I don’t know how I got this job, sure it doesn’t pay the best in the field, and you need lots of specialized training, and with that training you can go to much more prestigious work, but it pays enough. I don’t know why the previous person to do it left (the commute was too much for her, but I would’ve moved closer if I was her). She trained me very briefly because I knew most of the ins and outs already, she told me the boss had been in and out of remission with bone cancer, but the last flair up was taken care of years ago.

It’s been 7 years since he was first diagnosed, and he’s had 2 replacements, they won’t do a third. He doesn’t want to try the experimental treatments because he’d rather enjoy the time he has.

I’ve worked for him for 3 years and I feel so greedy wanting to scream at him to try every avenue available. He has 3 amazing kids, a wife and in-laws who live him, he loves coming into work, he just finished renovating his forever home. And I don’t want a different boss. I need more time with my mentor, my friend, the best boss I’ve ever had.

I just learned this morning, and it’s really raw, I need to get it off my chest, I don’t want to steal time from his family, but I want to take from him as much as I can. He’s a genius in the field, the person he’s trying to get to replace him is remarkable younger guy, but he’s my age, he doesn’t have the life experience that I’ve found myself looking to my boss for.

Fuck cancer.

Thanks off my chest. Hug your loved ones. Tell your dog they’re good, scratch your cat. Enjoy the moments of extra nice weather.