My Dad
As of last week’s blood test, my father has no cancer cells left in his body.
There are some precancerous areas still hanging around which will be targeted next. But actual toxic, deadly cancer cells have been obliterated. To those stubborn precancerous cells, I say: WATCH OUT. You are no match for a 6′2 Polish dude with calves the size of tree trunks. NO MATCH AT ALL.
My dad called me at work to tell me this news and to also tell me he was FLYIN’ ON CLOUD NINE, HOW GREAT IS DAT INFORMATION?
So great, dad. That is GREAT information.
He also wanted me to know he’s been adding to his daily “concoction”, a term he uses for the drink he whips up twice a day, the color of green sludge. It’s full of some kind of protein powder and green things…algae? Pond scum? No one in our family is quite certain. It drives my mother nuts because it usually sticks to the rims of cups even after they’ve been through the dishwasher. THE CONCOCTION, she will say, IS EVERYWHERE.
He did want me to know that he now adds spirulina, acai and pomegranate extract to the concoction. And something called gogi.
AM I PRONOUNCIN’ DAT RIGHT? GO-GEE? IT SOUNDS REAL GOOD FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, RIGHT?
It sure does, dad.
He is also very into his brand new pedometer which he keeps in his pocket at all times and brandishes with a flourish whenever he meets someone who hasn’t seen it yet.
JK, he says. CHECK OUT MY NEW PEDOMETER. ORDERED IT ON AMAZON.COM. TODAY I TOOK 8,402 STEPS SO FAR. IS THAT CRAZY?
He takes care to hit the required 10,000 steps a day, something relatively easy for my father to do as he is a man who loves to walk.
STROLL, says my mother. HE WALKS SO SLOW YOU CAN’T EVEN CALL IT WALKING. IT’S MORE LIKE AMBLING.
True.
But in his defense, STEPS ARE STEPS.
He will also tell you about all the exciting days he walked well over the 10,000 step requirement.
LAST WEEK, YOUR MOTHER THAWT SHE LAWST HER WEDDING RING ON OUR WALK. DON’T ASK ME HOW THAT’S POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW YOUR MOTHER, ALWAYS LOSING EVERYTHING. ANYWAY, SHE MADE ME RETRACE HER STEPS AND I THINK I WALKED NINE MILES TOTAL THAT DAY BUT I WASN’T SURE BECAUSE I FORGOT THE PEDOMETER. BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE? I BET IT WAS CLOSE TO 25,000 STEPS. IS THAT THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVA HEARD?
It is. Did you find her ring?
YEAH.
Was it lost on your walk?
NO. SHE PUT IT IN THE CUP HOLDER OF THE CAR.
Oh. So you walked nine miles looking for it for nothing?
PRETTY MUCH! BUT I LIKE WALKIN’ SO I DON’T MIND.
Last week, while walking me back to my office after lunch, he wanted me to know something very wise he has discovered in his old age.
YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKIN’?
What?
YOU KNOW THE GOOD THING ABOUT BEIN’ OLD?
No. What?
YOU DON’T GOTTA WORRY ABOUT DYING YOUNG.
Wow. Excellent point.
And it is.
I didn’t tell him that the thing I worry about is him dying, ever. That sometimes I wonder what life would be like without his concoctions and pedometers and magic tricks. Without his huge Polish calves and his Brooklyn accent and his reciting of at least twenty digits of Pi. The truth is, I never gave much thought to a life without him until his cancer diagnosis. And now that the cancer is gone, I’m going to go back to never letting the “what ifs” cross my mind.
The truth is, everyone who knows him is a little obsessed with my dad.
The man who finds good in everyone and everything. The man who marvels over Thai coconut soup and hidden New York City waterfalls. Who declares that Starbucks iced white chocolate mochas are REALLY REFRESHING AND DELICIOUS. Who calls to ask how my “interviews” for commercials are going. Who, when I sound defeated, yells into the phone DON’T YOU GIVE UP ON ME, LAURA. YOU ARE NOT GIVIN’ UP ON ME, ARE YOU?!
No, dad.
I would never give up on you.
Not in ten thousand, ten million, ten trillion digits of Pi years.
Wow, Laura, your posts have been so lovely, lately. This one is really special. I remember the day my mother could announce that her cancer was gone. She was diagnosed when I was twelve. She’s still here. Your dad sounds like a really wonderful man. Speaking of hidden New York City waterfalls… that’s where some of the turtles are. Don’t throw anything at me!
Thanks Tim! What kind of cancer did your mom have? WOW! You were so young! How awful. I’m so glad she’s still alive and healthy! My dad is brilliant. YOU AND THE TURTLES. @#$^!@#!!!
She had breast cancer. She had a dream where she was levitated from her bed, bathed in a brilliant, white light and wrapped from head to toe in white linens. Then a voice from the light said, “Not one cancer cell remains.” Then she woke up and went through the whole chemo process anyway, because, hey, maybe it was just a dream. Either way, she’s been cancer free ever since.
I love turtles, Laura. And herons. I also love North American river otters, but, alas, they do not appear to be in Central Park. I’ve been looking. Dogs, ducks and dolphins are so overrated.
God…I love your dad SO MUCH, and this is fantastic news.
Way to go, Big Paul! Very happy for you all.
X,O
Congrats to your dad! That’s such wonderful news for your family.
And I’m with Tim. I love the turtles. Sea otters are awesome, too. I just saw some at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. Tim, hop on a train and you can see them, too.
Oops! I mean NA river otters. NOT sea otters.
Sweet, it’d be easy to take the train to Norwalk. I used to live in Groton and visit the Mystic aquarium. North American river otters rule.
Thanks for the news, Laura. Not sure about your aversion to turtles. Your reflection reminded me of the joy of Martha and Mary as Lazarus came from the tomb. One writer reminded me that all the people that Jesus raised from the dead ultimately died again, but isn’t the interim period the greatest?! That the spectre of cancer is faded into the background, we can celebrate the life that is with us. I’m one of those who love your Dad. So I join you, thumbing my nose at death, conscious of the hope that we’ll be doing that again on that New Day to come!
So loved this. As a daughter whose Dad is still her hero this confirms there are still a few left. I think it’s a case of Falling in Love (with your Dad) rather than obsession. He’s one of those Lights of the World whose star will always shine. Once our hearts are touched by Uncle Paul, that warmth intensifies into a blazing heat the more we’re with him and the better we know him. Some more “Paulisms” which are my fave’s:
“Parenting would be Great if it wasn’t for The Kids”
(after showing up at your house covered in baby spit-up having dressed up for once to go out somewhere…} -
“Wear your Spit up With Pride”
[N.B. From then on I stopped trying to wipe off the spit-up and never worried about how it looked again!]
And I LOVE how your Dad loves your Mum. You kids are darn lucky to have a Dad who models a deep love for his wife in this world where too many focus on and nit-pick about the negatives.
Cancer can’t stay in a body that loves that much.
The family photos brought tears………
Your Beloved Dad - Cancer Free - HURRAY!
And Our Hero.
With Much Love and Gratitude - Celebrating with you.
Yeah! So happy for your Dad and your family!!!!
Kelsie, Dan, Abbie - Thank you! We are SO excited!
Tim! AGAIN WITH THE TURTLES. To be clear, I am not turtle averse. I just can’t believe how into turtles Tim is. I mean, I guess I can. It’s fine. It’s great. BUT STILL? YOU TOTES HIJACKED THIS POST.
Thanks Father Donald!
Auntie Linda - I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! I cried when you said “Cancer can’t stay in a body that loves that much”. AT WORK. TEARS ON THE KEYBOARD. STOP IT, YOU.
Jo - Thank you!!
Dear Laura,
Hello from almost the farthest corners of the universe (well, in the U.S., anyway)! Your dad is a pretty special part of the Dlug clan and I’m overjoyed to hear the good news!! Our prayers have been answered for his recovery, and we thank God that his smile, his laugh and his sweet spirit will be a part of our lives for a while longer. I’ll give Uncle Lee and Cousin Shawna the good news when they return home from work.
Please give your mom and dad hugs for me. Perhaps, one day, we will have the opportunity to meet you and your siblings and chat over a kielbasa or two.
Aunt Rhoda
& the long-lost Dlugs
in the Northwest woods country
Hey, my replies were (mostly) on topic! The turtles were just an addendum!
Seriously, though, this is a very heartwarming post. I’m very happy for your dad and family.
Hi Aunt Rhoda!! Thanks so much for your thoughtful words! Love to Uncle Lee and Shawna.
Tim - SHUT UP.
What a beautiful tribute to a fantastic family and a wonderful person! Keep celebrating the life within you Paul !!- and your loving family !
Laura - Awesome news about your dad. Love the photos & please send my best to the whole clan. Miss you guys lots and am hoping to visit LI this summer. Hopefully we can all squeeze into the car again, have thai food and catch a movie.
Also - Linda’s response is right on!!
And I’m happy to say I’ve got the same kind of dad. After all he did drive cross country AGAIN
Thanks Jean!
T - OH MAN. Let’s do it. Queens Night Out v2.0. I heard you left the LaLa Land for Florida! Keep me posted on your exciting life! Linda is awesome. So are you. And your dad.
That is wonderful. I’m so happy for you and your family.
So, I don’t think I’ve ever commented before even though reading your blog makes me laugh and cry on the regular. I apologize for being a lurker, but I’m outing myself now.
This was a beautiful post. I am elated for your family. And “Cancer can’t stay in a body that loves that much” is possibly the best statement ever. I too have tears. All over the keyboard.
Thank you.
Hi Laura et al.
I join in with gratitude for Paul’s clean bill of health….I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more….Your Dad has always made me laugh….What a wonderful gift and your tribute to him is so touching and so real–Floppy will always be MY favorite clown…
Paul….I am so grateful for your good news…God is good..your faith has set you free…
Love,
Janet
As always, I am a week behind everyone else!!!
Thanks Janet!!!!!!! You are not behind at all.
Laura & Paul & Rita & Family
Way to go! I wish you future years of good health & happiness, you deserve it.
Laura your writings on your site are very enjoyable-keep up the good work. Uncle Dave is going to be thrilled when He gets home from work about the good news.
Did you ever think of writing a book? You should, you are an excellent writer.
Love Aunt Joann
Awww, I love you Aunt Joann! Thanks so much!
Hi Laura, Loved the pictures and Blog. I’m a fellow Clown in your Father’s Clown Troupe we work together at St. Louis De Montfort. Your Dad is such a Great Guy but, then, you already know that. ( Your Mom Too).
yayyyy!! suck it, cancer!!
(by far the most eloquent post…)