Big in Japan

Temple of Inari

I am posting this photo out of order:

I just got off the phone with my stepmom, Lita. She has been the sole care provider for my father while he battles multiple myeloma - bone marrow cancer.

He recently started the chemotherapy/radiation treatment one/two combo. Apparently, it's not going so well. They are going to continue one more week, his fourth, before giving him two months to rest before trying again.

My stepmom said that he's not doing well; he's very depressed; he's sicker than he should be according to the vital signs the doctors are reading. (Uh-oh.)


She said that she's glad my sister went a couple of weeks ago.She said that I've choosen the perfect time to go. (Uh-oh again.) Her delivery said that we might be near the end.

I am going to Oregon on Monday to help them both for a week. I will be taking them to chemotherapy, the neurologist, the dentist and other appointments. I don't know what else to expect from my trip there but my instinct is to cry.

What makes this even tougher is that I haven't spoken to my father in ten years. I won't go into that family history here but I will say that I am going up mainly out of respect to Lita. I cannot refuse her call for help.

So, on Monday, I go.

Tags: inari, japan, kyoto, personal thought, torii