What Does It Take for a Wish to Come True?
This is the beginning to a story I had won years ago, but unfortunately, having never commissioned any work before, I overtaxed the patience of the author, who left me with the opening portion only and summarily blocked me from further contact.
I was fortunate enough in the future to win a character image from Unscforces, whose chosen artist delivered a spectacular image of what I had envisioned of me, being held and comforted by one of his Gryphon characters Krotos -- having just lost my father in 2017. I guess the art is considered mine, though I'm not the artist nor the direct commissioner, simply the winner who described what he wanted -- feeling safe, wrapped in the arms and wings of a caring Gryphon who loved, protected, and supported me -- and it really fits the point I was trying to get across -- being held in the arms of someone soft and warm, who cares about you deeply, and helps you get through the most troubling of experiences, yet who is also there to share the many joys life has to offer, side-by-side with you.
For me, that person has always been my mom (minus the fur and feathers), and we've gone through many challenges, most of which appear mild by comparison to what we face today. Getting a little personal, but after beating Breast Cancer in 1991 and remaining "no evidence of disease" for the standard five years, you were considered cured and told to go on your merry way, forget about scans, etc. Well, that was a serious disservice, as now people are kept on meds for 10 years and told to watch carefully.
I believe it was back in 2014, when Mom was in the ER for severe upper respiratory, that a CT scan showed not only pneumonia, but Diffuse Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer to the bones, meaning it was all over, not a couple of treatable spots. Good news was it was ER+ HER2-, which would respond to Estrogen Blockers, and for a time, Mom was doing great on treatment.
We were given the impression that this disease was now considered more of a maintenance issue, since Stage IV BC Mets has no cure, it could be treated indefinitely -- or so we thought. Mom was -- ironically -- taken off of Arimadex, a drug that had her CA27-29 tumor markers back in lower normal levels and put on Ibrance and Letrazole (Letrazole being the functional equivalent of Arimadex) as it was the "new thing" that should do wonders. Under treatment, Mom's markers steadily began to rise, though everything remained in the bones with no significant signs of change. She was then moved to Xgeva and Faslodex -- again, the treatment path for the ER+ disease. It was somewhere along this time in 2016 that due to unknown reasons, Mom developed Hypercalcemia -- she was in pain and getting worse for months, but nobody could connect the dots, until finally, they took another look at her Calcium, which was dangerously high. She went through the ER and was steps away from going into the ICU, until they were able to get her stabilized. Recovery was tough, but she made it, and though I was exhausted and physically and mentally changed from the ordeal, we were still together and functioning like normal. I had the benefit of my wonderful father and his wife (my step-mom) coming down to help me during this time, and frankly, I don't think I would have made it without them. This was in the beginning of 2017, and I had no idea that it would be the last time I saw and hugged my Dad.
We suffered yet another loss shortly after -- our nearly 12 year old golden retriever was battling Cancer and one morning, thing just went south very quickly. I encouraged her to go outside to take care of her business, and she tried to eliminate for awhile, but was unable, and perhaps strained a bit too much, as she returned with her head tilted to one side. We knew it was finally time, and thanks to the care of our retired vet who lived across the street from us, we were able to free her from the pain by day's end, spending our last hours, comforting her, and holding her close. We still cry about her routinely ... :(
Come the end of June of 2017, we drove to Tampa for a surgical procedure for Mom to removed adenomas on her parathyroid glands. There are 4 tiny glands on the back of the thyroid, two of which had large adenomas, one was fine, the other was not found. During that time, we stayed in a nice, nearby hotel, ate some great food (we rarely eat out) and acted like normal people (even buying $10 pints worth of gourmet ice cream). On the way back, everything felt right with the world, we figured that was the source of the Hypercalcemia and that Mom was on her way to finally feeling great again.
I'm not sure of the days, but I believe I spoke with Dad on or just before the four of July (a few days after we got back from Tampa), and we were even starting to think that perhaps, we might be able to get another puppy, as we missed our furbabies and featherbutt so very much. But it wasn't meant to be, as on the 5th, Dad was taken to ICU, and we were there with him on the 6th after scrambling cross-country. He lasted a couple hours after we arrived, and was a very drugged state, that required his arms to be tethered so he wouldn't remove any tubes. I spoke with him, though I couldn't get any answers -- I told him the truth of it ... something I don't think the others wanted to, but I'm sure Dad knew, and deserved to know ... This situation was bad, he was on a ventilator, and facing organ shutdown ... He would be going on a new journey, and I told him that I loved him, and would miss him dearly, but hopes he gets to be reunited with his brother, who was lost a year earlier, and to share his love with all the animals he's taken care of over his many years of being -- in my opinion -- "The World's Best Veterinarian."
I held his right hand, just as I had held it when he was leaving after helping me deal with Mom's health issues earlier in the year. Oh how I wished I had spent more time with him when he was here. I regret that, but I was tired, and looking for bed, and at the time, our little golden girl was still with us. Still there are good memories, but I wish we had more. We broke for dinner to grab some sustenance, when things turned for the worse while we were away. I don't know how "there" he was at that point, but he was no longer moving his head around, and I believe his eyes were closed -- those amazing blue eyes that spoke of healing and love and caring for all animals, and many people as well along the way -- he touched so many lives for the better.
Again, I held his hand and rubbed his foot. I got Mom to come in and hold his hand with me. One of the very rare times when both of my parents and I were physically connected. Everything became difficult after that. I had a pain in my chest from the grief, we went back to the hotel, only to be evacuated due to a fire-alarm, resulting in us standing in front of the hotel, with my father's truck sitting there right in one of the spots near the entrance. Part of me wanted to go and sit in it and try to talk with him, another part of me just wanted to cry. We spent about a week there, having picked up a little food, but subsisting mostly on bagels, toast, and hard-boiled eggs from the breakfast bar, which I turned into egg salad. We eventually made our way back home -- barely -- and tried to deal with the loss of my father and Mom's first husband.
The flow breaks here, because I took a moment to check on Mom, and she's having troubles right now, so I'll get down to it. Mom was eventually moved to Aromasin and Affiniator, but simply couldn't stomach the pills. They were very hard on her and she gave it her best shot. She was then moved to Xeloda, which is the first of the actual chemo drugs -- the others all being Estrogen Receptor acting. During a scan about this time, we discover that her Liver is now involved. We asked how that could have happened so quickly, and the doctor replied that the cells were likely there, just too small to be seen well on the CAT scan. They are "too numerous to count" so that limits treatment. Mom did her best with Xeloda, but it was really beating her system up. We were given a choice, perhaps it was just before or after the Aromasin Affinator, or the early cycles of Xeloda, to have a port installed as he had a lot of chemo options that he could try that would work great and wouldn't be as hard on her G.I. tract. We were given the impression that would always be an option, so Mom tried to stick out the Xeloda on one week cycles, and after a couple of months, the CA27-29 tumor markers began to drop, but then jumped back up.
It was at this point, that Mom was really feeling awful. The Xeloda had taken a toll, the morphine for pain had really messed with her mind, having her believe and say things that were very hurtful. I was afraid I was losing my wonderful mother, so we cut the morphine, and slowly her mind came back, but her lack of energy and pain remained. We had an appointment with the oncologist, and we figured he opt to install the port and move on to the better infusion drugs. Instead, he suggested Hospice and end-of-life protocols. We were floored. Mom wasn't doing good, and we hoped that she could recover in time, but it seems his choice of meds screwed up her G.I. system, and he was certain that any time he could buy with infusion chemo wouldn't be quality, as he indicated it would be tougher than the Xeloda.
That was just this last week ... so much pain, so many tears, such feelings of being misled. Why didn't he recognize and go to something better, sooner, while Mom had the strength?! We had genetic testing done, and the magic drugs that work only do so with specific markers, which she did not have.
We have one family friend close by but he has his own issues and troubles, but offers support where he can. Mom's long time friend came up with us for the diagnosis, and stayed a couple of days, but I'm on my own, and hurt so very much. Mom has always been my champion, the one person who always make things right, or at the very least survivable. I've had no other relationships in my life, and really don't know what to do to start or pursue them, and let's face it ... I've fallen in love with Gryphons, Dragons, and anthropomorphic animals. People and I are friendly, but I just don't see them in a physically attractive form. Mom knows this -- the only person I was able to really share myself with and she too could see the attraction. I had hope to share so many stories here on SF with her over the years.
Hospice hasn't offered much help yet, and I'm just trying to help Mom rest, hydrate, and get nutrition, though I'm probably not producing the best food for her to eat, she does get a couple of Boost drinks in most days, but I don't think she's getting enough calories.
So, this finally leads me back to the "Wish" the "Dream Come True" I've wanted since before my father, and even his brother got sick. While all of us were still alive and kicking, I wanted "THEM" to arrive.
Anthropomorphic animals from an advanced society -- even including sentient, feral forms of Gryphons, Dragons, etc. -- and make their presence known. To help us, especially my family, by healing us (now it's just down to Mom and me) and extending our lives while enhancing our bodies so that we have the time to see, experience, and explore the wonders of the Universe right along side them. Of course, I would finally be interested in developing relationships, but that's a story for another time. Most important was getting Mom well, healthy, happy, and ready to begin a new adventure.
As I lay here on my bed, writing this, watching her sleep next to me, I can't help but begin to cry. Not just for how this will affect me (though that is a huge part) but how my wonderful warrior of a Mom got such a terrible deal. People are living into their 80's and 90's now, and 76 is far too young -- Dad was only 79.
Frankly, Mom is the only one who can put her hand on me and quiet my troubled mind. It's like the ultimate medicine -- and believe me, I'm on 3 different ones for anxiety, depression and the like. A simple touch from her melts the troubles away. I still have them, but she's able to put up a shield or buffer them so that I can for a brief time, feel normal.
Can't begin to say just how much I've prayed, and I'm always one to believe in the possibilities of miracles, just as I believe in those amazing anthro and feral animals from a highly-advanced society being out there with the ability to cure cancer and so much more. The question is how to get them to cross my path, and that's something I've yet to figure out -- highly improbable as it may be, with the vastness of the Universe or Multiverse to consider, I still consider it possible. Especially given just how much energy has been put into the description of these creatures and worlds from so many different yet equally amazing authors and artists around the world.
So as I end this commentary, before what you will read as probably the shortest story (unfinished of course) on SF ever, I ask that you please take a little bit of your positive energy and do a couple of things. Please, send some to Mom to heal her. We'd be great continuing our lives with the cancer and other illnesses gone. And please send some energy to those space-faring, time-traveling, or whatever they may use to get here, sentient anthro and feral animals from an advanced society, to find us quickly -- heck showing up in my backyard would be just fine -- and getting my wonderful mother healed, with me right along side her, so we can get a fresh start at making new friends, developing amazing relationships (hopefully some of the physical nature), with the time, health, and everything necessary to enjoy life to it's fullest -- fulfillment finally attained!
It's a really big ask, I know, I get it. And I'm not saying we deserve anything more than anyone else, but it has been my dream, my ongoing Wish for so long -- with just Mom and me left, we need this miracle, so please help us find it, if you can.
Going to rest and cry for a bit. I don't think I'll do too well on my own. I don't know what to do, and I'm so very scared. And without her to put her hand on me to calm me, I've no idea what will happen and worry about the outcome.
This being the time of year for giving, caring, family, and miracles, I can only ask that things work out well for us -- otherwise, I guess I may become completely lost. So thank you for reading, enjoy the brief story, and perhaps, if things work out, it will continue and become a real, true, amazing journey.
Happy Holidays to you All -- Hug you Loved Ones and Let Them Know Just How Very Much They Mean to You! <3
The Story Never Told ... Until Now
The Universe is Inexplicably Large, and No Matter How Improbable,
There's Plenty of Space for Wishes and Dreams to Come True!
When first contact finally occurred, it didn't happen like the scholars, media, or big thinkers said it would. There was no giant mothership, hovering sinisterly over Washington DC. Absent was the dramatic radio broadcast where the aliens announced their intentions for all to hear with diplomatic formality. It wasn't even on the news. Not at first, anyway.
Later journalists would dig through the Internet, hunting for the eyewitness reports of the very first signs. They found it in the form of individual social media accounts. On message boards and forums. Lone accounts that, if considered in isolation, would be easily dismissed as pranks, bad trips, or conspiracy theories. These sorts of things had been around for as long as the Internet had existed, but it was the trend that made it statistically relevant. That sudden sharp uptick which could be plotted on a line graph.
Looking back on it, it was clear that something real was going on. That our world had been forever changed. But at the time, most people were entirely unaware. The mass media talked about other things of note, like weather patterns or the global economy. Mundane things to be sure, but bulleted points that held real import for the average person.
Brian Marcus was half-watching one of these morning broadcasts when he got the invitation. It came in the form of a private message on his social site of choice. It was a simple message, short and to the point but despite this, the middle-aged man's brow furrowed in confusion as he read it.
"Brian, my dear friend. If your schedule would allow it, I'd like to see you today, in person. Let me know if you can make it and I will arrange transportation. I look forward to finally meeting you. Best regards, your friend, Eterial."
Like most of Brian's friends, he'd met Eterial online. He considered the two of them fairly close friends despite the distance that separated them, and for the last couple years or so had kept Eterial more or less up to date on the goings-on of his daily life. Health issues, money issues, family issues. Over private messages Brian had shared both the good and bad with his online friend, and he'd seen been plenty of both of in his life so there was always something new to share.
After their initial digital meeting the traditionally awkward introductions that followed, the man who would go down in the history books as the human who made first contact on behalf of his entire species mostly thought of his pal Eterial as a friendly sort, if a bit odd. It didn't help matters that the other man was heavily into role playing. That in itself wasn't so strange. Plenty of Brian's friends like to pretend they were anthropomorphic animals. Foxes, wolves, crows and the like.
No, what made Eterial peculiar was that he never gave up the game. He insisted that he was a gryphon and Brian was far too polite to argue the point. But even more than that, the gryphon insisted he was communicating from off world. When Brian had asked how this was possible, Eterial had explained that there was a handful of cloaked communication buoys in space, placed in Earth's orbit. These allowed access for his people to get to know humanity in the form of radio, television, and most importantly, the Internet.
At the time, Brian had rolled his eyes at his laptop while he sipped coffee. He hadn't begrudged his friend for holding so tightly to the fiction. The world could be a dark, cruel place. He knew this better than most. So in the name of mutual respect, he'd gone along with the story. Asking Eterial questions about his life and his people. If nothing else, no one could say that the other man lacked imagination or a flare for creative writing.
Which was why the private message had surprised him the way it did. Meeting in person? How would that work, without Eterial's carefully crafted illusion tearing apart at the seams? Or maybe that was the whole point, Brian wondered. That after two years of growing friendship, his long-distance buddy had finally decided to let the walls down. Maybe the man just wanted some real human contact in his life. Face to face.