There have been times in my life when I become obsessed with doing whatever it takes to accomplish a goal. Dieting is the first thing that comes to mind. This is a judgment-free zone, right? Well, losing weight has always been a challenge for me. I love certain types of food, and you have already guessed my passion for sweets wins over fruit and vegetables. I’m pretty sure I can say that this is an inherited trait. My dad yo-yoed on the scale as well – most likely for the same reasons. But, when I decide it’s time to drop the unnecessary weight, I’m all in and don’t stop until I can proudly jump into skinny jeans. Dieting. Never easy, never loved it but a necessary evil. Sticktoitiveness would get me where I was going.

Last weekend, a day after a good rain, Dave decided to build a fire under a twinkling sky of stars and a glowing moon. Damp enough to hinder a fire, he struggled to get the wood and kindling to take off. After 15 minutes, I remarked, “Just give it up and we can enjoy our fireless campfire and let the moon light our night.” He looked at me and said nothing, but his knit eyebrows implied, “Are you kidding”? Five minutes later, the fire was worthy of s’mores and pudgy pies. He had a good case of “sticktoitiveness.”

Dave seems to be in a situation that demands that same attitude. He is still struggling to eat, and the sores in his mouth and down his throat still determine good days or bad days. Over the weekend, he finally ate some solid food, and I did the happy dance I do when the scale tips the right way for me. It took him forever, like a kid who wasn’t allowed to leave the table until he ate all of his brussel sprouts. His head was in his hands and he just kept taking big breaths. Only three more bites…two more bites…last bite and then you can leave the table. But he stuck to it because he knows he has to. It wasn’t easy, didn’t love it but necessary for survival.

Later that night, still hungry but avoiding the need to swallow, I offered Dave a late night shake. Unfortunately, that novelty has worn off and he’s back to admitting everything sounds good and nothing tastes good. He declined the cold, smooth shake. Inevitably, the scale was not kind to him yesterday when he visited Karmanos for his labs and evaluation with Dr. Uberti. Where I would be doing the happy dance if I lost 12 pounds in 14 days, we both just grimaced. Ughhhh. How I wish I could drink a shake for him if he would just accept the calories for me.

Dave has never been a quitter and never will be. His sticktoitiveness keeps pushing him forward to the days ahead where he will be able to eat anything he wants. We know that day is just around the corner – but dang – this has been a long block to walk.