It was quite a day -- and more praise for my boss who is understanding and patient and put up with my emotional roller coaster and all the phone calls to and from doctors' offices this afternoon.

Tom is NOT having surgery on Tuesday. Yes, this is a MAJOR disappointment.

The cardiologist at W-D who saw Tom twice will not sign off on the surgery. And Tom's cardiologist of the past 6 years will not countermand his decision. Even though the vascular guy has already signed off on it.

Dr. Zeitel, of course, will not proceed with the surgery if there's any chance that the surgery/anesthesia, etc. would be a risk for Tom's overall health.

But Dr. Zeitel doesn't feel continued treatment can be postponed any longer, so what he has proposed (and we're waiting for dates, plan, etc.) is radiation -- but not to panic about that; it will be very controlled & specific. Not like Kendall's radiation of 7 years ago.

I have to believe that whatever is happening is happening for the best in the long run. If I didn't I'd be tempted to slit my wrists.

Meanwhile, a friend and I are working to get Tom's car to him on Saturday. And the head honcho nurse is working to get Tom an appointment on Tuesday with the doc who is in charge of the infection treatment to see how soon it can be declared finished and Tom can be set free. AND I'm springing Tom long enough on Saturday in between his dates with the antibiotics so he and I can spend some time at a singing party friends (part of the Press Room circle) are having at their Dover home.

Today I did something I've never done before -- I bought wine (cabernet sauvignon) in a box. Partly because I wanted as much palatable wine for the least amount of money and partly because I wasn't sure I could trust a glass bottle of wine in a freezing car from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

I'm emotionally drained.

I'm going to bring in the firewood on the deck, stuff the stove, grab some of that wine described above and go to bed and see if I can wind down.

Goodnight, dear friends.
Linn