T-Day Minus 2

So, after a break of about 1 week, we have been back at Emory several times. Yesterday and today Mike got an infusion of something that will help block the side effects of the chemo they will give him in 2 days (Tuesday.) He gets another infusion tomorrow. Yesterday we left the house at 7AM, and after a few minutes Mike noticed an icon lit on his dashboard. Mike can look at an icon and have no idea at all of what it is supposed to represent. He guessed it might be low oil pressure. So, he pulled over and checked his oil which was a little low. He bought 2 quarts of oil, but adding one was more than enough. The icon was still lit, so we went back home to get Judy’s car. Later, we took Mike’s car to Pep Boys who said it was a check-engine light, and suggested we take it to KIA who makes the Hamstermobile. They said it was safe to drive, but it is parked until tomorrow. Today while driving to Emory in Judy’s car the tire pressure icon lit up. On the way home we stopped at Pep Boys again, and they put some air in the tires, gratis. Mike has to go back to Emory tomorrow for another infusion. When he gets home he will take his car to the KIA place to get it serviced. When it rains it pours (which it has done all day today.) No prowling around for me in this weather.

Tuesday Mike checks in to Emory for his bone marrow transplant. So far he has tolerated everything well, and I expect he will likewise do well with the procedure. He has had a great deal of support which has helped tremendously, and for which we are most grateful. I will continue to blog and let you know how things are going. As I had mentioned earlier, I will be going to the hospital and stay with him the whole time he is there. They have rules about having pets there, but I am hardly a pet!

And speaking of pets, you may never have thought about this, but women who are abused often don’t get help for themselves because their abuser threatens to harm or kill their beloved pet if they leave. Most shelters are not equipped to have pets on the premises. In Atlanta there is an organization called Ahimsa. They are a volunteer organization designed to fill this need. They can take in pets on an emergency basis and foster them for up to 2 months. If you are interested check out their website at www.ahimsahouse.org. If you don’t live in Atlanta you might check to see if there is a similar organization in your community. This is a worthwhile cause, and deserving of support. See what you can do.

Mike finished the book by Richard Rhodes about the making of the atomic bomb. He found it fascinating, and learned a great deal that he had not known previously. He sort of followed the physics, but when the author started to describe the apparatus and devices the scientists built, his eyes glazed over. He has a very limited capacity for imagining thing spatially. This is no doubt related to his inability to interpret icons. It’s a good thing he didn’t want to be an architect, or for that matter, a surgeon. Mike has started a new book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I think it will help him get his head ready for the next phase of his cancer treatment. If you pay attention, the universe will always serve up what you need when you need it. I’ll let you know what Mike gets out of the book.

So, I hope I am able to send out more frequent reports for a while. I know so many of you are concerned. If you want to visit Mike, and have his cell number, shoot him a text while he is in the hospital, and he will let you know if he is feeling up to a visit. He certainly doesn’t expect anyone to schlep over to Emory, but do text your good wishes, and don’t stop praying. You might notice that I used a Yiddish word in the last sentence. Schlep means “drag,” and it is in such common usage that it has become part of the English vernacular. We were watching Judge Judy the other day and she used the term bubbe meiseh. Bubbe means grandmother, and a meiseh is a tale, typically untrue. Mike got the biggest kick out of hearing a term he used to hear in his childhood coming out of Judge Judy’s mouth. They are exactly the same age, and heard a lot of Yiddish as they were growing up.

Well, that’s all for now from Happy Meadows. Enjoy your holiday, whichever one or more that you celebrate. Be safe and be well. You will hear from me soon.

Author: Black Magic

Black Magic is a handsome, charming, and self-absorbed cat who lives with Mike and Judy Gordon in Marietta, Georgia. He is about 7 years old, and he will remind you at every opportunity that his grandfather was Black Jack, that famous cat who wrote his own autobiography. Black Magic has a great many opinions, and despite his natural feline arrogance, he seems to be genuinely spiritual. But the reader can decide for him/herself.

2 thoughts on “T-Day Minus 2”

  1. I’m so glad to hear from you. You are such a special part of my life Dr. G. I lift you up into the arms of our Father God every day. I pray for a complete remission of your cancer. Our Lord IS the Great Physician! I love you Dr. G and Georgia cat. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah ❤??

  2. I hope you are doing well. It’s so good to hear from you and merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah! I think of you often and miss our good conversations. You’re always in my prayers Dr. Gordon.
    Much love and hugs,
    Robin

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