This weekend I celebrated the wedding of my third daughter (we'll call her Sara). At the reception, I fulfilled my FOB (father of the bride) duties (I would call it an honor), and not only walked her down the aisle but also provided a little toast for the occasion. In that tribute, I saluted health and happiness and love and patience. (Homophone clarification: Not "patients" as in multiple visitors to a doctor, but patience with a "c." Which is slightly ironic because I am in fact a patient with the "C" - think about it).
Anyway, life of all sorts takes a lot of patience. Those of us among the initiated (legally recognized committed relationship or not) know that married life is no exception. Life with cancer is also an example of a relationship that requires a great deal of patience. And part of being able to BE patient, is that this perspective presumes that you are waiting "patiently" for a better outcome. Not waiting inactively for some unaided miracle to transpire, but rather proactively working toward the best possible prognosis.
We have discussed the fact that I didn't really ever imagine that my condition would preclude me from being a part of this glorious nuptial celebration. Others were less overtly optimistic, though all were secretly hopeful and focused on that goal. But as we counted down the days from engagement to matrimony, I patiently watched as my condition improved. Hemoglobin went up (slowly). Creatinine went down (slowly). And my distance from that initial day of reckoning increased (slowly).
My determination alone toward this outcome was not enough to cause its result. Science and time were critical to this eventuality. But believing it, and being surrounded by friends and family who shared that belief, helped ease the journey and pass the time. Therefore, it was only fitting that I then share this OCCASION with so many of those supports (old and new), who all helped bring me/us to this joyous event. A moment in life that heralded the beginning of a loving partnership. A medical moment seemingly so mundane that it was all about matrimony . . . as it should be, and not in any way about my milestone.
So as Sara and John said "I do" - I said "I did." We made it.
