BEHIND THE WHEEL

A protective father wanted to make sure his son was not a risk to himself or others when behind the wheel.  With Mr. FOG riding shotgun, the Laird has driven several times this week .  Mr. FOG opined that his Lordship drives well enough and perhaps better than many in Atlanta. 

Foolishly, Mr. FOG thought that the Laird’s driving would be reminiscent of when a sixteen year old    Lordling Mario first got his learners permit.  At that time, he and FOG practiced shifting gears from a standstill going up a hill.  The young Laird did this until he could do it smoothly.   

Reliving this memorable chapter of Mario’s childhood was not meant to be.   Mario could not drive  as a result of the leg surgery, not a loss of driving skills.  Now that the wound has healed, he can drive himself safely, on most to many days, as long as the cancer symptoms or medications are not acting up. 

Mario did drive leaning to one side to ease the cancer pain on his right hip and leg.  Also there appears to be less sensitivity in his foot/leg in applying the car’s break.  He adjusted for this by allowing more time to stop and going at lower speeds.   His reflexes and motor skills in moving his leg to accelerate and stop the car were perhaps slower but he compensated and kept the foot ready to stop the car, suddenly , if needed.  In short, Mr. FOG found nothing to criticize; and this does not happen often.  Still he would advise that the Laird not drive on days he does not feel well, avoid rush hours, and err on the side of caution until his motor skills are back to normal.

This driving exercise scared Mr. FOG, realizing that the shoe may be on the other foot sooner than one would think.  The Laird may someday tell Mr. FOG that he may be getting too old and feeble to drive and take his car keys away.  Mr. FOG decided that if this happens, then the Laird or Nurse Sherry will have to become Mr. FOG’s chauffeur.  It only seems fair.

On the cancer front, the good week was not as good as last time.  The blood transfusion did not seem to help as much as was promised.  Also, there might have been some reaction to the  transfusion.  Mario has been having a cough, but no fever.  He does not feel bad, but not great. The Laird dilligently worked from home most of the week and went into the office on Friday.  The Laird, Nurse Sherry and Lady Jane had dinner on Wednesday, while Mr. FOG was off doing yoga and having dinner with friends.   

Next week, Mario is back at the Piedmont Hilton for Chemo #3 with Red Devil and his allies and the battle of Leg-ingrad continues.  Our spies have gone behind enemy lines and we should have a report on the casualties that the chemotherapy is inflicting on Ewing's Sarcoma. Maid of the Mist returns to Vinings Mountain Castle and Mr. FOG heads to Asheville for a week or so.  More on these and other topics soon.