Early this morning, we were back at the University of Guelph for Maximus’s 2nd (of 5) radiation treatments. Like the last time, it involved sedating Max and then targeting the tumor on the inside of his right cheek with an intense burst of radiation aimed at reducing the mass. Every second week, he also receives what is called an “anti-cancer vaccine” designed to stop the spread of the highly aggressive melanoma.
As usual, we had to escort him in because he wouldn’t have gone willingly otherwise. And, as usual, he cowered in a corner, trembling, until one of the staff members scooped him up and carried him off. And, again, as usual, I felt terrible because he kept looking up at me with those huge pleading eyes, no doubt wondering what he’d done to deserve this.
We killed time on this trip by heading over to one of the big malls. There I ate a gyro, perused some remaindered dvd’s, and accompanied Akemi on a stroll through a hat shop. Time flies when you’re having… Well, time flies anyway.
Eventually, we headed back to the hospital where we found Maximus waiting for us – upbeat and happier than he’s been in weeks. The mere sight of us had him scurrying about, tail wagging, barking excitedly. I can only assume the doctor had informed him of the good news prior to our arrival. Apparently, the radiation is having the desired effect and the tumor is shrinking. A hopeful sign.
Things have been so busy of late that I’ve neglected aspects of my life I’d once held dear: cooking, reading, and, most perhaps most importantly, my buddy Carl Binder. Turns out I missed his birthday last week. Fortunately, a friend was quick to remind me of the forgotten special occasion. That friend being one Carl Binder. And so, last night, we go together for a rare double date: Carl and Karen, Akemi and I.
Our evening ended with Akemi knocking over and breaking a wine glass. Mortified, she apologized profusely to the waitress, then turned to us and uttering the line of the night: “We go now”.
And we did.
Thanks to everyone who has weighed in with their thoughts on the perfect douchebag car. In answer to your question, sparrow_hawk, I do not drive a high-end black SUV. I drive a high-end silver SUV only because I’m too lazy to keep a black one clean. And, for your information, I chose an SUV for decidedly non-douchebaggy reasons: to shuttle my dogs to and from daycare, and to outmuscle assholes in smaller cars.
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