I always wanted to get this blog going, but never would I wish for the big “C” to be the catalyst to make me write.  I considered writing on Steph’s Live the Voyage Facebook page but I just can’t do her writing justice.  So here I am.   Nearly two years after my last blog post, I am sitting down to write. 

I had the scariest day of my life on September 10.  We have spent the last two years cruising on a sailboat.  We have covered 10,000 NM of ocean sailing.  We’ve seen rough weather to the point of questioning our decisions.  We’ve seen unidentified targets near us at night wondering what if it were a pirate.  We’ve had constant struggles living with 4 kids and 2 dogs on a small sailboat, but nothing compares to today.  Today, the scariest moment of my life happened while sitting in an adirondack chair in a parking lot.  No, I didn’t almost get hit by a car.  The scariest moment happened when the phone rang.

The parking lot was at the ER of our local hospital, and due to COVID I was waiting outside while my wife was inside.  I tried to enter when we arrived but there were no exceptions.  Then the phone rang; and all of sudden there were exceptions.  “How quickly can you get here? We have some news.”  My heart sank.  I felt every breadth and heartbeat during the 15 minutes it took to get back to the ER.  The walk with the Doctor back to Steph’s room was torturous.  Small talk.  Really.  Just get it out Doc!

From there it was all a blur.  I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  It had returned.  Not to Steph, not to the strongest woman I have ever known.  Not to my wife. 

It’s been almost 3 weeks, and I’m just now able to sit down and write.  She has already undergone 4 rounds of targeted radiation to the brain tumor and her final dose is today.  We have met with the oncologist at Mass General and are meeting with the local oncologist this week to develop a treatment plan for the lungs. 

I cannot believe the outpouring of love and support we have received.  People have opened their homes and their hearts to us as we transition back to life on land.  In 18 days, we have dealt with some tough news and managed to get our game faces on, bought a car, moved off a boat, and are in the process of selling the boat.  To say it’s been a blur is probably accurate.  For now, we are okay.  We will continue to Live our Voyage, not on the ocean for now, but still adjusting our sails with the wind.