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

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 45

This is my blog for day 45 of cancer treatment, Wednesday, 23 Aug 2017.

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

We took Sally to the vet for another follow-up. She's still bleeding from her tongue, at least a little, and we are both concerned as it is not healing completely. We've left her for the vet to review what's going on.

Sally is almost twelve years old now, and was the second of our "Mighty Pug Trio". Our first Pug, Lucy, was Sally's half-sister from the breeder in Iowa. Lucy was brought to us by the breeder as she had family in Lake In The Hills over labor Day weekend. When we decided to get a second Pug, we drove to the breeder;s home in Iowa. They had many little Pugs we could have chosen. Nancy ended up sitting on the floor in the family room, and the little Pugs kind of circled around her, except Sally, who approached her and, in so doing, picked us.

Lord, I will surely miss her when she's gone. And that time may be approaching, with this tongue issue and the other symptoms she's exhibiting. She can no longer hear. She walks into rooms and stops, forgetting, it seems, why she went in there. She barks at nothing, for a long while. She's messing in the house, which she never used to do. And, once in a while, she whimpers in her sleep, as if she's in pain.

This picture was sent to us by the breeder before we went out. It's Sally.

And here are Lucy and Sally. They don't look like they have any grey, so this must have been taken quite a few years ago.

On a different note, my neck is getting pretty burned, now, from the radiation. Radiation burns, I'd guess. Thankfully, I only have four treatments left. Unfortunately, I have four treatments left. I'm using a cream called Calendula to treat the burns, but they're worse than any sunburn I've ever gotten. I'm going to ask if I can place something over the worst spots in the neck today, as the worst spots aren't near where any of the tumors are. We'll see what they say.

No relief at the treatment, so I guess I'll have to endure another three messing up my neck. It's only three, after all.

After the treatment we went to the vet to pick up Sally. After a lengthy discussion of four options it has become clear that we're at the point where we're going to have to do a "humane euthanasia". We'll, unfortunately, schedule it for some time next week.

In Sally's honor, then, here is a version of Lay Down Sally, from the 2010 version of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. Performed by Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link. And, uniting my love of Peanuts by Charles Schultz, Kristin Chenoweth (who played Sally Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Sally the Pug (who was named for the character Sally Brown - but who behaved more like that fussbudget Lucille van Pelt), here is a song from the musical - My New Philosophy, sung by Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis (as the character Schroeder) - 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
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

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 44

This is my blog for day 44 of cancer treatment, Tuesday, 22 Aug 2017.

I have radiation today at 7:15 AM, with my last round of chemotherapy at 9:30 AM, starting with a visit with the doctor, or his PA. After today, then, I'll have no more chemo and only four radiation treatments to go.

Okay, so only four radiation treatments to go. We met with the PA at the oncologist's office today. Due to my hearing loss (I've not gotten it all back) and the ringing in my ears (constant at this point) the PA decided that I should not have chemo today, and that I would be done. Fair enough. I simply hope that my hearing returns and the ringing goes away. So we went to radiation, early, and to the oncologist's office, and then came back home.

My blood work is all in the normal ranges, too. My white cell count had dropped below normal, but this week is back "in the pink". So the radiation therapist should have no issues with the completion of treatments. (They had been worried about the white cell count.)

Rest of the day was spent doing misc. things and relaxing.

Today's YouTube music is a set of famous solos performed over Dire Straits Sultans of Swing - Link. Ran into this while surfing on YouTube - the guitar player, Andre Antunes, is really good, and this piece is pretty neat. (I've not heard of him before.) The actual title of this piece is, "DIRE STRAITS meets solos by 12 FAMOUS GUITAR PLAYERS".

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
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
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
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

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 43

This is my blog for day 43 of cancer treatment, Monday, 21 Aug 2017.

I have radiation today at 2:15 PM, with a follow-up with the radiation oncologist thereafter.

Nothing much to report - even about the eclipse. Personally, I thought it darkened quite a bit around here, but it was cloudy, too, so who knows what made it so dark?

Tim and I brought Nancy home from her treatment, but she slept all evening and through the night, so it was fairly quiet around here. Not a bad thing . . .

Today's YouTube music is - what else? - Eclipse, by Pink Floyd - Link. It's from album The Dark Side of the Moon, one of their best, and perhaps their breakthrough album.

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
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
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
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
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

A Rude Intrusion :: Day 42

This is my blog for day 42 of cancer treatment, Sunday, 20 Aug 2017.

Nothing at all today regarding medical treatment! Six radiation treatments and one round of chemo (Tuesday) to go! It's safe to say that I want this over . . .

Really quite a lazy day today. Had two phone calls later in the evening yesterday - one from my cousin Tim Condon in the Denver area and one from Aunt Yolanda in San Antonio. Those lifted my spirits! Tim is going to Florida soon to see his mom, my Aunt Madeline, dad's youngest and only remaining (outside of Heaven) sibling. I've called her once or twice recently; she's doing well, and will be 82!

Sunday was a mostly "down" day. I did little besides some reading, TV-watching (Bears replay, Cub game, golf, Doctor Who) and napping. Next week will be the end of treatment!

Today's YouTube music is for the Cubs: Go, Cubs, Go by Steve Goodman - Link, A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, also by Steve Goodman, and Take Me Out To The Ballgame, by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link. The middle song is banned from ever being played at Wrigley by Cubs management. And Steve Goodman, God rest his soul, has his own tickets to watch the angles now, having died of leukemia in 1984.

There's a dixieland version of Take Me Out To The Ballgame I'd like to post, if I can find it. WGN used to play it during their broadcasts in the 60's and 70's.

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
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
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
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
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