I am in remission right now, but I want to share a memory with you.
After a biopsy, PET scan, and two bone marrow biopsies, the computer threw up its hands and spit out four possibilities, ranging from bad to really bad, so my results were sent to Boston Gene for the human experts to diagnose.
My oncologist called me at 4:30 on a Thursday afternoon. He told me the results, and that he wanted me to come in and start chemo. I had just started a big construction project, so I asked him if it could wait a few weeks.
"How about this weekend?"
That REALLY rocked me back. That sounded so... so serious. I had been expecting the call, but not that level of urgency. I got off the phone and called my sweet mother-in- law. She was my first call. I was standing in the middle of the Buc-ee's parking lot, and I just started bawling. I was crying so hard that I couldn't see to walk back to my truck.
I called her because I already knew she was the one. She has multiple myeloma, another form of blood cancer, and has walked this road before me. She prayed with me right there, over the phone, and calmed my heart.
Next I went back to my truck, and called my wife. I had to wait to call her, see, because I was determined not to cry in front of her-- determined she wouldn't know how truly frightened I was until I could hold her and talk about it in person. And then I called my mom.
So here's my advice. Bad things happen to people. Cancer and car wrecks and sudden heart attacks are life-changing. Have a plan. Figure out in advance who you're going to call. Who will be your support team. Because you're going to need them. Make your plan up front. Take who you are going to call first off the list of decisions to be made.
Be ready. It's just better.
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