The 'C' Word

Everyone knows at least one person who has it and if they are lucky... it's only one. Recently I found out that "the boss" (technically I have 3 of them - a Sgt., a supervisor, and the one who fights for the grant that pays my salary, "the boss") has/had cancer. If you saw this man you would immediately be intimidated by him but then after a while you would come to realize what a bug teddy bear with a huge heart he is.

I will NEVER forget the first time I met him. It was first thing in the morning and not everyone had arrived at work quite yet. My office is closest to the front so if the receptionist isn't in we are assumed the duty of answering the loud knocks at the door. Not only is my office the closest to the front but my desk happens to be the closest as well. So as it happens every so often a loud knock was coming from the front and I got up to go answer it. I opened the door expecting FedEx, UPS, or even the cleaning staff. Nope. Behind the door was this tall, robust man carrying a suitcase, wearing a suit who practically ran my little ass out of the way as he just walked in as if he owned the place. I thought to myself, ok... he must have been here before and be here to see one of the other bosses and I just have never seen him before. So, I followed behind him as he walked into no other than MY office and just stood there looking aimlessly around. Ok, so now I was a little confused. We work in a high profile building and I borderline felt a little challenged here. So the brainwashed military in me decided I should challenge back. I politely but sternly asked, are you here to see Marty? (my supervisor) He probably won't be here for another 15 minutes. He responded with Ya, actually I'm the new HIDTA director. Oh! I replied. Hi, I'm Dallas, I'm an analyst here. OMG! Wow, I could feel my face start to turn into a tomato! Then I hear this snickering in the background. Freddy, our 30+ yr retired officer now analyst who knows just about everyone in the department, is laughing at me! And rightfully so, I made a total ass of myself in front of my new boss! And of course Freddy just threw me under the bus. What a butt!

So, as I said before, at first "the boss" is very intimidating so I thought I for sure set myself up for failure and made a bad impression. However, as days went by, I came to realize what an incredibly nice, caring, and sarcastic man "the boss" really was. I couldn't be more blessed to have this man go to bat for me yearly.
This past Thursday "the boss" apparently was having back pain and indecisively went to see the doctor. Next thing we know, he's being told he has cancer. It appears that they have removed it all and are going to do some further test and exams and so on and so forth. We are all staying positively optimistic!

This entire scenario has had me thinking. Not only because "the boss" is considered a friend to me and I want nothing but for him to be his happy healthy bass fishing self but it reminded me of my family history. My great grandmother had breast cancer, my great grandfather had lung cancer, my grandfather had colon cancer, and my mom has had countless skin cancer spots removed.

Everyone in that list has passed except my mother. I worry about her all the time. She hates doctors and medicine and will only agree to either of them if absolutely necessary. I spoke to her today and expressed my concerns. She reassured me that she has come to terms with what could happen and has pledged to have yearly exams and blood work so that we can have as much of a head start as possible if the C word ever comes banging down her door. My mom is my rock and my best friend and I need her here with me as long as possible.

So right now, this very moment, my prayers go out to all those who have cancer and to all those who do not have cancer. May you fight it and may you never get it. God Bless!