Sorry it has been so long to get up to date. The days have been a blur of doctor's visits, blood tests, pills, sleep, stays in the hospital, biopseys, battleing GVHD (graft vs host diesease), and various and sundry other fungus, bacteria, and virus that had no other purpose in life than make my life miserable. They did a pretty good job at it, but fighting a losing battle as I get stronger.
I will attempt to chronicle the past year, but will probably only hit the high/low points. As far as the Bone Marrow Transplant is concerned, I am doing great! Officially delared to be in remission and free from leukemia. The things we are battleing are the issues that mainifest themselves in reaction to medications I am taking or caused by a low immune system, which simply must take time to grow. I feel good, have a good appetite, get tired easy and am bored.......but this is what I do right now.
The big one currently, is a condition called Nocardia, a rare bacteria that attached to my lung causing pnumonia type symtoms. Spent the month of August in the hospital at OSHU ( second year in a row that I spent my birthday in the hospital), while they tried to figure out what a had, once determined, began a 6 month antibiotoc treatment. The antibiotics used to treat that have caused great upset in my lower GI tract which is now being corrected with another medication.
OK.....I am getting off course here! I had my Bone Marrow Transplant on Jan. 27th, after another round of chemo and full body radiation. The donor was my sister Kathy who is 6 years younger than me, lives in Upstate New York and a perfect match to be my donor. She and my sister Mary flew out 10 days prior to the transplant in order to accomplish the required tests....... I had not seen either one in 32 years and to try and describe to you the emotions of that reunion is impossible! Needless to say it was a very busy time for all of us. The transplant team collected Kathy's stem cells on the 27th and I checked into the hospital the same day, after radiation. Something I will never forget is watching that strawberry colored fluid drip into my body while holding my sister's hand as she sat next to my bed.
I know have my sister's blood type and all my blood cells are now her's. My hair is finally growing back and it is coming in curley. Her cells are very active and had to be surpressed for a while, all in all a life changing/saving experience.
Up until two weeks ago we had to see the doctor and have labs drawn every week. We are now on a 2 week schedule, really helps the gas bill (33 miles one way) and our peace of mind. I would be totally remiss to not mention the love and support of our family and friends. We heat our house wth wood that is something that was my job every year to get in the wood.......out of the question this year.A good fiend felled 2 giant fir trees behind our barn and would not take any compensation for and then my son Matt, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law David went to work and turned those huge trees into firewood all stacked in the woodshed.......I so appreciate my family! One of the hardest things for me to accept is to watch helplessly as favor after favor is done and I can't help.
Sharon, my wife and caregiver.......what can I say? For two years this woman has done for me what I could not do for myself. Feeding me, washing me, wiping my butt, keeping me warm and tryng to encourage during the down days, challenging during the good days. She has driven me to every appointment and tried to fix foods that I would eat when my appetite was gone. Don't ask me how she did it but started a bunch of plants in our greenhouse, planted a big garden and canned the vegtables and made applesauce from our fruit trees. She mowed the lawn, pulled weeds, maintained a flower garden, cleaned off roofs and cleaned gutters. Every day she builds and maintains a fire in the woodstove while keeping the house clean, dishes and laundry done. All the grocery shopping and meal prep are accomplished and all the while she keeps herself looking 20 years younger. Her joy in life is her grandchildren and a flock of baby chicks she is raising to provide us with eggs......an amazing woman, I cannot think of any anyone who is like her........a blessing from God for me that I can't expain.
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Two Step - Second Round of Chemo Done
It is the 11th of December, a Saturday morning, and I was counting on finishing the second round of chemo (consolidation as the call it) on Friday, but when we arrived at the hospital on Monday, by the time they got us checked in and I finished another CAT scan, the chemo treatment did not start till about 9:PM. I was scheduled for 5 treatment and each ran 24 hours so here I am waiting for the last bag to finish about 9PM tonight......am scheduled to be able to go home tomorrow (Sunday) morning. This round of chemo went much better than the last, I started with a higher blood count this time, last time I was running on zero, and me thinks that made a differerence. I have been able to kinda hold the blood counts pretty good which has all the docs surprised, some say it will kick me in the butt again within the next 7 days but if that happens at least I will be at home and Sharon can keep me going. We are planning for a Bone Marrow Transplant at Oregon Health Science Universith, here in Portland. Maybe first part of January. Events have changed since my condition migrating to AML and that we can have it done here in Portland instead of having to move to Seattle VA for 6 months. What a blessing! The possiblity even exists that my sister Kathy (my donor) could donate her stem cells at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.....this would allow her to stay at home instead of coming here and the nasty travel at this time of the year....this would be a good thing, although I would dearly love to see her, that could wait till nicer weather. Hope to have an answer to that situation sometime next week......be praying.
I can't say too much for the staff here at Portland VA..... great folks, great attitudes.
I feel prretty good considering what I am doing, really looking forward to getting home and seeing the family again. We had a great Thanksgiving, especially, I think, for me! All our family members were there plus a couple of the nurses that did not have family in the area. Sharon did the dinner and it was one of those perfect times when everything came together hot and ready to eat all at the same time, and everybody was commenting how good it tasted. Sharon has had lots of practice and she really nailed it. One special memory I will never forget is Jen & Dave's baby, and our newest granddaughter, Brooklyn, (6 months old) joinng us for the first time at the dining room table. It is a long rectangular table and Katie, Matt and Bethie's 2 year year old, and Brooklyn were both seated at the end of the table in high chairs. Katie seemed especially into Thanksgiving this year and previously Brookers had always been parked in a one of those nic nac things that babies sleep in, on the other end of the table, but this was the first time that she joined the family group sitting at the table. Happy with a plasting baby spoon in her hand, her usually big blue eyes seemed bigger and brighter that ever, as she seemed to realize that she was was now included in the family group. Every once in a while someone would put a little touch of mashed potatoes and gravy or pumpkin pie on the end of a spoon and let her taste it..... don't you just love those faces they make as they experience new tastes? Well, that scene really touched my heart and I will never forget it. A great time was had by all!
I would like to add a little analogy using my old friends from the land of Brer Rabbit..... but I divest from one of the traditional story lines to make a point of my own, but using these friends of mine.
You will remember, I see me as Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox (and cronies) as the the disease that is trying to get me. Well, it seems that one day Brer Rabbit was feeling pretty good about his self, so far he been side steppin every trap Brer Fox been settin for him.....coursin, he knows he ain't been doing that on his own, he knows that there been lots of folks who been helpin and thinkin good thoughts and watchin out for.him......couse, sometimes his own uppity way trys to take over but so far, he been able push that down. This day the sun was shining and those uppity ways was just a pokin out all over, he was kickin up his heels and doing this and doin that......he was sittin down in his laughin place and looks up in the tree and low and behold there sits his ole friend Brer Owl.....jus a sittin ther and watchin him. Now everybody knows Owl is very wise, some say he has a special purpose, given to him by the Creator Himself to watch over all the Brer Folks that knows the Creator story.....Brer Rabbit, he fancies hisself as one of those folks that always loves to listen to the Creator stories as told by Owl.......Morning says Rabbibt to Owl....how uz been? Ain't seen you in a coons age. Owl says morning Rabbit, I been watchin you all along....I been keepin real busy trying to keep you otta trouble........Rabbit says "You is?" "I dunt know that!" Brer Owl says, there lots of things you dunt know Rabbit......but know this.....there ain't nuffin that goes on that ain't seen......there ain't nuffin that goes on that ain't allowed and the Creator cares for all His folks more that you could ever know..... so jus ferguet them uppity ways and watch one day ats a time as to whuts happnin and keep listnin to the stories of the Creator and you will see ur little Laughin Place start gettin bigger and brighter. Now Rabbit.......he ain't no fool.....he likes the sound of that so wif a fresh attitide, he jus Zippy Do Dah down the road knowin that Ain't nuffin that going to happen that ain't spose to be.
I can't say too much for the staff here at Portland VA..... great folks, great attitudes.
I feel prretty good considering what I am doing, really looking forward to getting home and seeing the family again. We had a great Thanksgiving, especially, I think, for me! All our family members were there plus a couple of the nurses that did not have family in the area. Sharon did the dinner and it was one of those perfect times when everything came together hot and ready to eat all at the same time, and everybody was commenting how good it tasted. Sharon has had lots of practice and she really nailed it. One special memory I will never forget is Jen & Dave's baby, and our newest granddaughter, Brooklyn, (6 months old) joinng us for the first time at the dining room table. It is a long rectangular table and Katie, Matt and Bethie's 2 year year old, and Brooklyn were both seated at the end of the table in high chairs. Katie seemed especially into Thanksgiving this year and previously Brookers had always been parked in a one of those nic nac things that babies sleep in, on the other end of the table, but this was the first time that she joined the family group sitting at the table. Happy with a plasting baby spoon in her hand, her usually big blue eyes seemed bigger and brighter that ever, as she seemed to realize that she was was now included in the family group. Every once in a while someone would put a little touch of mashed potatoes and gravy or pumpkin pie on the end of a spoon and let her taste it..... don't you just love those faces they make as they experience new tastes? Well, that scene really touched my heart and I will never forget it. A great time was had by all!
I would like to add a little analogy using my old friends from the land of Brer Rabbit..... but I divest from one of the traditional story lines to make a point of my own, but using these friends of mine.
You will remember, I see me as Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox (and cronies) as the the disease that is trying to get me. Well, it seems that one day Brer Rabbit was feeling pretty good about his self, so far he been side steppin every trap Brer Fox been settin for him.....coursin, he knows he ain't been doing that on his own, he knows that there been lots of folks who been helpin and thinkin good thoughts and watchin out for.him......couse, sometimes his own uppity way trys to take over but so far, he been able push that down. This day the sun was shining and those uppity ways was just a pokin out all over, he was kickin up his heels and doing this and doin that......he was sittin down in his laughin place and looks up in the tree and low and behold there sits his ole friend Brer Owl.....jus a sittin ther and watchin him. Now everybody knows Owl is very wise, some say he has a special purpose, given to him by the Creator Himself to watch over all the Brer Folks that knows the Creator story.....Brer Rabbit, he fancies hisself as one of those folks that always loves to listen to the Creator stories as told by Owl.......Morning says Rabbibt to Owl....how uz been? Ain't seen you in a coons age. Owl says morning Rabbit, I been watchin you all along....I been keepin real busy trying to keep you otta trouble........Rabbit says "You is?" "I dunt know that!" Brer Owl says, there lots of things you dunt know Rabbit......but know this.....there ain't nuffin that goes on that ain't seen......there ain't nuffin that goes on that ain't allowed and the Creator cares for all His folks more that you could ever know..... so jus ferguet them uppity ways and watch one day ats a time as to whuts happnin and keep listnin to the stories of the Creator and you will see ur little Laughin Place start gettin bigger and brighter. Now Rabbit.......he ain't no fool.....he likes the sound of that so wif a fresh attitide, he jus Zippy Do Dah down the road knowin that Ain't nuffin that going to happen that ain't spose to be.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 23 - Almost got me!
Blog - November 10th Day 23
I am going to make an attempt at circumstances beginning with a call from my Oncologist on Oct 15th, telling me that I needed to be in the hospital Monday morning at 10AM, up to where I find myself today. She was reading the results of a recent bone marrow biopsey that showed the MDS I had been fighting over a year had transformed itself into AML ( Acute Myloid Leukemia). I asked her if there any options, she said "no, you have 4 weeks to live without this induction chemo treatment, it is the only option I can offer"...... you know, that kinda get a person's attention! To compound the issue, we had 36 puppies all ready to go to their "forever homes" within a week. Much of what is a great blur of chemo (24x7) little sleep, missing family, missing Mama's cooking, not caring about cooking, endless rounds of questions from doctors, exciting highs and the endless waiting.
Arrived at the hospital Monday morning and went to have blood work drawn, sometimes I wonder if I have given them more blood than they have given me, over the last year (over 20 infusions) but who's counting amoung friends! Got to room and settled in, had lunch (an ominous precursor of what waas to come) and wisked away for a couple tests......OK, so far so good! The folks here at VA Portland just can't be beat, they deal daily with folks with one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel. Attitudes and professionalism are apparent. However, there is something foreboding about, bright and early, Tuesday morning..... they require two more IV sites in addition to the PICC and proceed to hang about 6 bags of stuff, of different colors and size, all dripping poisen into you. This continous 24x7. Well, I says to me, maybe you will dodge the bullet! WRONG!!!!!!! About day nine things get a little fuzzy, I was talking to Sharon on the phone and it was like all the energy drained out of body, I told her goodbye, saying I was getting real tired, thankfully got the phone put away and proceeded to loose my lunch, well it was not big loss anyway......that's when the blurry part started.
As I write this, it is day 23, and spareing all the gory stuff, I think things are on the mend. The chemo was adminstered 24x7, so I have been off it for about 15 days. We are still hooked to various antibiotics, anti fungal and microbicides because the chemo has left me without any immune system. The thing we are looking for now is to get my white cells producing again, and like little Pac-Men, looking for and gobbleing up the bad guys like bacteria and fungus. A healthy person's blood count includes WBCs at about 4 - 8 this last year mine usually ran between 1-2. At day 16, mine still showed as 0. Yesterday they were at .5 and expected to really begin to grow by day 26. Best news was on Friday a team of docs came in the room, all smileing, lead doc simply said, "YOU ARE CANCER FREE", preliminary marrow tests show no cancer call"...... well, I started laughing and blubbering, pretty soon everybody was high fiveing clapping, cheering.....pretty cool! I asked him "how often does this happen?" his response "not very often"! We appreciate all your offers of help, kind thoughts and especially your prayers, please keep me on the list a little longer. Our goal is be home for a real special Thanksgiving.
At this point it is the battle for immune system. The cancer is gone now they have fix what got broken by the fixing. I have pnemonia and waiting for fungus cultures from the inside of my lungs. Docs can now take a camera, about the size of a pencil that includes water and a light and look right at your lungs, all while you are awake! That is after spraying and inhaling a Lynocaine anestheic for 2-3 minutes, the most foul tasting stuff you could ever imagine, even Brer Bear wouldn't like that stuff. The results should be back in 3-5 more days. During that time they are treating with "shotgun approach" as opposed to a "rifle approach.
My how time flies! Here we are at day 24! The only reason I add this note is significant news......look like we are going to make our goal of being home for Thanksgiving!
Like Brer Rabbit always say "ain't no Brer Fox or Brer Bear gonna get me"......hummmm! that reminds me of a story. Seems like:
“One day after Brer Rabbit had slump in the well, Brer Fox went to work and got some tar. He mixed it with some turpentine, and fixed up a contraption that he call a Tar-Baby. He put a straw hat on the Tar-Baby and sat her in the middle of the road, then hid in the bushes to see what would happen. He didn’t have to wait long either, because Brer Rabbit soon came pacing down the road—lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity—as saucy as a jay-bird. Brer Fox, he lay low. Brer Rabbit come prancing along until he spotted the Tar-Baby. Curious and dumb, but wantin to impolite,he fetched up on his hind legs as if he was astonished. The Tar Baby, she sat there and Brer Fox lay low.
“Good morning,” said Brer Rabbit, “Nice weather we’re having.” The Tar-Baby said nothing. Brer Fox laid low and grinned an evil grin. Brer Rabbit tried again. “And how are you feeling this fine day?” Brer Fox winked his eye slowly and laid low in the bushes, and the Tar Baby, well, she said nothing. “How are you then? Are you deaf?” said Brer Rabbit. “If you are, I can shout louder.” Tar-Baby stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. “You’re stuck up, that’s what you are,” said Brer Rabbit, “I’ll cure you, that’s what I’ll do.” “Brer Fox, he gave a belly-laugh, but Tar-Baby said nothing.
“I’m going to teach you how to talk to respectable people, if it’s my last act,’ said Brer Rabbit. ‘If you don’t take off that hat, I’m going to beat you up”. Tar-Baby stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. Brer Rabbit keep on asking, and the Tar-Baby kept on saying nothing. Presently, Brer Rabbit drew back his fist and -BLIP- he hit the Tar-Baby on the side of the head. And that’s when he lost his cool. His fist stuck and he couldn’t get loose. The tar held him. But Tar-Baby, she stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll hit you again,” said Brer Rabbit, and with that he swiped again with the other hand, and that stuck. Tar-Baby said nothing and Brer Fox, he laid low. “Let me go, or I’ll knock the stuffing out of you,” said Brer Rabbit, but Tar-Baby said nothing. She just hung on, and Brer Rabbit lost the use of his feet in the same way. Brer Fox, he laid low. Then Brer Rabbit yelled out that if the Tar-Baby didn’t turn him loose he’d head butt her side-on. So he butted, and his head got stuck. Then Brer Fox sauntered out, looking as innocent as one of your mummy’s mocking-birds. “Hiya, Brer Rabbit,” said Brer Fox. “You look sort of stuck up this morning,” and then he rolled on the ground, and laughed and laughed until he could laugh no more. “You’ll have to have dinner with me this time, Brer Rabbit. I’ve got some calamus root, and I won’t take any excuses”.
When Brer Fox found Brer Rabbit entangled with the Tar-Baby, he felt really good, and he rolled on the ground laughing. Eventually, he got up and said:
“Well, I think I got you this time, Brer Rabbit. Maybe I haven’t, but I think I have. You been running around here being cheeky for a mighty long time, but I think you’ve come to the end of the line. You’ve been cutting capers and bouncing about the neighbourhood where I’m in charge, and poking about in what is not your business,” said Brer Fox.
“Who asked you to chat up the Tar-Baby? And who stuck you up the way you are? Nobody in the round world. You just jammed yourself on that Tar-Baby without waiting for any invitation,” said Brer Fox,. “And there you are, and there you’ll stay until I fix up a heap of brushwood and make a fire, ’cos I’m going to barbeque you today for sure,” said Brer Fox.
So Brer Rabbit talked in a mighty humble way.
“I don’t care what you do with me, Brer Fox” said Brer Rabbit. “Just don’t fling me in that briar patch over there. Roast me, Brer Fox, but don’t fling me in in that briar patch,” said Brer Rabbit.
“It’s so much trouble to start a fire,” said Brer Fox, “that I think I’d rather hang you.”
“Hang me just as high as you please, Brer Fox,” said Brer Rabbit, “but for Lord’s sake don’t fling me in in that briar patch.
“I don’t have any string,” said Brer Fox, “so I think I’d rather drown you.”
“Drown me just as deep as you please, Brer Fox,” said Brer Rabbit, “but for Lord’s sake don’t fling me in in that briar patch.”
“There’s no water nearby,” said Brer Fox, “so I think I’d rather skin you.”
“Skin me, Brer Fox, snatch out my eyeballs, tear out my ears by the roots, and cut off my legs,” said Brer Rabbit. “Only please, Brer Fox, please don’t throw me into the briar patch.”
“It’s not going to be much fun skinning you,” said Brer Fox, “you’re not scared of that. But you are scared of the briar patch.”
And with that, Brer Fox yanked Brer Rabbit off the Tar-Baby, and he flung him -KERPLUNK!- right into the briar patch.
Well, there was a flutter where Brer Rabbit landed, then “Ooo! Oow! Ouch!” he screeched and he squalled. Then after a while, there was only a weak whisper from Brer Rabbit. Brer Fox listened.
“I got him! Brer Rabbit is dead!” said Brer Fox.
But then he heard a scuffling away at the other end of the briar patch. And low and behold, who does Brer Fox see scrambling out but Brer Rabbit himself, playing a briar bush whistle.
“Born and bred in the briar patch, that’s me,” laughed Brer Rabbit. “I told you not to throw me there. In all the world, that’s the place I love best!”
With a lippity clip, he hopped away.
Now don't ask me what anything this story has to my situation, except a few suttle comments concerning the forces arrayed against us in life.....email if you find them
I am going to make an attempt at circumstances beginning with a call from my Oncologist on Oct 15th, telling me that I needed to be in the hospital Monday morning at 10AM, up to where I find myself today. She was reading the results of a recent bone marrow biopsey that showed the MDS I had been fighting over a year had transformed itself into AML ( Acute Myloid Leukemia). I asked her if there any options, she said "no, you have 4 weeks to live without this induction chemo treatment, it is the only option I can offer"...... you know, that kinda get a person's attention! To compound the issue, we had 36 puppies all ready to go to their "forever homes" within a week. Much of what is a great blur of chemo (24x7) little sleep, missing family, missing Mama's cooking, not caring about cooking, endless rounds of questions from doctors, exciting highs and the endless waiting.
Arrived at the hospital Monday morning and went to have blood work drawn, sometimes I wonder if I have given them more blood than they have given me, over the last year (over 20 infusions) but who's counting amoung friends! Got to room and settled in, had lunch (an ominous precursor of what waas to come) and wisked away for a couple tests......OK, so far so good! The folks here at VA Portland just can't be beat, they deal daily with folks with one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel. Attitudes and professionalism are apparent. However, there is something foreboding about, bright and early, Tuesday morning..... they require two more IV sites in addition to the PICC and proceed to hang about 6 bags of stuff, of different colors and size, all dripping poisen into you. This continous 24x7. Well, I says to me, maybe you will dodge the bullet! WRONG!!!!!!! About day nine things get a little fuzzy, I was talking to Sharon on the phone and it was like all the energy drained out of body, I told her goodbye, saying I was getting real tired, thankfully got the phone put away and proceeded to loose my lunch, well it was not big loss anyway......that's when the blurry part started.
As I write this, it is day 23, and spareing all the gory stuff, I think things are on the mend. The chemo was adminstered 24x7, so I have been off it for about 15 days. We are still hooked to various antibiotics, anti fungal and microbicides because the chemo has left me without any immune system. The thing we are looking for now is to get my white cells producing again, and like little Pac-Men, looking for and gobbleing up the bad guys like bacteria and fungus. A healthy person's blood count includes WBCs at about 4 - 8 this last year mine usually ran between 1-2. At day 16, mine still showed as 0. Yesterday they were at .5 and expected to really begin to grow by day 26. Best news was on Friday a team of docs came in the room, all smileing, lead doc simply said, "YOU ARE CANCER FREE", preliminary marrow tests show no cancer call"...... well, I started laughing and blubbering, pretty soon everybody was high fiveing clapping, cheering.....pretty cool! I asked him "how often does this happen?" his response "not very often"! We appreciate all your offers of help, kind thoughts and especially your prayers, please keep me on the list a little longer. Our goal is be home for a real special Thanksgiving.
At this point it is the battle for immune system. The cancer is gone now they have fix what got broken by the fixing. I have pnemonia and waiting for fungus cultures from the inside of my lungs. Docs can now take a camera, about the size of a pencil that includes water and a light and look right at your lungs, all while you are awake! That is after spraying and inhaling a Lynocaine anestheic for 2-3 minutes, the most foul tasting stuff you could ever imagine, even Brer Bear wouldn't like that stuff. The results should be back in 3-5 more days. During that time they are treating with "shotgun approach" as opposed to a "rifle approach.
My how time flies! Here we are at day 24! The only reason I add this note is significant news......look like we are going to make our goal of being home for Thanksgiving!
Like Brer Rabbit always say "ain't no Brer Fox or Brer Bear gonna get me"......hummmm! that reminds me of a story. Seems like:
“One day after Brer Rabbit had slump in the well, Brer Fox went to work and got some tar. He mixed it with some turpentine, and fixed up a contraption that he call a Tar-Baby. He put a straw hat on the Tar-Baby and sat her in the middle of the road, then hid in the bushes to see what would happen. He didn’t have to wait long either, because Brer Rabbit soon came pacing down the road—lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity—as saucy as a jay-bird. Brer Fox, he lay low. Brer Rabbit come prancing along until he spotted the Tar-Baby. Curious and dumb, but wantin to impolite,he fetched up on his hind legs as if he was astonished. The Tar Baby, she sat there and Brer Fox lay low.
“Good morning,” said Brer Rabbit, “Nice weather we’re having.” The Tar-Baby said nothing. Brer Fox laid low and grinned an evil grin. Brer Rabbit tried again. “And how are you feeling this fine day?” Brer Fox winked his eye slowly and laid low in the bushes, and the Tar Baby, well, she said nothing. “How are you then? Are you deaf?” said Brer Rabbit. “If you are, I can shout louder.” Tar-Baby stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. “You’re stuck up, that’s what you are,” said Brer Rabbit, “I’ll cure you, that’s what I’ll do.” “Brer Fox, he gave a belly-laugh, but Tar-Baby said nothing.
“I’m going to teach you how to talk to respectable people, if it’s my last act,’ said Brer Rabbit. ‘If you don’t take off that hat, I’m going to beat you up”. Tar-Baby stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. Brer Rabbit keep on asking, and the Tar-Baby kept on saying nothing. Presently, Brer Rabbit drew back his fist and -BLIP- he hit the Tar-Baby on the side of the head. And that’s when he lost his cool. His fist stuck and he couldn’t get loose. The tar held him. But Tar-Baby, she stayed still, and Brer Fox, he laid low. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll hit you again,” said Brer Rabbit, and with that he swiped again with the other hand, and that stuck. Tar-Baby said nothing and Brer Fox, he laid low. “Let me go, or I’ll knock the stuffing out of you,” said Brer Rabbit, but Tar-Baby said nothing. She just hung on, and Brer Rabbit lost the use of his feet in the same way. Brer Fox, he laid low. Then Brer Rabbit yelled out that if the Tar-Baby didn’t turn him loose he’d head butt her side-on. So he butted, and his head got stuck. Then Brer Fox sauntered out, looking as innocent as one of your mummy’s mocking-birds. “Hiya, Brer Rabbit,” said Brer Fox. “You look sort of stuck up this morning,” and then he rolled on the ground, and laughed and laughed until he could laugh no more. “You’ll have to have dinner with me this time, Brer Rabbit. I’ve got some calamus root, and I won’t take any excuses”.
When Brer Fox found Brer Rabbit entangled with the Tar-Baby, he felt really good, and he rolled on the ground laughing. Eventually, he got up and said:
“Well, I think I got you this time, Brer Rabbit. Maybe I haven’t, but I think I have. You been running around here being cheeky for a mighty long time, but I think you’ve come to the end of the line. You’ve been cutting capers and bouncing about the neighbourhood where I’m in charge, and poking about in what is not your business,” said Brer Fox.
“Who asked you to chat up the Tar-Baby? And who stuck you up the way you are? Nobody in the round world. You just jammed yourself on that Tar-Baby without waiting for any invitation,” said Brer Fox,. “And there you are, and there you’ll stay until I fix up a heap of brushwood and make a fire, ’cos I’m going to barbeque you today for sure,” said Brer Fox.
So Brer Rabbit talked in a mighty humble way.
“I don’t care what you do with me, Brer Fox” said Brer Rabbit. “Just don’t fling me in that briar patch over there. Roast me, Brer Fox, but don’t fling me in in that briar patch,” said Brer Rabbit.
“It’s so much trouble to start a fire,” said Brer Fox, “that I think I’d rather hang you.”
“Hang me just as high as you please, Brer Fox,” said Brer Rabbit, “but for Lord’s sake don’t fling me in in that briar patch.
“I don’t have any string,” said Brer Fox, “so I think I’d rather drown you.”
“Drown me just as deep as you please, Brer Fox,” said Brer Rabbit, “but for Lord’s sake don’t fling me in in that briar patch.”
“There’s no water nearby,” said Brer Fox, “so I think I’d rather skin you.”
“Skin me, Brer Fox, snatch out my eyeballs, tear out my ears by the roots, and cut off my legs,” said Brer Rabbit. “Only please, Brer Fox, please don’t throw me into the briar patch.”
“It’s not going to be much fun skinning you,” said Brer Fox, “you’re not scared of that. But you are scared of the briar patch.”
And with that, Brer Fox yanked Brer Rabbit off the Tar-Baby, and he flung him -KERPLUNK!- right into the briar patch.
Well, there was a flutter where Brer Rabbit landed, then “Ooo! Oow! Ouch!” he screeched and he squalled. Then after a while, there was only a weak whisper from Brer Rabbit. Brer Fox listened.
“I got him! Brer Rabbit is dead!” said Brer Fox.
But then he heard a scuffling away at the other end of the briar patch. And low and behold, who does Brer Fox see scrambling out but Brer Rabbit himself, playing a briar bush whistle.
“Born and bred in the briar patch, that’s me,” laughed Brer Rabbit. “I told you not to throw me there. In all the world, that’s the place I love best!”
With a lippity clip, he hopped away.
Now don't ask me what anything this story has to my situation, except a few suttle comments concerning the forces arrayed against us in life.....email if you find them
Monday, October 25, 2010
Day 6 - In the Hospital
Sharon dropped by this afternoon with a hamburger and a chocolate shake......shear ambrosia for the soul, after a week of institutional cooking! Even had a couple home made cupcakes from Jen....just does'nt get much better, well maybe it does. Tomorrow is the last day of chemo, will really be happy to get untied from the christmas tree. Then comes the waiting to see if my bone marrow has anything left. Bone Marrow Biopsey schedule for 2 weeks, that will tell the tale as to how much of a window we have for Bone Marrow Transplant.
Docs all say I am responding to the Induction Chemo real well, battled some high blood pressure last night caused by the chemo, 199/110, that was a personal lifetime high for me and also fighting blood sugar swings with insulin, caused by the same issues, both are said to be temporyand will normalize when the chemo is done. I guess my immune system is now official dead, so next couple weeks are critical to avoid infection/fungal/bleeding issues. I feel bad for teh nurses that have to wear coats and masks to see me.
My Brer Rabbit analogy for tonight is: Remember.....I'm the Rabbit, Fox and Bear are after ME!
One day, Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox and Brer Coon and Brer Bear and a lot of other animals decided to work together to plant a garden full of corn for roasting. They started early in the morning and raked and dug and raked some more, breaking up the hard ground so it would be ready for planting. It was a hot day, and Brer Rabbit got tired mighty quick. But he kept toting off the brush and clearing away the debris 'cause true to form, he had lots of stuff on his "to-do' list and a whole lot more on his "want-to" list.
Then Brer Rabbit got an idea. "Ow!" he shouted as loudly as he could. "I got me a briar in my hand!" He waved a paw and stuck it into his mouth. The other critters told him he'd better pull out the briar and wash his hand afore it got infected. That was just what Brer Rabbit wanted to hear. He hurried off, looking for a shady spot to take a quick nap. A little ways down the road, he found an old well with a couple of buckets hanging inside it, one at the top, and one down at the bottom.
"That looks like a mighty cool place to take a nap," Brer Rabbit said, and hopped right into the bucket.
Well, Brer Rabbit was mighty heavy - much heavier than the bucket full of water laying at the bottom. When he jumped into the empty bucket, it plummeted right down to the bottom of the well. Brer Rabbit hung onto the sides for dear life as the second bucket whipped passed him, splashing water all over him on its way to the top. He had never been so scared in his life.
Brer Rabbit's bucket landed with a smack in the water and bobbed up and down. Brer Rabbit was afraid to move, in case the bucket tipped over and landed him in the water. He lay in the bottom of the bucket and shook and shivered with fright, wondering what would happen next.
Now Brer Fox had been watching Brer Rabbit all morning. He knew right away that Brer Rabbit didn't have a briar in his paw and wondered what that rascal was up to. When Brer Rabbit snuck off, Brer Fox followed him and saw him jump into the bucket and disappear down the well.
Brer Fox was puzzled. Why would Brer Rabbit go into the well? Then he thought: "I bet he has some money hidden away down there and has gone to check up on it." Brer Fox crept up to the well, listening closely to see if he could hear anything. He didn't hear nothing. He peered down into the well, but all was dark and quiet, on account of Brer Rabbit holding so still so the bucket wouldn't tip him into the water.
Finally, Brer Fox shouted down into the well: "Brer Rabbit, what you doing down there?"
Brer Rabbit perked up at once, realizing that this might be his chance to get out of the well.
"I'm a fishing down here, Brer Fox," says he. "I thought I'd surprise everyone with a mess of fresh fish for lunch. There's some real nice fish down here."
"How many fish are there?" asked Brer Fox skeptically, sure that the rascally rabbit was really counting his gold.
"Scores and scores!" cried Brer Rabbit. "Why don't you come on down and help me carry them out?"
Well, that was the invitation Brer Fox was waiting for. He was going to go down into that well and get him some of Brer Rabbit's gold.
"How do I get down there?" asked Brer Fox.
Brer Rabbit grinned. Brer Fox was much heavier than he was. If Brer Fox jumped into the empty bucket at the top, then Brer Rabbit's bucket would go up, and Brer Fox's bucket would go down! So he said: "Jest jump into the bucket, Brer Fox."
Well, Brer Fox jumped into the empty bucket, and down it plummeted into the dark well. He passed Brer Rabbit about halfway down. Brer Rabbit was clinging to the sides of the bucket with all his might 'cause it was moving so fast. "Goodbye Brer Fox," he shouted as he rose. "Like the saying goes, some folks go up, and some go down! You should make it to the bottom all safe and sound."
Brer Rabbit jumped out of the well and ran back to the garden patch to tell the other critters that Brer Fox was down in the well muddying up the waters. Then he danced back to the well and shouted down to Brer Fox: "There's a hunting man coming along to get a drink o' water, Brer Fox. When he hauls you up, you'd best run away as fast as you can!"
Then Brer Rabbit went back to the garden patch. When the thirsty hunter hauled up the bucket full of water, a wet and shaky Brer Fox sprang out and ran away before the hunter could grab for his gun.
An hour later, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit were both back in the garden, digging and hauling away debris and acting like nothing had happened. Except every once in a while, Brer Fox would look sideways at Brer Rabbit and grin, and the rascally rabbit would start to laugh and laugh 'cause both of them had looked so silly plummeting up and down in that ol' dark well.
Docs all say I am responding to the Induction Chemo real well, battled some high blood pressure last night caused by the chemo, 199/110, that was a personal lifetime high for me and also fighting blood sugar swings with insulin, caused by the same issues, both are said to be temporyand will normalize when the chemo is done. I guess my immune system is now official dead, so next couple weeks are critical to avoid infection/fungal/bleeding issues. I feel bad for teh nurses that have to wear coats and masks to see me.
My Brer Rabbit analogy for tonight is: Remember.....I'm the Rabbit, Fox and Bear are after ME!
One day, Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox and Brer Coon and Brer Bear and a lot of other animals decided to work together to plant a garden full of corn for roasting. They started early in the morning and raked and dug and raked some more, breaking up the hard ground so it would be ready for planting. It was a hot day, and Brer Rabbit got tired mighty quick. But he kept toting off the brush and clearing away the debris 'cause true to form, he had lots of stuff on his "to-do' list and a whole lot more on his "want-to" list.
Then Brer Rabbit got an idea. "Ow!" he shouted as loudly as he could. "I got me a briar in my hand!" He waved a paw and stuck it into his mouth. The other critters told him he'd better pull out the briar and wash his hand afore it got infected. That was just what Brer Rabbit wanted to hear. He hurried off, looking for a shady spot to take a quick nap. A little ways down the road, he found an old well with a couple of buckets hanging inside it, one at the top, and one down at the bottom.
"That looks like a mighty cool place to take a nap," Brer Rabbit said, and hopped right into the bucket.
Well, Brer Rabbit was mighty heavy - much heavier than the bucket full of water laying at the bottom. When he jumped into the empty bucket, it plummeted right down to the bottom of the well. Brer Rabbit hung onto the sides for dear life as the second bucket whipped passed him, splashing water all over him on its way to the top. He had never been so scared in his life.
Brer Rabbit's bucket landed with a smack in the water and bobbed up and down. Brer Rabbit was afraid to move, in case the bucket tipped over and landed him in the water. He lay in the bottom of the bucket and shook and shivered with fright, wondering what would happen next.
Now Brer Fox had been watching Brer Rabbit all morning. He knew right away that Brer Rabbit didn't have a briar in his paw and wondered what that rascal was up to. When Brer Rabbit snuck off, Brer Fox followed him and saw him jump into the bucket and disappear down the well.
Brer Fox was puzzled. Why would Brer Rabbit go into the well? Then he thought: "I bet he has some money hidden away down there and has gone to check up on it." Brer Fox crept up to the well, listening closely to see if he could hear anything. He didn't hear nothing. He peered down into the well, but all was dark and quiet, on account of Brer Rabbit holding so still so the bucket wouldn't tip him into the water.
Finally, Brer Fox shouted down into the well: "Brer Rabbit, what you doing down there?"
Brer Rabbit perked up at once, realizing that this might be his chance to get out of the well.
"I'm a fishing down here, Brer Fox," says he. "I thought I'd surprise everyone with a mess of fresh fish for lunch. There's some real nice fish down here."
"How many fish are there?" asked Brer Fox skeptically, sure that the rascally rabbit was really counting his gold.
"Scores and scores!" cried Brer Rabbit. "Why don't you come on down and help me carry them out?"
Well, that was the invitation Brer Fox was waiting for. He was going to go down into that well and get him some of Brer Rabbit's gold.
"How do I get down there?" asked Brer Fox.
Brer Rabbit grinned. Brer Fox was much heavier than he was. If Brer Fox jumped into the empty bucket at the top, then Brer Rabbit's bucket would go up, and Brer Fox's bucket would go down! So he said: "Jest jump into the bucket, Brer Fox."
Well, Brer Fox jumped into the empty bucket, and down it plummeted into the dark well. He passed Brer Rabbit about halfway down. Brer Rabbit was clinging to the sides of the bucket with all his might 'cause it was moving so fast. "Goodbye Brer Fox," he shouted as he rose. "Like the saying goes, some folks go up, and some go down! You should make it to the bottom all safe and sound."
Brer Rabbit jumped out of the well and ran back to the garden patch to tell the other critters that Brer Fox was down in the well muddying up the waters. Then he danced back to the well and shouted down to Brer Fox: "There's a hunting man coming along to get a drink o' water, Brer Fox. When he hauls you up, you'd best run away as fast as you can!"
Then Brer Rabbit went back to the garden patch. When the thirsty hunter hauled up the bucket full of water, a wet and shaky Brer Fox sprang out and ran away before the hunter could grab for his gun.
An hour later, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit were both back in the garden, digging and hauling away debris and acting like nothing had happened. Except every once in a while, Brer Fox would look sideways at Brer Rabbit and grin, and the rascally rabbit would start to laugh and laugh 'cause both of them had looked so silly plummeting up and down in that ol' dark well.