THREE LEGGED DOG

Mr. FOG made it back to Vinings Mountain Castle late on Sunday.  This would likely be short stay for the Butler, since Nurse and Lord have the Memorial Day holiday plans and his services would only be needed for a few days.  The scene upon arrival was one of newlywed bliss with Lord and Nurse cuddled in bed watching TV. 

Mario was doing surprisingly well for so soon after Chemo #6.  On Monday morning, Mario went in to the office.  Mr. FOG concerned about having gained a couple of pounds, went to a local vegetable market to get greens, and fruits for high nutrient but low calorie shakes to help shed the extra pounds.  

A photo-op presented itself in the afternoon since the Laird was wearing a gifted shirt from Fritz and Ann.  Mr. FOG decided on a picture montage of Laird, gifts and well-wishes.  Mario wore the shirt, held the golf balls, also a Fritz and Ann gift, plus the “get well”, “thinking of you”, “you can beat this”  cards from Jeff, Bobbie, Brandon, Ellen, Jim, Bopsy, Jimmy, Parker, David, Jack and Louise.  Mr. FOG loves the cards waiting for him.  They may be second hand cards intended for Mario and Sherry, but they are new to FOG.  This time the cards had a white baby bird -- possibly a duckling, a puppy, a little red wagon, flowers, and an inspiring quote from Emerson.  While cards are nice, some say the way to man’s heart is through his stomach.  Possibly this is also true for women, or at least some women.  On this note, the Cunningham Family, represented by Parker, Jack and Louise brought over a BBQ feast for Monday night’s dinner.  Mr. FOG decided that his green power shake with kale would have to wait until Tuesday and he had the BBQ instead.  That evening while enjoying the gifted meal, Lord, Nurse and Butler watched a bit of Jeopardy and Dancing with the “almost” Stars.  

Tuesday was a doctor’s visit day.  As usual Mr. FOG parked the car and Mario began walking to the building lobby.  Mario made it to building much faster than in times past, leaving FOG who had dawdled locking the car and getting some things to catch-up.  When FOG finally caught up with Mario, he remarked that Mario was walking better and faster due to improved health.  His Lordship responded that his walking was that of a three legged dog.  FOG, who can be quirky, was slightly taken aback, interpreting a dark element to the comment.  As an aside Mr. FOG does yoga and the “down dog” or upside down "V" pose has a three legged variation which is used to enhance balance.  Upon further reflection, FOG looked at statement more positively.  His Lordship compared his “improved” walking to that of a three-legged dog that has adapted to having three legs rather than four; hence the three-legged dog can get along pretty good.  He has the positive attitude of making due for the time being.  In any event for whatever the reason, he is walking better and faster, be it a three-legged dog who has adjusted and mastered his condition or an actual improvement in his walking.  Here is video of Yogi, a three-legged dog playing Frisbee.  Please note that unfortunately the dog’s master is not in as good shape as his three-legged dog.  Perhaps the dog should be throwing the Frisbee for the master to fetch so that the master can also get some exercise.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXfcOBU58ko

The doctor’s visit backed up FOG’s positive outlook on improvement.  The Laird’s vitals were good and both the red and white blood cells were still holding up in the near normal levels.  Another visit is scheduled later in the week to check for any significant drop in the red blood cells that would require a blood transfusion before Chemo Number 7.  Likely though, his white blood cell count will drop in the next couple of days.  Mario is taking an oral anti-biotic and working from home as much as possible to reduce the chance of an infection.   Our Chemo Diet is working.  Mario is down to 213 pounds, a cumulative loss of 37 pounds.  Mr. FOG green shake diet has him down to 167.

Tuesday Mario felt well enough to prepare the evening meal of a chicken salad pesto and a lemon couscous.   His own creation, it was a big hit.

New Orleans Revisited  

Mr. FOG’s photo archive includes many unpublished photographs of his trip in March to the Final Four.  He took a walking architectural tour of the Marigny.  This is an old New Orleans neighborhood just east of the French Quarter with very interesting homes, still unshared. 

On his nocturnal walks, Mr. FOG also took photographs of many things that happen in the French Quarter.  Many of these photographs are of things that he could not put in a family oriented blog.  As you may know, one common custom in New Orleans is for people to stand on the many balconies overlooking Bourbon Street and offer passersby plastic beads if the passersby expose their chest.  Young, attractive girls, often intoxicated, are the ones most sought after.  It is an odd custom.  If you care to learn more about this or see the graphic images, you may Google the many web sites that offer videos of these girls gone wild on Spring break.  They give strangers a quick view of their breasts for cheap plastic beads.  Why the girls do this is odd to explain.  Rebellion against authority, seeking admiration or approval, or just a lapse in judgment are possible explanations.  Always on the lookout for the unusual, MR. FOG has a picture on this theme, showing one woman’s handling of this sensitive situation.  You can be judge of her actions.