My cancer buddy and I about 2 years after treatment.
I had been at MD Anderson for a while, and I was preparing for radiation therapy. Before you can get fitted for your mask you have to have a mouthpiece made to protect your tongue
and other parts of your mouth. My father and I were sitting in the Dental Oncologists office waiting for my appointment, and the waiting room was packed. We were cracking up over some stupid inside joke when a man sat next to me. He chimed into our conversation
as though he had been in on the joke from the start. Before he left he gave me his card, and I turned to my dad and said, “I think I just made my first cancer buddy.”
We started radiation around the same time, and I had a very hard time with the treatment. I had sores in my mouth and throat. I could barely drink a protein shake let alone grab a meal or a drink with my new friend. So our friendship
consisted of phone calls, emails, and the occasional run in at the radiation center. Having a friendship with someone who is going through the same things you are is a special gift. To have a friend who has the same goofy outlook is even more rare, and fortunately
we keep in touch now that we are both well.
Occasionally he will call me up and tell me about his hiking, and cycling, and triathlons. And, I tell him about
how I walked to the mailbox or climbed the stairs to do laundry. (As you can tell we are both into fitness.)
I am so proud of my cancer buddy, Tom. I am so glad that he decided to talk to that skinny, silly,
bald girl that day.