Progress...

The past week of span radiation-quarantine has gone fairly well. I don't feel badly, just a little nagging "ick" that doesn't seem to be going or coming. I felt great on Tuesday, which would have been one week following the procedure...but then on Wednesday and Thanksgiving Thursday, I felt a little punky again. Absolutely must get better, though, because I'm certified to return to work on December 1.

(I’m trying to work on inserting pictures, because we all get more from visuals than just text…)


Thanksgiving was low-key and pretty nice. It would have been better if the football games had more excitement, only Uncle Paul’s Aggies provided excitement in the day. Of course, there is always the chance to stumble upon Manchester United, and their first home loss in the UEFA Cup in five years, but such details put my readers to sleep quickly. All I can say is that if you didn’t see Michael Owen play in 2001 and ’02 when he was the heart of Team England and Liverpool, you really missed something special! And now that he’s back with Wayne Rooney at Man Utd., maybe he’ll find a way onto England 2010 in South Africa.

Thanks…I try to say it often, to all the people who take time to call, check in via email, and offer up their support and kind wishes. I get a loud laugh from weather reports across the west. You’ll be pleased to know it was about 80 degrees at 10 am in Lompoc, nearly 82 at 4 pm in Anthem, and a “relaxing temperature” in Palm Desert at dinner time. Here in West Linn, we had nearly 1.5 inches of rain overnight and we haven’t seen 55 degrees in more than a week…

Whether you call to tell me about the weather, just to say hello, or to see whether I’m glowing in the dark, it is appreciated. Jillian was here in the evening, in the midst of a busy day with the grandsons, to bring turkey and the fixin’s. I’m a very lucky boy, no doubt about it!!

An Airport Delay at Good Samaritan Hospital??

Wednesday went ok. Previous notes may have mentioned that the Y-90 beads are flown in from Australia , it turns out via FedEx. Well, then one must await their arrival in downtown Portland from PDX, where it appears the FedEx plane was a little late. That threw the timing into the morning rush hour, since I was scheduled at 8 am. Next to me, prepping for the initial angiogram related to this very same procedure, was a really nice guy about my age. We didn’t talk much, but I heard Dr. Bauer go through the entire informed consent conversation…and knew I was in trouble when I heard that tell-tale squeak of the gurney brakes on HIS bed instead of mine.

Seems that the airport delay was going to put me second in line, rather than first. I couldn’t really holler at Bauer, there wasn’t anything he could do to speed up FedEx, and there was no reason for him to sit around slowing down the rest of the day. My neighbor went first, I waited ‘til nearly 11, and they zipped me in for the work at that time. Generally, this would have been no big deal.

When you go to the recovery room for this procedure, first you have to visit Nuclear Medicine for two hours to make sure you aren’t leaking. (For the record, there were no terrorists hiding in the hallway to steal away body fluids for dirty bomb preparations.) Just some cute nurses, trying to be helpful behind their shields and lead aprons.

Then, following your basic recovery from the sedation, you are assigned to the cancer ward…not for an overnight visit, but so that they follow the necessary germ protocols, etc. Rather than getting out between 4-5 in the afternoon, Jillian didn’t get to drive me home ‘til almost nine pm. Although I napped a bit before the procedure, when Judy took off for work in the morning, I can’t say that I really got much rest.

Thursday was a very slow day, just like sitting in an airport too long. As of Saturday morning, I'd say I've recovered to about 80%. Nothing feels bad, hurts, or makes me feel ill. Nothing glows, darn it. I’m on the mend, it turns out that I should be able to go back to work on 12/1, and I’ll be back in the holiday spirit right about then. For now, I’m tickled to think that this may have been my last procedure for quite some time…and that the Enola Gay DID arrive from PDX with all its radiation beads intact.

Thanks for everyone's kind notes. Your positive attitudes and friendly phrases rub off and really help.

Countdown begins...

As a history buff, too often I hear little memories jangling about my head. Whenever I think "countdown" I'm reminded of getting up really early to watch Mercury, Gemini and Apollo shots, with that famous "Ignition Sequence ON" phrase in the background as you hear the "4--3---2----1----Liftoff..."

Head downtown to meet Judy, bus to her house, eat a big dinner since I don't get breakfast, get up early and be in the hospital by 7 am tomorrow. I’m wondering if I should dress up like J. Robert Oppenheimer, to see if they’ll notice when I walk into the short-stay unit. They’d probably just ask me if I wanted to keep the dorky hat nearby…On second thought, a more reasonable giggle would be to ink “Enola Gay” onto my crotch where they’ll shave me…as a reminder to Dr. Bauer that I’m the vessel carrying the weaponry. Oh, what Marky and a Sharpie can do for grins…! Think they’d repeat that story a few times in the surgical lounge?

I feel really well. The house is stocked with more food than the girls probably ever saw when we lived together. I’ve got frozen shrimp, taco makin’s, Italian sausage for both breakfasts and pasta dinners. Food in case I don’t feel like eating, meals in case I feel like devouring something more substantial. I’ll be making bread for various Thanksgiving feasts, and have stocked up on “sporting meals” for the various games I must watch.

Thankfully, the local cable outlet has decided to broadcast the UPortland women’s soccer play-off game on Friday night. Judy and I attended the second round game Sunday, a real battle between UP and UWashington. UW played a girl down for most of the second half, as one smart-aleck got double yellowed out within about five minutes. (I’m far too familiar with the double-yellow, smart-aleck sequence since the Pleasanton Over-30 days)…but just like the Dynomites, the rest of the team picked up their intensity and forced Portland to win it with only two minutes left…2-1. We haven’t seen a score that close in two or three years, let’s hope they can return to the blow-out mode against Virginia Tech.

People have been so nice to remember my timing for tomorrow. Had lunch with a favorite client today, even though I’m not supposed to be “working,” because she knew when I’d be locked up. Nate called to tell me he loved me, and keep me updated on the snowfall/weather in the Colorado Rockies. I’m going to be fine. If you want to consult the Heavenly Father, ask him to drop some snow on Vail while you’re at it.

Oh…and give praise and thanks for some lovely ladies who keep me smiling every day. Oscar and Billy are very lucky boys, we're lucky to have them in the family, too!

http://www.lizdepriest.blogspot.com/

http://vickieatvalpo.blogspot.com/

You Facebookers probably know this stuff already, but I’m not moving in that direction…

Thanks, to everyone. I’ll post an update when I know more and am more fully awake, likely Wednesday afternoon sometime. In the meantime, spend a little time with the History Channel because I'll be missing nearly two entire days of it!

Next Steps!!

Only back since yesterday afternoon, and already a lot on the schedule. Spoke with Dr. Bauer’s office this morning, I’m set to get radioactive on Wednesday, the 18th. That will put Thanksgiving in jeopardy, as I won’t be able to join Judy, the Shira’s and “the boys” that day…lest they all glow in the dark. But I should be able to return to work on the first of December or thereabouts.

Even this guy gets cabin fever. A run to California delayed onset a bit, yet also proved to me that I really need my golf hiatus each winter. It was great to see Dalton play, difficult to see how far the Braves have fallen.

Hard to return to a rain gauge that captured 3.5 inches of rain in ten days, when I’d barely used the windshield wipers for fog while in California.

At this point, though, I’m making sure to be healthy all this next week, and quarantined from people the following week. We’ll deliver the nuclear weapons to the appropriate site, and move on with life. Which, by the way, is really GOOD if you hadn’t noticed lately…

It could not be more Grim...

Goodness...for once we aren't talking about health or diagnostic results. Welcome to SportsTalk Lompoc, and a discussion of the "alumni" perception that accompanies local football

The strange week enabled me to watch Nephew Dalton play again, this time a home game against Righetti High.

First off, I was highly impressed with the sound that the tiny band generated. Thirty-six kids made real music...although once upon a time the Marching Braves suited 81 performers, always starting with a 9X9 formation. Curtie would have been disappointed that the trumpets were in the background, but the trombones sounded great. Hard to hear anyone in a woodwind section when there are only seven of them. The drumline watches the movie too often, apparently, and needs to realize they aren't the only people making music happen. Between songs, a football game broke out...

I've never really worried much about those "monied alumni" who seem to continually gripe about their favorite college losing too often, whimper about schedules, and try to get coaches fired. Someone wins, someone loses. Those who pay too much for coaches, when the records really depend on the vagaries of 20 year-olds, need to find another hobby.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/286586-would-charlie-weis-step-down-notre-dames-best-case-coaching-scenario

On the other hand, I’ve received phone calls in the past two weeks from Lompoc alumni who have NOTHING to do with the athletic program. They compliment young Dalton, or want to know “who is this other Chambers kid--are you related?” Somewhere in the conversation, the question arises: “how in the world can they be 0-9?” “I thought WE were always good…I sure don’t remember losing very many games in high school.” If we wanted to really check the records, these folks are major contributors via the golf tournament, but none of us wants to act like "monied alumni."

It turns out that the graduating class of '71 watched exactly 12 losses in four years. That includes the season-ending CIF games. Once upon a time only the league champions went to CIF and they played ‘til they lost. In one season, Lompoc was undefeated before losing to Cabrillo, costing them any chance at a play-off position. The current Braves have lost NINE times this year.

http://www.santamariatimes.com/sports/article_f700a5da-cb7c-11de-b32c-001cc4c03286.html

It might be the size of the team, the size of the kids. It may be a lack of organization. It may be that they’ve become accustomed to losing. As a member of a golf team that went 0-24, I know how humiliating it can be to step into a game and know you have little chance of success. It is never fun, no matter how much one’s friends cheer for you, or your parents suggest that it "builds character." "I have all the character I need, we need a WIN!!"

I hope for is that these young men take great pride when they eventually win something. It could be an intra-mural championship in college, or a goofy, cocktail-driven golf tournament. I’ll bet they’d prefer it to be the city rivalry with Cabrillo, however…and wish them the very best on Friday night.

Thank goodness it isn’t available on webcast, I’d be tempted to listen in…

California Journey...

A week ago, I began the drive to California, four objectives in mind:

1. I'd get out of West Linn and find better weather. Maybe play some selfish golf while my Oregonian friends endured an early winter.

2. Watch Nephew Dalton play some quarterback, attend a Braves game. Couldn't remember when I'd worn the Lompoc blue and white last.

3. Visit family, show them I'm healthy.

4. Meet up with Jillian, she was to fly down this Thursday. I'd meet her on the way north, do some winetasting, help her enjoy objective number 1.

Thus far, results have been pretty good. Weather hasn't really dropped below 70 all week. Got to play some golf with my Dad, who'd never been the local course he helped to build with his tractors back in the day. He got to see it with grass under his feet for the first time. Dalton's team lost, but he played well and the rest of the cousins are tickled he's getting some playing time. Nate, especially, is loving the emergence of a quarterback that weighs about what he weighed as a junior at West Linn.

The family has been wonderful. Got to see some older friends at the meeting of the Valley Club on Monday night. BBQ times in backyards. I feel great, everyone thinks I look fine.

Judy is sick. No trip to Napa, she can't travel. Needs to stay home and recuperate. So objective 4 is now revised to a combination of 3-B and 2-B. I'll watch Dalton play again tomorrow, stay with Carrie and Steve a couple more nights, and get to see Nephew Phillip who's flying in for a bachelor party and Dalton's home game.

Journeys can take some odd twists and turns...this one is going really well. Home to Portland this weekend, to enjoy what the Oregonian is calling the biggest storm of the season.

Oh...and somewhere in there the Ducks smacked the USC Trojans around Autzen...on national TV. People down here didn't know that Oregon could put so many points on the board. Apparently, they didn't get the Washington or Cal game on TV here...amazing!