| Photo by Cytoon Photography on Unsplash
Part XXIII of “Cancer/Medical Moonshot” Series
For the past 12 weeks (and counting), this columnist and his wife have been serving as caregivers to a descendant who is being treated at Duke University’s Cancer Institute. We have had “ring-side view” (to use a metaphor) of some cancer victims’ almost-daily bout to survive the world’s second-deadliest ailment. We have talked with some of them when we accompanied our patient for radiation treatment, laboratory tests, hospital stay, and soon on a coming surgery at the end of this month.
With the invasion of Iran launched by the United States and its protégée, and proxy, that is, Israel, the world of cancer victims became bleaker. But people, in general, whether they are cancer victims or not, feel that they have been cast deeper into a state of dilemma “between the devil and the deep blue sea”. Remember the idiom that means to be caught between two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or undesirable options, leaving no safe path forward? It signifies a serious dilemma similar to being “between a rock and a hard place”. Yes, as if people are in a difficult situation requiring a choice between two bad outcomes.
The phrase likely originated from 17th-century nautical terminology, though it has roots in older Greek and Latin proverbs. This journalist’s editorial assistant, Mister Google, says that on ancient wooden ships, the “devil” was the longest seam of the hull, often near the waterline, which required regular caulking. A sailor, while caulking this “devil” seam, often had to sit in a precarious position, effectively hanging between the “devil” (the ship’s dangerous edge) and the “deep sea”.
Thus, the phrase came into being in the early 1600s, often as “between the devil and the Dead Sea,” as noted in 17th-century writings.
“A “Covenant with the People” may also contain a stipulation. Yes, a formal commitment requiring the United States Congress not to fund any war that the POTUS starts on his own or through a proxy nation.”
Remember Part VII of this series? It said: Perhaps victims of cancer and other major diseases, their kin and friends may have to mount a ReVOTElution and marshal resources for a call to political arms. The term “reVOTElution” was coined by this writer in 2007. It was published on February 11, 2026, and titled, “Perhaps Cancer Groups May Stage a ReVOTElution?”
“ReVOTElution” is achieving evolutionary change for the better through the peaceful, orderly practice of suffrage.
It means that voters in the various Facebook Cancer (or other Medical) Support Groups, their kin and friends, and supporters may be able to force many candidates to sign a “Covenant with the People”. Candidates for the U.S. Congress, state governors, and other local elective positions may be pressured to sign said covenant. A formal, notarized pledge to join a bipartisan effort to enact funding for back-to-basics medical reforms
A “Covenant with the People” may also contain a stipulation. Yes, a formal commitment requiring the United States Congress not to fund any war that the POTUS starts on his own or through a proxy nation. Yes, because such war efforts will cut down on the federal budget for medical reforms, Medicare, and federal aid for all the states’ medical assistance to their poor citizens and their dependents.
Quo vadis, American cancer victims, especially survivors, and their kin, in-laws, and supporters?
