Last week in this space I hinted at some good news about Calene's cancer. It's actually great news, the first positive steps the fight has taken in two years. But I've learned that in the cancer world it's best to hedge your bets. Every cancer ward has a bell, for instance, usually hanging in the lobby. I used to think that ringing the bell was a sign that the bell-ringer had defeated cancer once and for all. Only recently have I learned that some people ring it after a course of chemo or radiation, celebrating the stepping stone. This bothered me, though it's really not my place to be bothered by when and why people decide to ring the bell.
I mentioned this to Calene. She gave me an odd look, like I was Scrooge.
"Celebrate everything," she told me.
But when we got the recent great news that hadn't sunk in yet. "When are we going to celebrate the scan?" Calene asked me three whole days after we got the results.
I mumbled something about planning to do something soon, when in fact I was downplaying the great news, not wanting to get my hopes too high. "Celebrate everything," Calene told me again, which sunk in a little deeper this time.
So we went to Hanna's, the closest thing our little town has to a Michelin star. It's amazing, a special occasion restaurant. The plan was a glass, then a trip to the local Thai place. But then we added a shrimp cocktail. We flagged down Kelly, one of the servers and a longtime friend. She didn't recognize Calene because of the new chemo hairdo. But when two seats opened up at the always-packed bar, Kelly immediately grabbed them for us.
All thoughts of Thai food were gone. Dinner was ordered. Dave Hanna, the owner, another longtime friend, came over and we had a lovely conversation. We try to keep the cancer talk to a minimum, but also live in a small town. Dave mentioned that all sorts of our neighbors knew about Calene's fight and were rooting for her. People we don't even know. Not just a few, but hundreds. This was a little staggering, a reminder we're not in this alone. I love our town. For those of you who live here and are reading this, thank you.
Dessert was brought out with "CONGRATULATIONS" spelled out in chocolate on the plate. So by then we truly were celebrating everything. Then Dave picked up the check, which was such a great act of kindness. What started as a simple drink in a quiet corner of the patio had become a real, honest-to-goodness celebration.
I still haven't come down to earth. I wish I celebrated more than I worry. I need to. Let's call it a goal. But good news is good news, whether you're ringing the bell or toasting a great scan.
So let the party continue. Celebrate everything.