Hi. I sit in a hospital room at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. My bone marrow cancer returned. It chose now for another round. My counts stay low. Yet they trend up in a way that worries me. What cancer defies a cure but yields to steady management? We fight to keep counts down. That buys time with family and friends. Do you see the quiet courage there?

Hi. I sit in a hospital room at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. My bone marrow cancer returned. It chose now for another round. My counts stay low. Yet they trend up in a way that worries me. What cancer defies a cure but yields to steady management? We fight to keep counts down. That buys time with family and friends. Do you see the quiet courage there?

I may have told you about this new therapy. If so, forgive the repeat. Chemo left me with brain fog. I forget small things. This treatment taps the immune system. No harsh chemo. They inject a globulin. It links one end to your T cells. Those guard the body. The other end grabs cancer cells. Attachment done. T cells activate. Cancer stops growing. The cell dies. Patients enter remission. Remarkable. I embrace this step. Courage shows in such trust.

Dan stays with us nearly four weeks. What a gift. He moves easy. He thinks of others. He cares deep. His ways touch me. Tears come. I raised two fine men. Proud swells my heart. Dan gives time freely. He sees Joyce and me age. He grabs every moment. Bradley matches that kindness. Three kids pull him. Two teens test limits. His role at the Chandra space telescope demands focus. Visits come less often. I get it. Gratitude fills me for what he gives.

Cancer teaches. Even a second round builds strength. Fear fades. Lessons grow. Neighbors face their own chronic ills. They read my words. Now they form a group. Men who speak truth. No hiding. Men resist this. We push to seem strong. To know all. To fix everything. Yet a few open up. They share pain. They voice struggles. Refreshing sight. Courage lives here. Plain talk heals. I look forward to our meetings. What paths will open?

Seven more days of watch. Does my body accept this? Many reach remission. This disease plays tricks. Short breaks or long ones. I aim for longer this time. Thank you. Live full. Our friendship lets me share dark with light. I cherish you. 💖