A few more steps...

It's been a busy week.

Monday evening I met with my pastor for a couple of hours, opening an ongoing conversation on faith, finality and hope. We talked for hours and I began my rapproachment with the Methodist church. Like all things human, it is flawed - but it is also a source of hope and comfort.

And, while I am confident that God (however you imagine him) is ok with last minute conversions - I'm also fairly confident that there is a fair amount more sincerity (as opposed to desperation) in a more measured approach and acceptance of faith. I've never lost faith entirely, but I have wondered and have certainly been distant from organized faiths for a very long time.

It is time to change that.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in Olympia dealing with political amusements (I-594/591) and offering a few comments. I had the pleasure of riding with Minuteman and meeting a  number of new folks while I was down there. I'll comment elsewhere on Effective Activism 101 (aka, "How to Not Be A Numbskull & Get What You Want").

Thursday, as related in the last post, was the "great coming out in the office" regarding the cancer adventure. I am deeply grateful that I work with and for a number of quality individuals of great dignity (well, most of the time) and graciousness.

Friday was my initial consult with the Radiation Oncologist. I went in with the view that some hope was better than none, and that even a Hail Mary play was better than rolling over. To my surprise and delight the fine folks at UW suggested they felt they had a significantly better than even chance of beating this thing if I went along with the plan.

I intend to, rather enthusiastically. This will include more focus on hydration and giving up some culiinary choices near and dear to me but...cheap at the price.

That brings us pretty much up to date. I'm told that my treatment will be a candy-coated combination of "hurry up" and "wait" which, while trying, is a relatively small cross to bear. This morning I ran down for a Bylaws committee meeting in Puyallup (and got stood up - just because I'm trying to be a better person doesn't mean I can't be a tad cranky about such things).

What I'm learning at this point? Well, I'd suggest not casually putting off happiness (or at least alleviating misery) for some theoretical future "ideal time." I'll repeat that there is an awful lot of crud that can be gotten out of the way (insurance of various sorts, final p
lanning, etc) well before things get all critical - and that when things are all critical is usually the worst possible time to be dealing with those details. And that sometimes life blinds us to how many and how wonderful a group(s) of friends we have, and how much they love us - it shouldn't take something of this scale to realize such a thing, but often we're *busy*. 

Wake up and smell the roses - and hug a friend :)