The Aerie

This is Getting Stupid

Now Moldy's brain cancer is back.

Really, this is getting stupid. I'm an atheist, but if I die and it
turns out that I was wrong, I'm going to have some harsh words for
whoever is supposedly in charge.

Yesterday I was in good spirits, despite the gloomy weather. We have
several clients, we have proposals and prospects out there, we have a
couple of dollars in the bank, and I can actually afford to get some
presents for the kids. I had just finished a tour of my clients,
arriving at my favorite client site where there are always leftovers
in the kitchen.

Yes, I thought to myself (completely forgetting Alberti's Corollary to
Murphy's Law, "Things only get better so that they can get that much
worse later on,"), this is finally getting fun again.

I was in the lunchroom, staring at a large slab of sheet cake with
chocolate whipped-cream frosting, trying to give myself permission to
take a piece, when my phone rang.

It was Moldy, and he sounded upset. My stomach started sliding towards
my ankles. The latest tests were back: the brain cancer had recurred.
That was grim, but not hopeless: the treatment regimen seemed rather
effective so far, with four out of four nodes killed by chemo and
radiation. Then he continued.

The cancer had spread to his liver.

He was upset. I was upset. Everything was upset. I was so upset I
wanted to throw up.

We exchanged a few words that were braver than we were and got off the
phone.

I wanted to smash something. This is rarely advisable at a client
site, even if your friend of 27 years has just given you very grim
news. I sat and tried to get my breath, and when I had composed myself
I got up to leave, catching site of the sheet cake as I did so.

A few minutes later Karen raised her eyebrows as I passed her. "Two
pieces of cake?" she asked.

I looked at her and said quietly, "My oldest friend and my father are
both dying of brain cancer at the same time. I'm going to eat all the
cake I want." That was rude, I know.

Despite my rudeness she was very sympathetic. After a sad exchange I
excused myself to go to my desk. She was kind, and made no comment
about the tears.

[1]Last

Posted by Albatross at December 19, 2002 12:00 AM