Alone on the Cancer Boat: A Vlogbrothers Reunion

I promised links in the dooblydoo! Join the Awesome Socks Club! awesomesocks.club or the Awesome Coffee Club: awesomecoffeeclub.com 100% of profit to charity!
In which Hank and John hang out in the loading dock of the DFTBA.com warehouse and discuss cancer, boats, micromorts, expanding our understanding of what healthcare can be and do, and how despite the jokie jokies, this whole thing does kinda suck.
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John's twitter - / johngreen
Hank's twitter - / hankgreen
Hank's tumblr - / edwardspoonhands

[@vlogbrothers]

Sorry the audio isn't great, but only the camera mic ended up working. Join the Awesome Socks Club: awesomesocks.club and/or if you're a coffee enthusiast, join the awesome coffee club: awesomecoffeeclub.com All the profit goes to charity, and the products are truly amazing. -John

[@stickaaaaaa]

Great socks and coffee from great people 😍

[@N3rdfightermom]

Where is your 30’ mic? Did you forget the bit?

[@Rosalie_Jansen]

You both are handling this great ❤

[@AndreaDingbatt]

The audio is great!! No problem,,,Ive recently just "Got Off that Boat"!! Myself, Chemo sucks A$$, True!! Im Sooooooooo Happy that Im not needing anymore,,,for now!! Micro-Morts, Lmao!! Staying positive isnt easy, but definately helps!!

[@meganl8071]

the audio is fine. I hear you both laugh and that makes my day.

[@keneticchannel]

Just hear me out: Two birds, one stone-let's put the coffee in the socks.

[@toastwithjam3368]

great idea in my opinion

[@kevinchristopher1443]

the problem with suggesting things online that are really good is often people won't use it because legally you could say it was your idea and sue them later

[@dawn8293]

@@kevinchristopher1443a real shame😩

[@sereneprincess4940]

That might be the only thing that gets my feet into motion doing all the chores I’ve been putting off lol

[@IsaiahSenku]

Genius

[@JulieHerrick]

On free solo rock climbing: If you're sufficiently bad at it, you'll never get high enough off the ground to be in any real danger. The big danger is in being medium-good at it.

[@CL-go2ji]

That makes sense. Also, that may be true of many things ...

[@1IGG]

It's very easy to hurt you badly by falling less than 2 meters.

[@vlogbrothers]

Great point. Also a good metaphor for other things. ALSO thank you so much for organizing Hank's beautiful card. It means so much to him. -John

[@JulieHerrick]

@@vlogbrothers I'm so glad Hank loves the card. ❤️

[@bennyfactor]

@@vlogbrothers HANK FACE = AD SPACE

[@invisibleninja86]

So I listen through old Dear Hank and John episodes to fall asleep most nights, and there’s a moment in episode 50 where Hank says, “Our dad had cancer, and if I had cancer, I might be like, Hey, I wouldn’t mind having my dad there.” That episode was from June 2016, and it makes me so happy to know that Hank’s dad really is there for him.

[@averykf3839]

Ayy I listened to this episode recently too and have been thinking about it.

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

[@SpaceSoups]

Not like he's there for that tree though.

[@joemondale8673]

My Dad has cancer and will be dead within a few days. He had all the treatments, and was neglected by the health system. He had 20kg of fluid in his leg, and couldn’t walk. He has tumours everywhere, oral thrush, swollen tonsils and more. He can’t even breath. You are a disgrace, your videos are offensive. You are the least alone person going through this, and you’re going through basically nothing so far. 1 video, I didn’t agree with, but I respected. Now I’ve lost all respect for you. You are a disgrace. At the very least, stop profiteering and remove your ads.

[@hflo2375]

Taking care of stuff Hank shouldn’t have to worry about right now. A good papi.

[@TravisGilbert]

I pray someday when my health fails (as everyone’s does) I take it 20% as well as Hank

[@standupphilosopher7059]

Agree💯

[@thelordcommander5]

Agree❤

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

Same! Hospice nurse here. A positive disposition makes everything better! (However I’m not a positive person-I’m working on it. I was raised in a religion where God was punative and that’s hard to shake).

[@audreybray1149]

I love the insane amount of big brother energy from John that we don’t get to see all that often.

[@melimsah]

RIGHT?! He's like "I don't want to be in this job, but my little brother needs me to take this job and I am HERE FOR IT"

[@vlogbrothers]

I feel like this whole affair has brought out some big brother stuff within me. -John

[@quartarkpersonal]

it's great to see, keep it up you're doing a great job!

[@rerererereree]

Ikr

[@pammarvinney4263]

Putting the Awesome sock info over Hank's image also just peak big brother trolling. I burst out laughing when i saw that

[@katiehartzler11]

The brother energy with them sitting the same, both wearing hats, collared shirts, and jeans, the same glasses… it’s too much 😂

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

Same spare tire

[@karyon1007]

It's why everyone on TikTok thinks they're the same person.😆 Of course, that's not a new phenomenon. I had a chemistry student years ago who called Hank "Fake John Green" after watching a Crash Course vid. Well, she did recognize they were different people who were just eerily similar I guess.

[@jphanks]

Their body composition is soooo similar 😂

[@barbaramead729]

Same posture, legs crossed… we love you guys!

[@ksenijavranjevac2572]

The same pose with legs crossed and hands actively gesticulating...

[@TheMangakid1995]

It always blows my mind whenever John and Hank remind us that not only do they share a KZbin account but that it is _this_ KZbin account.

[@sexyscientist]

Yes. It is this account which has many channels like crashcourse, scishow, etc. But they use this channel for personal use.

[@laurenredding1419]

It is kind of incredibly adorable that they watch KZbin from this account instead of having personal Gmail lol. I've never loved anyone enough to want them to be able to see my KZbin history but Hank and John have been doing it for ten years!

[@lostleviathan2352]

​@@laurenredding1419I think they've talked about how it is a nice restraint because they don't want the other one seeing something stupid that they watched on impulse & messing up their algorithm. Which is so cute

[@geeksdo1tbetter]

​@@laurenredding1419since 2007!

[@punksoab]

The boat analogy is fucking gold. When my doctor asked me if he could get me anything through chemo my response was "I'd like to not have cancer?" He clapped back with "I'll get right on that but give me a bit of time cause that's a tall order."

[@DavidColton-ct4ze]

My Dad has cancer and will be dead within a few days. He had all the treatments, and was neglected by the health system. He had 20kg of fluid in his leg, and couldn’t walk. He has tumours everywhere, oral thrush, swollen tonsils and more. He can’t even breath. You are a disgrace, your videos are offensive. You are the least alone person going through this, and you’re going through basically nothing so far. 1 video, I didn’t agree with, but I respected. Now I’ve lost all respect for you. You are a disgrace. At the very least, stop profiteering and remove your ads.

[@rawdaaljawhary4174]

😂😂😂 what a retort.

[@punksoab]

@@rawdaaljawhary4174 100% should be doing stand-up as a side gig. Absolutely criminal that he doesn't

[@hopewilliard6781]

Thanks for the chuckle, hope you’re alright these days.

[@punksoab]

@@hopewilliard6781 I've got some stuff that is sticking around. Rheumatoid arthritis and Sjorgen's Syndrome mostly. Plus the sun is my mortal enemy now. But still kicking and making it everybody's problem lol

[@Dunybrook]

Can't do anything about his son's cancer but by God he can save that tree. What a mood.

[@poisonedfrog]

YUP

[@MsWyndmere]

papa green 💚

[@theotherbrief]

❤

[@AlisterPuddifer]

He has Green fingers.

[@BrandonRogers91]

Yeah I would be the same way. I can’t solve cancer but this damn trees fate is in my hands.

[@marcellastname6862]

We've been asking for reunion videos to be exempt from the 4 minute rule for forever and the *gestures broadly* isn't quite the way we wanted this to happen but I still appreciate it

[@armerls]

+

[@vlogbrothers]

Mission Accomplished in a Nonideal Way. -John

[@whitneywujkoayala8613]

What’s the opposite of “task failed successfully”?

[@alalessia]

@@whitneywujkoayala8613 perhaps "task erroneously succeeded"

[@TehFrenchy29]

@@alalessia Alternatively, "pyrrhic victory" after the general Pyrrhus of Epirus, who won a battle against Romans (fairly impressive in its own right) only after such losses it wasn't a whole lot better than if they'd actually lost. Mission accomplished, a bunch of stuff still very much sucks though.

[@tzipky]

When I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and really struggling to interact with other humans while experiencing terrible daily nausea/vomiting, my mother told me “You’re on a boat. It’s a rough ride. If anyone asks and you dont want to talk about it, just say ‘Sorry I’m on a boat right now, I don’t feel well.’” So I really connected with that analogy 😂

[@Pajali]

Omg, I wish I’d thought of that when I was pregnant. Even if I never actually said it to anyone, just imagining the person’s face when I looked them in the eye and said, “I’m on a boat; I don’t feel well,” would have absolutely made my day. 😂

[@rdgrdmedflde4710]

That's a great idea, I might steal that one when I am conversationally unavailable!

[@briansmith7097]

​@@Pajali😊

[@TJtheBee]

I really love that analogy. My boat at the moment is my new ADHD diagnosis alongside my pre-existing autism one. I need to learn to be able to say "I can't talk, I'm on this boat".

[@HassanSelim0]

​@@TJtheBeeanother AuDHD here, yeah sometimes you need to get out of that supermarket quickly because the boat started rocking quite heavily from all that noise.

[@EmilyHoot]

I feel like I'm playing in the grass at my cousin's house while my uncles are sitting off to the side in their lawn chairs chatting

[@grannyronna]

Yes! What a sweet comment.

[@oopsmyumbrella3079]

I love this perspective

[@lor5850]

Both legs crossed 😂

[@graceflower4122]

💜💜💜💜💜 yes

[@MinurielLai]

I'm standing on the shore shouting "IF I COULD GET YOU OFF THE BOAT I WOULD! HANG IN THERE YOU'RE AWESOME!" and hoping that the wind carries it, while fully knowing I have no idea what it's like to be on a boat. ❤️

[@therabbithat]

I've been on a different boat and the thing is when you're on the boat you don't want anyone else to have to be there, even as a swap, even your worst enemy... You just want there to be no more boats. I'm not even a nice person usually I'm very surly but I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

[@anniekate76]

Probably every boat is different. People have been tweeting him boat schematics and nautical maps but his mileage may vary. :(

[@MaddieCollins13]

I couldn’t have said it better myself. ❤️

[@cheryldueck318]

@@therabbithatExactly.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

This. Absofreakinglutely posigoddamtively THIS, in all respects! ❤❤

[@abundanceofellies9520]

I love how you show your enthusiasm John by putting the links right over Hank's face 😂😊

[@AndreaCrisp]

Classic big brother mode. Always looking for any opportunity to show dominance or humiliate the younger. Speaking as the youngest of four. 😊

[@vlogbrothers]

Hank also wants you to subscribe and he has graciously given over ad space ON HIS FACE. -John

[@spidermeadows]

@@AndreaCrisp Yeah, that's pretty much exactly what I came to say. It was absolute perfection and, as the younger sibling, I can only imagine John pursing his lips, shaking his head, taking a breath, and then just accepting the ribbing.

[@pb_and_nutella]

@@vlogbrothers People usually lend their face to a brand by becoming brand ambassadors or endorsing the brand using the words coming out of their face, but Hank really commits to the bit

[@cheldorado8822]

its giving Mike Wazowski

[@catherinesvideos156]

Loving the serendipity of Hank's doctor being named Carl

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

It's absolutely remarkable.

[@KatStrega]

I had to back up the video because I thought I misheard it. This is amazing news!

[@lildramatic4760]

my head goes to both ART and “we don’t eat hands Carl!” Big mood.

[@keerthilanka9039]

EXACTLY

[@allthenewsordeath5772]

I think it was JP II who said that there’s no such thing as coincidences.

[@Caro9515]

I am a PhD student (in Argentina) who works on cancer treatment development and every time I start a seminar I say "It is important to remember that when we talk about cancer, we are talking about a set of more than 200 diseases".

[@sexyscientist]

You are a PhD student. When you are talking about cancer, it is most likely one very specific type of cancer.

[@Imm0rtalcookie]

Why are you telling them what they're studying? Quit mansplaining my guy.

[@sexyscientist]

@@Imm0rtalcookie I'm sorry. That was not my intention. I can clearly see now that I failed miserably to communicate my point. Let me try again. My point is when a PhD student is presenting in a seminar, I expect that the audience is also biologists. This audience knows about cancers and does not use an umbrella term. To this audience, @Caro9515 need not start the talk from what cancers are and then narrow down to the topic of research.

[@brookeworley5140]

+

[@chemistryflavored]

@@sexyscientisteven if that is true their statement about so many types of diseases still rings true just to express the complexity of developing treatment.

[@SuperSixel]

At the start of Vlogbrothers John could barely stand on a table for charity, now he's jumping into a pit for a Squishmallow for Orin. I'm happy that some things change for the better.

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

++

[@twojuiceman]

I didn't even think about that. You're right

[@alleycaaat]

I was wondering if anyone else remembered that, because I was so amazed John was able to jump into a pit 15' below him!

[@Mirro18]

@@alleycaaat and he found it... quite thrilling actually!

[@joemondale8673]

My Dad has cancer and will be dead within a few days. He had all the treatments, and was neglected by the health system. He had 20kg of fluid in his leg, and couldn’t walk. He has tumours everywhere, oral thrush, swollen tonsils and more. He can’t even breath. You are a disgrace, your videos are offensive. You are the least alone person going through this, and you’re going through basically nothing so far. 1 video, I didn’t agree with, but I respected. Now I’ve lost all respect for you. You are a disgrace. At the very least, stop profiteering and remove your ads.

[@Yrenne]

I can already tell that John edited this because all the text and images are covering Hank's face

[@vlogbrothers]

It's my trademark. -John

[@delriogw]

It's definitely older sibling energy. As a fellow older sibling I wholeheartedly approve.

[@RutabegaNG]

​@@delriogwthat was my sense, older sibling energy. I know I'd do the same.

[@francescakyanda9182]

Y’all look like two versions of different dads: Hank coaches T-ball and treats everyone to pizza, John tiredly chaperones field trips and takes every kid to the bathroom 😂

[@ChristinaMorassi]

How are there not any comments on this yet? Pure gold.

[@lagle8]

@@ChristinaMorassi There's nothing to add. Comment is perfect

[@3_up_moon]

Dear John, It's okay to be scared for your brother. ❤

[@DavidColton-ct4ze]

My Dad has cancer and will be dead within a few days. He had all the treatments, and was neglected by the health system. He had 20kg of fluid in his leg, and couldn’t walk. He has tumours everywhere, oral thrush, swollen tonsils and more. He can’t even breath. You are a disgrace, your videos are offensive. You are the least alone person going through this, and you’re going through basically nothing so far. 1 video, I didn’t agree with, but I respected. Now I’ve lost all respect for you. You are a disgrace. At the very least, stop profiteering and remove your ads.

[@MinurielLai]

+

[@aschmidt570]

+

[@coolstertothecore]

The boat metaphor made me tear up a bit. I had a double mastectomy this week with lots more treatment to come. I'm in loads of pain and discomfort and there's nothing anyone can do to help other than shout from shore to keep going. Also, surgery should never happen the same week as PMS.

[@Alex-jv4hi]

"The time will pass anyways" has been my mantra ❤ good luck, captain! I hope your recovery is swift

[@tbstoller]

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m sending huge amounts of good thoughts, well-wishes, positive vibes and prayers your way.

[@TheZombieateu]

Hugs for you ❤ That majorly sucks ❤❤❤ not gonna give a but, just internet hugs ❤❤❤

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I think I can speak for most if not all of us that we wish there was something we could do for you.

[@PacheGayd]

Surgery *and* PMS?! You are amazing to make it through that. Keep it up.

[@Ifyoubelieveme]

Papa Green helping that tree is so precious! Amazing wholesome old man energy.

[@alixila]

thanks, I was not really sure what he was doing?

[@caitsayssmile]

​@alixila I believe the tree is leaning over too far in one direction and in danger of growing poorly or falling over and uprooting itself, so he has used rope and pins to anchor it to the ground in the other direction

[@savvivixen8490]

​@@alixilaHe was trying to correct the angle of the tree's growth by coaxing it to grow upright with the cord (instead of being inspired by the Leaning Tower of Pisa). The Green brothers were also talking about Papa Green "staking" the tree, which is where you jab a long, wooden stake into the ground (upright) and tie the sapling to the stake with twine/rope all the way up the sapling to encourage upright growth. Hope that helped!

[@theycallmetheseeker2]

@@caitsayssmilewe dr CX G

[@jennarussell1537]

“The tree’s alone on the boat. But the tree has dad!” “I have dad too.” 😂💛 Made me snicker.

[@SilentChelsea]

the sibling culture of putting the text & images over his brother's face? his brother that has cancer?? iconic. i love it. such a bold move.

[@alijoc]

i mean i gotta agree here, “he may have cancer, but i’m still the older sibling” 😂

[@yostinator81]

John is really great at being the new temp ceo of everything ever

[@vlogbrothers]

Thanks! I am trying hard! -John

[@saadiqahsurname9859]

+

[@Dennis450D]

"Hank, I'll see you right now" never fails to make me smile

[@Ratigan2]

They are so lovably quirky

[@Shayron1989]

I love that in the middle of this really tough season of life, Hank & John aren’t just seeing the good in everything they can, but they’re outraged by the injustice of those going through the same thing but who don’t have the same privileges they do. So much compassion and humanity. 💕

[@crystaldragon8211]

Same.😊

[@Houdm]

I'll never forget what my cousin told me a little bit after her mom passed. We had hung out all day because she was obviously sad and at the end she "thanks for treating me normal".

[@joanhoffman3702]

That is the sweetest thing. 💞💞💞💞💞

[@wxlurker]

You did great for being there for her. It’s only when we face such situations that we appreciate how precious and fragile normalcy is.

[@510amy5]

I feel this so hard. After we lost my sister 7 years ago we were of course all grieving, but grieving is exhausting and sometimes I just needed a break. We live in a small enough town that I could hardly leave the house without running into people giving condolences or asking how I was doing. Of course they meant well, but I felt like I was being turned into "the girl who's sister died" instead of "me". Of course I still had to grieve but some of the best healing times I had were with people who could let me have a break from that and just spend some time together doing fun stuff. They treated me normal and I will never forget them for that.

[@juliaxchung]

can we talk about how far John has come with his fear of heights? He used to have trouble standing on tables, now he’s an eagle in flight!!

[@brooklyn__________]

John flexing CEO status after being pulled out of retirement is still so comical to me

[@primarytrainer1]

The videos are oddly comforting. It makes me feel less alone in my own cancer journey and helps me recognize that it's a disease and not that I'm defective

[@NickResen]

❤

[@RM-ti8nf]

❤

[@rigoelliot115]

You are definitely not to blame for your disease. Best to you.

[@coolbabbit639]

I feel comforted too, but for OCD instead. I’m learning so much about the emotional aspect of having a health problem. And to not blame myself for it. Good luck 👍 ❤

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

Bless you dear heart! You’re not defective!

[@MaryWoodMS]

Just want to say you have been teaching me how to be a better sister to my sisters since I started watching your videos more than a decade ago. I am happy to say they are my best friends. Thank you guys! Sending all the Love, strenght and positivity from Uruguay 💕

[@emertonom]

My mom's weirdest chemo side effect was that she lost the ability to spell words that contain either an ie or ei. Before chemo, she was basically a perfect speller--one way just looked right, which was very handy, because she was a professional editor. But after chemo, she always had to look up whether a word was ie or ei. It was just gone from her brain. Neither looked right anymore. She developed coping mechanisms for this, the way the rest of us...uh...already had. But it felt like such a violation for chemo to affect something that felt so much like part of her identity. Of course, in the end, our identities are never as fragile as we imagine them to be. That's been a good lesson for me in trying to deal with my own chronic illness, depression.

[@cl34939]

one of the most interesting things I've read. I'm sorry your mom went through that and hope you're doing better

[@laceym314]

I completely relate on how our identity changes based on our mental difficulties. I used to be able to do extremely complex tasks, extraordinarily fast with little margin of error, now with MDD and GAD, I'm lucky I could get through this reply.

[@erin3292]

Same 🙏

[@gchicklet]

One of mine is names, tho that may be a result of the surgery to remove the tumor as well. People I've known for years, all of a sudden the names are just gone. 😮

[@evewestwood6334]

'Of course, in the end, our identities are never as fragile as we imagine them to be' is such a comforting sentence. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman, I'm sorry she had to go through that

[@shebjess]

Okay, the "Alone on the boat with loved ones on shore cheering you on" is a great metaphors

[@mikekollross8810]

People genuinely want to help you out on that boat but they literally can't. At times there is an ocean between you and them. Other times the boat comes ashore and they meet you at the doc Been there. Done that. Cancer sucks

[@billyalarie929]

I fucking love this channel and its community.

[@kiyahforever]

Actually crying at the footage of Papa Green staking that tree. So pure.

[@kaspianepps7946]

I love the fact that despite now both having their own youtube channels they still both use vlogbrothers to watch videos and thus have their suggestions affected by what the other's been watching.

[@coolbabbit639]

It helps them understand what each other is going through. It honestly sounds so nice 👍 I love that for them

[@rawanthebookworm1536]

Shoutout to vlogdad for working so hard on keeping the tree alive

[@failbot041505]

Vlogdad 😭🙏

[@sackclothandashes998]

I’m loving the arc of John retiring from being a CEO and then having it thrust back upon him in less than ideal circumstances. It’s his own journey of meaning

[@sundeco7467]

一切为了

[@kimberlee9608]

9:34 “Oh Hank…” 😢 John being extra gutted from having experienced just one ailment Hank is going through because how painful it alone can be… ON TOP OF THE CANCER. You guys have been fixtures in my life since starting this channel (since I was a fan of John’s books before YT was even a thing) but watching this experience is the first time I’m finding myself “bridging the parasocial gap”… it feels like a family member has cancer. This sucks, it sucks so so bad. I can’t do anything for Hank’s cancer, but I could be an awesome socks club member and do something for women and infant health in Sierra Leone so I did. ❤

[@eirninmahoney8336]

As a chronically ill public health student doing infectious disease work, I love that you two are bringing these health-related conversations to your audience online. It's sooooooooo important for people to understand the difficulties of the healthcare system and the inequities that exist nationally and globally.

[@CRneu]

You can expand on that to basically every government run or government managed system. The legal system is also incredibly difficult to navigate. I'm not saying one of worse than the other or the government is inherently bad, just that all these systems come with hurdles. Healthcare sucks, the courts suck, permitting sucks, etc.

[@Laura-kl7vi]

@@CRneu Except if you have many if not most cancers, and can't get treatment d/t the failure of the healthcare system, you die. Heathcare, sadly, isn't a government run or managed system here. That's part of the problem. It's the profit part that's the problem. Same with for-profit prisons, incidentally, thought the rest of that system IS government run.

[@DreamyCassie]

John jumping into the squishmellow pit to get one for his nephew is just too wholesome 🥺

[@blaireshoe8738]

Forgot that Lauren can be gender-neutral and was VERY confused for a second. Nephew, niece, nibling, wholesome regardless. :D

[@nisc2001]

@@blaireshoe8738 i misheard it too xD i thought i heard Warren but Hanks' son is named Orin.

[@ssdd28561]

I was so ducking impressed watching this, remembering the time John was putting his max mental effort to stand upright on a table kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYjNipaNpMaGmKs

[@jasmint3207]

​@@ssdd28561Thank you for the link, that's the cutest video ever! ❤

[@ketakiwatve2517]

I love how John and Hank are both sitting in the exact identical position throughout the video.

[@qkqk4317]

Marineford Admirals

[@rocky8u32]

If their Dad was sitting with them in the video he would also have been in the exact same position.

[@stevenlippold]

They do this on purpose so they can confuse us. Lol.

[@ketakiwatve2517]

@@stevenlippold Lmaoo, as if they haven't confused people enough

[@GoneToTheSnowDogs]

I love it when you guys are together!

[@kerryjlynch1]

I'm torn between crying & laughing. So ill got straight to anger - my daughter's chemo was $7500 per treatment & her insurance refused to confirm coverage. That all bothered her as much as the pain of a pancreas being strangled by a tumor. She took the "f-it, I'm done" option. Now I'm crying. Healthcare is broken in the "greatest country." Your Dad is AWESOME - save the trees!

[@bradnarraway9141]

The bulk of the video focused on healthcare and Hank's current journey (and rightfully so), but I'm taking this opportunity to shoutout Dad Green for his efforts to help that tree while it's stuck in its current boat. Keep peeing out cancer, Hank. ❤

[@willfreund3315]

Once I noticed that they both were sitting the same way I couldn't stop looking at it. The amount of brotherly energy that is shown here makes me think of my siblings and the relationships we share with our families are what we make of them. Put the time in, share space together, and joy hopefully will come.

[@vlogbrothers]

I think we might've just ruptured the same lower back disc. :) -John

[@slightlysoulfulspatula]

@@vlogbrothers I sure hope not! Neither of you need any new health issues!

[@elisa.llew-send]

@@vlogbrothersyeah, pretty sure Katherine and the Yeti would exercise their veto powers on that one, no?

[@CircleThinker]

As a person with no siblings sibling dynamics FASCINATE me. I just can never understand what it's like to have someone who grew up alongside you and experienced the same things you did and knew you when you were small and when you were less small and remember your whole life. Every time I start thinking about it too hard it makes my head hurt a bit

[@cryptidcutiestudios]

​@@CircleThinkeras a person with many siblings, no siblings always fascinated me growing up. Your house must have been so quiet! I think as I've gotten older it's been really interesting to learn how similar experiences were experienced and remembered entirely differently from some of my brothers. But people can usually pinpoint my siblings as mine because of our similarities, so that's cool

[@kittenhaile]

I like to think that John's children weren't actually unwilling to give up a squishmallow to Orin, but they just wanted to make him jump. 🤣 way to go John, on top of being Kirkland brand CEO, you still found time for quality uncle-ing.

[@moonyriot]

Hank looks like a modern farmer and John looks like a high school football coach. I love it.

[@tbstoller]

God bless your dad. I totally relate to the parental need to FIX SOMETHING, when you can’t fix the big problem your kid is facing.

[@taylor3950]

You really could feel that in the last shot

[@Molscheira]

The tree got all the ropes and all the love!

[@CircleThinker]

Oh damn well that just made me tear up

[@Ratigan2]

@@Molscheira If only trees could receive that much love without people needing to get cancer

[@Molscheira]

@@Ratigan2 That would be the dream!

[@victoriagillerlain]

Getting your first ocular migraine while watching Wipe Out is both fitting and comical at the same time because they always seem to happen in moments that are mildly uncomfortable but in a vague way that can only truly be encapsulated in the full sense of the word, “meh.”

[@icepick117]

I had my first ocular migraine when i was running participants in psychology experiment that requires typing in precise info while kind of reaching over the participant. i had to use my peripheral vision to see anything! Luckily there was no accompanying headache

[@grannyronna]

Ocular migraines are so weird, right? Very trippy. Also because at first it is so unclear what is going on. Part of being on the boat I guess.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I've never had an ocular migraine before but I can really _feel_ that situation.

[@mermaidmadsdy]

I hate my ocular migraines SO much. Idk what triggered it (because I'd never had one prior), but in 2022, I had 25 mingraines ALL with auras. I'm finally on a medication that has stopped them (knock on wood), but that was probably one of the worst years of my life so far in terms of health. :/

[@madelineduffy899]

As someone with a chronic illness who goes through long episodes of debilitating pain with no medications or anything else that can provide relief, I use the boat metaphor all the time. It’s how I get through. I realize I don’t have control- the storm is too rough. There’s not stopping it. I can’t steer my boat. So all I can do is sit in the boat and wait to pass through. And eventually I do pass through.

[@hestheman929]

The extended boat metaphor is absolute peak Vlogbrothers.

[@coznow]

I took a genetics class last semester and we spent HOURS debunking the myth that cancer is one disease with one treatment. My professor said she had previous students who thought the government was holding back the cure to make money. Of course we do live in a for-profit medical system, but cancer is so nuanced and crazy and scary and it's like your body KNOW that and has all these mechanisms to prevent it from happening!! It's nuts

[@sylvy16]

that’s kinda shocking because even as someone who hasn’t studied biology in high school i knew there were different cancers. heck i knew that even when i was like 8 and heard about lung cancer and deduced that since there is a specific name for this one cancer there must also be others. also the thought of the government of one country holding back the cure to a terrible disease is just so dystopian to me.

[@deedrole5296]

what kills me is that OTHER countries are NOT for profit medical system so why wouldn't THEY be curing their people? Also, why do people think that pharma execs and the stupendously wealthy don't also have family members with cancer? As if being in charge of pharma or having enough money makes you immune to cancer.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

There's a SIGNIFICANT flaw in the theory that ANYONE "holds back the cure" in order to make money... IF that were the case, they're currently doing so with "I don't know" as the cover... NOBODY EVER IN HISTORY made money by NOT knowing something... nor by NOT selling a product... period. Making a mysterious cure too expensive for the low-income folks, STILL REQUIRES actually having a cure in the first place... AND with "no cure in sight"... There's no money to be made... AND we already have enough quacks claiming to cure everything with stupid crap... SO anyone offering some mysterious "cure that nobody else has thought of" automatically LOSES value in a loss of credibility just on the association with quackery... SO it just doesn't work... AND I don't need the LEAST education in biology, medicine, or human physiology to know that. It's simple economics and socio-psychology. You're never going to make MORE money on a cure without a cure to begin with... AND that cure doesn't even do you any good UNTIL PEOPLE KNOW YOU'VE GOT IT!!! It's the same thing with "refusing to cure the common cold" mythos for medical professionals and "big pharma" trying to leverage out as much money as they can... It's just not going to work... ;o)

[@worraw3337]

Yeah, I’ve had a similiar genetic class and its absolutely crazy! All the differents genes and proteins that affect differents aspects of certain cancer at certains stage, and all the generic predisposition, and hormonal responses and the many ways the cancerous cells travels and replicates. I cannot wrap my head around all this and I have immense respect for the people who do

[@jennagrace1534]

I had a college bio class where my professor said “there is not only a cure for cancer, there are many cures.” Because every form of treatment that has eliminated cancer cells in a person, can be considered to have cured their cancer. Chemo can be “a cure”, surgery can be “a cure”, radiation can be “a cure”, etc. It was a very good revelation for me, that there is no magic cure that we are all waiting to be discovered, there are already a lot of scientific achievements in the cancer field, and it is so so broad, how can we ever depend on finding 1 thing that would fix everyone’s cancer?

[@ReverendTed]

One of the big challenges with "curing cancer" compared to, say, strep throat is that strep throat is caused by a foreign organism. You need to get rid of the thing that isn't "you" (even if all living organisms share a LOT in common). By and large, cancer IS you. It's your own cells misbehaving. There's a very narrow set of distinctions between the "my own cells that are normal" and "my own cells that are cancer", so targeting the cancer can be tricky. In a lot of ways, we've having to target the misbehavior.

[@michelleodell1236]

Well said.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Most of my chronic conditions are auto-immune, as in parts of my body are treated as invaders by my immune system. Liver, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, testosterone, etc. All under attack, and the spill-over led to things like pulmonary edema, portal vein thrombosis, chronic arrythmia, and so much more. There is no "cure" for most of my problems, only treatments to put off my impending liver transplant and/or early death. - This has informed and affirmed my decision to not have offspring to hand this [redacted] down to.

[@elisabetk2595]

@@MonkeyJedi99 I'm so sorry you're going through this.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@elisabetk2595 Thanks for your words. Currently everything is managed with 20 different daily meds (7 being OTC), but at least my bloodwork keeps coming back mostly in the normal range.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Also cancer is an umbrella term for hundreds of different diseases.

[@allih8021]

Not gonna lie, "Hank, I'll see you right now" gave me all the feels. I love you guys and you remind me to express my love and appreciation for my brother more regularly, just because. So thanks. ❤

[@TheMozilla79]

I genuinely find something so authentic and comforting with the slightly scuffed audio. It's very home-video sounding, which deeply resonates in my nostalgic heart.

[@captaindcc]

"Alone on the Cancer Boat" a sentence you would only expect from a Dutch person.

[@MEDashaha]

Im dying lol

[@jcortese3300]

Or an Ingmar Bergman movie.

[@captaindcc]

@@jcortese3300 Your comment made me doubt myself but it all makes sense in the end. 'Bergman' is a very dutch/german last name and after reading his wikipedia page for 2 minutes I found this. "The progenitor of the Calwagen family, the merchant Paul Calwagen, had emigrated from Holland to Karlshamn, Sweden in the 17th century." It all makes sense in the end.

[@elsacelsing6968]

@@captaindcc Bergman is directly translated into mountain man from Swedish

[@settratheimperishable4093]

​​@@elsacelsing6968nd in Dutch, and I'm pretty sure German too. It's just a standard germanic thing, we're all connected by language.

[@spacey-sam]

The John-older-brother energy is strong in this video with Hank being Mike Wazowski’d every time they need to promote something and him being like “I’M the ceo now!” Also I love that they sit in the same position the whole video

[@skylarkie]

i cant imagine what my youtube recommended page would look like if i not only had a sibling but shared a youtube account with them. godspeed soldiers

[@nathalie12890]

John’s body taking a snapshot at 6:35 is a mood

[@HeisenbergFam]

John and Hank is the chaotically wholesome duo we didnt deserve, but needed. Makes me smile to see them vibe

[@doorbell8132]

Why are u in every single comment section oml

[@hps362]

I think that's the right vibe. I think they got the vibe right.

[@jennrodriguezdaluz]

i found your dad to be the most relatable part of this video for me 😂 when one cannot fix what is wrong with someone you love, you find other things in your life you can fix in the meantime for a miniscule sense of control.

[@phantomtribble]

As someone who has had migraines (often ocular) since I was a kid, I empathize with you, Hank. I will often suddenly lose part (or all) of my vision and start rushing around the house trying to get pain meds, caffeine, ice packs, as well as feed the cat, etc while partially blind and dizzy because I know I'm going to be useless in t-minus 20 minutes or so. I imagine the ghosts in my house must be pretty entertained watching the whole affair.

[@gobsofgabs7379]

Pro tip - service dogs can alert to oncoming migraines way before you would know! Highly recommend looking into a service dog - literal lifesavers.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

When my wife was going through surgeries and chemo, I didn't want to watch videos of other people going through treatment. But now that she is a few months into recovery, I watch more of these videos to see how this experience unfolds for other people. You are guys are both doing great! Keep at it. I wish you all the best with your continued treatment.

[@LynxChan]

As a biologist my biggest bugbear is "THE cure for cancer" which makes as much sense as "THE cure for infection". Cancer is a whole category of diseases, not a single illness. On a lighter note John, my favorite bit of reunion trolling is when you cover Hank with graphics 😄

[@sometalkaboutbeinghuman]

when does he do this in this video!

[@alankraut7894]

Well, cancers do all have one commonality, which is "your cells, but mutated to be bad". So I do think there is *some* possibility of CRISPR-based treatments resulting in a general procedure that will cure any cancer. I'm not holding my breath or anything, but I think it's not out of the realm of possibility.

[@LynxChan]

@@sometalkaboutbeinghuman they do the opposite, they actually point out that it isn't one disease. My comment is agreeing with their point 🙂

[@LynxChan]

@@alankraut7894 while CRISPR certainly holds potential, it's unlikely to be a broad "cure" because even individual cancers are polygenic. Yes, there is usually a single cell that starts things off, but when you study something like a tumour you can see that different subpopulations of cells accumulate different sets of mutations. That's not to say CRISPR holds no promise, just that it's unlikely to be a "magic bullet" 🙂

[@LynxChan]

@@sometalkaboutbeinghuman I'm just now realising you may be talking about the second part of the comment, about covering Hank's face 😅 0:23 and 0:42

[@andiwaters1888]

I am so genuinely glad Hank has John. It is so obvious how much they love each other, and that kind of support makes illness so much easier.

[@michasota2203]

I'm a MD, often working with cancer patients and I'm definitely going to use the boat metaphor. Wishing all the best for you Hank!

[@catherinesvideos156]

John's "Aww Hank" as Hank described the ocular migraine got me right in the feels. So much love and empathy.

[@savannah4439]

I get ocular migraines, and the first time it happened a couple years ago in classic med-student fashion I proceeded to go into my dark bathroom and perform visual field testing on myself to deduce if it was a brain problem or an eye problem 😂😂

[@bellablue5285]

I'll admit I'm not a medical student, but having had migraines for decades (only sometimes with aura), very used to running through the basic stroke symptoms when one hits regularly (I lose feeling in half my face, so long as I can see it move in a mirror - migraine)

[@laceym314]

I had no clue what was happening, as I was at work (school) and called a friend who said I made no sense whatsoever. Everyone thought I was having a stroke. Nope, just a new neural diagnosis.

[@elisabetk2595]

@@bellablue5285 I thought I was having a slightly weird migraine with the usual vomiting once and it turned out I was having a cerebellar hemorrhage. I didn't have any one-sided issues or other symptoms on that list. And it wasn't even quite the "worst headache of my life", I've had some pretty awful migraines.

[@bellablue5285]

@elisabetk2595 oh wow that sounds scary. Hopefully everything is ok now (or at least improving)

[@Tim3.14]

Please tell your brother Dave I hope he makes a speedy recovery from basal cell carcinoma, even if it doesn't count in the cancer statistics.❤

[@brunomeireles2832]

I'm a clinical oncology resident in Brazil, and recently lost my younger brother to high grade glioma(totally different disease, you'll outlive us all, Hank! ❤). Have been a fan of both of you since forever and I am deeply grateful for the beautiful work you're doing spreading awareness and valuable information troughout the course of your treatment, Hank. I may be tearing up every second of your videos as this makes my grief pain come on full throttle but i'll keep watching and admiring you even after Hank gets back to shore! ✊️

[@quintingell]

The socks and coffee over Hank’s face 😂😂😂😂

[@metropolis10]

I can picture Hank asking all these questions of his Doctors, and they are like "Do you want to know to feel more at ease?" -- "No, it's actually research for this science education youtube video..."

[@alexia3552]

1:33 I love that you're telling your brother that it's okay to just be upset. It's so compassionate to just let someone be upset about something upsetting, to let yourself just be upset. There's a time and a place for looking for silver linings/looking for joy in small things/looking constructively and hopefully toward the future etc etc. There is also a time and a place to just, let your pain and stress be enough. It's enough for a "Hey, that sucks. I'm sorry you're dealing with that." Idk just for some reason made me think of one of the best responses I've seen (from a parent or anyone else) to someone crying/sobbing/being really upset is, "You cry. You cry it all out as much as you want." And just holding them. I get the motivation behind "don't cry, it's okay, it'll all be okay," but when I received one of those "You cry, you be upset, I'll be here," it was so incredibly healing.

[@alleycaaat]

I'm having a really rough week and seeing the Green brothers reunited just hit me in the feels so hard and was exactly what I needed. Papa Green working on helping the tree, he's a treasure. Thank you for including him in the video.

[@merrillsunderland8662]

John: I wanna ask a serious question. *doesn’t ask a question* RELATABLE. Also the boat analogy is spot on

[@isabbygabbyorcrabby]

A 10 minute reunion video 🎉

[@billyalarie929]

It’s the greatest possible thing imo

[@kaitlynb5324]

Such a gorgeous video but I love how John sets up how they both always add the ‘but’ when talking about serious issues. And then they immediately start joking around about the boat again (the but!)

[@EayuProuxm]

1:51 I can count on 2 hands the number of times I've seen Hank take a nap The most believable statement uttered on this channel

[@BlueSpaceCat]

In this episode, Big Brother Energy conflates with Craigslist CEO Energy. Hank is now a means for advertising. Hankvertising.

[@TheGirlonfire25]

John: I jumped into a ball pit for my nephew to have a squishmallow Hank: I just got my first two ocular migraines Also: -Remember ye olde first reunion vid where John kept filming Hank sleeping? -Grateful to be a little boat, full of water still floating -Hank also had a great vid a year or so ago about watching boats with Orin so this boat metaphor feels like it was a long time coming

[@crains8087]

+

[@nataliamontes660]

Your honesty about your experiences (as both patient and sibling) is really comforting to see. My sister had cancer when we were teenagers and it was an isolating and embarrassing experience. I think having had role models like you two would've made a world of difference so I can only imagine how much good you are bringing to the Nerdfighter community and their loved ones

[@se0271]

Hank and Great Value Hank the CEO are reunited!

[@WulfTrax]

My favorite part about this video is that John and Hank are literally sitting in the exact same posture for the whole video. Just based on that information you can tell they're brothers because they look identical that way. I'm betting that Dad Green sits exactly the same way too.

[@kellykorek3251]

The fact that John is also wearing a hat was everything in this video. It was just so wonderful to see you two laughing together. Keep floating along Hank...you've got all of us who are in our own boats next to you cheering you on

[@Sylvestriss_]

I am also alone on a chronic illness boat, and my journey started around when Hank got cancer, so I feel somewhat like I am on a similar boat, except mine will likely never dock. But it's nice to have someone who I feel is going through at least a somewhat similar journey

[@tinamildred]

I'm probably just a handful of years younger than your parents, and I often think about them and how proud they must be to have you

[@rocketRobScott]

When I was about 12, my older brother’s friend fell off his bike and slid all the way down a steep pebbly driveway. He got up and said “well, that was pleasant,” and my brother and I have been keeping that quote alive between us ever since (that was probably in 1983). So, I have a positive association with what John thought of as a poor post jump pronouncement.

[@ObiMomKenobi13]

I love your dad for loving that tree.

[@mjjjermaine]

I used to get admitted to the hospital often for asthma, and my dad was also a fixer. With every emergency trip, the next day there would be an old lightbulb fixed, or a bush trimmed! I think I’ve inherited this trait with my own friends and family members. Anyways, thanks for letting us peek into the boat with you. While many of us have never ridden it (and we desperately want to get you off of it) it’s been nice to talk so openly about all the complicated things that come with boats

[@kitwinters7434]

I love how John edited the awesome socks&coffee pictures over Hank’s face. True brother energy.

[@CaptainStitchyPants]

Ocular migraines are terrifying the first time, if you don't know what they are! I'm pretty calm in an emergency and will reason through it, and I honestly thought maybe I'm having a stroke. I'm so sorry Hank has this new chemo symptom. And John, the love in your voice when you said, "Oh Hank" just pierced my heart 💜

[@emmybee4546]

Yeah that was the moment that got me too, that "Oh Hank."

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

I started getting ocular migraines when I was 14. I don't mind the aura part much anymore, cause it's how I know I have enough time to take a Tylenol-3 before the pain kicks in. 👍

[@hedgehogpeace]

I went to the ER my first time! It was very scary and incredibly jarring. Still catches me off guard whenever it happens

[@wills91]

Yeah my auras scared me pretty badly the first time, but you come to appreciate the natural warning

[@FifthHorseman23]

Converting a quasi-unit of risk as if it's in the metric system while laughing is exactly the way I'd expect these brothers to cope with everything going on and I'm here for it.

[@ellap6828]

You know what's kinda crazy? I got diagnosed with OCD within the last year, after being a vlogbrothers fan for years. Being scared of cancer is one of my big obsessions, because of course it is. So when I went to treatment for OCD, they had me watch exposure videos. And my main exposure video was... A lady describing how she had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. A video *I* picked, mostly randomly. And then, not even six months later, Hank gets diagnosed with it. I just feel weirdly entangled with these two brothers whom I've never met. Between the OCD, the possible ADHD, and the overthinking about cancer, it's just weird how life has all these coincidences. Like, of COURSE Hank got the cancer that my OCD (which I learned about from John) has been stuck on.

[@snatched.8135]

I hope y'all don't mind, but I will be using the boat analogy from now on to explain what disability feels like because it's perfect. 🤘❤

[@krose6451]

Hank bringing up the migraine with his cancer reminds me of a woman I know who has had migraines for years. After chemo, she would still get them just with every symptom but the pain. It was only years after she stopped treatment that pain returned with her migraines. Bodies are amazing bizarre things.

[@alexia3552]

2:30 "I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT BOATS" I almost spat out my water

[@bellarose5978]

I love the perception change of John's pov jumping into the pit versus him filming his kids way above.

[@xxMelaniexx]

Love getting a long video of the brothers together. I almost never see John genuinely laugh so much, then when he's with hank. Makes you happy for the world they exsist right now