Terminal – definition

adj

1. Of, forming, or situated at the end or extremity of something

2. (Of a disease) predicted to lead to death, slowly, incurable

noun

1. The end of a railroad or other transport route, or station

2. A point of connection for closing an electric circuit.

“I’m the guy with terminal cancer.”

These words as I walk in the exam room for initial consult and stretch out my hand.

This is how he introduced himself.

He was standing in the room. I could almost feel he had been pacing.

I listened to his story and we started a new chemotherapy regimen.

This was over two years ago.

In January this year, he says “We bought our tickets to visit Thailand – for July”

The calendar in my mind scrolls the many weeks until then

And I share with them, “can we go sooner, March?”

So as to be sure to make the trip, most fit

They look at me unwavered

“The tickets are bought, July’s best”

As cancer will have it – we notice progression this spring

Thailand on my mind!

Specialist and sub specialist, scans upon scans

We choose a new treatment regimen

One with some flexibility … to travel

Today I receive these photos

I only see terminal joy, terminal living

You teach me, terminally

I am Stopped in my Tracks

Today, elephant tracks

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