I was tested for cancer. I thought a lot about my family.

I had diarrhea for over a week, so I was tested for colon cancer.

The doctor was a woman. Tall and slender with short brown hair. She wore a white lab coat. Probably in her early 40s. I’d never met with her before. My usual doctor wasn’t available.

Mel, my wife, was with me when the doctor started asking me questions about my illness. How long I’d struggl…