Wow, talk about curveballs. That's a terrifying prospect, and I wish Simone the best for her surgery. I'm glad to hear it's not malignant, and I hope that holds.<p>I've seen cancer show up unexpectedly among two friends. One discovered she had leukemia, and underwent chemo and a bone marrow transplant. She died from a lung infection because of her weakened immune system after the transplant, not even a year after the initial diagnosis. She had just turned 27.<p>Another friend discovered they had an extremely rare form of mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused lung cancer, except theirs isn't due to asbestos and isn't in the lung. There are less than 300 documented cases, rare enough that there are no experts, and they're a case study. They're currently living with the uncertainty in their mid-30s.<p>Both friends were in great physical health (the former made the regional swim team, the latter climbs the highest peaks in North America for fun) until the diagnostic.<p>Seeing this has reinforced my nihilism (there is no meaning to life but the one you apply to it), and gave me greater understanding that our multicellular bodies are a peace treaty among cells that is likely to break down at any moment.