BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 01:15 PM

Cheap accomodations in the Combat Zone?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 02:19 PM

Quaddafi has a tent he left behind there. Maybe...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 09:01 PM

Everything will work out fine -- no problems on the work front. I have even more paid time off available than I thought, plus I work with two really great people. It's just that the company keeps us a bit short staffed at best (to better sell reasonably priced eyeglasses) that taking time off does inconvenience my co-workers.

Haven't started calling to get prices from the hotel list that the doctor's office gave us -- they are all either for patients only or give medical discounts. And I'm sure my up-the-hill neighbor will check on the cats midweek to make sure they haven't gulped all their food or spilled their water on the floor. (And give them reassurances that we haven't abandoned them.)

My sister has offered some financial assistance if we need it. I don't think Tom will be up to playing tourist, so I intend to bring my semi-antique laptop and get some writing accomplished, and maybe some jewelry projects to finally get done, and some reading material.

I've got a wi-fi card for the laptop, but the box is old and slow, so I don't know if I'll be online for the week.

It'll all work out.

Dr. Zeitels said after the surgery, Tom's voice will be rather "breathy" until he starts the reconstruction procedures. And Tom will have some mouth pain for a few days afterwards because of all the gear in his mouth and down his throat.

Tom's been having some foot and leg pain which has really been causing problems walking -- he's seeing his primary care doc about that tomorrow. I'm thinking it might be a dropped metatarsal... Plus he'll be using my car cuz his car won't get new brakes til next Wednesday. Nothing like EVERYTHING going on at once.

Gotta go do the name tags for the PMFF and then maybe get some sleep. Tomorrow's a pretty full day -- and then there's the festival this weekend.


Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 09:34 AM

Now we just have to get through the next coupla days of the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival.

Tom is seeing a doctor today about his foot pain (blister from Boston's exertions plus, perhaps, a dropped metatarsal) -- he's got to be a bit more agile during the festival than he has been lately. You'll spot him walking with a cane.

Running late -- gotta get to work.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: sing4peace
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 03:45 PM

Dear Tom and Linn -

I just read this thread from top to bottom. I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. I will add my energy into the catter's mix and direct it up N'Hampshire way.

As I read these threads two things came to mind:

1) Tom would probably benefit from a check up with an osteophathic physician. Chances are pretty good he got tossed around a bit in recovery. Osteo physicians have more medical training than chiropractors. Pins, needles, etc. could be signs of spinal misalignment and nerve pinching.

2) I am worried about Linn's rash. Did you get it checked out? Having had my life severely impacted by Lyme disease (for the past 23 years) I was concerned when I read about the rash. During this time of stress, don't forget to take care of you too.

If you find yourselves looking to get out and about, consider yourselves invited to spend some time in Warren, RI (smallest town in the smallest county in the smallest state). It's a sweet place for a little rest and relaxation. You can find me here through a PM.

Sending all the best wishes for your health and humor-
Love too,
Joyce Katzberg

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 10:51 PM

Tom saw his doctor today about his foot pain -- he evidently stepped on something and has an infection. This is something that needs (and is getting) immediate attention because he has replacement heart parts (besides the fact that he's in pain).

Nothing like everything happening all at once -- his car is scheduled to get new brakes on Wednesday, he's got stuff that needs to be done prior to his cancer surgery in October, and, oh, yeah, it's the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival and it hurts to walk.

My rash has been taken care of. I saw my doctor a couple weeks ago when what I thought was the "usual" fungal irritation under a breast after a couple weeks of intense humidity didn't respond to ANY treatment that I tried. Turned out to be a yeast infection. (That's a first for me; never had one of any sort before and never actually heard of it causing an irritation in a, uh, "swampy" place like under my boob, before) One pill. All gone.

Great kick-off session at The Press Room tonight with a lot of the performers arriving early for the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival. The energy was incredible. I sang a couple songs, but mostly let the "out of towners" have at it. I played social butterfly passing out programs and talking up the festival (and relaying info about Tom) to the Press Room population. "Saved" my voice (uh huh -- talking over the din is no picnic) for tomorrow and Sunday.

Gotta wind down and get some sleep.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 12:29 AM

Linn and Tom,

FWIW, and if worthless to you, ignore it.

One mindfully in the moment. Just noticing what arises. Deep acceptance of the reality of the moment and following the breath. Breathing happens. The breath breathes itself. Moment-to-moment, the breath breathes in, and the breath breathes out.

Thoughts arise into awareness and then move on, to be replaced by other thoughts. Emotions, body sensations, do the same. In the meantime, the breath breathes itself. The heart beats.

Your co-workers will manage, and will feel good about themselves for coming through in a clutch situation, and will also feel good if they know that you accept their willingness to step up as what they can do to be supportive.

Ain't it the truth that life is one thing after the other, sometimes several things after the other, rushing at you like a rogue wave. Don't resist the wave. Let it wash over you, and either flow with it or dive under it. Resistance adds misery to pain, turns inevitable stress into distress, and intensifies inevitable distress.

Be here now.

Or completely ignore this post, if that is what your "wise mind" tells you to do.

And remember, at least metaphorically....no one has ever died from oven crud.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 12:28 PM

........uh............yeah, Janie........that sounds..uh........................hmmmmmmm.............................I may still be in oxygen deprivation mode here..........................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 12:42 PM

What about Oven Crud, the gunslinger? I hear tell he was hot stuff with a gun, and was was responsible for the massacre at the Bar-B-Q ranch.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 07:21 PM

Linn-

Best of luck during the long weekend.

Give John and Rika our best.

Cheerily,
Charley and Judy, from the other coast

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 10:16 PM

Note to self - don't post to threads I take seriously after 3 glasses of wine on a Friday night.

Sorry for the pompous advice of last night, Tom and Linn. But I will say, don't forget to breathe.

You too, 'Spaw;^)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 01:18 PM

Janie... no worries... been there a few times meself.

What you laughing about John... Spaw... Mary... Oh, I haven't got time for this.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 12:30 PM

Actually, Janie, that advice would be perfect for just about anyone besides Linn. Our Batgoddess is a bit batty and her mind runs back and forth at astromonical speeds sometimes recycling old info, sometimes, misplacing new info. but always on the move. If she stopped to breathe I think she might die.

One trick that does work is to force her to inflate a blow up lobster or moose. But that's mostly breathing out. I plan to supply her with about 50 beach balls to inflate while she waits for Tom to get out of surgery.

As to Spaw, MacKenzie and gnu - CELLAR! the whole lot of you. And don't come back up until you have sonethuing nice to say to Janie.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:04 PM

Janie, I've got plenty of oven crud...and cobwebs festooned from the beams, and not just dust Bun-zillas under furniture but dust that kicks up around your ankles when you walk across the room. I don't stress about house cleaning. (In general -- I DO like to neatify a bit before guests arrive -- and I really strive to maybe not have the same piles o' stuff in the same places from one year to the next.)

It's nothing like everything all at once -- cancer diagnosis, treatment plans, getting the Portsmouth Maritime Festival stuff done and the festival guided through 2+ days, my work schedule, Tom's foot infection making walking painful, AND, just in case things are going too smoothly, Tom's car needs brakes. (Wednesday -- sort of his birthday present to himself. Oh, yeah, speaking of which, his car needs to be registered and inspected, and I think he has to renew his driver's license.)

Ya do what ya gotta do. And right now something needs doing and I have to go off and do it.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:14 PM

Mother Mary ain't so merry? ME? I did say sommat nice. Who pissed in your cornflakes?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 07:55 PM

You can let 'em out of the cellar now, Sins. When my inner pompous ass emerges, it is only fitting that it gets shot at.

Beachballs? Great idea! After all, before one can exhale, one must inhale.

Still sending good energy (on calm, low frequencies) to Tom and Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 08:36 PM

I don't eat cold cereals with or without piss.

As to your being lumped in with the other miscreants - I will tell you what my father would say when one of got blamed and punished for something we didn't do.
"Now do something!"

First class argument against capital punishment.

Sorry Garry. I misunderstood you.

Please don't piss in my corn flakes or anywhere else. I am still trying to keep up with Alice's donations.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:01 AM

I don't do cold cereals, either -- have hated them since childhood.

But...I have a friend who claimed she lived for awhile on gin and cornflakes. She didn't actually SAY the gin was ON the cornflakes...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:28 AM

Some quick and easy... a single layer of Mini-Wheats (with brown sugar for me) and 1/4" deep skim milk on high nuke for 20 seconds or so.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:28 AM

I have either a bran and dried fruits with oatmeal, drowned in fresh cold WHOLE milk, or porridge for breakfast, every morning.
Please note the porridge has salt in it and none of your crappy additives or sweeteners.
It is also shrouded in cold, fresh, WHOLE milk.

JM

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 05:23 AM

Huh! Spend a few (weeks?) (Months?) away from the Mudcat and everything goes to hell.

I hope things are going well. Good luck on cutting out the cancer and getting the voice back. I feel bad that I didn't see this thread earlier.

Maybe I shouldn't have moved away... but then I never would have met Wakana... but I'd still be there where I can help my friends...

There's no answer.

Good luck Linn and Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 06:28 AM

Looking into the cereal urination situation..........I think the problem here is that y'all have the expression wrong. Perhaps in some deep, dark, time in ages past, someone did say "pee in your cornflakes" but the expression just kinda' laid there, lacking something, much like soggy corn flakes themselves. Then it was updated and caught on in the newer, more alliterative form......."Piss in your Post Toasties."

You can readily see the improvement here and I have personally heard it that way since the 50's. I never heard the cornflake liine til sometime later and assumed the user was just uneducated in the nuances of the language and the insult.

So now you are all free to Piss in your Post Toasties, just keep it out of mine...................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:17 AM

.... from great heights with great accuracy.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:38 AM

oh go fart in your Fruit Loops! Both of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: sing4peace
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:16 PM

Linn - I have had great success healing persistant infections by packing them in honey and wrapping them for a while. The bacteria eats the honey instead of skin.

Also good to do extra Vitamin C.

One of them thar old wives' things.

Works.

For a purely "witchy" thing - trace the area where the infection is. Using a piece of incense or, if you are inclined, a cigarette, make a hole where the infection is. Put this up on the fridge or someplace where you will see it frequently out of the corner of your eye. Helps to direct your own subconscious to the task of healing.

Congrats on getting the festival done. From all reports, it was mighty fine.

As the song says "step by step, the longest march can be won"
I know it's a mine workers' song but if you think about it, it's really about accomplishing anything through the help of community.

We're here for you and Tom.

Joyce

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 01:06 PM

Joyce, you said:

For a purely "witchy" thing - trace the area where the infection is. Using a piece of incense or, if you are inclined, a cigarette, make a hole where the infection is. Put this up on the fridge or someplace where you will see it frequently out of the corner of your eye. Helps to direct your own subconscious to the task of healing.

Did you mean trace onto a piece of paper and then burn a hole in the paper? I love these kinds of things, but my literal visualiser sometimes trips up...I'm thinking, yeah, burning the infection would sure do something, then I am scratching my head over how I am going to display that on my fridge! Ya see what I mean?**big grin** (Just teasing.)

Tom and Linn, still giving thanks here.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: sing4peace
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:19 PM

Dear Kat -

LOL!

Yes, please trace onto a piece of paper - otherwise, you'd have a bloody mess, eh? Counter-productive.

:-)
JK

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:38 PM

Well... I would not discount it, s4p. Once, when I was young and foolish, I had a wart on my arm. I was dating a lass who was drop dead gorgeous. She drew a circle around the wart and told me not to wash the ink off. I laughed in disbelief. She became cross and told me if I washed off the ink, no, ah, er, you know, for a "WHILE". Four days later, no wart. Not a word of lie.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 03:15 PM

That's what I thought, S4P, but the image was so strong in my mind...quite an image it was, too!:-)

gnu...interesting! Did she go on to "cure" others, too?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 06:45 PM

No cigarettes, dammit!!!

Incense sound okay, though. ;-)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:07 PM

Head to Boston tomorrow for Tom's surgery.

Will start a new thread and link this one.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:38 PM

Continued good thoughts and light....

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 07:25 AM

Here's the newer thread --
New Thread -- Oct. 2009

Linn