(2/2) “It’s hard to watch. Some days the chemo is so bad that...

(2/2)  “It’s hard to watch.  Some days the chemo is so bad that he can only eat soup.  And it can be hard to know what to do.  Or how to lift him up.  Every time we get to the lowest point, something new comes along.  But I was a widow when I met him.  I’d already developed a pretty healthy perspective on life and death.  Sure, I was a little taken aback when he told me.  It was our third date.  I needed to think about things for a bit.  I needed to decide how far down the road I wanted to go.  I knew that if I allowed myself to get involved with John, I’d never be able to walk away when things got really bad.  It took me a little while to figure out the best way to be there for him.  But it’s been thirteen years now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seriously let him down.  I think he still worries.  I think he still worries that it’s too much for me.  But I’m resilient.  I have a positive viewpoint.  I survived my husband’s death.  I survived my parents’ declines and their deaths.  And I’m going to be there as long as he needs me.  And I wish he’d understand that.  There’s absolutely no hesitation.  I’m not going anywhere.”  
(Amsterdam, The Netherlands)