Round 2

During my high school sophomore year, my mom, dad and sister were at the house.  They came into my room and my dad let us know that cancer had come back.  It was such a surreal moment, sitting there stunned, not believing what was just said.  He told us that they were going to try a new experimental treatment.  To be honest, I did not want to deal with this again, especially now being older and already having responsibilities.  It really felt like someone had punched me in the face and I didn't know how to react.  I did not do very well in high school with my grades.  It did not help that my dad was a teacher at the time, which caused tension between us.  It was hard to see at the time, but I now realize that my dad only wanted me to do the best that I could while in school.  It was also difficult to focus on school, because of my dad being sick and having to taking on responsibilities.  With cancer coming back a second time, my dad had a difficult time dealing with it.  He didn't understand why God would allow it to come back a second time, especially with the health issues he had in between the first and second time.  To this day, I can remember the cough he got from the first time he got cancer and the health issues he dealt with up to this time and even after.  I remember there were times when my dad would get angry about cancer coming back and us talking about it.  As a son, you don't really know what to say and really feel helpless, because your dad is supposed to be healthy.  For those that don't know, my dad was probably the most curious person I ever knew and is probably still asking God questions, just like he said he would once he got there.   

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Patrick Mastrianni




First Time

When my dad first got cancer, I was 9 years old.  At that age you don't really understand what is going on, and don't think that your parents can get sick, especially your dad, who is supposed to be Superman (my dad's favorite superhero).  During his first intermission and as I got older, I understood more of what was going on.  Even though he did not have cancer during that time, he had many other issues stemming from it,which I still remember today and how hard it was for him.  Even with those health issues, he tried to be the best husband and father he could.  He loved working outside and with his hands, which cancer could never take away, especially with how stubborn he was.  That is what always inspired me most about him, even with literal poison being pumped through him and other medication that he had to take, he still persevered through that.  Looking back, his dependence on God to get him through that was even more inspiring.  His first intermission lasted until my sophomore year in high school.

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Patrick Mastrianni