Its tough to help the capable and it is extremely hard to assist those that excel at everything. Anna is one of those people and she is the one I want to help most.
Showing off our kiddos to the best nurses around.
I have just gotten back to Seattle after a three week delivery of the boat I work on from Oahu, Hawaii to Seattle. During that period Anna had a round of chemo without me. While I would like to think that I am a huge part of the process, that would be seriously over stating my value. Anna’s mom Colleen moved down to Seattle for the winter to help our family make it through the treatment for Anna. She was there for the last treatment with Anna to take my place. Anna told me she kept asking “What does Chance do?” or “Just let me do whatever Chance does”. Anna would laugh and tell her she was. Truth is, Anna should have told her to make some bad jokes, look at her phone, sit in the nearest comfy chair, etc. Anna does all the work, I just go to do what I can, typically very little
Like I said, helping the competent is tough.
Anna is doing really well. We are 11 out of 12 treatments in and looking at the end soon. Each treatment session has gone well, and Anna’s blood counts have been stable and response to the chemo good. While we have not had any more definitive tests since the last x-ray, we are confident in the treatment’s success. As is Dr. Kaplan, our oncologist. He refers to Anna as his “best looking patient” and according to some of his nurses, he speaks of her often. We feel very lucky to have him leading the team and on our side.
Shi and Momma keeping up with the times.
As we approach the final treatment, a lot of emotion is coming to the surface. I have really grown fond of our “date days” when Anna and I spend all day together. It is easy for me to relish as I get to hang with her and she is doing all the work. I will miss some of the rituals we have formed around the chemo days. From the funny parking attendant who repeats the EXACT same sentences each time, to the funny nurses in the blood lab. Our exploration of the food to be found near the hospital, the fun and nervous banter between us on the way in and the tired comfortable silence on the way home. I have gotten used to and come to appreciate these days, but alas, I am so, so, so very happy that we are coming to the end. Anna will be done and we will be out of the fog that cancer can bring to a family.
The fearsome foursome.
Moving onward and upward.