101!

I stopped by to see Barry at the hospital today. Brought him some milk thistle tea bags, which apparently his doc said "won't hurt him."

He was chipper and in good spirits; if tired and weak. Says he has trouble sleeping and of course is bored out of his skull. He played a bit of Dan's new CD (nice stuff Dan!) and I am sure this is helping alleviate his boredom.

Barry said he lost a lot of weight rapidly ("Now if only I can keep it off!" he says; sheesh what a maroon! Actually most of us would think the same thing, I bet...) but that his condition is now stable. He is numero uno on the liver list so if a compatible one shows up it is his.

Never fear, Mudcat, Barry can still sing!!! He joined me in singing General Taylor, Red is the Rose, and Highland Lament. So there.

He tells me he shall take up gourmet cooking when his new liver is up and running.

I have a whole collection of those old Time-Life "Cooking of the World" books (great photos and recipes, and history of the countries and their food customs), so I guess I know what I will be giving him for a prezzie next time I stop by...

Two doctors stoped by for a brief conversation and to test Barry's alertness they asked him who the president was, then the previous one, then the one before that, etc. By the time they got back to Reagan, Barry said "some other asshole!" Yay, Barry! They also had him subtracting numbers and asking him for answers rather rapidly I thought. He did well (came up with answers faster than I did).

His wife thinks he is a bit low-key these last few days, and indeed Barry seemed rather tired to me. (Then again I am used to seeing him in a roomful of people excited to be sharing songs together).

But compared to how he was doing a few days ago all is going VERY well! So everyone, keep thinking good healthy thoughts about our Mudcat pal! Maybe have some (calves') liver and onions in his honor!

Get that liver and get well, Barry. We miss you.