in the air

Some strange synchronicities today, surrounding cancer, actually.

J's coworker passed away this morning at 8am. She had melanoma 6 years ago and beat it. Then about 4 months ago, cancer reappeared in her lungs and started to spread. He initiated a Lifestrong bracelet campaign at the school and they've been hearing good news, till last Thursday. It happens like that sometimes- quick turn arounds. There's a memorial of poems and letters from students and staff; he's writing a haiku. When giving news to the students, he offered them a processing time, instead of going straight into the lesson. We all need that.

Also, one of my uncles was diagnosed with a mass on his liver a couple weeks ago. He already has cirrhosis from drinking and this spot is out of reach of biopsy. They are waiting to see what will happen, which I think is total bullshit. How does waiting do a thing in this situation, except maybe saving the insurance company some money. Act. Act fast, swift and strong. If it something you want to beat. It's frustrating to be away from the situation and away from my dad as he sits waiting on news for his brother.

And yesterday my mom returned to MD Anderson for a checkup. It's routine and her last 6 or so visits show nothing. She likes the trip to Houston- a chance to see the big city and eat at some lovely places. MD is the best cancer center in the world and they are truly revolutionary. On top of incredible allopathic doctors, they offer acupuncture, journalling classes, yoga, drums, art courses, counseling... for patient and caretaker. And little details- like giving the patient a swipe card so she doesn't have to keep repeating what's wrong and why she's there, thinking about it over and over. They don't give patients deadlines on their lives. Lots of hope and possibility built into that place.

Even so, both my dad and I feel something different about this trip. Not to be negative. It could just be combined energies from other things. Mom was rushed to the ER a couple weeks ago for symptoms of a completely different nature- heart palpation, dizziness, tingling fingers. No one knows why.

I wonder if yesterday's shift is playing into it somehow as well- either as preparation or in reaction. Fingers crossed all around here.