The Latest 28 July 2018

Johnny left before the Crack of dawn on Thursday.  We scrambled later in the morning to get the house ready for Beatriz our house cleaner. There's thus constant controversy as to whether a house keeper is responsible for cleaning up our mess or not. My take us that her job is to clean vs being mom and picking up our dirty sox, making the bed and doing the dishes. Your input is welcome.

We then headed off to Kaiser around noon for a 12.30 appointment with the speech therapist, a nice and competent young woman.  The appointment was about 2 hours testing to see where Ron’s speech was as well as some of his cognitive abilities, things like showing him pictures and having him tell what the object is.  I have to admit that the tripod DID look like an easel.  He missed a couple which was to be expected at least from me.  He, of course, was having none of it.  The testing shows that his speech/cognitive abilities are below normal which makes perfect sense.  He translated that as “intellectual abilities” which had to be clarified.  Afterwards, he said, “Well, if she’d’ve asked me something about Coleridge, I could have answered THAT!”  

Afterwards, we went and got Teriyaki down the street.  We got one order and split it.  The night before, we had a conversation about how things are going.  Ron expressed that the whole no carb thing is driving him nuts. With the diabetes, there are risks so I asked if he was willing to take the risk to which he replied, “YES!”  Not that we’re going back to pasta twice a day. That ain’t happening.  But some healthy carbs along the way are, at least for him, worth the risk.  My thought is that it’s his life and by reason of human dignity he gets to make those choices.  It’s not my place to be making those decisions for him unless he’s not mentally able.  The other choice was being able to go for a walk by himself with no supervision.  We talked about risk which he’s willing to take. So….when I woke up yesterday (Friday) morning there was a note on the dining room table saying, “Gone to the bank and the chiropractor.  I’ll be back soon.”  And he was. So, I guess this works for the moment. We know there are risks but they may not be as big as we thought.  

On Thursday after we got home, his friends Lisa and Allison from Pierce College arrived to go for a walk. Lovely people.  During the “risk conversation” one of the issues that came out was his desire to return to work not just to teach but because of the friendships he’s made with his colleagues.  He’s bound and determined that he’ll be ready for classes in September and have the ability to drive to Steilacoom to do so.  I smile and nod.  We’ll let the professionals make that decision and break the news, whatever it is, after radiation and chemo.  Personally, I can’t see it happening but one never knows.  Anyway, Ron walked Lisa and Allison all over the top of Queen Anne.  They all had a great time.  

Friday was a day off. I slept until noon.  Ron was on his hike to Queen Anne Ave.  March called.  She and I usually have lunch together on Fridays as it’s her day off. So, I picked her up and we went for Panasian at Iki-Iki…odd name for a restaurant but they have great food.  We had the spicy chicken wings and mushu pork. We usually order twice as much but lately I’m filling up more quickly than before.  It was great and just enough.  I brought back two pancakes and mushu for Ron.  After lunch, we headed over to Ballard to get Ron’s car tabs. The traffic was a nightmare and as soon as we got on the Ballard Bridge, the lights started blinking and the bridge went up.  UGH! Actually, it was kinda cool.  It wasn’t Thurston and Lovie taking their yacht out but rather a large commercial fishing ship.  HUGE!  

After getting the tabs, we stopped at Taco Time for drinks and then headed across the street to the Ballard Locks which, if you’re not in the know, is not just the locks but a fish ladder and a large park.  And…the big ship we’d seen earlier at the bridge was going through.  Ron wandered around while I sat in the shade and watched the scenery wander by.  It was lovely.  The locks and the park were nice too.  

We came home and rested a bit and then went for Mexican at Plaza Garabaldi on lower Queen Anne with Rick and Ben.  Great Mexican food and not smothered in cheddar cheese.  Great people too.  Ron had the Carnitas of which he ate the whole bloody thing.  I ate half of mine and brought the rest home. Knowing the “Left Over King,” it’ll get eaten relatively quickly.  We were out of there by 9p as that’s when Karioke starts in the bar.  Sometimes we’re there for the first part of it which is hysterical.  On occasion there’s a good singer but by and large they’re ghastly and very funny.  If they only knew that in the restaurant are a couple of old queens laughing their asses off.  

Next week we meet with the radiologist to start scheduling the radiology treatments.  The sooner the better.  Let’s get it over with.  They also made his mask this week for the radiology treatments.  It all sounds rather odd, but…… And the people at radiology are WONDERFUL!  We’ve already gotten to know them a bit.  

Anywhooooo, keep up the prayers and good vibes.  Thanks for your caring and cards and goodwill.  It’s working!  

Peace,

Kevin.