This is a pretty important part of this Blog. I would make this trip alone, if I could. It would be like one of my adventure trips. I would kiss everyone goodbye and come back later, letting everyone know what had gone on. It would be distant for them that way. But, that's not the way this works. Cancer is like a car wreck. Everyone who is with you also has the experience. You can't protect them. One of the things that cancer teaches you is that there is an important interdependence between people. I can't do this one alone. I'm still too prideful. I want to. But I can't. The people who love me are with me, anyway. The only thing I can do is accept it, try to include them, and learn to rely on them. Funny how things work.
Julia:
Julia is my wife. She really neither understands nor particularly likes this entire cancer thing. She knows it is dangerous. When we were married, she knew that I had it as a child. But she never expected it to come back. Nor did I for that matter. Nonetheless, she keeps a brave face and works through these things as best she can. She also takes care of things a little more when I am slowed as a result of Chemotherapy. (Chemo is such a great excuse for laziness.) Julia is the primary person on this journey with me and is definitely the person who worries the most. She is also the last person I usually see before the sedatives take over for surgeries and the first person I see when I wake up. She is pretty funny when she tries to prop me up on the way to the car after an out patient procedure. She's 5'4 (she would want me to say "and ¾"). I'm 6'1". Don't tell her I said that though. She might stop propping me up!
Matthew, Elizabeth & Sophia:
My kids. They inspire me to fight hard. I love you. I will be there at your weddings.
Mom:
Mom has been the person invested in me and my cancer the longest. She has always been there to support me. She was there when I was the weakest.
Dad:
My Dad has taught me a lot. Mostly to be strong and direct. So, I am. These are useful skills when you have cancer. Be determined.
Mark:
My brother, Mark, has always looked after me. He always helps me with my mechanical stuff, too. Nothing in my house would work without Mark!
Sheri:
My sister, Sheri is my movie buddy. She comes over to watch movies (or American Idol) with Julia and I. She has also recently taken me under wing to help me learn to sing in musicals. Ha Ha. That was a mistake! (I'm laughing with you, not at you. Really.)
Stephen:
Stephen and I really grew up together. Like in the same room! I'm not always an easy nut to crack for information. I know that. That's one of the funny things about this Blog, that I'm so open. Stephen keeps trying, though. He worries about me and my family. As a kid, he used to worry about me dying.and he would tell me so. I worry about him worrying.
Thank you also to my friend, Don Davis, who helped me design the artwork that you see with this Web Page. It wouldn't have happened without you, Don. Thanks.
Finally, thank you to my friend Alese Coco and her family for inspiring me to start this Blog. Many of the stories that you see published here, I wrote first to Alese. I wouldn't have done it without your influence. Alese, I miss writing to you and reading your emails. You were the best of us. You are my hero. www.AleseCoco.org.
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