Chemo Number 7

Mario checked into Piedmont Hospital for Chemo #7 on Monday and will be there through Friday June 8.  The long-awaited PET scan, which was to be after Chem #6. did not happen.  You may recall Maid of Mist’s happy report at the results of the last PET scan done in late February.  The tumor had been greatly reduced after two Chemo treatments, going from the size of a baseball to golf ball sized.  He was scheduled for the PET scan on Monday to assess the extent of the tumor after 6 chemo treatments, but the machine was broken.  It is uncertain when he will have the PET scan since it is not going to be used determine the remaining Chemo treatment, only to assess how much, if any, of the cancerous tumor remains.  Likely he will have this test in July after Chemo #8, along with an MRI of the upper thigh and liver, to gauge the full effects of the chemotherapy and help the oncology radiologist plan Mario’s radiation treatments.  

Not being with the Lord and Nurse, I do not have the insight I normally have on the goings on.  I am told that they had a nice Memorial Day.  Please keep in mind that Mr. FOG will return on Monday June 11 and the timing of any food gifts for around this time will be greatly appreciated.

Concrete slab and retaining wall

Asheville Update

Mr. FOG has had a very time back home getting back to his normal routine which includes yoga, working on his yard, the occasional beer at the local bar, reading, etc.  It is a simple, but happy life.  The car stays parked and he walks everywhere.  He has added a concrete slab to be covered in slate tile and built a small retaining wall in his small back yard as the area is slowly being transformed into a courtyard garden.

Birds at backyard feeder

Mr FOG has set up bird feeders for his enjoyment and to help hungry birds who have lost habitat to the urban landscape.  The one in the backyard is on high pole and the one in the front is on a tree.  The feeders attract cardinals, doves, blue jays, sparrows, finches, and other birds that MR. FOG can’t identify.  Watching the birds during the afternoon happy hour is a nice activity.

The neighbors across the street have gotten a male cat who is young and sometimes likes to explore Mr. FOG’s yard.   Mr. FOG noticed that the cat likes to sit under the tree feeder and look at the birds as they perch on the tree, fluttering from limb to limb.  The cat, sans the alcoholic beverage, seems to enjoy watching birds as much as FOG.  Mr. FOG was not overly concerned, thinking the birds could see the cat and would not be foolish enough to light on the ground and eat fallen seed while the cat was there.  Mr. FOG did see, when birds where not around, the cat jump and actually reach the bird feeder.  He thought he should raise the feeder further off the ground, but it was already between 6 and 7 feet high.  Previously he had only squirrel issues with the feeder.  One clever squirrel, unable to eat the food directly from the feeder given a weight closure mechanism, scoops the seed out which falls to the ground and then goes and gets the fallen seed.

Criminal Cat at base of tree with bird feeder

Last Thursday’s afternoon’s happy hour was marred by a bird killing (aviacide, birdacide??). The cat was waiting and watching at the base of the tree clearly visible to Mr. FOG and presumably also to the birds.  Mr. FOG brought his drink and was also waiting and watching, as the cat was, for the bird show.  Pretty multi-colored finches usually come to this feeder in the afternoons, or at least Mr. FOG thinks that they are finches.  Usually about six birds would come to feed at the same time.

This afternoon only one beautiful blue finch came.  He/She perched on a branch for a moment and then went to the feeder.  The cat was clearly visible but was still as a stone and focused only the bird.  Mr. Fog got up for a closer look at the pretty bird.  He was only about ten feet away on the porch and saw everthing.  He felt a slight bit of concern about the cat/bird situation, but surely the bird knew the cat was there and could easily avoid the cat.  Mr. FOG was concerned that perhaps the bird may fly to the ground, if unaware that the cat was there.  He was considering shooing away the cat, but this would also disturb the bird.  While considering his options the evetns seemed to unfold in slow motion.  As quick as a snake; the cat jumped nearly seven feet up, snatched the bird from the feeder as the bird was "taking a bite".  The cat immediiately ran away with its kill.  Mr. FOG screamed at the cat, but he was already at the property line picket fence and going full speed. 

While angry at the cat, Mr. FOG blames himself as an accessory, if not an accomplice, to this “aviacide”.  FOG lured the bird with food, knew the cat could perhaps jump the height of the feeder, and allowed the cat to remain.  FOG has since removed this tree feeder and had doused the cat twice with water to chase it away.  The cat does not seem to return to the scene of the crime.  The finches, less one, now go to the safer backyard feeder.  Ugly/Pretty Cat doesn't care about birds and was not involved in any way.  She does chase this cat away when she sees him close to her territory.

Fallen Cancer Warrior

Judith, a brave cancer warrior that I have mentioned in the Blog several times, has fallen in battle.  I have known Judith for about ten years and will miss her greatly.  She and Mario shared the same oncology practice and have run into one another during their respective treatments.  She showed courage and dignity during her two-year struggle with cancer.  Please keep her husband Tom in your thoughts and prayers.  He is a sensitive man and needs our help during this time.

Tom and Judith and found love later in live.  One of my fondest memories was a group of us going with them for pre-honeymoon dress rehearsal road trip before their wedding.  The min-van was decorated both inside and out, and “bride” and “groom” were designate in the appropriate window so that all could identify the happy couple.  Fellow road travelers honked to provide encouragement and support to the newly-weds to be.

It is impossible to capture Judith in an obituary, but following is hers: 

Judith Carolyn Simmons, 64, died on Monday, June 4, 2012 of cancer. A memorial service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church at Candler Park in Atlanta on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Her family will be receiving friends at a showing of her artwork at noon preceding the Memorial Service in the main sanctuary. 

Born in Anniston, Alabama, Mrs. Simmons lived the past thirty-five years in Atlanta, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Roscoe Simmons of Anniston, Alabama. She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Pinckney Blakely III, by her stepchildren Ami and Mark Huff, and granddaughter Grace Huff of Sugar Hill, Georgia, and by her many loving cousins and friends.

Mrs. Simmons graduated from Birmingham-Southern College and spent her career working for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta as a financial manager. She was an artist and a life-long Democrat.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Simmons' family requests that you plant a tree in her memory, or make a donation to Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, c/o manager, Carolyn Helmer, 1800 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA, 30318.

Epworth United Methodist Church is located at 1561 McLendon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.