It's Christmas eve, and Brendan and I finally started and completed our present buying in under 2 hours - impressive. I hadn't seen Brendan since he dropped me off at the airport almost two weeks ago, so when I met him at the store last night I was shocked to see big fluffy eyebrows, the shadow of a day without shaving, and a layer of fuzz all over his head.
Brendan's hair has come back, and it came back fast. The top of his head feels like the softest belly of the softest puppy. His eyebrows are even bushier than they were before he lost them, and it looks like he will have to start shaving again.
2010. The year of things that happened so fast.
In the past two days I have talked to two close friends who never even knew Brendan had been diagnosed. I hadn't seen/talked to them since the summer - and now here we are - salting the sidewalks to keep away the snow. Concentrating light waves to eliminate any stragglers.
Yesterday was day 1 of 15 for the next phase of treatment - radiation. For the time being, Brendan's chest is now covered in black marker, and each mark is blanketed by "stickers" - protective measures from the threat of bath-time elimination. The other new addition to Brendan's body - 3 small tattoos. Brendan has 3 blue freckles, one on each side of his torso, and one in the center, near his sternum. All of this just to make sure they line him up in the right spot each time. It is a quick process, like a very loud x-ray, and Brendan feels nothing. Although, he said that didn't stop him from closing his eyes tight and twisting his head away just in case...
The port gets removed soon as well. Brendan looks and feels like his old self again.
Eventually this will be a memory marked by scars and freckles. Marked by a new family foundation. Marked by woven bracelets and the gradual tapering off of doctor's visits. Marked by strength and adoration for our hero. Marked by victory.
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