Dear Editor,
I CLEARLY remembered when our President was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the latter part of 2018. I, like most persons who heard the news, was shocked. I do believe that regardless of the political divide you may be [on], receiving the news that a political leader has cancer fills the body, mind and soul with trepidation.

I could have just imagined what those non-medical persons/supporters were going through. It was for this reason I tried to explain Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma without the sophisticated superfluous medical jargons. I watched the President go for his chemotherapy and return with the First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, a pillar of support, at his side. If we ever had any doubt of the mental strength of women, Mrs. Granger demonstrated what it means by the term, “through thick and thin.” I know she must have been worried but she knew that the Guyanese people were also worried, so she took on the role of mother of us all who were emotionally hurting, drying our tears while concealing hers. Maternal, stoic but yet gentle.

As I continue to watch, I could see our President developing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. But you know what Mr. Editor, despite losing his hair, our President maintained his sense of humour. He made light of his hair loss and was even prepared to demonstrate a few Shabba Ranks dance moves. Some may say that what he did was inconsequential. I would argue it was not. Our President making humour of his hair loss and dancing for us was the kind of psychological therapy we all needed to remind us that there is no need to worry, fighting battles is what he is trained for; everything is going to be all right.
Then today I read the news. I could not believe it. Our president is in remission. Remission from Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. I could just imagine the joy of our First Lady. They have been married for 49 years. They have known each other for more than 50 years. They are the epitome of two become one in marriage. Stability and longevity–the First Couple. As I reflect on this journey, like most Guyanese would, the song by Celine Dion comes to mind; “Love me back to life.”

Mr. Editor, I do believe that it is fitting that I share some of the lyrics of the song as I reflect on what Mrs. Granger did;
Need a jump start
Catatonia
I couldn’t feel, I wish that I could disappear
The voices inside are so real
But you stood by my side
Night after night, night after night
You loved me back to life, life
From the coma the wait is over
You loved me back to life, life
From the coma, we’re lovers again tonight
Back to life, back to life,
Back to life, back to life.
Thank you Mrs.Granger. You love a country back to life.
Regard
Dr. Mark Devonish