Category 6 Hurricane 

Hawaii recently had a tsunami scare and I began thinking of slow paced, unfolding tragedies. In  the case of a Tsunami event, it depends on the origin of the undersea quake, but in most cases  the early warning system allows for two to four hours of warning. All you can do is rely on your  preparation and take avoiding action. For the most part it is a waiting game. During the most  recent incident, I was trapped in my car for several hours with one of my instructors. Gaby got  out and researched that we only had twenty car lengths to go until we would be able to go  toward the mountains. Inexplicably, all of the cars in front of us wanted to turn right back into the  gridlock of Waikiki. We watched two episodes of the office and kept checking in with Spencer  and, our other coach, Alex, who were in separate vehicles on the other side of the mall. Three  hours into it, they were able to make an illegal U-turn, hop the median and park their vehicles on  the second floor. Soon they were skating and running to catch up to us as we had finally made it  through a traffic light. 

Hurricanes are also slow moving disasters and, if you pay attention, you may have up to a week  of notice to get ready. Our sailing program has levels of prep based on how severe we think the  event will be. I made a few mistakes early on and over prepared and spent the next several  months untying boats and putting masts back in place. The main thing is you don't want to be  purchasing toilet paper, water and gas at the last second.  

Cancer, is like the above two disasters. In most cases, the event is slow moving. In many cases,  it is, at least initially, treatable. Syd was diagnosed with breast cancer around 12 years ago. I  have blocked out the actual details. My mom also had breast cancer. In both cases, the initial  treatment was very successful. In both cases, they made it past the crucial five year mark. The  panic of preparation subsided. The metaphorical supplies of water, toilet paper and gas, were  used up. In both cases, there was news of an escalation. It was almost like when a dying  hurricane unexpectedly hits a warm patch of water and takes a sharp turn towards the islands.  

In both my Mom's case and Syd's case, we were still very hopeful. With a little luck they would  pull through. Syd's metastasis came roughly 17 years after my mom's. The science has  progressed tremendously. The level of care was fantastic. Syd was also young and incredibly  strong. While we hoped to be lucky, she made the most of each opportunity. She had always  been a fitness fanatic and continued to walk the beach until her feet literally no longer worked.  She went into the hospital on Saturday January 18. I posted a series of tributes to her beginning  on that day. They have been overwhelmingly cathartic for me. I enjoy writing and what better  way to spread Syd's legacy than from her own (often hilarious), adventures or accomplishments.  I can hear her cackling away in my head, as I write them. My favorite pastime, during our  marriage, was to get her laughing. She would laugh so hard that she would be gasping for air.