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non-music: Good news
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 07 Mar 02 - 07:56 AM I met Kendall and Kathy at 11:30 AM and treated them to lunch at the Johns Hopkins Hospital cafeteria (I'm the last of the big spenders). Kendall seemed in pretty good spirits. Certainly his sharp humor was still in place. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time with both of them. Kathy said she or Kendall would post when they returned to her house. She also mentioned that her computer is a dinosaur that does not always cooperate. I was hoping to catch the news this AM on the Mudcat. Maybe we will hear from them after Kathy gets to work. Kendall's return flight to Maine was open-ended, so they may go to the airport first thing this morning. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: KathWestra Date: 07 Mar 02 - 10:20 AM Please don't continue holding your breath. You'll turn blue. Kendall pronounced his day at Johns Hopkins "a good day's work." He is headed home to Maine on the 12:50 p.m. flight and Sinsull will pick him up at the Portland airport at 2:20 p.m. I'm sure he'll post from home. (We're at my office and he said he didn't feel an urgent need to post from my computer here right now.) The reason for this is that there is no definitive news -- we were pretty sure there wouldn't be. The doctor, who Kendall said he liked, ordered a CAT scan (which got done almost immediately) and asked for the biopsy slides to be overnighted from Maine Medical Center so he could take a look at them. That should happen sometime today. Once the Doc takes a look at "the evidence," he will be able to recommend the next steps. The good news is that there wasn't any "oh my god this looks terrible we need to get you into surgery right away" kind of response when he examined Kendall's throat. The other good news is that the otolaryngology department at Hopkins is top-notch, and when the treatment advice comes, I have every confidence that it will be solid and reliable.
I can report that through all this Kendall's smartassery has been absolutely intact. At dinner last night, when he suggested cracking open a bottle of wine, I responded that we really might want to use the corkscrew instead. He replied without missing a beat that I ought to know my place. "The jokes are my department." I've heard lots of them in the last 24 hours. Now, one personal note. While I am deeply appreciative of (although also extremely embarrassed by) all the positive comments about my role in all this, I want to remind everybody that this is just what friends do for friends. I have been the beneficiary over the years of a wealth of extraordinary support and love from my friends, particularly those in the folk community. They have been there for me through good times and bad. Being there for Kendall is part of my "job description" as a human being and as his friend. So lay off already. Use all your positive energy to focus on getting this guy better. I want to hear those jokes OUT LOUD (not to mention the songs!). Kathy |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Rick Fielding Date: 07 Mar 02 - 10:30 AM Kath said: "I want to remind everybody that this is just what friends do for friends." Bravo Kath. Absolutely right on.......although you are pretty special....but I won't mention it again. Rick |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: jeffp Date: 07 Mar 02 - 10:36 AM Thanks for the update, Kath. The lack of panic is a very encouraging sign. As for the comments about you, you're a good person and you'll just have to take it. Have a great day and I'm back to sending good thoughts and prayers for Kendall. jeffp |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Bobert Date: 07 Mar 02 - 10:40 AM Tough beans, Kath. Bless you. And you too, Roger. And that's what I like about Johns Hopkins. Those folks get stuff done. There's not the dreaded two week wait on the CAT scan and another two weeks for this or that. The treat everyone as if they were their only patient. They have saved my father-in-laws life three times over the last 12 years, twice after other hospiatls ahd "precticed" medicine on him and messed up. Kendall is in good hands, no doubt. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Mrrzy Date: 07 Mar 02 - 10:46 AM Waiting to hear some more good news, I need it! Kendall, I am still thinking of you. And just because somebody does the right thing for the right reason is no reason not to be filled with joy at that thing, since so many nowadays just don't. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: KathWestra Date: 07 Mar 02 - 12:07 PM Just back at the office after dropping the Cap'n off at Dulles for his 12:50 flight, arriving Portland 2:20 p.m. Please send him all your good thoughts and notes of encouragement, in this thread or in PMs. After yesterday's day full of action, he's having a bit of a letdown and is back in the waiting-for-news mode -- a very, very difficult place to be. He needs you guys as much as ever today and in the next few days. And Mrrzy, with all you have going on, thanks for making space around your worries to care about Kendall. We're rooting for you and your neice, too. Kathy |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 07 Mar 02 - 01:16 PM Prayers unceasing for you, Kendall! Somehow, the easiest part is when you're busy. It's when you're back home alone that the negative thoughts have their day. Or night. Let's hope that all of our prayers, good wishes, magic and every other form of love that is being poured out for you will keep the demons at bay.
Remember your old friend, Gordon... "The world is always turning toward the morning." Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jeri Date: 07 Mar 02 - 02:14 PM Kath, we all want to be good people and good friends, and most of us know what's right. Fewer of us are willing to go out of their way to help someone. It's that last thing, combined with opportunity, that makes heroes. As embarrassing as this may be to you, the rest of us need to say how good it makes us feel. But I won't mention it again, either. Kendall, based on what I've heard here, it seems like you can trust this guy to weigh all the evidence and make a good choice for your treatment. You have a life filled with humor, music and good friends. Although the wait must seem like it's forever, it won't be. In the meantime, hang onto the good stuff. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Mrrzy Date: 07 Mar 02 - 02:23 PM Thanks Kath! |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 07 Mar 02 - 02:26 PM The best way to thank someone for this kind of thing as to follow their example. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: gnu Date: 07 Mar 02 - 02:49 PM Bless Kath and McGrath... words of wisdom. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Herga Kitty Date: 07 Mar 02 - 05:40 PM Kath I'm really glad you posted because I've been wondering for the last 2 days how it went, and keeping my fingers crossed. Kendall, I'm sorry if it's the long, long night and I hope the dawn comes soon. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: katlaughing Date: 07 Mar 02 - 05:50 PM Thanks for the update, Kath. Kendalldarlin'...I hope Clancy has given you a big, slurpy welcome home and that I have remembered his name right. I know the waiting game is no fun, but just think you could be preggers and waiting for nine months!**BG** Watch yer email, dear, I am going to send you a couple of sound files that might bring a little comfort. Please know that you are in our hearts for good, and unceasing Light surrounds you in Health and ease. luvya, Kat & Rog |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: harpgirl Date: 07 Mar 02 - 07:57 PM ...good news and thanks Kath! Kendall, I hope you are okay....Abby |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 07 Mar 02 - 08:06 PM I,m back home, nothing to report. I can stand the despair, it;'s the hope that's killing me! I saw the pictures of my vocal cords. It is not good. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Morticia Date: 07 Mar 02 - 08:12 PM Yeah, but I've heard your vocal chords and they are wonderful.......let's not give in 'til we have to, love you lots, Cap'n. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Hollowfox Date: 07 Mar 02 - 08:16 PM Kathy, it's what friends do for friends, but you were in a spot where you could do something that few of the rest of us could. So you'll just have to put aside the Grand Rapids indoctrination of your youth (sorry folks, a second installment of the decades-long in joke) and accept the nice stuff. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: bbc Date: 07 Mar 02 - 09:31 PM Waiting is tough, Kendall. I have no great words of wisdom for this. I'm sorry you're having to go through it. Many of us do care, though, & are rooting for you. I wish New York were closer to Maine & I could deliver encouraging, in-person hugs! bbc O (not the same, huh) |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Mar 02 - 11:46 PM Kendall, you need to ease up on yourself. Your vocal chords just had a small surgery, right? Then you headed to Johns Hopkins just a few days later. Of course they're not going to be pretty to look at right now. They're healing from that biopsy and are, as we all punned on, a little hoarse. Don't try to practice medicine on yourself, and don't borrow trouble! Maggie |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: CapriUni Date: 08 Mar 02 - 12:56 PM Maggie wrote: "Of course they're not going to be pretty to look at right now." No part of the human body looks pretty, when seen from the inside, even in the best of times... I'd put "biological processes" in the same list with saugage- and law-making, myself. Some things, we're just not meant to see. I can understand that you have a morbid fascination with what's going on in your throat, Kendall. But images of sickness are the last thing you want in your head right now. The body follows the mind -- both the conscious mind and subconscious (perhaps following the subconcious mind more strongly). You can't climb a mountain while staring at the ground below you. The same thing is true of your health. So visualize (should that be audiolize?) your voice as strong and clear, and yourself healthy and strong. It must be a real #@&!%**~ to have to be silent through all of this, and still feel like a full, healthy person -- especially for you. Do you play a wind instrument: flute, recorder, pennywhistle, horn? If not, this may be the time to learn -- to reconnect your breath and body with your "voice", so to speak, without actually using your vocal folds. You could even come up with your own special code, and be our own "Harpo" -- just think of how many annoying, smart-alecky jokes you could pull, then! And when you get your voice back (and you will get it back), you'll have new musical phrases to sing in new songs. Just think of this as your voice going into hibernation. The spring will come again, and when it does, it will be a whole new world. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Ebbie Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:08 PM As someone wrote, in Changin' of the Seasons,
Embrace the Winter's challenge, Ebbie |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:14 PM Maggie, I dont remember marrying you! LOL Damn good advice though. Thanks. It's also true that no part of the body is pretty from the inside. I needed that too! That being the case, the old saying, "Beauty is only skin deep" is wrong; the deeper you go, the uglier it gets; right? |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jeri Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:31 PM Kendall, as far as the medical porn, you KNOW something's wrong, you just had surgery on the things, and they're innards anyway! Think of what the inside of a healthy colon would look like! At least you know for sure the doctor can see what he's working on instead of just sort of feeling around in the dark, and he's probably seen a lot worse than yours. I saw the inside of my knee once. Luckily it was a black and white film. I fear that even know there may be a room full of depraved orthopedic surgeons, eating popcorn and fondling their surgical instruments in the flickering light cast by the on-screen depiction of my interior. Get the negatives, Kendall. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: SharonA Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:57 PM Jeri: Something similar to that happened to me (though I do hope they weren't depraveddoctors!!! After the Blizzard of '96, I was shoveling snow when I became severely short of breath and was having chest pains. My then-boyfriend took me to the emergency room where they told me that my heart was fine but my chest x-ray showed that my lungs were "cloudy" (I'd had an undiagnosed chronic cough for some time before this). Went to a specialist at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philly and, several tests later (including an MRI), the diagnosis was still inconclusive and they were unsure whether I had lung cancer or not. A lung biopsy was necessary for the final diagnosis: sarcoidosis (an auto-immune disorder). This wasn't particularly surprising, since I'd had lupus for the previous 18 years or so. However, the doctor told me that my "presentation" of the disease was so unusual, so un-textbook-like, that he got a group of doctors together, showed them all my test results except the biopsy, and played "guess the diagnosis". Nobody won! The doctor tells me that I'm written up in a medical journal somewhere! |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jeri Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:35 PM I've been a guinea pig as well, although I'm not important enough to have been in any journals. (And I haven't yet had anything as scary - yikes!) They used to bring in visiting medical students and have them do knee exams on me. I'd sit there and give them pointers: "No, you're doing that 'drawer' thingie, right? Sit on my foot. No, I'm not kidding - park your butt on my foot and yank, not that wimpy tugging you're doing." Had to kick a few medical students out of my office once. I was trying to interview someone who had a positive TB skin test. He said "yes" when I asked him about coughing up blood. Those students got all excited "Wow - he has TB!" - practically wetting themselves. The patient was Spanish, spoke little English and I spoke no Spanish. Turns out he'd occasionally spit a little blood when he brushed his teeth too hard. Oy. (Yes, I did politely explain they were interfering with communication. Found them later and explained what he'd said. Maybe they learned something about the importance of listening, maybe not.) Kendall, I don't think it actually gets uglier on the inside, it's just an unfamiliar view for most of us. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Ebbie Date: 08 Mar 02 - 06:44 PM Kendall, maybe the phrase should be: "Beauty is skin deep." Forget about 'only'. On the other hand, I have viewed my whole colon- did you know that at the upper end there is a rounded turn-around? Reminded me of the truncated road system in Juneau. LOL I was a bit startled the other day at my ten-day post-surgery checkup. Two surgeons are examining me and one says, Oh, by the way, what is that on your left hand fingertips? Do you play banjo? I said, weakly, Guitar... She nodded, pleased. I told them it was something like that. It hadn't really occurred to me before that when you're lying there in the operating room, oblivious to the world, you are vulnerable to the piercing eyes and postulations of the professionals. Yuck? Eb |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 08 Mar 02 - 07:18 PM "just think you could be preggers"
I was looking at that picture of Kendall in the Mudcat rogue's gallery. No, katlaughing, that just doesn't bear thinking about...
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 08 Mar 02 - 07:43 PM There was a joke about a guy getting pregnant; something about a telephone operator reversing the charges... |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Mar 02 - 08:58 PM Ebbie, It's not just your fingers that are hanging out during surgery. And depending on the surgery, the view can vary. I'm slim, so my hysterectomy was vaginal not abdominal, meaning I was on my back, tipped head lower, hips higher, legs out of the way. . .geez, what an image, and that's bad enough. . .but between the trim I do and the trim they did the perky little "goatee" that I was left with must have caused quite a chuckle in the operating room. I couldn't resist remarking on it when I saw the oncologist a couple of weeks later, and he grinned and blushed. I rest my case! See, Kendall, I bet I made you smile. . . and I think it's safe to assure you that your surgery will be much more dignified than mine was! (And I'm sure it doesn't need to be embarrassing to be successful.) Maggie |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 08 Mar 02 - 09:13 PM Some years ago I had a flexible sygmoidoscopy (sic) and while my doctor was "sticking it to me" an aide said to him, "Better be easy with this guy, you could end up in one of his stories." Doctor replied, "If I do, I will release these pictures of his colon to every TV station in town." |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 08 Mar 02 - 09:25 PM Jeri, I dont know that there are any negatives. They used a long scope with a magnifing thing on it, and the pictures appeared on a TV monitor. Got an e mail from the doctor's assistant. They expect to have the slides from Maine Medical ctr. overnight, and they will read them on Monday. No one seems to be in a hurry, so, maybe that's good. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Midchuck Date: 08 Mar 02 - 10:13 PM I had a flex-sig a year or two ago. They had me on one side, watching what the machine was seeing on a monitor. Very strange. The words to the old country song, "Miller's Cave," kept running thorough my mind. And my name isn't even Miller. Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Mar 02 - 11:08 PM Oh Peter. You have to sing that for us if you come to our Mudcat Gathering. Can you bring pictures? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jeri Date: 08 Mar 02 - 11:24 PM Ah, for just one time, I would view the southern passage To find the hand of doctor Frankel where no hand should be With skill sublime And scope he did me ravage And I saw the southern passage into me Kendall, they probably know it's not growing very fast. Nice that they e-mailed you - they probably knew you were anxious about hearing something. Relax a little, eh? Can you play that banjo yet? |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Ebbie Date: 09 Mar 02 - 12:56 PM No wonder our muscles and organs and bones are sore after these procedures! |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 09 Mar 02 - 01:03 PM Jeri, that is quite droll! Thanks for sharing! Yes, I can get a tune out of it, thanks again for that gift. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Jeri Date: 09 Mar 02 - 01:18 PM I'd rewrite one line as "to find the hand of Frankel in a place no hand should be." Kendall, it's a nice day. Go outside. (The neigbors here are wearing T-shirts and shorts and cooking things outside. It'll probably snow tomorrow.) |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Clinton Hammond Date: 09 Mar 02 - 01:35 PM Kendall... I said it once before... Kick this thing mate... Kick it and get back to doin' what ya do! ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 09 Mar 02 - 01:46 PM Ok. It's time for the "dog walk" |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: GUEST,SharonA at the library Date: 09 Mar 02 - 01:52 PM Re the flexible sigmoidoscopy and selling the pictures to the media: I remember that there was a thread recently about finding Christ's face in a photo of the interior of someone's colon (it was part of that "Christ's face in a potato" series of threads). Here 'tis: BS: Christ's Face Up the Wazoo It's good for a grin. But Jeri's right, kendall: get outside and enjoy the weather before the cold front hits later on today. You can read threads tomorrow when it's below freezing outside! Glad to hear that things are proceeding apace at Johns Hopkins. Sounds like you're in very good hands. Take care, Sharon |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: catspaw49 Date: 09 Mar 02 - 03:17 PM Yeah.......like today here in Ohio. 70 yesterday and snow tonight!!! Kendall, I'm sorry I haven't posted here but I tried to get a few messages to you that I was still thinking about you. Why, I have no idea. One thing for sure Kendall, as I read this thread I realize that you have much support and so very many friends and supporters here at the 'Cat. I'm not one of them of course, but I see you have some. Now I tell ya' though, having friends is a damn fine thing. A dog is better sometimes since a dog will slobber you with those big wet doggie kisses and get really excited if you just pet them a bit, even dance around and pee on the carpet. Come to think of it, I've had some friends who did the same thing but that was in the 60's and we were all pretty well goofed up at the time................Anyway, walking the hound is a fine idea. So again, sorry I didn't write earlier as I was otherwise occupied. Actually, my signature model "Gordon Bok Fan" had a problem with the motor and the damn thing ran amok, flopping around on the floor. When I tried to grab it, the piece of crap knocked me down and proceeded to slice and dice my ass requiring numerous stitches after removing the blade from my left ass cheek. Tell your buddy Bok he'll be hearing from my attorney, Rufus T Flywheel, of Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, to put his ass in a sling!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Amos Date: 09 Mar 02 - 06:01 PM Oh, look who's in Super Fettle now!! LOL!!! Pretty tough talk, Spaw, fer a guy made outta spare parts and hand-me-downs!! LOL Glad you dropped in!! A |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: GUEST,kendall Date: 09 Mar 02 - 08:06 PM Welcome back Spaw! I may have something smart to say when the Canadian whiskey wears off! |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: SINSULL Date: 09 Mar 02 - 09:43 PM HMMMM Has anyone else noticed the similarities in Spaw's alleged "fan" injuries to the recent spate of attacks on short green men's asses? And didn't Rufus T. Flywheel represent the little people in their case against Jed Marum and Big Mick? What goes on here? |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Fortunato Date: 11 Mar 02 - 09:56 AM Hey, if you're still out there, how are you doing now, Kendall? I didn't sign on for the last few days and I missed all the buzz. I'm thrilled that Kathy hooked you up with the docs at Hopkins. So all the best, it must be awfully hard waiting for news. I am waiting with you. regards, Chance |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 14 Mar 02 - 12:53 AM Jeez, I go on the road for a couple of weeks, and look at what I miss! All my best to you Kendall, and thanks to Kath for her help. Get well. This world need all the cranky old farts it can get. Seamus |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 14 Mar 02 - 07:44 AM Seamus my friend; If you are thinking of becoming a cranky old fart, you are going to have to change your attitude. All that generosity and good will has to go. |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: kendall Date: 14 Mar 02 - 04:55 PM Well folks, I heard from Johns Hopkins today, and, it is cancer, stage one, has not spread, and with radiation, the prognosis is 85% for recovery. I wont be a danger to Pavarotti, but, I never was. For all who prayed for me, I thank you severely, and dont forget to thank the universe! |
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Subject: RE: Good news From: DonMeixner Date: 14 Mar 02 - 05:16 PM I heartily pleased to hear your news Kendall. The work isn't done yet. I will continue to wish you well until you are well. Don |
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