Currently hanging with Jared in his treatment room while he receives his third round of chemotherapy.  I guess I should back up and give you the latest on him.  After his trip to Houston last week to visit with the surgeon and oncologists it was determined that he would go through another two rounds of chemo (6 weeks) and then back to Houston for surgery to remove the tumor and repair his left lung.  After surgery he will stay in Houston for 7 weeks of proton radiation.  The tumor has reduced in size a bit and the surgeon said that if it weren’t for the lung he probably wouldn’t operate but since he has two things to do he will get it done.  He also thinks it will be a minimally invasive procedure so hopefully the recovery time will be minimal.

So, back to sitting in the room with Jared while he is hooked to the IV machine…while I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone I am glad it is Jared that I get to help support.  His attitude is amazing and his sense of humor has not wavered during the entire process.  The nurses here are incredibly friendly and fortunately the one Jared has today has a sense of humor that is capable of dealing with the two of us together at the same time.

Unfortunately, for me, this brings back many memories and for some reason it brings some melancholy to me.  It must be a natural subconscious reaction as I started to feel irritable last night and I didn’t realize why.  So now it is my theory that it was the trip to see his doctor that I accompanied him on yesterday mixed with the thought of coming up here with him today.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining and I am happy to be able to assist my friend anyway I can, just an observation of how the human mind reacts to certain situations especially when experienced before.

Good thing about hanging out with Jared is sitting around listening to his play list…including Convoy and watching the nurses reaction when she walks into the room with the song blaring and two of us singing away.

Below is a picture of Jared (Middle in blue), our best buddy Adam, and myself from yesterday’s appointment.  Jared is now bald from chemo, Adam is bald from nature, and I am bald from choice.  🙂