Snow Day!!

So how did the infusion go? For starters, I was first on the list. We all knew that I’d be slow to recover, and they wanted me home sooner, as opposed to later. Given the choice, I’d have “slept over.” Pain meds are a little difficult to keep down when nausea strikes, and we can handle that intravenously in the hospital. They can also keep me hydrated and fed with tubes and needles, rather than me hoping to finish a meal and not embarrass myself at Judy’s house. And when we least expect it, CSI or Dirty Jobs hops on television and reminds me that gastric issues are not mine alone. Next time, regardless of how I feel at four pm, I may be asking for a room at the inn. It also gives me the chance to see what student nurses are doing, so that I can ask Vickie better questions when I visit with her.

I’d say that this one was more of a challenge than a month ago, but I’m recuperating nicely and will be fine soon. It has helped that we got snowed in yesterday. Got caught up on some wrapping, my cards, my email. Just took a walk to the Post Office, included Kinkos and had the grocery store feed me lunch. Nice to have options in the neighborhood, we haven’t had many in the past when we’ve been iced in.

Noticed that having a big truck and driving around is a macho thing to do. I prefer knowing that I’ve covered work issues on email, saved time and energy, and don’t have to show off my chains to prove my masculinity. It is great fun knowing which of the little slopes no one can manage, and watching them try, anyway. There is so little time with the sunlight on the ground this time of year, those of us who live here know to get tucked in by two pm. It is amazing that guys will rev their engines and push them harder, when going around the block is flatter and much safer. Women, interestingly enough, go around.

We’re making plans for the kids to come home for the Holidays. Vickie arrives on Thursday night, Lizzy at New Year’s. They are all jumping jets to get to Vegas for Victoria’s 21st, thank goodness I’m out of that loop. Cheaper—and I don’t really like Vegas. I just watch vicariously as others make goofballs of themselves. Nate is working hard to make it happen in Colorado, but staying out of trouble and planning on coming back to Oregon by January if the “hospitality” business doesn’t turn around.

Jillian and I are bucking the trend. We’re making plans for Cabo San Lucas in early February. Green fees are $280, and we can do a lot of snorkeling for that—or eat tons of those big, fat shrimp. Should be a great time, even without tee times.

By then, we’ll have session three out of the way, some diagnostics to predict the next steps, and a plan for the early part of 2009. Yes, the plan includes work…but it isn’t any fun to have work dominate the blog. It also includes some golf trips, and a flight to Chicago to wear my tux with Victoria Noelle as she shows off for the College of Nursing. I’m a very lucky boy!

This will seem odd....

Regular readers of the Journey will find this a bit odd, I'm sure. I maintain a positive outlook and don't even think that much about the dark side of this whole equation. I describe medical procedures, diagnostics and personal challenges from the "I'll get better" side of the ledger most of the time.

Alternatively, there are the downsides. The quiet moments when I wonder where this is all headed. The challenging phone calls when I worry with friends and family where we'll end up. Clearly, I don't want to end up with some sort of "Make a Wish" schedule, finding those very special moments to share with others if the diagnosis takes a negative turn. The Bucket List is a neat movie, not something I spend time writing down.

Giggle with me a moment, however. Let's say things go badly over the next six months. As Jillian and I were driving a golf cart through Palm Desert this weekend, it occurred to me that life could be MUCH worse than spending a month or two in the sunshine....away from Portland....should I learn that I'm fighting a difficult battle with my liver. Eighty degree days. Golf courses with several par fives I can reach. Short little par threes that require an attack wedge. My mind ran on and on....Carrie & Steve could easily fly down. Stevie is only a few hours away. Booby and Terry could come over for dinner. The Idaho boys would love a road trip to the sunshine. I'm only a few hours from Lompoc.

So that's a Bucket List target. If things start to go badly, look for me to rent a condo in Palm Desert and start sending out tee times to all of you with weapons of mass humiliation. Not sure what else will go on the list, aside from a trip to Chile with Nate....and probably a ton of trips to Chicago and Baltimore. Trust me....a month in Palm Springs is like six months in Portland...it would make my life seem much more positive, extend my mood into the future, and make all KINDS of good vibrations help me TCTFO....

OK....back to work this week before the procedure next week. Life is GOOD!