I'm Just a Guy . . .

Sunday, August 6, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 27

This is my blog for day 27 of cancer treatment, Saturday, 5 Aug 2017.

Today was another day to recover from chemotherapy. I did awake early, and read more in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mr Twain really took ol' Huck around a bit in this adventure, shore 'nuff he did. But I'm enjoying it, nonetheless.

Took a shower today, too, and weighed myself. Now, under normal circumstances, where weight loss was an thing to be done, I might happily say I weighed 250.8. But when weight loss is not a goal, but merely a side-effect of the treatments I'm going through, I will un-happily say I now weigh 250.8 pounds. I'm down 14 pounds from where I started on day 1.

To put this in perspective, I am expected to lose weight. And the tube feedings I'm supposed to be doing (see below for more on that fiasco) are expected to help. I'm still able to eat, I'm happy to say, but have no appetite. No desire for food whatsoever. Not only doesn't that help the cause of weight-maintenance, but it adds to the need to get nourishment through tube feedings. I'm hopeful that this is merely a side-effect of chemotherapy, and that my appetite will improve. (Can anyone image a Mark who didn't like to eat? It's part-and-parcel of who I am, rightly or wrongly.)

Another side-effect of chemo is a slight ringing in the ears, and a loss of hearing overall. This may or may not be retained once I'm done, but we'll simply have to wait and see. The ringing comes and goes, but, as I'm writing this, it is certainly with me.

I appreciate all the cards and the phone calls! I received a couple of cards recently, and they really do help to buoy my spirits. And don't be afraid to call; if I can't make time to talk to you at a particular moment, I'll certainly call you back!

So now to the Tube Feeding Incident. I fed myself through the G-Tube at lunch time, starting with 2 oz of water, adding some 2-3 oz of water to the feed (now I feel like a Sontaran in a Doctor Who episode, getting his daily clone feed), The feeding time was more than 20 minutes, and it left me feeling like I had consumed a far-too-large quantity of beer. Liquid gut. Should have been a clue.

I sat down in my dad's motorized recliner (brought over from my sister Jan's once we knew I'd be undergoing this cancer treatment) and tried to watch TV. After another some 20 minutes or so, I still felt bad, so decided to try to rest in our bedroom, with my head raised up off the bed by two pillows, laying only on my back. I seemed to be doing okay, drifting off into a little nap, when - EMERGENCY . . . EMERGENCY YOU ARE GOING TO . . . - yep, I puked up a bunch, all over my shirt. I called for Nancy, and was able to make my way into the bathroom to get cleaned up.

It's not necessary to describe the mess, but may be important to go into the particulars of what happened, just in case anyone needs to use tube feedings. Liquid, you may remember, flows to its lowest level. Forget density, forget oil-floats-on-water and all those other things, this is liquid contained in a vessel (me). So when I slipped lower in bed, the liquid, which had not yet evacuated my gut, flowed back into my esophagus and triggered, well, you know.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP :: Do NOT recline until well after the feed has passed into your digestive system!

How can you tell, you might ask? Seems to me that all of the water is stripped out early in digestion, as I really had to pee (how else can I say this?) about an hour after taking the feeding. Really.

I was able to eat a little by dinner time, but not too much. Didn't even finish a Culver's "short" vanilla shake. Ate their mashed potatoes and gravy, that's about it. I know I have to do better.

Today's YouTube video is not just music - it IS a video, as well. It's called "Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1 - An International Collaboration" (here) and features Rachel Flowers, a young lady whose talent would be considered monumental, but whose story is even more amazing. Read about it here.

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - 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
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - 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
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - 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
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 26

This is my blog for day 26 of cancer treatment, Friday, 4 Aug 2017.

Today was a day to recover from chemotherapy. Nothing else to report.

No YouTube music today . . . apologies!

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Friday, August 4, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 25

This is my blog for day 25 of cancer treatment, Thursday, 3 Aug 2017.

A late posting . . . again. Apologies!

Having gone to bed early last night, Sally had to wake me at 5:15 AM this morning, naturally, to take her out and feed her (and the cat). I went back to bed and woke again at seven, then read until eight. Still tired today, from chemo, but not quite as much. Have a radiation treatment today, followed by a meeting with the nurse and dietitian.

Tim came over at 11:00 AM and took me for a haircut. It was really needed!

Weight was maintained at 266, which the nurse and dietitian were happy about. I took a tube feeding this morning, the first time I've done that. A 375-calorie pack preceded by 4 oz of water, and succeeded by the same. I was bloated at the end of it! Not something I'm looking forward to, I'll tell you, but food just doesn't taste right any more (taste buds are affected by radiation). So if I have to supplement, I have to supplement.

Still knocked back by chemo. Napping a bit, and going to bed by 9:00 PM each night.

Today's YouTube music is from Chicago, Questions 67 and 68 (here), another classic!

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Thursday, August 3, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 24

This is my blog for day 24 of cancer treatment, Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017.

Special Announcement: Today is radiation treatment 18 of 35 - I am over 50% done! My last radiation treatment is Friday, 25 Aug 2017. And I have now had two of three chemotherapy treatments. The last will come the week of 21 Aug 2017, the last week of any treatments at all,

This blog posting is late because I had a really "down day", sleeping for much of the day and being generally listless from the prior day's chemo treatment. I had to go to the oncologist's office for fluids (a scheduled visit) at noon, then we went over to Northwest Community for radiation. Once back home, I was wiped out! I went to bed at 9:00 PM, and that was that.

Today's music is a piece we've done in church, Blessings by Laura Story. It can be found on YouTube, here. With what I'm going through, it strikes chord. Here are the lyrics:

Blessings

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - 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
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - 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
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 23

This is my blog for day 23 of cancer treatment, Tuesday, 1 Aug 2017.

Another beautiful day today - 80 degrees, but partly cloudy again. Heck, what does partly cloudy mean to an 80 degree day in August? It's still lovely!

Slept well for the first part of the night last night, but woke to take a Tylenol and found Nancy awake at about 2:00 AM. She had her treatment yesterday, and that always messes with her sleep. So we both went back to bed, but I was in-and-out of sleep after waking. Perhaps it was because I had to get up at 5:30 AM in order to get to my radiation treatment at 7:15 AM. Perhaps it was worry. I don't know.

Nancy and I headed out at 6:15 AM, and were at the hospital on time. After my treatment, we went to the Egg Harbor restaurant in Arlington Heights for breakfast, where I had scrambled eggs, an English Muffin and some of their potatoes, though really just a few. It was somewhat difficult to get the potatoes down. So I drank a lot of water. Nancy had a fruit-covered French Toast ("Very Berry" French Toast) which included strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. She loves her fruit!

And about Nancy . . . she has been unbelievably helpful to me, in terms of getting through treatment. She is supportive, helpful, kind, encouraging - in short, everything you could possibly ask for in your spouse. I cannot say enough good things about her. But those of you who have met her know. I'd like to say I love her even more, now, but I'm not sure I can love her more than I already do!

And a tip-of-the-hat to my daughter Kerry, who drove us to Nancy's treatment yesterday. I piggy-back for the 2:15 PM treatment, and pretty much stay in Nancy's room all afternoon. In the morning I do a few things in various places the hospital - the cafeteria, an alcove on the north side, an area by the east entrance set up with round tables and a sofa or two. When I'm working, it all revolves around whatever meetings I have or tasks I have to complete. Now that I'm off, it involves keeping up with the bills and the budget, and reading. Kerry works near the east entrance all day.

And since we take our car I'm able to run errands, as necessary, or get lunch from Mariano's, or both. Yesterday I went to the bank, for example.

Am at chemotherapy today. I had a 9:45 AM appointment, which is why my radiation therapy was moved up to 7:15 AM. I'll probably be here until 5:00 PM or so.

And so I was; am writing this after 7:00 PM this evening. Nancy dropped me at chemo at about 9:15 AM or so, going back home to meet with Orkin. We have them come out every two months, and have a wasps nest in one of our trees, so we wanted to make sure he dealt with that. Wasps are not pollinators, so I don't feel particularly bad about them. (Though there is a pollinator relationship with the fig tree, but we don't raise them.)

I was catching up on mail and watching YouTube today, though napping quite a bit in the morning. I guess the night's lack of sleep the culprit. When Nancy returned, she brought me chicken noodle soup from Culver's and a vanilla shake. No longer calorie conscious am I - I've been told to eat! My wreak havoc with my blood sugar, though. I stayed awake all afternoon, I think.

My chemotherapy treatment generally runs as follows: first, I get called in, weighed (just over 263 today, fully clothed without phone in pocket or glasses on for you detail-oriented people), then taken to a room, where the tech takes my oxygenation level, heart rate, BP (126/76 . . . calm!), and goes over my medication list. Then my blood is taken using the medi-port, and access to the port is retained (the needle is not taken out). I see Dr. Gordon, go over the details of what is happening with me, and answer any of his questions. He also answers any questions I may have.

Next, I'm taken into a long, narrow room, bounded by a bank of windows that looks out north over the scenic IL 53 interchange at Algonquin Road (Rt 62). There must be twelve reclining chairs along the windows, and a second room with even more.

Side note: Nancy has to sit in a simple padded chair with a low back if she stays with me. She did the first time, and did not like it. Too many hours in an uncomfortable chair.

In any case, I choose a chair, then my nurse comes over, gets me started with a steroid and an anti-nausea medication, and gives me a shot of a long-acting anti-nausea medication, which shot goes right in my stomach. The staff applies a kind of "freeze" to the skin first, so I'm pretty numb when the medicine is slowly injected into me.

Once the steroid is done I get Lasik (a diuretic, or drug designed to make me go to the bathroom), my port is flushed, and a bag of good old IV fluid (1000ML or two 16.9 oz water bottles) is run into me. Then comes 1000ML of fluid with the Sysplatin chemotherapy drug, which step takes about four hours to complete. Then it's another 1000ML of IV fluid and I'm done. Total time, including arriving 15 minutes early to the doctor: just about 8 hours.

The staff could not be nicer, I have to say. There is only one thing that will get them going, I'd bet. There is a sign on the blanket-warmer (yes, I can have a nice, warm blanket while I'm sitting in the chair) that say Blankets Are For Patients Only! I'd bet you'd get them riled if you took one and you weren't the patient. I have shared mine with Nancy (the day after my first chemo session when I went back for hydration), and nobody said anything to me. But if she had her own, well, I'd bet we'd get a talkin' to.

Oh, and I decided that this blog is lacking in pictures, so I'm adding one. Hello!

Today's music is something I ran into by accident, while watching and listening to YouTube. It's a combination of two Frank Zappa songs, joined with a long-ish drum solo, by the University of Montana Percussion Ensemble: Montana and We Are Not Alone (here). While I realize that many folks are not Frank Zappa fans (God save his soul), I think this is worth a listen. Zappa would have loved it: the U. Montana ensemble playing Montana. And they do a good job!

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 22

This is my blog for day 22 of cancer treatment, Monday, 31 Jul 2017.

This blog posting is late . . . apologies!

Another beautiful day today - 82 degrees, but partly cloudy today.

This is the first night I can say I did not sleep well. I woke several times, with pain in the my mouth and throat, and have decided that I can no longer use my CPAP machine, as it dries out the inside of my mouth, leading to the afore-mentioned pain. Plus, I think the Tylenol I take before bed needs to be doubled.

Found out something interesting today: starting in week five, the field of radiation is narrowed, and concentrated more on the tumor sites. I guess this means that the soreness in my throat will start to diminish, as less radiation is directed there. So while I had thought it was still uphill all the way through week seven, it appears that it's not.

Another thing: Dr. Mohideen told me that he could no longer feel the tumor in the lymph node along the right side of my neck. So it seems that things are working as designed, and the treatments are doing what they were supposed to do. Good news!

Today's music includes two songs from Garrison Keillor's show: the Powdermilk Biscuit Break (here) from the 30th anniversary of A Prairie Home Companion (tell me this isn't a fun little ditty!) and She Used To Be Mine by Sara Bareilles (here) from her musical Waitress (tell me this isn't a great song!).

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link

And I Love Her - Link

Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

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

Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link

Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link

Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link

Groucho Movie Clips - 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

Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link

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

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link

On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link

Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - 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

Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link

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

Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Monday, July 31, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 21

This is my blog for day 21 of cancer treatment, Sunday, 30 Jul 2017.

Another beautiful day today - 82 degrees and sunny! Sat outside with Linda Martinez, her two younger boys and a grandson this morning, then saw Nancy's sister Linda and her husband Bryan, as well as my mother-in-law Sonja, for lunch. Yesterday's visitor was our friend Beth, a teacher, like Nancy. We took a walk and sat outside to talk about all kinds of things. On Saturday afternoon I spoke with Nancy's brother Bill, who stopped by the house, and in the afternoon and evening we entertained Kim, a social worker from the hospital and friend. So it was a busy weekend with friends, and it certainly helped my spirits.

Bryan and I watched the Cubs win a game today, though we both napped on-and-off. Then it was on to the Canadian Open golf tournament for a short while before they left to head home.

All in all, a nice weekend.

Today's music: two classics of another sort: Time (here) and Comfortably Numb (here) by Pink Floyd. One comment states it perfectly: "No flashy wardrobe, no sexual innuendo, no ranting and raving of how good you are, no dirty and dull lyrics, no auto tune, no dancers, no repetitive beats. There is just pure and delicious musical ingenuity." Pure and delicious, indeed!

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - 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
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - 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
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Sunday, July 30, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 20

This is my blog for day 20 of cancer treatment, Saturday, 29 Jul 2017.

No doctor visits today! And it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day - 77 degrees and sunny!

One of the things I thought I'd do with today's blog is to describe exactly what a radiation treatment is like. I don't think I've done that before. So here goes.

All my radiation treatments are at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL. It's a 45-minute drive (during the day) from the house. So Nancy and I leave at 1:15 PM every day, or so, and Nancy drives me to the treatment, the same drive we've done for years - what I call "the back way" to the hospital - down Roberts to Barrington to Cuba to Ela to Northwest Highway to Wilke to Kirchoff. (Those who live in the are will perhaps recognize the route.) We park in the Oncology parking area on the first floor of the Busse Center parking garage. We have a placard that identifies us as being allowed to park there, so it gets displayed in the front window.

From the parking lot, we walk into the main floor of the Busse Center, past registration, on down a hallway bordered by a row of windows to a bank of elevators. We take the elevator down one floor, then walk through a hallway to the Radiation Oncology department. Being downstairs, this area gets no natural light, but is well-lit by fluorescent lights, giving it a . Generally, as we know all the admins, we are greeted warmly. I swipe a bar-coded card under a card reader - twice - and that tells the staff I'm there. After an exchange of pleasantries I usually sit in the waiting are. There are a few "regulars" in the waiting area, including one poor fellow who has his head bandaged, and is generally wearing a cap.

After a short wait - these appointments are punctual - one of the technicians comes to get me. We walk down two hallways, past several examination rooms and a nurses office, and I'm usually asked to sit down in one of two chairs in an alcove just outside the unit. There are multiple machines in the unit, but I've only been treated in one - the particle accelerator. The techs sit inside the unit, opposite a bank of computer monitors that tell them what's happening with the machines. They also have a monitor which shows the patient. It's really rather high-tech.

The same patient almost always walks from the treatment room every day. He's older than me - I'd guess he was in his late 70's - and we now exchange greetings each day. Once he's done, the technicians call me in - Barb, Linda, Cindy or Mary - working in a team of three. One of them will walk me in while the others prepare for treatment. I stop by a mirror, place my phone and glasses on its ledge, then take out my mouth guards (technically, they're called "fluoride trays"), pop them in and leave the case on the ledge.

The treatment room is full of the various components of the machine. On the far wall is a rack containing the various masks and molds into which the patients are placed. In my case, a mask was made of my face, using a plastic which keeps its shape when room temperature, but was pliable enough to conform to my face, head and chest when warm (and wet), I think I described how this was done in a previous post. The person that followed me, one day, appeared to have had a mold made of their knee. This is done to ensure that you are in almost the exact same position day-to-day.

In my case, I am asked to lie on a table, with my head in a depression at the top of the machine - again, to ensure that I'm in generally the same position each time. The techs place a piece of foam under my knees, for comfort, and then put the mask in place over my face and the top of my chest. The mask is then snapped into place, six buckles in all, I think, and the techs verify that my face is in the proper place. They set the table into its place using a series of three numbers (X-, Y- and Z-axes, I'd bet). (I hear, "Shout out your numbers loud and strong!", each time, though they never say it out loud.)

When they're ready to go they let me know, and leave the room. At this point, I'm laying on my back, unable to move, hands clasped together and feet splayed out to the left and the right. For some reason, I'm not allowed to cross my legs. The machinery starts moving around me, and does a CAT scan to ensure that I'm in the right position. I think the machine will make slight adjustments if it needs to. The table shakes a bit when the treatment is ready to begin, and at this point I puff my cheeks out and hold them there.

The particle accelerator itself makes a buzzing sound when it is working, and I swear that I can feel the radiation hitting my tongue. Really. But the machine makes one pass on the right side of my face, concentrating on the tumor on the base of my tongue (and its associated parts, wherever they stretch out to), then the buzzing stops while the machine moves on to its second pass. I continue puffing my cheeks out (to keep stray electrons from burning the inside of my cheek - it does seem to work), and the machine eventually finishes it second pass. At this point, the staff returns to the room and unbuckles me from the machine.

They have to lower the table back to the proper height, then they help me to a sitting position and I swing my legs over the side, stand up, walk over to a sink, take out my fluoride trays and rinse them off. I take the wadded up paper towels I use to dry the trays and toss them into the garbage can, about six feet away from the sink (I'm a perfect 15-for-15 at this point). Then I gather my belongings and head out to get Nancy and return home.

Total time in the room: around 15 minutes, I think. Have to do it 20 more times, starting Monday.

Today's music is another classic - Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford (here) - 'nuff said!

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - 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
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - 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
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Friday, July 28, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 19

This is my blog for day 19 of cancer treatment, Friday, 28 Jul 2017.

Went to bed early, but woke at 3:00 AM and stayed awake for a while. Still able to lay on my side without the feeding tube giving me too much discomfort. My radiation appointment is at 2:15 PM, today, as usual. It's treatment 15 of 35.

It's funny to be sitting here, ill, watching the Republicans and Democrats fighting over healthcare. My employer provides us with a good plan, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plan, in which all my doctors participate, so all my procedures re paid at in-network rates. And many of the procedures have a contracted cost that is less (sometimes far less) than the hospital or provider's "asking price". From my viewpoint, with a small $460 deductible and $2,300 out-of-pocket maximum, I've got great coverage.

But here's the downside to the ACA, or Obamacare. My neighbor, who does not have an employer-provided plan, has a deductible that is $7,000 or higher. In other words, for all but the most critical of cases, she has NO health insurance. She has what used to be called "major medical" - catastrophic coverage. She has no coverage for routine visits. Should she require a trip to the doctor, it's all on her. Urgent care? Still all on her. ER? Most likely, still all on her. And she cannot fund the $7,000 deductible. So what is she paying for? Only the possibility of requiring an extended stay in a hospital, or surgery, or serious illness. And a serious illness would mean time off of work - without pay.

So here are the Republicans and Democrats, fighting over a seriously-deficient healthcare system, one group wanting to kill the current program, one group trying no keep it in place, but neither looking at the actual problems in the system and trying to come up with a solution. They're protecting their own turf, so to speak, not really doing what they were sent to Washington to do - work together and make laws that will help this country deal with its problems.

And I'm not hopeful that things will change in the near term, for they'll keep fighting with each other.

As I'm in a pensive mood today, perhaps because of the passing of June Foray, voice actress without peer, who vocalized Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale, Witch Hazel and so many other characters, I thought I would reflect back on those things which influenced me, growing up, as I did, in the suburbs of Chicago. Here, in no specific order, are many of them:

My mom, my dad and my sister Janet
Saturday morning cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, the Roadrunner and Wile E Coyote, Wacky Racers, Top Cat, even Archie and Scooby Doo
Rocky and Bullwinkle (when I watched, they were on Sunday morning on WGN)
Al Jolson albums - my mother loved him!
Marvel comic books
Pinochle after Sunday morning breakfast
Aunt Udine and Uncle Freddy visiting for the holidays
Driving home from Udine and Freddy's home in Chicago, especially late at night
Penny-ante poker
Ray Rayner and Friends, Bozo's Circus, Garfield Goose
Science Fiction books, especially Tom Swift, the Foundation series (Isaac Asimov), Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke
Johnny Quest
Swimming lessons at Meadows pool
The Chicago Cubs on WGN television
The Beatles
"The old bomb" - either my dad's '58 or '67 Oldsmobile
Vacations in Kansas, at the farm, and the long drives to California every few years
St Raymond's grade school
Roller skates that clamped on to your shoes, requiring the use of a key
My cousins
Playing in the basement
My Schwinn bicycle
Mad magazine
The Dick Van Dyke show, Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone
Peanuts, with Good Ol' Charlie Brown
Playing "army" with the kids in the neighborhood
Kick the Can
Ghost in the Graveyard
The Good Humor man
The neighbors - the Weatherbys, the Millers, the Gachs, the Szarbans, the Linkmans, the Beckmans, the Gullicksons . . . so many good people
The Mount Prospect Midget Football Assocation - The MPMFA
My 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Larry, Randy, John, Tom, Bob, Mike and Henry
Our "freak bench" in Randhurst Mall
McDonald's french fries, 45-cent hot dogs at Peeps, Luke's, Jake's Pizza, Sammy Skobel's Hot Dogs Plus
Working at the A&P
Playing hockey, football and softball at Fairview School
Deutsch Klassen mit Fräulein Hudson und Herr Swick

And I'm just getting started . . .

Today's music comes in from Bette Midler, from her album Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook, in a duet with Linda Ronstadt (here). The song, Sisters, comes from the movie White Christmas. In it, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen are the sisters, and Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are the suitors. In truth, Rosemary Clooney sings both parts. You can see that clip here.

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - 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
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Thursday, July 27, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 18

This is my blog for day 18 of cancer treatment, Thursday, 27 Jul 2017.

Slept well, and was able to lay on my side without the feeding tube giving me too much discomfort. My radiation appointment is at 2:15 PM, today, as usual. It's treatment 14 of 35 (as I only get radiation M-F, not on the weekends). Will meet with the nurse and dietitian this afternoon after the treatment.

The inside of my mouth is really sore, along the right side, in the back, where the tumor is. Not so bad on the left. It's not terrible pain, but when I swallow it does "let me know it's there". Best way I know how to describe it. Dr Mohideen had suggested that I "puff my cheeks out" during radiation to keep "stray electrons" from burning the inside of my cheek, and I think it's actually working. That, and the Gelclair I use to soothe those tissues.

Came home from the radiation treatment with food to do tube feedings. Might have to get started with it as my throat is giving me a lot of trouble when I do eat. Had scrambled eggs twice today - those, at least, I can eat. But that's not going to keep up the calorie count I need to maintain my weight. Bummer.

Today's music comes in two parts: the record of, and the movie clip of Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman singing In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening. The version on record is here. The video clip from the movie Here Comes the Groom is here. Music is by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics are by Johnny Mercer. It's a classic, that it is!

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 17

This is my blog for day 17 of cancer treatment, Wednesday, 26 Jul 2017.

Slept well last night, after falling asleep in a chair. My radiation appointment is at 2:15 PM, today.

Boy, as soon as Sally knows you're awake she wants to get up and get fed. One thing about these Pugs, they love their food!

Used the Gelclair again last night. It really does seem to soothe my mouth. And the prescription was approved, I found out. Now all me need to do is to arrange payment and delivery, as it has to come from a specialty pharmacy.

To be honest, I'm beginning to feel pretty sore from the radiation. The inside of my lip was absolutely on fire last night when I brushed my teeth. Am going to change toothpaste, from mint to something else, as I believe the mint flavor in the Dental Care I use is the culprit. But we don't have any "regular" toothpaste at home, so will have to wait and see.

I used (or tried to) a little "Sweet Baby Ray's" barbecue sauce this past Sunday. SBR's is not a "hot" barbecue sauce, in any way shape or form, but I could not eat it, for the same reason. Yet I had a tamale from Portillo's yesterday, and I could eat that without issue. So I'd suggest that it's a selective issue, at least at this time.

Nancy bought me some Crest today, with just a hint of mint, as far as I can tell, and it has done far better with regard to further irritating the inflamed tissues in my mouth. Thank you, Nancy!

Today's YouTube song goes back a long, long time, to a singer named Al Jolson, known as "The World's Greatest Entertainer" back in his day. As I remember the story, he would perform in a Broadway show, then go to a neighboring establishment and continue singing for another two hours, to all who were there, because he loved to sing!

This one is a sentimental song called Back In Your Own Backyard (here). Jolson's version was first recorded in March of 1928. Today's choice was inspired by the following cartoon, with its quotation from L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, originally published in 1900.

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 16

This is my blog for day 16 of cancer treatment, Tuesday, 25 Jul 2017.

Slept well last night, and didn't get up until 6:00 AM. My radiation appointment is at 2:15 PM, as usual, and we've made an appointment to take Sally in for a follow-up at 11:00 AM.

Sally had teeth problems. She had four teeth pulled, and an infection which had caused her to bleed from the tongue and gums. Seemingly, she was better, but when we started giving her dry food again - even mixed in with soft food - she started bleeding once more. So I guess the "fix" will be wet food from now on. Hopefully, all will be well with her teeth and tongue.

Sally ended up staying at the vet so they could get a close look at the back of her mouth. We'll go back and get her later today. (Update: Sally has busted some stitches underneath her tongue and needs to have them re-sutured.)

Used the Gelclair again this morning. It really does seem to soothe my mouth. Now all I need is to get the prescription approved.

Am watching Doctor Who this morning, with David Tennant as The Doctor, and Katherine Tate as companion Donna Noble, in an episode titled The Fires of Pompeii. I have to say, I really, really like this program. Science Fiction is my favorite genre to read, having started with Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke back as far as grade school. It might be said that those are the classics, but I also read Jules Verne - Around the World in 80 Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth - and Mary Shelley - Frankenstein - and while I must admit that I remember much more of the movies (Family Classics on WGN, anyone?), it was still science fiction. (Remember the scene in the movie Mysterious Island where the giant crab battles with the humans, then falls into a steam vent [or something like it], is cooked and then eaten by the humans who were fighting it?)

Am looking into refinancing. We can clip seven years off our mortgage (going to a 15-year fixed) and only increase what we're currently paying by $55 (as we're paying $100 extra in principal each month). Have spoken to a couple lenders through LendingTree, and have requested quotes through CostCo. Let me tell you, after the first two, CostCo is looking pretty good. Much, much lower fees, at least on the surface. Quicken Loans didn't even send me a breakdown of the closing costs - am I supposed to agree to taking a loan from them while blindfolded? We'll see where this goes . . .

I'll tell you where it goes (now at the start of the evening): lots of phone calls from lenders, all trying to get to me first. I'm deflecting the calls, and am calling them back one at a time - on my schedule.

Had two doctor visits today: radiation therapy and oncologist. The former for a treatment, the latter for a follow-up visit. And with the latter came a blood test, and all is good. Even my blood pressure, which is often elevated when I visit the doctor. Today: 126/80. Last visit it was even lower in the normal range. At radiation today, I firsts practiced the "puff out your cheeks" maneuver Dr. Mohideen told me about. It's supposed to help keep "stray electrons" from frying the inside of my cheek (which is getting fairly sore). I laid on the table in the radiation room, mask over my head, and puffed my cheeks out, breathing only through my nose for the full treatment (less than 15 minutes, perhaps ten). I really do think it helped!

I seem to be wordy today. Is that true?

From YouTube, today: I Love Being Here With You, as done by Diana Krall, featuring Anthony Wilson (guitar), Jeff Hamilton (drums) and John Clayton (bass), here. Enjoy!

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 15

This is my blog for day 15 of cancer treatment, Monday, 24 Jul 2017.

Slept well last night. It's off to the hospital this morning for Nancy's treatment, though, and my radiation appointment at 2:15 PM.

The day at the hospital was unremarkable, except for the visit with Dr. Mohideen after my "zap". I have some loose electrons bouncing off my fillings and into my cheek. The solution - puff out your cheeks during treatment! Going to give that a try tomorrow and see if that helps at all. Have already practiced breathing through my nose while holding my breath, with cheeks puffed. I can do it while walking, so why not while I'm laying on back? No reason, I wouldn't think.

Nancy's blood pressure was low during much of her treatment today, so we had to wake her frequently to have something to drink. Once we got home, she went to the couch, then to sleep, and didn't wake until 11:00 PM. She got up, went to the bathroom, laid back down on the couch and didn't come to be until 2:00 AM. I had fallen asleep in a chair, but woke up to watch Perry Mason. I finished the show and got to bed by midnight. Exciting days, eh?

Starting using a medication called Gelclair to help the mucous membranes inside my mouth, which are beginning to get sore in a couple of places. Seemed to help soothe them, so that's good!

Otherwise, nothing much else to report. Hope all of you are doing well!

And from YouTube, today: Limbo Jazz, featuring Coleman Hawkins and the Duke (Ellington). Here. Enjoy!

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Sunday, July 23, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 14

This is my blog for day 14 of cancer treatment, Sunday, 23 Jul 2017.

Slept well last night. Have been a little more tired lately, falling asleep in the morning and the afternoon for little cat naps. I guess my body will tell me if it needs rest, and I guess it does.

Watched the amazing Jordan Spieth win the British Open today. Personally, I thought he might be done after going bogey-bogey-bogey the first three holes, then struggling after that. But after making a great save for bogey on 13, he went birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie on holes 14-17 to get back to -11, and the championship was his. And he's not even 24 years old yet!

Weighed in at 262.2 this morning, Up from my low of 257, I think, though I'm not sure I recorded it. I know that I was 264.1 when I started, so i have been able to put on weight.

The water situation is stable. Pumps are running, though running a lot, but the basement is dry, so far. We did have thunderstorms roll through this afternoon, but they didn't actually come with much rain. And it's not supposed to rain again until Thursday, so the water levels should begin to really go down.

Nancy's sister Linda, cousin Leroy, his wife Jeri and her mom Sonja came over for dinner this afternoon. As usual, there was enough laughter to go around. Stories were swapped. Tales were told. Jokes were made. Leroy and Jeri left at about 8:00 PM, perfect on a night when I don't have to go to work tomorrow. First day of short-term disability!

Got a chance to read the Sunday Tribune today for the first time in a number of weeks (though I have the back-issues). I think I'll try to work through the crossword puzzle tomorrow morning.

Cubs are on right now, leading 5-3 through the seventh inning. They have three games in hand versus division-leading Milwaukee, and are just a half-game back. I'm betting they make the playoffs this year, but don't go too deep. We'll see what happens a little later in the year to know for sure.

So it was a kinda lazy day today . . . I don't have much more to say!

And from YouTube, today: the late George Duke, with a medley of Frank Zappa tunes (here). Who you jivin' with that Cosmik Debris? Enjoy!

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - Link

Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Saturday, July 22, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 13

This is my blog for day 13 of cancer treatment, Saturday, 22 Jul 2017.

Slept well last night, though I went to bed early and woke at 2:30 AM to a tremendous bang of thunder. It has been raining, raining, raining - all night. I went down to the basement, and, while all the pumps are running, we're getting some seepage in the new basement space. I think I'll be moving bins and boxes out of there today into the family room in the old basement, where I know we've never gotten water. Might have to ask for help - you available? 😉

By the way, that;s one of the things I have lined up to do - go through the bins and boxes and determine what to keep and what to discard. It's a big job, but I've got the time.

And the Open Championship is on! Six o'clock AM on the dot. (Yes, I get up early.)

Now, under the heading "Adventures in Home Ownership" . . .

After reviewing the pump situation, I decided that a new pump was needed in the new basement space. The 1/3 HP, though almost new, pump in the pit wasn't necessarily keeping up with the water. It was running every 5 seconds. So off to Home Depot I went in search of a pump, a length of tubing and a coupling. And they still had pumps! I was almost positive that they would be out. So I grabbed a 1/2 HP pump, the pipe and the coupling and headed home.

When I got back I went downstairs and measured the distance from the bottom of the pit to the coupling: 34 1/2 inches. Oh, and there was a really big frog in the pit! I have no idea why there would be a frog in the pit, but we're connected to the river somehow, so . . . whatever. I went to the garage, glued the coupling to the pipe, then mounted it in the pump and marked it at 34 1/2. But I'm of the "measure twice, cut once" school, so went back downstairs to double-check. Good thing. I measured twice to be sure: 37 5/8". MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE.

With the pump assembled, I went back downstairs, pump in hand, waited for the pump to stop, unplugged it, opened the pit, disconnected the flexible joint, pulled out the old pump, dropped in the new one, connected the flexible joint and plugged it in. Voila! Old pump switched out for new without any water coming up in the basement! Plus, I have a ready replacement just sitting there, waiting to be put back into use at a moment's notice.

Several interesting things about the Home Depot trip and recent rains: the pond on Hale Lane is more full that I have ever seen it, ready to flow out to Hale Lane itself; the river has spilled through the townhouse subdivision and has spilled out on Hale Lane, further south of the pond; the parking lot at Home Depot is also flooded, with multiple inches of water covering almost 60% of the lot; I passed a 20-acre parcel of land on Smith Road, marked for sale but now completely flooded. The last item is a warning to all potential buyers: look at what you want to buy in the worst possible light, and, if it still looks good, go ahead. Make sense?

Watched the Open Championship for a while today. Jordan Spieth has really got it going! And 24 year old; wow. Just wow.

Spent a bit of the afternoon outside, reading the second half of Killing Lincoln. Sad that a great man had to die like that. But another good read by O'Reilly and Dugard. All I've got left is the section from Harper's Weekly, 29 Apr 1865. I started it, but have a lot more to read. So I'll probably start over. The style is certainly different than almost anything we read today.

And from YouTube, today: The Beatles, with And I Love Her (here), one of the songs I re-wrote for The Beatles Service at church. Enjoy!

And, from the Beatles Service, here are the rewritten lyrics to that song, called And I Love You.

And I Love You

My children, that you are
So I name you
And I am from afar
A father true
I love you

For you I sent my son
At such a cost
He paid your price in full
Upon the cross
And I love you

My love for you
Will never die
Ever will I
Hold you near me

I made the stars that shine
I made the sky
The rainbow shows my love
Will never die
And I love you

I made the stars that shine
I made the sky
The rainbow shows my love
Will never die
And I love you

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

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
And I Love Her - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Starts and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link

I'm Just a Guy . . .

Sunday, August 6, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 27

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 26

Friday, August 4, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 25

Thursday, August 3, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 24

Blessings

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 23

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 22

Monday, July 31, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 21

Sunday, July 30, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 20

Friday, July 28, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 19

Thursday, July 27, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 18

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 17

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 16

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 15

Sunday, July 23, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 14

Saturday, July 22, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 13

And I Love You

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