February 18, 2022 Road trip to the island.

Road Trip.

We took the Coquihalla Highway and went to Vancouver Island for the family day weekend. As usual, it was a struggle to leave when we wanted. I don’t know how some people manage to leave early when going on a road trip. I was happy to be on the road an hour late. 

Especially when we were trying to get a teenager moving. Perhaps I should have told my daughter we were going to the mall. Then maybe she would have gotten out of bed early.

More first-world problems. 

Our problems are nothing compared to our friend Cat who lives in Vancouver and the problems faced by my mom in Victoria. 

They both have cancer.

And the prognosis isn’t good.

Cat has six months to a year and mom has three months. Talk about facing mortality. It is another reminder of how precious our time on earth can be. 

Fucking cancer.

So while a road trip can be a fun experience to escape our home town, this trip has a certain amount of sadness that hovered over it. It’s a farewell tour of sorts. I hoped to see them again. But this could well be the time we say goodbye. A goodbye far too soon. 

Cherish every moment you have with those who you love. I felt so much pride watching my daughter and her Nana. With that pride comes a profound sorrow. She is saying goodbye at an age she should be planning to see her Nana for years to come. 

Neither of these lovely ladies will live to see seventy. While all the chaos of the world swirls around us, these women are strong and resilient in the face of death. They have no choice.

I’m not sure how I would face my imminent demise. Part of me feels like I would want to go out on my own terms. If I was given a death sentence like cancer, would I want to do something spectacular and go out with a bang? Maybe step out of an airplane without a parachute… 

I think it takes more strength to accept fate and face it head-on.

Cancer is such an evil foe. It can take a vibrant soul and wear it down. Only a short year ago both these ladies were planning on a long life yet to come. On our last trip when we saw them the highway washed away and we had to take a long way home through the USA. It was a long journey but we survived. If only they could survive the long journey they face.

Four months later we are back. I wish we could do with cancer what they have done with the Coquihalla. It has been rebuilt and will get stronger. I wish they could get stronger. 

But wishes don’t always come true. So we cherish every second with my mom and know she will always be with us, even after her battle is over.