HOME OF THE CANCER CHRONICLES
Thursday, November 24, 2011
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Be thankful for your good health this season. As you sit down and enjoy your meal, be thankful you are able to eat and enjoy it. Cancer stole that ability from me for almost three years requiring me to use a feeing tube. After that I have never been more thankful to be able to speak and eat, something I once took for granted. What are you thankful for this season?? Peace B
Friday, October 28, 2011
REPOST FROM LAST YEAR
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
KNOCK KNOCK
Anybody home? Guess I’ve been away longer than I realized. Things have been so crazy on this end just trying to keep up with everything…and you know what they say: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Guess I’ve been a little grumpy lately.
After mom died I spent the summer trying to get her house cleared out and ready for sale. It’s been on the market for months and the added responsibilities and expenses are not always easy to deal with. It’s all very draining, emotionally, physically, and monetarily. I am starting to see the dust settle and I’m feeling better with more energy than I have had in months.
I want to thank all of you who have posted and sent emails wondering how I was, THANK YOU! I guess for me it was easier to pretend cancer wasn’t a part of my life while I dealt with some of my life’s other realities.
TRICK OR TREAT!
Last year my mom so badly wanted to hand out candy for the Trick or Treater’s. I just didn’t think it was such a great idea to be exposed to so many people with both of us not being well. But mom was insistent and so I brought Dr. Swill to life with mother as my patient and that would be our Halloween costumes.
Dr. Swill Lives!So, I put on some scrubs, a mask, glasses, teased up my hair, and rolled mom out the front door with her oxygen and an IV pole in tow and prepared to greet the little buggers. Mom and I both had so much fun that night. That was the last time we shared a holiday together without her either being in the hospital or a rehab facility.
During the evening a little boy dressed as Superman approached mom on the porch with a puzzled look on his face. In a very serious tone he asked me, "Are you a real doctor?"
"No." I said, "Just a pretend one."
Then he asked mom, "Are you really sick?"
"Yes," She replied "I'm really a very sick patient."
Without hesitation he jumped at me pointing a finger, "You shouldn't go around pretending to be a doctor. Doctors help people. She needs a real doctor now and you can't help her!"
For a brief moment I almost forgot it was Halloween. The situation became too real. All pointed out by a pint sized Superman with an attitude. SNAP! Mom asked sweetly, "Don't you want any candy?"
"Sure!" he growled as he disapprovingly scowled at me. His father, standing behind him just shrugged his shoulders and smiled as I smartly quipped, "Your son's going to be a great lawyer someday." (Anybody know where I can buy some kriptonite?)
This year sadly, I’m not in the mood to play doctor or greet goblins so the lights will stay off and I’ll watch a scary movie with popcorn. I just don’t think it would be any fun. Next year I promise to set up a killer haunted house and have some fun.
Happy Hauntings…Peace
B
Friday, August 19, 2011
For the Newbies
WHY?
For those of you who are just stumbling upon this blog, I have had a wild ride with tongue cancer (squamous carcinoma of the left later tongue and floor of mouth.) You might want to start at the beginning of "The Cancer Chronicles" for the full story located in the archives under "Search by Label" on the lower right. I'm still alive - a survivor - but it wasn't pretty nor easy, yet I am one of the lucky ones. That thought should bring great happiness in the fact that I'm alive, but the reality is I get depressed when I realize how many have lost the battle. Many of the people I grew to know during my journey are no longer here. I NEVER like to ask "Why?" It breaks my heart when I count all those I befriended and realize they left so many friends and family behind, and so far I survive. There is never an answer to "Why?"
My journey begins here: THE VERY FIRST BLOG POST (CC1)
Peace B
For those of you who are just stumbling upon this blog, I have had a wild ride with tongue cancer (squamous carcinoma of the left later tongue and floor of mouth.) You might want to start at the beginning of "The Cancer Chronicles" for the full story located in the archives under "Search by Label" on the lower right. I'm still alive - a survivor - but it wasn't pretty nor easy, yet I am one of the lucky ones. That thought should bring great happiness in the fact that I'm alive, but the reality is I get depressed when I realize how many have lost the battle. Many of the people I grew to know during my journey are no longer here. I NEVER like to ask "Why?" It breaks my heart when I count all those I befriended and realize they left so many friends and family behind, and so far I survive. There is never an answer to "Why?"
My journey begins here: THE VERY FIRST BLOG POST (CC1)
 |
| There was one question I did ask repeatedly during the toughest times. |
Peace B
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Biz-Biz-Bizy!
M.I.A.
OK T GRANNY!! I've Been Busy!
I have been so F'n busy I can't even begin to explain and I am so tired.
After the Houston audition for AGT I wasn't feeling so confident. I was feeling great until the girl ahead of me belted out a tune that rocked. When I stood in front of the producers I began to sing and on the second verse sang the wrong words. A pro would have kept going...but...I stop very matter of fact said, "Nope that's not right." I turned to the girl that just sang and said, "You are really good. You intimidated the hell out of me." The producers said I could start again and I rocked it the second time. BUT...this is a live show and I can't imagine them picking someone who had to start over again in an audition. That's the kiss of death.
A tweet went out to everyone who auditioned in Houston last week letting us know anyone going on to the next round will be called by this Friday. Confidently, I'm not expecting a call...but it was fun. I really wanted to find an avenue to further educate and inspire others about tongue cancer. I have a few other options, but I need to raise some money to make them happen.
A few weeks later...I had to go back to Michigan because my mom's home sold. I had to hold an Estate sale and clear out the house in 10 DAYS! I have not had access to the Internet since all the services are shut off. I could only get online using dial-up and was unable to post.
When I arrived in Michigan it had just snowed and I had to shovel snow for the first time in over 30 years! Now I know why I left Michigan and moved to California! OMG it was so cold. I thought I was doomed, but the day of the sale the heavens opened up, the sun came out, and spring arrived just for the weekend. All the snow melted and it was beautiful!
In just three days we sold EVERYTHING! People were buying 1/2 bottles of windshield washer fluid, jars of nails, scrap wood and metal...it was crazy. The postman came by to tell us that they were so flooded with phone calls asking where Field Street was, they could not get their work done. People were circling blocks looking for parking! No less than 40-50 people were at the house at any one time.
We had 3 sales people and 2 security/movers to help. I tried helping to move some furniture but ended up smashing my knee against the bricks of the fireplace hearth and quickly learned I might feel strong, but I've never regained all my strength back since my surgery.
Apparently we were the first sale of the year, it was the first nice day of the year and people wanted out of the house. Plus, Michigan is so depressed right now that an estate sale was a big deal to find great bargains and my mom had some great stuff. Added to that we were apparently competing with people coming out to watch the ice floe!! WHAT?
My mother's home was off the Saint Clair River which is a shipping lane shared by the US and Canada. So, in the spring when the ice begins to flow you see large glacieristic chunks of ice flowing rapidly and colliding to form interesting shapes. To be honest, I didn't realize it was so popular, but because it was such a beautiful day and the ice was flowing and the park was just down the road where people watched...we were swamped at the estate sale from the residual gawkers! GO HOOTERVILLE ...my pet name for mom's little town.
Who knew ice could be so interesting? The only time I care that much about ice is when I make frozen Margaritas!
In 3 days every bottle, nail, and mouse dropping was sold! Yes we had mice at the sale too! A week later I packed up the memories and hit the road taking my time to travel. Now this was not the smartest thing to do alone after busting my ass, but I managed.
I was able to stop and see friends along the way and even take in a play at their local Barter Theater founded in 1933. It got it's name because people bartered with produce to gain admission. It proclaimed, "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh." Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock.
Think of it this way, they traded ham for Hamlet. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. Many famous actors played there: Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, David Birney, and Larry Linville. WHO'S LARRY LINVILLE? Anyway...the play was very entertaining and enjoying it with old friends, even better.
After I got back to the house, I slept for three days before attempting to empty the van. My leg I bumped on the fireplace began to swell and I noticed some redness. It had become infected and after a few days the whole left side of my face was also swollen. This was the area that received the most radiation. I have had this facial infection on 3 other occasions. Swiftly to the hospital to find some leg hair had infected my shin where I bumped it on the fireplace and a 3 inch hair was also pulled from my cheek/lip area that must have be growing under the scar damaged tissue after surgery, but never surfaced. I guess the leg infection must have triggered the face due to low resistance or something.
WELL...after a few days of recovery I thought I would head outside and do a bit of gardening. After working in a beautiful sunlit garden and feeling really good, I got stung by a wasp on the top side of my right hand which quickly blew up like a red balloon! I CAN'T WIN! A quick fix of Benadryl and a few hours later...all better. By now I'm a walking pharmacy! WHAT'S NEXT???
Another week in bed (maybe two) and I should be ready for my next adventure!
Thank you all for the emails and bitchy comments. I love you all for caring!
Now I lay me down to sleep...
Peace B
OK T GRANNY!! I've Been Busy!
I have been so F'n busy I can't even begin to explain and I am so tired.
After the Houston audition for AGT I wasn't feeling so confident. I was feeling great until the girl ahead of me belted out a tune that rocked. When I stood in front of the producers I began to sing and on the second verse sang the wrong words. A pro would have kept going...but...I stop very matter of fact said, "Nope that's not right." I turned to the girl that just sang and said, "You are really good. You intimidated the hell out of me." The producers said I could start again and I rocked it the second time. BUT...this is a live show and I can't imagine them picking someone who had to start over again in an audition. That's the kiss of death.
A tweet went out to everyone who auditioned in Houston last week letting us know anyone going on to the next round will be called by this Friday. Confidently, I'm not expecting a call...but it was fun. I really wanted to find an avenue to further educate and inspire others about tongue cancer. I have a few other options, but I need to raise some money to make them happen.
A few weeks later...I had to go back to Michigan because my mom's home sold. I had to hold an Estate sale and clear out the house in 10 DAYS! I have not had access to the Internet since all the services are shut off. I could only get online using dial-up and was unable to post.
When I arrived in Michigan it had just snowed and I had to shovel snow for the first time in over 30 years! Now I know why I left Michigan and moved to California! OMG it was so cold. I thought I was doomed, but the day of the sale the heavens opened up, the sun came out, and spring arrived just for the weekend. All the snow melted and it was beautiful!
In just three days we sold EVERYTHING! People were buying 1/2 bottles of windshield washer fluid, jars of nails, scrap wood and metal...it was crazy. The postman came by to tell us that they were so flooded with phone calls asking where Field Street was, they could not get their work done. People were circling blocks looking for parking! No less than 40-50 people were at the house at any one time.
We had 3 sales people and 2 security/movers to help. I tried helping to move some furniture but ended up smashing my knee against the bricks of the fireplace hearth and quickly learned I might feel strong, but I've never regained all my strength back since my surgery.
Apparently we were the first sale of the year, it was the first nice day of the year and people wanted out of the house. Plus, Michigan is so depressed right now that an estate sale was a big deal to find great bargains and my mom had some great stuff. Added to that we were apparently competing with people coming out to watch the ice floe!! WHAT?
My mother's home was off the Saint Clair River which is a shipping lane shared by the US and Canada. So, in the spring when the ice begins to flow you see large glacieristic chunks of ice flowing rapidly and colliding to form interesting shapes. To be honest, I didn't realize it was so popular, but because it was such a beautiful day and the ice was flowing and the park was just down the road where people watched...we were swamped at the estate sale from the residual gawkers! GO HOOTERVILLE ...my pet name for mom's little town.
Who knew ice could be so interesting? The only time I care that much about ice is when I make frozen Margaritas!
In 3 days every bottle, nail, and mouse dropping was sold! Yes we had mice at the sale too! A week later I packed up the memories and hit the road taking my time to travel. Now this was not the smartest thing to do alone after busting my ass, but I managed.
I was able to stop and see friends along the way and even take in a play at their local Barter Theater founded in 1933. It got it's name because people bartered with produce to gain admission. It proclaimed, "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh." Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock.
 |
| The Barter Theater |
Think of it this way, they traded ham for Hamlet. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. Many famous actors played there: Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, David Birney, and Larry Linville. WHO'S LARRY LINVILLE? Anyway...the play was very entertaining and enjoying it with old friends, even better.
 |
| The Barter Theater Cook |
After I got back to the house, I slept for three days before attempting to empty the van. My leg I bumped on the fireplace began to swell and I noticed some redness. It had become infected and after a few days the whole left side of my face was also swollen. This was the area that received the most radiation. I have had this facial infection on 3 other occasions. Swiftly to the hospital to find some leg hair had infected my shin where I bumped it on the fireplace and a 3 inch hair was also pulled from my cheek/lip area that must have be growing under the scar damaged tissue after surgery, but never surfaced. I guess the leg infection must have triggered the face due to low resistance or something.
WELL...after a few days of recovery I thought I would head outside and do a bit of gardening. After working in a beautiful sunlit garden and feeling really good, I got stung by a wasp on the top side of my right hand which quickly blew up like a red balloon! I CAN'T WIN! A quick fix of Benadryl and a few hours later...all better. By now I'm a walking pharmacy! WHAT'S NEXT???
Another week in bed (maybe two) and I should be ready for my next adventure!
Thank you all for the emails and bitchy comments. I love you all for caring!
Now I lay me down to sleep...
Peace B
Friday, February 11, 2011
Back to Houston
I DREAMED A DREAM
I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. Life just seems to move more quickly post cancer. I still don't have the energy I once had. I have been receiving a lot of email asking questions about my cancer. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I am putting together a post of the most common questions and will get that up soon. Most of the questions can be answered somewhere here on the blog, in the archives. I am trying to put it all into one easy post for the newer readers by answering the most asked questions.
Today I am preparing to fly to Houston to see my doctors and audition for America's Got Talent. Yup, I'm gonna do it. I never dreamed I would ever be able to sing again after 2 1/2 years on a feeding tube unable to eat solid foods. I feel I need to inspire others and sing for my fellow cancer patients who are unable to at this moment. It's time to give back and give them hope.
I'm still bandaged, in a lot of pain, and SO out of my element. I don't know if I have the strength to get through it, but I'm giving it my best and if something goes wrong the Cancer Center is just down the road! I'm not even there yet and already I'm thoroughly exhausted! I'm so tired of being tired!
I'm not sure how much of the process I am allowed to discuss. I will find out more when I audition. The contracts appear to restrict what can be discussed until after the show airs.
This is a preliminary audition that I don't think will be televised, but it will be taped. It will not be in front of the celebrity judges, but producers. I think if I make it through that round, then I compete on TV.
Wish me luck!
Peace B
I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. Life just seems to move more quickly post cancer. I still don't have the energy I once had. I have been receiving a lot of email asking questions about my cancer. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I am putting together a post of the most common questions and will get that up soon. Most of the questions can be answered somewhere here on the blog, in the archives. I am trying to put it all into one easy post for the newer readers by answering the most asked questions.
Today I am preparing to fly to Houston to see my doctors and audition for America's Got Talent. Yup, I'm gonna do it. I never dreamed I would ever be able to sing again after 2 1/2 years on a feeding tube unable to eat solid foods. I feel I need to inspire others and sing for my fellow cancer patients who are unable to at this moment. It's time to give back and give them hope.
I'm still bandaged, in a lot of pain, and SO out of my element. I don't know if I have the strength to get through it, but I'm giving it my best and if something goes wrong the Cancer Center is just down the road! I'm not even there yet and already I'm thoroughly exhausted! I'm so tired of being tired!
I'm not sure how much of the process I am allowed to discuss. I will find out more when I audition. The contracts appear to restrict what can be discussed until after the show airs.
This is a preliminary audition that I don't think will be televised, but it will be taped. It will not be in front of the celebrity judges, but producers. I think if I make it through that round, then I compete on TV.
Wish me luck!
Peace B
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve and all is Well
Silent Night
Thank you all for your notes of concern...all is well. All my tests showed no sign of cancer and my eye surgery was called off, AGAIN! Despite the stars and halos (according to the insurance company) I am supposed to be able to see fine with correction (glasses.) I disagree, but there is nothing I can do until the cataract matures to the point insurance will agree to pay. I am 20/70 in my left eye, but 20/25 with correction according to my favorite doctor Stella Kim. I just love her. Is it possible to have a school boy crush at my age?
I had a little set back while in Houston. I was given a free hotel room for the week arranged by the American Cancer Society. It turned out to be more trouble than it was worth. I had planned to post all during my trip, but the chain of events left me with little time and too weak to manage. To sum it up, cockroaches, no heat, a broken water pipe in the bathroom that flooded my toiletries. After moving to a second room, I found another cockroach which I captured and marched down to the manager prompting a full floor extermination. Then, to top it all off...I got food poisoning compliments of the hotel's over priced restaurant which caused me to extend my stay until I was well enough to fly. If there is anything I can't stand, it's a poorly run restaurant! Enough said!
I have been very busy and much has happened since I went to Houston. Quick overview: Before I left I had another wonderful dinner with my nephew Matthew and his lovely girlfriend at Claim Jumper's in Fremont. Matt and his girl are both strict vegetarians. This made it difficult for them to find something to eat. They don't even eat butter or allow their foods to be fried in oils that might have been used to fry meat products. That's really too bad because I made up for the both of them and ordered steak and lobster. WHAT? I'm a carnivore and make no apologies for that. Are you honestly going to say something after I spent over 2 years on a feeding tube? OK, maybe I'm milking that a bit, but seriously I would eat anything after that!!! Butter the living room rug and serve it up, I'm game! Hey Maureen...WHERE'S MY YAK BURGER? HUH?
Christmas Eve Traditions
I wanted to play secret Santa early this year. Every year I gather blankets for the homeless and usually after midnight on Christmas Eve I head out to the city and quietly cover those sleeping in door ways. This was something I began doing 20 years ago when I had a eye opening experience that changed how I viewed the world.
I had gone to dinner at Ernie's on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. This was THE most luxurious restaurant I had ever had the pleasure to dine in. The service was impeccable and the food outstanding. It was on the high end of the price range. The famous mahogany bar with its intricate, stained-glass back was carved from a single tree, the walls were covered with maroon Scalamandre silk brocade, magnificent crystal chandeliers hung above the main dining area. The rooms were adorned with antiques from some of the greatest mansions of San Francisco. Ernie's had the distinction of receiving 32 consecutive 5 star awards and Alfred Hitchcock chose the restaurant to be featured in his film Vertigo. To say this establishment epitomized fine dining would be an understatement. Ernie's open around the turn of the 20th century, but sadly closed their doors in September 1995. I was honestly crushed. I have NEVER had a fine dining experience of that caliber since then. In fact I aways wanted to own that type of high end dining establishment.
That night I popped for $120 meal and was driving home in my new convertible Corvette. I was on top of my game and thought nothing about spending that kind of cash for a meal. I had everything a person could ever want monetarily speaking.
As I drove through the city I noticed an unusually large amount of homeless people sleeping under large pieces of cardboard and tattered rags, huddled in doorways trying to sleep on the cold cement stoops of homes and shops. It hit me hard how unfair life can be and how awful a life like that must be. I had everything and more and they had a cardboard box for comfort without a roof over their head.
I stopped the car and stared at one old man as he shivered before me, curled up in a ball alone. I thought, "That could be me someday." I remembered I had a blanket I just purchased that afternoon for my spare bedroom. There was nothing to think about. I grabbed the new blanket, got out of the car, and quietly shrouded an old bearded homeless man as he slept. I didn't wake him. I crept away and thought, "I need to do more." As I drove home that evening I promised myself I would begin to collect clean, used blankets from any source and every Christmas Eve I would drive into San Francisco and play Secret Santa to the homeless. I usually collected so many blankets that I needed to rent a van to deliver the tidings. It was my way of giving back. I would usually send out a press release for such an event because I was a media whore in business, but this was personal and it felt so good to do it without any ones knowledge. It felt DAMN GOOD!
For years I did this until I became very ill for the first time in 1995. After that it was hit and miss although my company was involved in helping Glide Memorial feed the homeless and sponsoring the Easter Seals Telethons. I made sure there was always some charity we were giving to, but nothing has ever felt better than playing Secret Santa!
My last night in town before I headed out to Houston for my annual cancer check up, I couldn't find enough time. I wanted to buy a dozen blankets and make an early Secret Santa run. It doesn't seem give me the same feeling unless it's Christmas Eve, although I know sometimes it's the only way I can accomplish it. There's something about doing it on that special night that just knocks it out of the park and makes my heart pound with joy.
From Houston I continue my tour to the Sunshine State. I won't be back until February as I will winter somewhere warm. So tonight I will spend a peaceful evening alone after an exhaustive 3 weeks. Tomorrow I will be one year older and wiser (I hope.) When I reflect upon the past, it was good...damn good, the future...well..that's not written yet.
I'm still contemplating on auditioning for America's Got Talent in February. I've rolled the idea around and thought how cool it would be to inspire others who might be about to give up on their cancer fight as I once wanted to, to give hope to those who might be wavering. Having a positive attitude and a will to live is more than half the battle.
And I think, if I won, I would donate all the money responsibly to cancer research at my discretion. Besides, I'm not doing it for the money, I want to inspire and give hope and maybe a little shock and awe. After all, who would expect a man that lost his tongue to cancer to be able to sing? My vocals are getting stronger and I think even if I didn't make the cut, it would be fun. My biggest concern is whether or not I have the stamina for it! I'd need a team of helpers for sure and maybe a wheel chair standing by. I'm really not sure what to expect. But then that's life in a nutshell...we never know what's just around that corner do we?
It's time to settle in with my hot cocoa, a roaring fire, and watch It's A Wonderful Life. I need my wings! Anybody here a bell? Yes, life is wonderful...tonight let there be peace on Earth.
God bless you all, Merry Christmas!
Peace B
Thank you all for your notes of concern...all is well. All my tests showed no sign of cancer and my eye surgery was called off, AGAIN! Despite the stars and halos (according to the insurance company) I am supposed to be able to see fine with correction (glasses.) I disagree, but there is nothing I can do until the cataract matures to the point insurance will agree to pay. I am 20/70 in my left eye, but 20/25 with correction according to my favorite doctor Stella Kim. I just love her. Is it possible to have a school boy crush at my age?
I had a little set back while in Houston. I was given a free hotel room for the week arranged by the American Cancer Society. It turned out to be more trouble than it was worth. I had planned to post all during my trip, but the chain of events left me with little time and too weak to manage. To sum it up, cockroaches, no heat, a broken water pipe in the bathroom that flooded my toiletries. After moving to a second room, I found another cockroach which I captured and marched down to the manager prompting a full floor extermination. Then, to top it all off...I got food poisoning compliments of the hotel's over priced restaurant which caused me to extend my stay until I was well enough to fly. If there is anything I can't stand, it's a poorly run restaurant! Enough said!
I have been very busy and much has happened since I went to Houston. Quick overview: Before I left I had another wonderful dinner with my nephew Matthew and his lovely girlfriend at Claim Jumper's in Fremont. Matt and his girl are both strict vegetarians. This made it difficult for them to find something to eat. They don't even eat butter or allow their foods to be fried in oils that might have been used to fry meat products. That's really too bad because I made up for the both of them and ordered steak and lobster. WHAT? I'm a carnivore and make no apologies for that. Are you honestly going to say something after I spent over 2 years on a feeding tube? OK, maybe I'm milking that a bit, but seriously I would eat anything after that!!! Butter the living room rug and serve it up, I'm game! Hey Maureen...WHERE'S MY YAK BURGER? HUH?
Christmas Eve Traditions
I wanted to play secret Santa early this year. Every year I gather blankets for the homeless and usually after midnight on Christmas Eve I head out to the city and quietly cover those sleeping in door ways. This was something I began doing 20 years ago when I had a eye opening experience that changed how I viewed the world.
I had gone to dinner at Ernie's on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. This was THE most luxurious restaurant I had ever had the pleasure to dine in. The service was impeccable and the food outstanding. It was on the high end of the price range. The famous mahogany bar with its intricate, stained-glass back was carved from a single tree, the walls were covered with maroon Scalamandre silk brocade, magnificent crystal chandeliers hung above the main dining area. The rooms were adorned with antiques from some of the greatest mansions of San Francisco. Ernie's had the distinction of receiving 32 consecutive 5 star awards and Alfred Hitchcock chose the restaurant to be featured in his film Vertigo. To say this establishment epitomized fine dining would be an understatement. Ernie's open around the turn of the 20th century, but sadly closed their doors in September 1995. I was honestly crushed. I have NEVER had a fine dining experience of that caliber since then. In fact I aways wanted to own that type of high end dining establishment.
That night I popped for $120 meal and was driving home in my new convertible Corvette. I was on top of my game and thought nothing about spending that kind of cash for a meal. I had everything a person could ever want monetarily speaking.
As I drove through the city I noticed an unusually large amount of homeless people sleeping under large pieces of cardboard and tattered rags, huddled in doorways trying to sleep on the cold cement stoops of homes and shops. It hit me hard how unfair life can be and how awful a life like that must be. I had everything and more and they had a cardboard box for comfort without a roof over their head.
I stopped the car and stared at one old man as he shivered before me, curled up in a ball alone. I thought, "That could be me someday." I remembered I had a blanket I just purchased that afternoon for my spare bedroom. There was nothing to think about. I grabbed the new blanket, got out of the car, and quietly shrouded an old bearded homeless man as he slept. I didn't wake him. I crept away and thought, "I need to do more." As I drove home that evening I promised myself I would begin to collect clean, used blankets from any source and every Christmas Eve I would drive into San Francisco and play Secret Santa to the homeless. I usually collected so many blankets that I needed to rent a van to deliver the tidings. It was my way of giving back. I would usually send out a press release for such an event because I was a media whore in business, but this was personal and it felt so good to do it without any ones knowledge. It felt DAMN GOOD!
For years I did this until I became very ill for the first time in 1995. After that it was hit and miss although my company was involved in helping Glide Memorial feed the homeless and sponsoring the Easter Seals Telethons. I made sure there was always some charity we were giving to, but nothing has ever felt better than playing Secret Santa!
My last night in town before I headed out to Houston for my annual cancer check up, I couldn't find enough time. I wanted to buy a dozen blankets and make an early Secret Santa run. It doesn't seem give me the same feeling unless it's Christmas Eve, although I know sometimes it's the only way I can accomplish it. There's something about doing it on that special night that just knocks it out of the park and makes my heart pound with joy.
From Houston I continue my tour to the Sunshine State. I won't be back until February as I will winter somewhere warm. So tonight I will spend a peaceful evening alone after an exhaustive 3 weeks. Tomorrow I will be one year older and wiser (I hope.) When I reflect upon the past, it was good...damn good, the future...well..that's not written yet.
I'm still contemplating on auditioning for America's Got Talent in February. I've rolled the idea around and thought how cool it would be to inspire others who might be about to give up on their cancer fight as I once wanted to, to give hope to those who might be wavering. Having a positive attitude and a will to live is more than half the battle.
And I think, if I won, I would donate all the money responsibly to cancer research at my discretion. Besides, I'm not doing it for the money, I want to inspire and give hope and maybe a little shock and awe. After all, who would expect a man that lost his tongue to cancer to be able to sing? My vocals are getting stronger and I think even if I didn't make the cut, it would be fun. My biggest concern is whether or not I have the stamina for it! I'd need a team of helpers for sure and maybe a wheel chair standing by. I'm really not sure what to expect. But then that's life in a nutshell...we never know what's just around that corner do we?
It's time to settle in with my hot cocoa, a roaring fire, and watch It's A Wonderful Life. I need my wings! Anybody here a bell? Yes, life is wonderful...tonight let there be peace on Earth.
God bless you all, Merry Christmas!
Peace B
Friday, December 10, 2010
A Season and Reason to Celebrate
Christmas Joy!
Last night I spent a very special evening with my friend Isabel. We have always enjoyed dining out together. It's kind of "our thing" and it is always best when you can spend one on one time without a whole gang. Better bonding time. It's more personal and you can connect and better communicate. Although Isabel and I don't always see the world the same way, (we drive each other crazy
If you recall, Isabel was the one who selflessly spent months with me in Houston as I recovered from surgery after losing my tongue. She stepped away from running Walin Enterprises, Inc. to care for me. During a dark moment after my first cancer surgery, I was out of the hospital and recovering in an apartment located in Houston's medical center, I had a breakdown. It was the only time I was ready to let go and give up. It didn't look like I would ever talk properly again and I NEVER dreamed I would ever be able to eat food or sit down for a real social meal. I cried in her arms and told her I didn't want to live. I wanted to end it all and get it over with. Living this way was NOT living.
In true Isabel fashion she snapped, "Then I'm waisting my time here if you're just going to give up. I should just go home." The world has always revolved around Isabel in her eyes. I was used to it by now, but not understanding my pain didn't help. I was at the lowest point of my entire life.
That night I promised myself I wouldn't do anything rash, but if in one years time I had not made major progress, I would find a way to end it all. DO NOT JUDGE ME. Until you have been in my world, you could never understand.
At this moment I had endured ten and a half hours of surgery, my tongue ripped out, body parts and skin tissue were rearranged like a patch quilt, my neck dissected like a science project. I was sustaining life through a feeding tube attached to my belly, a mere 100 pounds wet, and I was preparing for weeks radiation and chemotherapy. All this and never knowing if any of it would actually save my life.
As you already know, I'm still here! My speech is remarkably improved and I can consume almost anything with minor modifications. I'm still scarred and I have issues with pain, but at this point it's manageable. My biggest issue, aside from the pain and fatigue, is the traumatized fat lower lip I have been left with after my mouth was filleted open to remove the cancerous enemy within.
During our Christmas meal last night we feasted on crab cakes, cream of asparagus soup, a spinach salad with hickory bacon, and a BIG whiskey peppercorn fillet with vegetables. I completed my meal with a Tawny Red Port, compliments of Charlie the owner. Every time I dine there he buys me a drink and though I'm not a drinker, I always graciously accept because he serves the good stuff!
During the meal I reflected upon the dark day I told Isabel I wanted to end it all if I could never eat again. I explained that if I had I not improved, this moment in time would have never existed. Tears welled in our eyes. This is why I said what I did. I didn't want to live without ever having moments like this wonderful holiday meal in my life. I hope she finally understood.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Bon Appetit!
B
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Check Up Time Again
CT's and TSA
I'm already getting nervous. In two weeks I will be back at MD Anderson Cancer Center for an annual check-up; CT Scans, blood work, X-rays! Yippee! Plus as an added bonus, I'm going to attempt to have eye surgery, AGAIN. Last year my left eye wasn't deemed bad enough for insurance to pay, so my surgery was canceled. This year we try again. I still can't see out of it. Everything is a blur with halos, stars, and muted colors.
I'm really wondering what the screening process is like at the San Francisco Airport. You hear in all the media it's very invasive. I guess for a lonely guy that's not a bad thing. Maybe I'll go through a few times just to make sure they didn't miss anything. It will be the closest thing to a date I've had in a long time! Who would have ever imagined that buying an airplane ticket could get you to second base?
Do you think if we are attacked again, we all might get lucky and TSA will impose a 3rd base rule?
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Peace
B
I'm already getting nervous. In two weeks I will be back at MD Anderson Cancer Center for an annual check-up; CT Scans, blood work, X-rays! Yippee! Plus as an added bonus, I'm going to attempt to have eye surgery, AGAIN. Last year my left eye wasn't deemed bad enough for insurance to pay, so my surgery was canceled. This year we try again. I still can't see out of it. Everything is a blur with halos, stars, and muted colors.
I'm really wondering what the screening process is like at the San Francisco Airport. You hear in all the media it's very invasive. I guess for a lonely guy that's not a bad thing. Maybe I'll go through a few times just to make sure they didn't miss anything. It will be the closest thing to a date I've had in a long time! Who would have ever imagined that buying an airplane ticket could get you to second base?
Do you think if we are attacked again, we all might get lucky and TSA will impose a 3rd base rule?
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Peace
B
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