BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:26 AM

Jacqui and I had lunch at Phoenicia on Saturday. Great food. And they seem to enjoy having you sit and chat forever. Prices are reasonable as well.

Good luck, guys. I will be thinking of you.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:09 AM

Adding my thoughts....

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:46 AM

Thoughts and prayers from Elaine and me. Burl

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Nancy King
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:55 AM

Sounds like you've got everything pretty well planned out -- hope it all goes well!

Keeping you in my thoughts --

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: ClaireBear
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 01:08 PM

Hope and all sorts of good thoughts winging their way to you from my part of the world

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:27 PM

Still here, hoping.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:39 PM

Hi

Thinking of you both. Hope all goes well

love

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:43 PM

Kendall is off the feeding tube and relishing his first meal in days. Linn and Tom are on site and ready to go. Critical mass at Mass General.
Good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:05 PM

As will I.......and my battery is still got a pretty strong charge with another year to go before changing. So NO Linn, karen's husband also runs on battery!

Good luck.....but you won't need that; you've got the right Doc obviously.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:19 PM

sending virtual hugs and good wishes from over t'pond.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: KathWestra
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:26 PM

Holding you both close in my heart. We'll count on the amaze-o Dr. Z. to do for Tom what he just did for Kendall! Hang in there, Linn. You've been juggling an astonishing amount with great grace and humor. I'm in awe.
Love to you! Kathy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 06:48 PM

sending more good wishes & hugs from this side of the big pond

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

************NEWSFLASH************

Responding to the phone message: Your coffee pot is off. It wasn't, but there was still liquid in it and it obviously thought you were gonna drink it. (I've had crunchy stuff in mine before.)

Take care, enjoy dinner and sleep well.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:37 PM

Just finished (if you want to call it that) a meal at The Hill Tavern. Tom had the Cubana and I had half of a pulled pork sandwich. Couldn't finish the other half OR the salad. (Finished the Guinness, though!)Tom wanted fried food and beer and something different than The Phoenicia where we usually eat when we're here.

A rather full, exhausting day. Took the T from North Station to Dr. Zeitels' office -- actually less walking than the Partners bus as the Blue Line ends at Bowdoin Square, right in front of the building the Voice Center is in. And for the first time ever, we had to wait...and wait... Didn't see Dr. Z until about an hour after we were scheduled. Took more pics down Tom's nostril -- and Dr. Z is very pleased with what he saw. Not only is the area where he took the cancer last October looking really really good, but the cancer on the left vocal fold, while it HAS grown through all this postponement, has grown OUT, not into tissue. So Tom's in good shape for tomorrow morning.

And the Partners shuttle dropped us off right at the door of Mass Eye and Ear for Tom's CT scan, even though officially he should have dropped us a bit further away at Yawkey -- it was on the driver's way home. And after the scan, he got a wheelchair ride through the back catacombs over to Eat Street in Mass General's basement. By this time it was after 2:30 and breakfast had long since worn off. So Tom got his coffee. Then on through the maze at Mass General to get some blood work done.

Then we went back to the main desk and found out where they had Kendall stashed. Made our way up to his room and got to spend a few minutes with Kendall and Jacqui. Kendall's looking good (they got the tube out!) and SOUNDING a lot better than he has in a long time.

We finally got over to the hotel by around 4:30. It was great to get outside -- it was so hot in the hospital, even without my jacket which I took off at every opportunity. (But we were shlepping jackets, small suitcase, my purse, his cane, etcet etcet -- and I had to push his wheelchair after we got to Mass General proper. And I don't have a license to drive one of those things. (Warned people -- managed not to kill anybody.)

I'm tired. I think Tom is, too. And he has to be at the hospital at 6 tomorrow morning.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: maeve
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:41 PM

Have a good night, Linn and Tom.

Good save, Jeri.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: open mike
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:42 PM

best wishes...to one of the Pony Brothers...
hope all goes well Cur- MUD-geon
fingers , toes and various appendages crossed,
candles, gongs etc. at the ready!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:43 PM

Oh, forgot to mention a funny incident (musical, actually) on the train this morning as we were pulling into Boston. The conductor had just mentioned that "Charlie" cards -- cards for using the Boston MTA -- were available on the train and a woman on her way to some sort of conference asked her friend across the aisle, "Why do they call them Charlie cards?" and we had to explain (her friend knew) about "Charlie on the MTA" and started singing the chorus. (So why exactly didn't Charlie's wife hand him some change instead of his lunch when he came through the station?!?) Then explained that it was originally a campaign song in the mayoral race, etcet etcet.

Sometimes I'm just amazed what people don't know or remember or have any reference to.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:51 PM

Thanks, Jeri! We were halfway to Durham and Tom said, "I don't think I turned the coffee pot off..."

I knew it would hold up okay until you'd be able to get to it. REALLY appreciated you shutting it off, though.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:00 PM

Fight the fare increase
Vote for George O'Brien
Get poor Charley off the MTA

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:06 PM

But he was not the man who never returned.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:33 PM

Good good news.....

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:39 PM

I'm thinking of you both on this night, wishing you peaceful rest, a calm morning and excellent care for tomorrow.

Much love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:07 PM

Pulled pork? You ate it?Tom, DONT PISS HER OFF!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Nancy King
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:17 PM

Jeez, Kendall, you ARE feeling better, aren't you?

Hey, Tom and Linn -- Looks like you're next in the barrell! You're certainly in my thoughts, and obviously those of a whole bunch of other folks. The report from Dr. Z's examination sounds pretty promising. See if you can get some sleep tonight, and then be ready for the big day. May it turn out spectacularly well!

Love to both of you,
Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Jennifer (Knitpick)
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:27 AM

Much love to you both, and hope everything goes as well as Kendall's has, if not even better!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

jennifer (& bob)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 02:10 AM

You two are in my thoughts.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 02:30 AM

With you today!
Hil x

I cannot imagine what pulled pork is, I dread to think......

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 02:45 AM

MGAS -
Pulled pork is a form of barbecue originating in Mexico. It is known as Carnitas in Mexico. It is a method of preparation in which pork, usually shoulder cut (sometimes referred to as Boston butt) or mixed cuts, is cooked using a low-heat, long-cook method. With these extended times at low temperatures, the meat becomes tender enough that its weakened connective tissue allows the meat to be "pulled", or easily broken into individual pieces. Pulled pork is found around the world in a variety of forms.

LINN and TOM

Good thoughts pinging at you today. Sending empowering thoughts to you both and to the medicos working on Tom today.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 05:44 AM

Thinking of you this morning.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 05:48 AM

more good thoughts heading your way

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 07:15 AM

Thinking of you right now...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Janie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 07:18 AM

Sending light and love....

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 08:09 AM

Tom's day has begun. Linn can sit and wait and maybe settle down a bit. Once again, we wait. Getting almost good at it.
Good luck, my friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: freda underhill
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 08:18 AM

Good luck, Tom and Linn

best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 09:57 AM

May this day pass swiftly and with brighter skies on the other side.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:19 AM

Thinking of you both.
It's that hospital I feel sorry for, with that pair in there, both 'Mudgeing' away.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:39 AM

Surgery over for today. I guess he got into surgery about 8:35. Dr. Z came out to talk to me at about 11. We'd been in the hospital about five hours at that point -- I'd gotten breakfast downstairs, was almost finished with last month's Vanity Fair, and having a lot of trouble trying to keep my eyes open -- but I responded immediately to "Mrs. Hall", despite being pretty unused to being called that. (Tom kept his "maiden name" so I did, too.)

Anywho, it was just about a half hour ago I talked with Dr. Z right after the surgery. Things couldn't be much better. Dr. Zeitels didn't start the restoration process during this procedure (injecting Tom's body fat into the area of the right vocal cord to rebuild it), but the cancer is now GONE! And what he removed this morning, though it had grown since it was originally scheduled to be removed last December, grew OUTWARD, not into tissue and, here's the really lucky thing, it grew BELOW the vocal cord, so Tom's left vocal cord is pretty much intact. Dr. Z also said that the area of the right vocal cord has healed amazingly well.

Everyone's prayers, white light, reduction candles, healing thoughts, etcet etcet are WORKING! Thank you, every one, so much!

Oh, and he also said he was impressed at Kendall's rate of recovery -- he might not have to stick around the hospital with sick people too much longer.

I'm at the hotel's biz center, but will go back to the hospital in about an hour so I'll be there when he's out of recovery and they turn him loose. Dr. Z said, too, that we should stay here in Boston tonight and head home to Nottingham tomorrow. And he won't need to see Tom for about a month -- Tom will be back on the healing diet -- no caffeine, alcohol, carbonation, tomatoes, onions, peppers, citrus, etc. But Tom will cope -- he know's it's for a finite amount of time and it works.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:42 AM

Still thinking about you and Linn.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:42 AM

Great news!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:49 AM

That is wonderful news!! Thanks for letting us know so quickly, Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:52 AM

More good news. Thanks for the update, Linn. Good work!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: KathWestra
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:15 PM

What's the surgeon's equivalent of a Grammy? Dr Z certainly deserves recognition for the award-winning work he's done on our buddies these past two weeks. Great good news, Linn and Tom! Sending lots of love. Kath

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:17 PM

Excellent news!

My favorite kind of news, in fact.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Janie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:25 PM

Thanks for letting us know so quickly, Linn. Big sigh of relief.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:27 PM

Thank you, Linn. Wonderful news indeed.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Nancy King
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:51 PM

Wow -- I really didn't expect any news so soon, but thought I'd check anyhow, and there it is! And great news at that! I'm so very glad things have gone so well -- may they continue to do so!

Hope you can both get some rest this afternoon and tonight. Linn, that includes you!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bupkes
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:00 PM

Linn, thanks for the good news report!

Check the Boston weather report for traveling: snow starting this afternoon, could be heavy by morning, so consider that in deciding if you should stay overnight.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:25 PM

Good news Linn. I am so glad. Love to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:32 PM

"Oh wonderful wonderful and again most wonderful wonderful!" as a Shakespeare character once said. Hugs all 'round.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 03:37 PM

Thanks Linn. Good news.