|
Even brain cancer can't keep Cal down
Published December 20, 2005
There’s a blue marlin out there somewhere with Cal Norris’ name on it. She’s a big one too, close to 800 pounds. Norris knows this because he’s seen her.
The 54-year-old Mountainboro resident has been experiencing his own little slice of heaven for several weeks now, ever since he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in early November.
“The scene reminds me of God’s celestial shore,” Norris said. “There’s an emerald coast and it’s all so tranquil. But then, out of nowhere, this prism of color erupts out of the placidness and I know it’s her. She’s like a fulfillment of a childhood dream.”
Norris has always been an avid fisherman. Whether it was for giant lobsters off the coast of Okinawa while he was in the Air Force, or even tournament-quality bass in his own private pond. Even if the stress and physical demands fishing requires are too much for him, Cal’s blue marlin is never more than a daydream away.
“I’m too weak right now to be able to land a fish that size, but I know our paths are going to cross at some point,” Norris said. “Where and when, I’m not sure, but I know it’s going to happen.”
Norris and his wife Patricia don’t know much more than that at this point, however. Through aggressive radiation and chemotherapy treatments, the couple hopes Cal’s life expectancy will be extended more than the three months doctors say he’s likely to live without it.
“Some people might survive five years and one man even survived 10 years after he was diagnosed,” Patricia Norris said. “We really have no idea. It’s all in God’s hands at this point.”
And that’s OK with the couple everyone affectionately refers to as “CalPattie.” Their moods just don’t seem to comprehend the concept of being upset, depressed or sad.
“This too shall pass,” Cal, who is an ordained minister in Florida, said. “We’ve got a hard road ahead for awhile, but we know what’s at the end. I hope the good Lord gives us 50-60 more years.”
When asked what his favorite part of the day is, Cal struggled to choose between the morning and the evening. When he wakes up, Cal said he thanks God for another day and what’s ahead. And when he goes to sleep at night, he extends his gratitude for the experiences he’s been able to have.
“I’m just so blessed to be where I’m at, surrounded by all this love,” Norris said.
The couple has lived in Mountainboro for almost three years after living around the world while Cal was in service. They met in Birmingham, attended the same high school (Phillips High) and were married in March of 1971. And they still get caught up in each other’s eyes.
“It’s not about us though, it’s about God,” Cal said. “Our lives have changed so much in seven weeks. The ripple effect of God just being good is what’s awesome to me.”
The outpouring of love and support Cal has received makes him smile every time he hears from someone new. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t get a phone call from someone in his “Primetimers”Sunday school class at the New Life Christian Center. They constantly tell him how much he means to them. And any chance he gets to share how blessed he is, Cal takes it.
“Anything can happen to anybody at anytime,” he said. “But people need to know there are others out there who care no matter what it is you’re going through. I’ve always known that, and this is just another example.”
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
|
 |
|
Follow the Reporter on Twitter:
SMR News and
SMR Sports
|
