Chemo Sabe

Most Baby Boomers and even some Gen X’rs remember The Lone Ranger as a popular television program that, for eight seasons featured a fictional, masked, Texas Ranger of the same name who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. These characters are considered enduring icons of American culture. Tonto always referred to his mentor as “Kemo Sabe”, a popularized slang term meaning “faithful friend.”

I recently heard of a woman receiving chemotherapy who named her new puppy "Chemo Sabe." In a flash, I had an idea. Not to get a new puppy, but more aptly to reference you and all those who have generously provided faithful and faith-filled friendship on this wicked journey of mine.

A variety of cancer pain along with multiple chemo side-effects, physical weakness, lethargy, and lasting effects from chemotherapy extravasation create daily issues that seem unresolvable. Even with strong medication, days without physical pain, adversity, or anxiety are few and far between.

Finding peace while mired in all this isn’t easy. However, I have found a potent antidote to the effects of chemotherapy from my Chemo Sabe’s. That’s right, I regularly find heartfelt joy knowing that you and others keep me in your prayers. Truly, your prayers for the hope and fortitude to make it through each day are palpable. They give me a solid sense of hope that is best defined as an unrelenting refusal to despair.

In each episode, as he faced his newest bad guy, the Lone Ranger would say to his stallion, “Hi-ho Silver, away!” With the onset of each difficulty I must face, I will think of the Lone Ranger’s grit and his “Hi-ho” saying while knowing that you, my Chemo Sabe’s, are with me in your thoughts and prayers.

Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint. - Isaiah 40:28-31