This morning, I had my monthly chemo treatment which usually lasts 4 to 5 hours; I'm normally one of the first ones on the schedule so I have my pick of rooms. I always sit in the same seat in room that holds two patients. l normally have the room to myself or only have to share the last hour or two which means I may have to talk; be civil and not stare at the TV or do my crossword puzzle (although it's not something that I look forward to, more than often it turns out to be a great experience and I learn a little more about myself, life and that the world doesn't revolve around me)
After about an hour or so an old man (well older than me) peeks in the door and spots the empty seat. Oh well. As he enters I give him the once over.- five foot something, hard to tell cause he's bent over – shabbily dressed with his belt up around his chest. I was a US Marine and I could clearly see that he was never in the military, I was taught "that if your shoes weren't shined you probably didn't wipe after you took a dump." I listen as the nurse (God bless them all there's a special place in heaven for all of them) as she accessed his port, draws blood and begins his pre meds in preparation for the chemo.
This nurse Lynn is like your sister or best friend and I think is very close to all her patients – when she saw me after I had my operations she cried, I guessed I looked worse that I thought.- alls well now. The old man and Lynn talked and joked like they were farther and daughter. He looked over at me at one point to tell me that she had gone to his wife's funeral, see what I mean about nurses!
Anyway, he started his chemo and I continued mine. He began to read the book that he brought with him, good for me, no talking. I later found out the book was about Mickey Mantel one of his hero's and mine. I don't know how or why we began talking: He was telling me about his son who served in Viet Namand was medically discharged when his hand was crushed by a falling tank lid. I mentioned that I was a Marine and served for six years during the same era as his son. He casually mentioned that he was also a Marine and served in WW II. Later in the conversation I not only found out that he served, he was on Guadalcanaland was a "ChinaMarine.". He served in the 1st Marine Division and lived to see history being made
China Marines are legends in the Corp. I herd so many stories and read about them, the movie "55 Days in Peking" was about China Marines, I met one of my hero's after 68 years wow! I met John Glenn when I was in the Corp and wasn't as impressed. I have no idea of what he did in the Corp he could have been a cook or a grunt. He talked about his time in the Corp, didn't brag and made it sound like he saved the world; Just stories that made him and me smile. We talked about Okinawawere both of us served. He was there when it was a jungle and I was when it was an R&RCenterand had clubs,
My chemo was over before I knew it, a nurse unplugged me put a band aid over my port and I put my jacket on. I went over to his chair and introduced myself, shook his hand and asked his name 'Mike". Mike is 86 and stands proud and tall like he did in boot camp, you just have to look with your heart and not your eyes. I don't know if or when I'll see Mike again we've both been going there for years and this is the first time we met, Cancer is a busy business.
God bless all who serve our country and to all my fellow jarheads "SEMPER FI"