The familiar droning sound of measured chemo drugs dripping from the IV tower into Dylan’s chest port has returned us to this place: the 12th floor of Swedish Hospital in Seattle. A few things have changed since our departure, the Oncology floor is filled with patients which saddens me because when we left half the rooms were empty. Cancer has been busy while we were away. In each room there is a story of discovery, shock, and pain. We have a new room, a smaller room which Dylan has already decided isn’t big enough for the two of us, he said last night as he got up for one of his multiple trips to the bathroom, “We need to ask for a new room,” as if the Maitre d has given us the table next to the kitchen door. While the room is much smaller, it has a better view of the Cascade Mountains, so for me it is an equitable change.
The second round of chemo has started. Overnight, Dylan got filled to the brim with the drug he had the worst reaction to in the first round, so far he has not had a fever or needed pain meds, I’m sure that won’t last long, but for now, he is sleeping comfortably. This round he is getting eye drops every six hours, which he hates but there are a few new drugs in round two and one of them can damage the cornea of the eye so they are proactively providing his eyes with steroids to prevent permanent loss of eyesight.
The days we were home rushed by. For me there was a flurry of social activity, which was exactly what my doctor (who I see once every ten years) prescribed. Dylan spent his time between his three home activities, sleeping, eating, and playing video games. He was able to gain four or five pounds. It almost felt normal.
As we got closer to returning we talked about what round two would be like. He was a little anxious, not from fear, but facing the fact that for two weeks his life is going to suck hard. On the night before we left, he had difficulty sleeping and was pretty tired but both of us knew that once we arrived at the hospital there would be plenty of time to catch up on naps. Knowing what we are facing from the treatment aspect is reassuring, but knowing what is ahead fills the empty times with dread of what is around the next turn.
On one of the evenings I was home, I was outside getting something from the garage and I looked up. The dark blue skies were clear, the crescent moon lit the ground well enough to see, and a few stars blinked somewhere out there in the cold. I took a moment and spent time feeling my place in all this vast darkness. Here I was, one of seven billion people on a planet floating improbably amidst all this emptiness, while at the same time, surrounded by loving friends and family. This thing, this cancer thing, is a universe in itself, frightening, dark, and vast, but at the same time, this thing has brought more comfort and support than I believed was out there.
Categories: The Longest Journey
South of the Strait 
The idea of putting poison in the body to fight poison. As you suggested earlier, maybe someday we’ll look back on this as being on par with applying leeches. For now, though, good luck.
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Thanks, Ross.
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Round two already? I thought you would have a few more days at home. Thinking of all of you.
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Yep, so far so good.
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I can well imagine that he would have liked more time at home before starting round 2. But starting it now puts him closer to beating this thing.
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Exactly.
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I like seeing that Dylan has headphones on while he tries to rest. Maybe the music he’s listening to helps him escape a little.
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We are getting smarter. This time we brought along my old noise canceling headphones for when he wants to zone out and get away from my crazy beard.
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Not sure why adversity is the catalyst for people to finally share that they care??? I don’t know if I am unusual when I say that I often think of all kinds of people that have crossed my path at one point in my life that I still think and care about. Yet, I don’t take the time to make a connection. For instance, I had a coach in Snohomish (Coach Brandvold) when I played football on a 5th or 6th grade team that I often think about. I wonder if he knows that I admired him so much and thought he was my Vince Lombardi? I guess that we all get so wrapped up in our “private” lives that we either forget or don’t make it a priority to reach out with a simple phone call, letter, text, email, or tweet (although I both have never or do not know how to tweet) to friends and family. Here’s to round 2 South of the Strait!!!
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Life seems to get in the way of lots of stuff. I had a junior high teacher who really made a difference in my life and when he died I felt really bad about not letting him know how important he had been to me.
Just one more example of me being a horrible human.
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A horrible beard, yes, but the human thing may be a little drastic!!! Ha, ha. I’ve always said having the right perspective and a CONSCIENCE are two necessary ingredients for being a quality person. So for you, CHECK and CHECK 🙂
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Thanks, Aaron. I’ll take any passing grades I can get.
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I like the image of you in the dark with the stars and the moon and the sheer wonder, the WTF or where the F am I in this universe. Glad the room has a view of the mountains, and wishing you well Jon.
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Thanks, it was one of those moments when I couldn’t ignore the overwhelming possibility that I am insignificant…contrary to all evidence.
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