only through us and God needs us to effect the change. What a frightening, humbling and almost inconceivable notion. We thank you for your support of our children. We love you and wish you God's peace.

Click here to see some photographs about these and other cases