Celebration....

We arrived at the cancer center this morning and while gathering our things to go in there was a tap at the window. What a surprise to see Jordan who was on his way to his morning classes! His dorm is just across the street from the building we've gone to each Monday thru Friday for the past 7 weeks. It was good to see him and share with him the happy news -- that today was his Dad's last day of radiation. Everyone is so happy to hear that although no one is happier than Tim.

After seeing Jordan we make our way one last time into the Whitney-Hendrickson building and take the 3 mile hike that begins with the elevator taking us to the basement.

One last time we go down that long hallway and through the double metal doors that bring us past the vending machines that are still sporting "Chuckles" just for us. :) Turn left, then right, and continue straight ahead to the waiting room where each day Tim pulls out his flashy blue card that, once scanned, identifies him as having arrived. It is there we wait to be called down for his daily meeting with the radiation machine.

Once the call comes that they are ready for him we go back through the same hallway but not through double metal doors; veer to the left and then straight ahead to another waiting area. It is there that everyday I wait for my knight to be brought back to me, praying each time that he can get through another day of damage done to his armor. Today's prayer is different because it is the last day. Now I pray that he can begin to heal -- in body, mind and spirit. I pray that the radiation that has systematically destroyed him can now let his body rest and rebuild, minus the cancer. That is the prayer today.

So I wait one more time. Today he takes longer than usual. I've come to know that that usually means he's having trouble on the table. In the laying down position his air is cut off and that begins his coughing and choking. He has to wave to the technicians to stop so they release him from the mask where he can recover from the lack of air and the fear that induces.

When he finally appears he is carrying his trophy -- his mask that has been his companion through 35 radiation treatments. He tells me that he is not sure he wants to keep it. I can't blame him for not wanting to hang on to a symbol of something that has done so much damage to his armor.

So today is a day of celebration -- celebrating Tim's completion of radiation and celebrating the next step on the road, his healing and recovery. Now we can focus on buffing his armor once again to its familiar brilliant shine.