A Rude Intrusion :: Day 52

This is my blog for day 52 of cancer treatment and recovery, Wednesday, 30 Aug 2017.

Only recovery today - no doctor's appointments.

Didn't sleep very well last night, as I awoke at 2:30 AM after going to bed at 9:00 PM. Perhaps I was thinking about Sally, I don't know. She didn't visit me in my dreams, though. Was hoping she would. I did have one crazy dream, though I can't remember what it was about, now. 

I did have some oatmeal this morning, the first solid food I've had in a while. Almost all of my feeding comes from the tube (I call them "bags of goop"), but I'm trying to turn that around. The oatmeal had little taste, even with brown sugar and butter, but I'm also drinking milk, and the milk, at least, still tastes like milk. Thank God for small favors!

Spent most of the day lounging, but I didn't really nap at all. In the evening, Nancy and I went to Menard's, where we purchased a new shed, and then went to Tim and Kate's, to check out Tim's painting, installation of new faucets in the bathroom, new tiled back-splash in the kitchen and under- and over-cabinet lighting. He did a great job!

When all is said and done, I guess I can say that I feel better, but nowhere near where I need to be. 

Today's YouTube music is Slow Poke by Pee Wee King - Link. We used to have this song on a 78 RPM record, probably from the jukebox in Uncle Freddie's tavern. Perhaps it's still in basement, I don't know. But it's a kind of country swing that isn't really heard much anymore. Naturally, I like it! 

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Rain, Uriah Heep - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
Slow Poke, Pee Wee King - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Subdivisions, Rush - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 51

This is my blog for day 51 of cancer treatment and recovery, Tuesday, 29 Aug 2017.

While treatment is done, I still have doctor visits. Today's is with the oncologist.

The devastation in Houston is ridiculous. I heard today that places are approaching rain totals for the storm that equal the entire rainfall expectations for the year. Wow!

The sad news of the day is with regard to Sally, our little Black Pug, who we had to put down today. You can read about it here: Link.

I have no YouTube music tonight. I can't bring myself to choose anything.

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Rain, Uriah Heep - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Subdivisions, Rush - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Good-Bye, Sally, We Love You!

Today we put our little black Pug Sally to sleep. She was just about 12 years old, and had been with us since we adopted her as a puppy. Sally was the "littlest girl" from a particular litter. Here she is in a picture taken by the breeder. 

The Breeder's "Littlest Girl"

When we decided to get a second Pug - we already had Lucy - we called the breeder, Laura Derga, and said we'd come out to see them in Iowa. They were just past the border in Farley. We drove out on a beautiful afternoon and got to their home without a problem. This family had three breeding mother and one (very happy, I'd assume) breeding father - Pugsley. Looks like he had a few years on him back then, given the grey in the face!

"Pugsley"

The family would socialize their Pugs by having them run around a family room area with their kids, a boy and a girl, neither of whom was yet in high school, as I remember it. They had turned their attached garage into a room with separate, private crates for each of the mothers to nurse their pugs. It was really quite nice, based on what we saw, and not at all a "puppy mill". This family cared for their dogs. 

Laura brought the adoptable puppies into the family room, where they ran and played and such while we looked at them. I suggested that Nancy site down in the middle of the floor, which she did, and most of the pugs shied away from her. All but Sally, that is. Sally came up and, basically, picked us to be her family. Nancy and I agreed that we would take her, so money changed hands and we started home with our new little Pug. Which, of course, is what I called her as a nickname - "Little Pug". 

The night became quite stormy, and it was difficult for a while to see the road properly. Nancy was having a time with Sally, too, as she was crying and crying. I finally suggested that Nancy go into the back seat with Sally and lay her underneath her coat, to both keep her warm and bond with her. And so Sally went to sleep, nestled up against Nancy.

Lucy took to Sally right away, often laying next to and even on top of her to keep her warm. Lucy was "the motherly type", and could we do it over again, I would have suggested that we breed her. But both of them were, eventually, fixed. So no breeding was to be done in our home.

Lucy "Mothering" Sally

If you've ever wondered about their names, here's how they got to be named what they were. Nancy wanted to name Lucy after Lucille Ball, but I would not agree to that. I'd agree only if Lucy was named after Lucille van Pelt, the cartoon character in Peanuts. And so she was. Sally, then, was named after Sally Brown, Charlie Brown's little sister. And Rocky came to use with a name - Rocky Road; he might have been Chuck or Linus, otherwise.

Lucy (Lucille van Pelt) and Sally Brown

Once we got her home, something unexpected happened - she became my Pug. Sally took to me more than she took to Nancy. We bonded. We were close. And while she grew, she and Lucy continued to get along, and Lucy continued to be Nancy's Pug, while Sally was mine.

A Young Sally, Sleeping On My Chest

But then, at some point, I went on a two-week trip for Hollister to Fredensborg, Denmark. And when I came back, she wouldn't have anything to do with me. We lost that closeness. But she didn't completely reject me, we simply weren't as close. She and Lucy competed for space up against Nancy. But I got the leftovers, for whenever one of the dogs had to move, they generally came over by me.

One thing about us - we took our dogs on vacation, "Up North" to the Kelderhouse's cabin in northern Wisconsin. The Pugs got along well with the Kelderhouse's Giant Schnauzers, so there was never an issue. I can remember one time when we were sitting around the picnic table, and Sally was being chased by the bigger dog. The Giant couldn't catch her - she was too fast - and when Sally came by us, looking back over her shoulder, the intake out exhaling of her breath made it sound like she was a little train engine! After a bit of this, the dogs would go and pile onto the floor inside the cabin and nap together.

Dopita's and Kelderhouse's At Bond Falls Flowage, With Dogs

The kids had a lot of fun with the dogs, too. There was a time when they though it would be hilarious for Nancy to carry Sally around in a little bag. So Amy, I think, bought a Pet Bag for the dog and Kerry and her had a riot with the whole idea. Sally was not enamored with it, and she rapidly grew to be too big for it, but it was fun while it lasted.

Kerry And Nancy With Sally's Pet Bag (Sally Is Not Amused)

One thing about Pugs - they love to eat. Lucy and Sally used to dance around the kitchen when it was time to eat. Lucy would spin in circles. And even to her last, Sally would bark and jump around, just being soooo happy to get her dinner. And it could even be a little bit of food that they would go after. Kerry, for fun, put a morsel of something just outside Lucy's reach on the picnic table, then had a laugh as Lucy tried and tried and tried to get it.

Sally had an issue back when she was just little. One of Tim's friends came over with a bag of Oreo cookies, which they didn't eat, but when they went out he left the bag on the floor of one of the bedrooms. My dad, who was living with us at the time, kinda watched the dogs, but he couldn't really keep a sharp eye on them, so when Nancy came home and saw Sally she asked him what she got into. Want to guess? The Oreo cookies.

Sally's stomach was just jammed full. She had to be taken to the vet, who gave her hydrogen peroxide in order to induce vomiting. Now, this was still a little Pug, not a full-grown dog. And when she quit heaving stuff up, she had emptied a cup and a half of cookie bits from her stomach! Needless to say, we were not happy with the whole thing, but she lived a long time after that . . . and ate a whole lot of other things, I'm sure.

A little over nine years ago, when Lucy was three and Sally two, my boss retired from work. She started volunteering at Save-A-Pet, helping take dogs to veterinarians and the like. I made an off-hand comment to her, something like, "let us know if the ever get a Pug". A few weeks later, she tells me they've just gotten a Pug. And a couple of weeks after that, Rocky comes home with us, and The Mighty Pug Trio was born.

Rocky was a good Pug. He "hit the ground running" with us, eating only his food, never messing in the house, and generally getting along well with the other two dogs. The most competition I saw between him and one of the other dogs was when we went for walks - both he and Sally wanted to be "lead Pug".

Sleeping Pugs (L-R, Rocky, Sally, Lucy)

Sally did not know how to play with other dogs, though. I would get down on the floor with Lucy and Rocky and get them to tugging on a rope toy, and sally would simply bark at the rest of us. She wouldn't tug on the rope, even if I put it near her mouth. She wouldn't chase toys I tossed across the room. But what she would do is go after a toy I would hide under my leg. So I could still play with here, just not like the other dogs.

Pugs are comfort dogs, though, not hunters, retrievers or anything like that. And they certainly knew how to comfort my dad, who would often have all three of them on his lap when on the recliner. And they certainly knew how to comfort Nancy, or look to her for comfort and acceptance, as shown in the photo below. And it wasn't just Nancy they did this too - it was anyone who came over to the house. All three of the dogs were as friendly as can be.

Pug Pile On Nancy!

Here's The Mighty Pug Trio guarding a little boy Nancy used to watch (Ben), who is napping in our family room.

Guard Pugs

Black Pugs are supposed to be feisty - my cousin thought she was - but Sally seemed to get along with all the other dogs in the family. Whether Jack - Kate and Tim's dog - or Bailey - Kerry and Luke's dog - or Piper - Matt and Amy's dog - Sally would pretty much warm up to or ignore them (though Bailey would not be ignored, as a puppy). She loved to go out on the deck and lay in the sun, as she is doing with Jack in the photo below. Later in life, though, she was in-and-out every five minutes, not really wanting to be in either place for too long.

Sally And Jack, Relaxing On The Deck

It was just about three years ago that we had to put Lucy down. She was suffering from Lymphoma, and got really sick really quick after her diagnosis. Two years ago, Rocky was exhibiting signs of dementia, then started "going" in the house (both pee and poo), when he had never done that before. Given the signs, we had to make the decision to put him down, as well.

So Sally had us to herself for the last couple of years. But, slowly, she began to exhibit the signs, as well. She would walk into a room and simply stand and stare. Not moving. Not barking. Just staring at nothing. Other times, she would bark and bark and bark at something neither Nancy or I could see. she would bark in one room, then go into another and bark there. Was she calling for the other Pugs? Perhaps.

We knew Sally was deaf. She used to run to us when we came home. Lately, we could come into the house and not be greeted for several minutes. and when she was sleeping, she was often "dead to the world" and would be startled to be awakened. And she started losing her bowels in the house. Even in our bed, in which she slept every night.

But the worst thing for Sally was her tongue. It started bleeding right around the time I received my cancer diagnosis. We took her into the vet, and they removed several teeth and sewed up her tongue. This didn't really solve the problem, but it did do one good thing for Sally - she started getting wet food, which she really, really loved! and we were happy to give it to her.

It didn't take too long for the tongue to start bleeding again, and we took her in for a second surgery. But that didn't work, either. They took a biopsy of the tissue around the problem are on her tongue, but we decided not to spend the $200 (!!!) to have it looked at by a pathologist. After all, if it was cancer, what were we going to do? Nothing. We weren't going to give her chemo - that would be nuts!

So we made the decision to put Sally down, as well, moving from The Mighty Pug Trio, to The Dynamic Pug Duo to The Last Pug Standing to A House Without A Pug. It wasn't easy, but what were we to do? There was rally no way she could be saved, and she exhibited all of the signs that It Was Time. Tuesday, 29 Aug 2017 was her last day here on Earth.

Sally was a good Pug, a good dog and a good friend. She provided both Nancy and me with comfort, she showed us the love that only dogs seem to have for their people, and she made us laugh. There were so many good times to remember - just a little Pug kiss or the comfort of having your friend relaxing with you on the couch. Even going out with my "Baby Girl" every morning and evening so she could "do her business". I know I'll get over the hurt, but I'll never forget that Little Pug.

God Bless You, Sally. Nancy and I are certainly going to miss you!

Sally, Autumn 2016

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 50

This is my blog for day 50 of cancer treatment, Monday, 28 Aug 2017.

First things first: Happy Birthday to the finest person anyone could ask to marry, my wife Nancy! She is the best!

Final radiation treatment today! This will end the treatment phase of my illness. Now, on to recovery!

My radiation oncologist, Dr. Mohideen, explained what was going on with the burn on the right side of my neck, leading down into my shoulder. He showed me the pattern of radiation that was being used, with the highest dose higher up my neck, and a lower dose down into the shoulder area. But he said the skin on the neck, always being exposed to the elements, was much tougher than the skin around the shoulder, and that is why the shoulder is so burned. Burned and peeling, red and raw, in point of fact. I expect, though, since radiation is done, the burns will be mostly healed by the end of the week.

I got to ring the bell at the treatment area this afternoon when I was done. Tim took a video and sent it to everyone. Got hugs from all of the therapists, too. I met with the nurse and went over a bunch of different things, including the schedule by which I'll wean myself off the drug called gabapentin, which has been controlling my pain.

My sister Jan took me to the treatment (Tim met us there), and then waited with me while Nancy finished her treatment. Then we headed home and had a completely unremarkable night. Watched some TV, including the Cubs, who were victorious against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I realize that I haven't posted anything by the band Rush, so that will be today's YouTube video. Subdivisions - Link. I've necer seen these guys live, and, now, I guess I never will, as they're no longer touring. Guess 40 years was enough!

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Rain, Uriah Heep - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Subdivisions, Rush - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 49

This is my blog for day 49 of cancer treatment, Sunday, 27 Aug 2017.

No doctor appointments today!

Bears play today at noon. Might have to watch just to see if Mitch Trubisky (isn't that a Chicago name?) impresses again.

Linda and Bryan (Nancy's sister and her husband) are supposed to stop by today, after going to Nancy's mom's for Nancy's birthday lunch. Her birthday is tomorrow, the 28th. Send her a Happy Birthday message!

Bears looked good on their first drive. But it is still pre-season. I'll wait for the first meaningful game to see how they play.

Paid the bills today. We're still solvent!

Kind of stream-of-consciousness today, isn't it?

The Bears won, Linda, Bryan, Meghan and Sarah came over, with Nancy's mom, for a nice visit. Sarah was accepted into Davenport University, in the Occupational Therapy Master's program, after a long wait to hear if she was accepted. She'll be living a short two miles from Amy and Matt, which is great.

While they were here we watched the end of the golf tournament, The Northern Trust "Open", I'd suppose. Dustin Johnson and Justin Spieth went to a playoff, with Johnson winning on the first hole, after driving the ball directly over water, "cutting the corner" so to speak, with a 341-foot long shot that was truly masterful. He hit a pitch to within four feet and drained his birdie putt. Totally incredible finish. Johnson had come from five back to force the playoff, sinking a putt on the 18th green that rimmed the cup and went in to force the tie.

Even at my best, I'm only 5% of one of those players.

In any case, it started as a rainy day, and ended as a rainy night, so let me leave you with this . . .

Today's YouTube music: I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link - performed live in Branson, MO. Don't know if I care for the blue guitar, but . . .

And for those who feel introspective today, Rain, by Uriah Heep - Link.

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Rain, Uriah Heep - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 48

This is my blog for day 48 of cancer treatment, Saturday, 26 Aug 2017.

No doctor appointments today!

Sleeping was great! I woke at 2:00 AM, for some reason, and felt the cold air washing over us from the open window. Snuggled under the covers; even the dog left her usual spot at the end of our bed and crawled underneath the blanket between us. Fell back asleep and didn't wake until 6:30, an hour later than usual.

Today was pretty much a do-nothing day. Nancy and I lounged around the house for much of the morning, then she got going to the grocery store. I read a bit, watched some of the coverage of hurricane Harvey, watched This Old House, Ask This Old House, The Woodsmith Shop and one other woodworking show. Also looked for courses in woodworking at two of the local junior colleges and found there were NONE. You can earn welding, HVAC and truck driving, but not woodworking, even in the "personal development" classes. Too bad. Was thinking about taking a class or two. (Nothing in the area outside of community colleges, either.)

Cubs blew out the Phillies tonight. Turned on the TV, and it was something like 13-2 Cubs. Can it be they're getting ready for another run, or are they simply beating up on lesser teams? One can only hope . . .

Today's YouTube music is . . . Galveston, by Glen Campbell - Link, for hurricane-related reasons. And a two-fer: By The Time I Get To Phoenix, also by Glen Campbell - Link.

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 47

This is my blog for day 47 of cancer treatment, Friday, 25 Aug 2017.

I have radiation today at 2:15 PM. Then, one more to go!

Slept great last night/ Got down into the upper 40's. As I sad yesterday, it was wonderfully cool with the window open. Great sleeping weather!

Poor Sally is bleeding again, but this time it's not watery blood, it's red blood. I guess her tongue has opened up again. I guess our decision to put her down next Tuesday is the correct one. Still, I feel bad about it . . .

Got a chance to FaceTime with our daughter Amy today, who lives in Grand Rapids, MI. Her two kids are soooo cute! Can't wait to see them in person.

So now I'm down to one more radiation treatment. Then it's on to recovery. Hard to imagine that I've actually gone through all of this. More on that later, I think.

Sorry about the short post today.

Here's today's YouTube music: One Is The Loneliest Number by Three Dog Night - Link. Along with Going For The One by Yes - Link.

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 46

This is my blog for day 46 of cancer treatment, Thursday, 24 Aug 2017.

I have radiation today at 2:15 PM. Then, two more to go!

Slept alright last night, but woke a couple of times. One thing about it - it was wonderfully cool with the window open. Great sleeping weather!

We stopped on the way to the hospital and bought a Portillo's Chocolate Cake (PCC) to bring to the staff at the hospital. The nutritionist was very happy to see us - the nutritionist! - as she was craving chocolate this afternoon. Ha! Chocolate overload, on its way!

Those of you who have never had a PCC don't know what you're missing. Alongside a glass of cold milk, a slice of PCC will put you in heaven (small "h" heaven - using the big "H" Heaven here would imply that it would kill you). It's delicious! But don't take my work for it - have a slice yourself next time you're in the Chicago area.

Met with the nurse and nutritionist after treatment today. Getting ready to move on to the recovery phase, so the questions were different. But things will still be "bad" for two weeks after treatment, they tell me, so it sounds like it'll be a slow slide into recovery rather than a jump.

Here's a food-related video for today's YouTube entry: Eat It, by Weird Al Yankovic - Link.

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link

Apollo 11 launch - Link

Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link

Blessings, Laura Story - Link

Brandy, Looking Glass - Link

Chicago Bears fight song - Link

Chicago Blackhawks song - Link

Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link

Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link

Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link

Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link

Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link

Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link

A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman

Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link

Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link

Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link

Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link

Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link

Groucho Movie Clips - Link

I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link

I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link

In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link

In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom  - Link

In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.

Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link

Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link

Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link

Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link

Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link

Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link

My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link

On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link

Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link

Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link

Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link

She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link

Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link

Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link

Sisters, from White Christmas - Link

Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link

St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link

Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link

Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link

Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link

Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link

That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link

Time, Pink Floyd - Link

Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link

Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link

Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link

Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link

US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link

Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link

War, Edwin Starr - Link

Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link