July Transplant Update

Yesterday we received written notification from OHSU that I have been officially listed for a heart/kidney transplant!  Of course, such an operation cannot be scheduled.  Average turn-around time for cases such as mine here in Oregon is six (6) months.  I will be posting more details shortly.

End of May Transplant Update

I met with the OHSU kidney transplant doctors two weeks ago and was told that I was a good candidate for a kidney transplant. I also had a dozen or so blood samples taken, and an ultrasound of the abdomen. Last week a kidney transplant coordinator called to say that the transplant team wanted another ultrasound, a CT scan and more bloodwork. So we'll be traveling back to Portland next Wednesday (6/6) for all of the above, as well as at least two vaccines and a visit to my primary care doc.  Hopefully, the information gleaned from the day will result in my being finally listed for a combined heart and kidney transplant later in June!

May Transplant Evaluation Update

Quite a few changes since the last post!  Bubbie and I met with a transplant nutritionist and a transplant social worker to ascertain whether we were on the ball enough to handle the constraints and problems associated with a dual transplant.  A few days later, my case was presented to the heart transplant team and I was provisionally accepted to the heart transplant list.  Now, I am being evaluated by the kidney team.  So far, we have participated in a kidney transplant seminar, I had a chest MRI and I have had a second pulmonary evaluation.  Next are a clinic appointment with the kidney transplant team and an abdominal ultrasound. The kidney team may also want us to meet with an oncologist and a hematologist to discuss long-ago bout with Hodgkins and my current intermittent anemia.  We also need to attend a heart transplant seminar and complete several questionnaires.  So maybe I'll be formally listed in June!

April Transplant Evaluation Update

First, the results of the right heart catheterization test from last month: after a week of dialysis, my dry weight was reduced sufficiently for the test to be performed. This is important in that my pulmonary pressures need to be reduced to normal to match a healthy donor heart. I passed that test, so we know that if I can keep those pressures lower than they have been in the past I should meet this test. (Of course, I have to keep the poundage off!) The results of the pulmonary stress test last week indicated that while my heart is stronger than it was in August, it still is in tough shape and will have to be replaced. More evaluation needs to be done before my case is handed over to the heart transplant team for additional review. They may have more questions. Also, the kidney transplant team should start their evaluation soon. All in all, it will be 2-3 months after both teams have completed their evaluations before I get listed. So maybe August, before I get listed ( which is not a given; things can happen). We shall see!

Peritoneal Dialysis Update

We started peritoneal dialysis (PD) training on 2/13 and I have to say that the experiment failed miserably. We handled the technical part easily, understanding what to do and how to do it. What I could not handle were the side effects of the continual presence of the 2 liters of solution in my gut. I had difficulty breathing and could not function other than to sit and breath as well as I could. My brain functions were impaired by the breathing difficulties and I could not walk very far before tiring. I was so distressed, depressed, disheartened, and disappointed by the experience that I had to quit the training after only three days. I am now back on hemodialysis and dealing with leg cramps again. One positive outcome of the PD experiment was the suggestion of the PD nurse that I eat a pickle when I had leg or foot cramps. I tried that cure the other night and it worked. Of course, it helps that I love pickles, but it does go against the advice of both my nephrologist and cardiologist not to eat any extra salt.

February Transplant Evaluation Update

In late January, I had two tests performed at OHSU: an echo cardiogram and a liver ultrasound. Should get the results later this month. Also, I will start peritoneal dialysis training on 2/13 so that I can do dialysis at home overnight. Dental work is also scheduled for later this month after the dialysis training.

Article by David Haas

20 Minutes a Day Leads to a Healthier Life

Many instances in life create stress. Stress causes the immune system to weaken, making you more susceptible to illness such as the cold or flu, among others. Stress is inevitable; everyone has it or experiences it at some point in time whether it is caused by planning your wedding, decorating your new home or figuring out whether or not to go back to work after your baby is born. Unfortunately, some individuals have stress that far exceeds how many people to invite to the reception. From chemotherapy for breast cancer to rare and painful mesothelioma treatment, people undergoing treatment for cancer often struggle with stress and emotional issues.

One thing that everyone with stress has in common is the fact that exercise helps to alleviate stress and in turn strengthens the immune system. For a cancer patient undergoing treatment, few things are as important as a strong immune system. In addition to strengthening the immune system, exercise is beneficial to cancer survivors because it improves their quality of life, which is a catalyst to successful cancer treatment.

The National Cancer Institute advocates physical fitness for cancer patients and survivors because of its ability to improve quality of life. Weight control is one thing, but the benefit a healthy lifestyle – that includes both a healthy diet and physical activity – lessens a person’s risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, all of which make overcoming cancer more difficult .

Additionally – and perhaps most importantly – physical activity promotes well-being, which is something that many people have a difficult time achieving when facing cancer treatments. The benefits of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle make it easier for patients to deal with treatment for their cancer. In addition, once a person beats cancer he or she will be much healthier, much happier and able to more fully enjoy life.

The benefits of physical fitness are numerous; however, many people are too tired or too weak to work out regularly, which is why it is important to know that even minor physical activity is better than none. For example, a short walk around the neighborhood is something that takes little time and little effort. Walking to the mailbox is physical activity. Playing a game of catch in the front yard with the kids is physical activity. The key is to get up and move, even when you don’t feel like it.

Physical fitness has both physical benefits and emotional benefits. Whatever your reasons for wanting to exercise; it doesn’t matter. What’s important is becoming active and making your life a healthier one. A 20-minute walk every day is enough to keep you healthier and happier for the rest of your life.

Transplant Evaluation Update

Sometime ago I posted that I was in need of a dual heart and kidney transplant. The heart transplant is due to congestive heart failure (likely a late effect of radiation therapy in 1978) and the kidney transplant is due to kidney failure following triple bypass surgery last May.

Last we finally got to meet the transplant coordinator (at Oregon Heath & Science University - OHSU) in person and we both feel reassured that the official evaluation process is occurring. Here's where we are now. Each time we come in we are seen by one of the three lead docs on the heart transplant team. This time we saw Dr. Mudd. He's the "cup is half empty doc" but of the three we feel that he is doing the best to manage our expectations carefully. Overall, I am much stronger now due to cardiac rehab and my mental health is greatly improved also. While my heart and kidneys will not recover, I am doing better and getting stronger. Dr. Mudd is considering switching out my pacemaker for a biventricular defibrillator to help better regulate my heartbeat and make my heart stronger.

To help you understand a little better - a little background. In order to have a heart transplant the pressures in the pulmonary artery have to be low - say closer to 25 - 35. Back in July my pulmonary pressure was above 90. My pressure is quite visible in my neck and the docs can see how high it is by my turning my head to the left and visually seeing the pressure or heartbeat in my neck. A little pressure on my abdomen and it picks up rapidly. The only way that we can help to control this is by removing more fluid through dialysis. Currently I go to dialysis 3x week and they remove between 2 and 4 kgs of fluid each time. In dialysis you have what is called a "dry weight" or the weight that is agreed to be the lowest they can get you down to. Each time I attend dialysis I am weighed before and after treatment. Originally when I started in July they set my target at 92 kgs after dialysis. This was hard to achieve because my blood pressure is very low. This is normal for final stage heart failure patients but the dialysis professionals don't always understand that. So they have been bringing my dry weight up - I am at 95 kgs now and my pulmonary pressures are remaining too high.

Unless we can get the pulmonary pressure down and my dry weight closer to 90 kgs, I won't be considered for a transplant. Its just not possible to match a healthy heart of similar weight and size when my pressure is running so high. So I may be starting start dialysis 4x a week in the hopes of getting more fluid off. The side effects are unbearable cramping (the kind where my hands contort in cramps and my legs cramp all night long) and exhaustion. I've had another catheter put in my abdomen in preparation for home peritoneal dialysis (PD) as opposed to the clinic hemodialysis which is what I am doing now. Once I am on PD I will do it 7 days a week at home. It will be less stressful on me physically and I can take the set up with me if we travel. Both my wife and I have to go through intensive training before that can start. We expect the training to be completed and hopefully I can begin the home dialysis in March.

Meanwhile, on the transplant side, I will complete various doctor visits and receive releases from the doctors and dentists. We will visit with the social worker and other members of the transplant team in coming months. It is expected that we will complete the evaluation process within the next several months. Once completed, our transplant coordinator will present our case to both the heart and kidney transplant teams and they will decide if I am a candidate for the transplant. Even if I do get on the list there is no guarantee that I will receive a transplant.

Health Update

I have been reluctant to post any news regarding my health; I did not want to appear to be trying to elicit sympathy or just plain whining. Christina, who is a friend and neighbor as well another cancer survivor, suggested that I should update this blog with my recent news.

A quick recap: I was treated for Stage IIIB Hodgkins Lymphoma with chemotherapy and radiation during 1976 and 1978. I have been cancer free since. Late effects, however, began occurring in the late 1990’s, including congestive heart failure (1998) and atrial fibrillation (2003).

The fibrillation returned in 2010. A pacemaker was installed in November 2010, but the fibrillation continued and the CHF got worse. In April 2011, various tests confirmed that I had coronary artery disease. On May 17 triple-bypass surgery was performed. That was successful, but my kidneys failed shortly thereafter and I have been on dialysis since June. Also, the surgery indicated that I had severe radiation fibrosis further impacting my heart. Additional tests indicated that the CHF is very severe and that the best course for me will be a dual heart and kidney transplant within the next two years. Without the heart transplant, my cardiologist gives me a 50/50 chance of surviving for two years.

So, if any of you who read this have any experience with heart and kidney transplants, I’d welcome your comments!

I've been quiet since February, trying to get healthy but not succeeding. Following a couple more stints in the hospital, it has been determined that I need a triple bypass operation, to occur on Tuesday 5/17. With any luck, I'll be out of the hospital come Saturday 5/21, just in time for the Rapture! Can't wait to see the look of disappointment on on the believers' faces. I wonder what the billboards will be changed to?

A RI Yankee's Tea Party

Obviously, I am an unabashedly liberal conservative in the strict-constructionist camp of non-revisionist history, geography and baseball hagiography. Certain things mystify me; others just bewilder me. Really, I just do not understand. As Elvis Costello sings, “I used to be disgusted, now I’m just amused.”

Well-off, educated, employed, older mainly European-Americans (so-called white folks) are the vast majority of Tea Party members and call themselves “Patriots.” The “system” has worked for them: they are well off, educated and employed or retired! They want to take “their” country back… from themselves? If the Tea Partiers that I see on TV or those who watch Fox (not really the) News, or Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity, were aboriginal native Amerindians I would say “Go For It!” No, the Tea Party members are the actual Caucasian winners; so they want what? A bigger, better victory? A Marcus Garvey solution? A return to ante-bellum times?

The governors of Virginia (Bob McDonald) and Mississippi (Haley Barbour) are celebrating the memories of Confederate veterans. Virginia and Mississippi are part of the southern USA, an area that currently claims to be more American and patriotic than the east coast, west coast or the (Yankee) north. The Civil War (or The War Between the States, in the southern idiom) was not about slavery or rebellion against the greater United States, it was about “states rights.” In a narrow way I agree: a state’s right to allow slavery within its borders. Slavery is/was wrong, therefore the Confederacy was wrong to insist upon slavery as a state’s right and was wrong to rebel against the federal government. The Civil War was a treasonous, terrorist act against the United States. Treasonous, terrorist acts against the United States are sometimes punished with execution (see Eddie Slovik, Sacco & Vanzetti, and Timothy McVeigh, amongst others). The treasonous Confederate rebels were compassionately pardoned (for the most part) and went on to found such stalwart American patriotic institutions as the Ku Klux Klan, the spiritual antecedent to many of today’s militias. They believe that the second amendment is gospel but want to repeal the fourteenth amendment. They believe that the founding fathers were perfect, a group that thought that slaves were worth only 3/5 of a human being for representation purposes, but not human for moral purposes. WTF, indeed.

Many of these American Patriots that are members of the Tea Party believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim. It should make no difference what folly a person believes in, so long as that person is performing their duties. Many of the same folks believe that Obama was born in Kenya and is, thus, not an American citizen. Many of the same folks equate Obama with Adolph Hitler, while calling Obama a Marxist. (OK, they are not that well educated, confusing a Marxist and/or a Nazi with a centrist Democrat. If you listen to Hannity and Beck religiously enough, anything is possible.) This as they shout out to Obama to “keep the government hands off my Medicare!” Many of these folks are screaming about their taxes, without realizing that they are paying less in taxes than they did under their fiscal god Ronald Reagan and his illegitimate acolyte George W. Bush. Hey, Ayn Rand used Medicare and collected social security.

The common thread here, to me, seems to be racism; similar to the racism that dominated baseball and caused the game to be restricted between the careers of Moses Fleetwood Walker and Jackie Robinson. How could a black man play baseball with a white man? How could a black person be president over white people?

And now, Sarah Palin has a WTF moment (she said it, not me) and gets it all wrong about sputnik; Michelle Bachman just gets it all wrong and misinterprets her own chart. I rather like this Tea Party stuff. Reminds me of the Know Nothing Party of the mid-1800’s.

Damn, that rant felt good!

Moose Juice

On our epic pilgrimage to Evansville IN in 1971 for the NCAA Division II hoop Elite 8 tournament, after learning what it meant to have the bridge freeze before the highway (see my post of April 2009), we did get to see some great basketball. In the first round, Assumption College and Southwest Louisiana State, despite both being ranked either No.1 or No.2 depending upon which national poll you read, played against each other. Of course, the tournament was held on the home court of the University of Evansville (they competed in Division II in those days) and as hosts of the tourney, Evansville, apparently, had some say in the pairings. In the second round, they got to play the winner of the AC / SWL bloodbath.

The AC / SWL game was a superb run and gun battle, with the Ragin’ Cajuns winning the slugfest 110-99 (if my memory serves me well). The next night, the Evansville Aces easily defeated the weary and spent Cajuns. Luck of the draw or canny scheduling?

But this is about the party after the Hounds’ defeat by the Cajuns!

The party was held in the hotel where some of the teams and many of the fans were staying (that hotel was converted later to some sort of residency – Ken Szymanski would know about this from his days as a city planner in Evansville). People and players were everywhere; bathtubs were full of beer and wine coolers. Cheerleaders were pouring beer down players’ throats (other teams’ players, of course). Someone had brought a mechanical hockey game and guys were sitting on the floor playing the game.

As I wandered about the hotel, it became apparent that I had run out of my beverage of choice that evening (scotch). I met some of the good folks from Old Dominion University (VA) who offered me some of the “punch” that they were drinking. I had a taste. Pretty sweet-tasting stuff without much kick, I thought to myself. “Have some more of the Moose Juice, y’all,” they said, “but be careful – it sneaks up on you!” “What’s in it,” I asked. “Fruit cocktail and grain alcohol,” they replied. Within the hour I was virtually blind.

At some point approaching midnight, it was decided that we had to head back to our motel. Jim could drive, but he did not know the way. Lou could not drive and also did not know the way, but he could (barely) read the signs. I could not drive and could not see, but I knew the way. So, Lou navigated, read the signs and I barked orders. Jim followed my directions and drove while John moaned “we’re all gonna die!”

We made it back to the motel. We did not die. But later that early morning as we attempted to sober up, we listened to Radio Havana (heard very clearly on the AM dial) break news of a wholesale retreat of US and South Vietnamese forces in the face of a furious Viet Cong and North Vietnamese attack. CBS, NBC, ABC and the Pentagon all spoke of a strategic withdrawal. History later informed us that Radio Havana was correct.

Yeah, we drank too much and maybe Jim was a little too “tired” to be driving, but it was 1971 and, damn it, we were in Evansville! Ken, did they really convert that hotel to a residence after that party?

Remembering Steve Morris

It was Fall Semester 1970 at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. I had been thrown out of a Philosophy class because I was neither a major, minor, senior or junior. As I was departing that classroom, I encountered Professor Jim Barbato, from whom I had taken an environmental science class the previous semester. He had seats remaining in his current Oceanography class, so I quickly signed up and joined the first meeting of a class that would change my life in so many ways.

While I was familiar with Prof. Barbato, I do not remember knowing anyone else in the class that first day. Somehow I ended up sitting and becoming friends with Lou Boyatzi and Steve Morris. That led to friendships with several other folks, including Brendan Bierch, Ed (Chick) Chalmers, and a host of others.

A little over 40 years later, I am saddened to learn of Steve’s recent death in an email message from Brendan. I had not seen Steve in several years, but had remained somewhat connected via email and the Assumption College website. Most recently, I had emailed him complaining that the Phillies had stolen my birthday present by signing Cliff Lee. His reply: “Heh, heh!” I could hear his voice.

So many “Steve” stories. Most people addressed him as “Merc,” and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, in its recent article on Steve’s death, remarked that the late Assumption College basketball coach Joe O’Brien nicknamed Steve “Merc” during a gym class. True, but the whole story of the naming reveals much about Steve and his character. I remember that day well.

It was a Monday morning, a Monday that followed a Sunday wherein the flamboyant, speedy and talented flanker/running back/kick returner Mercury Morris of the Miami Dolphins had ignominiously fumbled at least two kickoff returns. In the open gym class, we were engaged in a touch football game in which Coach O’Brien served as the designated quarterback for both squads. Somehow, Steve managed to sneak into the open several times and Coach hit him square on the numbers on each occasion. Somehow, Steve managed to drop each of Coach’s perfect tosses. “Just like Mercury Morris,” chortled Coach O’Brien. Of course, Steve was slightly less fleet of foot than the professional Mercury Morris, but the name stuck. Steve became Merc. Sure, Coach O’Brien had teased Steve by calling him Merc, but Steve saw all of the irony and humor and adopted his new name. “Merc72” was on his auto registration plates and "Merc" in his email address.

In the process of getting to know each other, Steve quickly found out that I was not only a fan of the hated New York Yankees, but that I rooted for the Chicago Black Hawks as well. Bobby Hull was my favorite player. One morning, upon my arrival at Zip’s (then the day-hop or commuter’s hangout) Steve solemnly informed me that Hull had been traded to the Bruins for chump change and a case of stale Narragansett beer. “I just heard it on WBZ,” he informed me. All day long I moped around campus, finding it hard to believe. As I was cutting through the gym on my way to a class, Coach O’Brien paused to speak with me, saying “Sorry to hear about Hull going to the Bruins, Mike. You must be heartbroken.” Later that day, Assumption’s All-American basketball payer Jake Jones stopped me to say the same thing. Of course, it was all a great practical joke set up magnificently by Steve. Steve’s comment the following day when I sheepishly acknowledged his yanking of my chain and pulling of both my legs: “Heh, heh!”

Steve got me a small position as a statistician with the athletic department. Mostly, I kept track of steals, rebounds and the like during JV and varsity basketball teams. I got to travel with the team on many trips, including Washington DC to take on Catholic University and Georgetown University and most games throughout New England and New York. It was great fun and I owe it all to Steve. One of the most exciting tasks I performed was to help compile and then deliver the halftime and final stats to the radio and television broadcasters. During the heyday of Assumption basketball in the 70’s, that meant hobnobbing with Tom Heinsohn and Bob Cousy.

When I was in graduate school at Western Kentucky University, I made it a point to meet Steve and his good pal Fr. Ed Chalmers at the old NCAA Division II tournament in Evansville, IN. Steve got me press credentials for the games.

So many memories of Steve: sports trivia contests, meatball grinders at his uncle’s pizza shop in Shrewsbury, word games, bad jokes, cold-cut grinders and root beer at Zip’s, driving Bentley College’s basketball coach to Robert’s Arena in Evansville, insulting Bobby Goldsboro in Evansville at the Executive Inn, Queen burgers at some god-forsaken diner in Reynoldsburg, OH (“Ya gotta go to the restroom and see for yourself…”).

Yesterday, Wednesday January 26, I spoke about Steve with Fr. Ed – Ed was in Worcester at St. Stephen’s parish and I was in Larkspur CA visiting my father-in-law. Our conversation started sadly, but ended in laughter as we reminded each other of the joy that we shared over these 40 years (more for Ed) of friendship with Mercury Morris. Ed and I made plans to visit the next time I am in Worcester. I am sure that we will talk about Merc.

See Ya 2010!

2010 was not a good year. Too much unpleasantness, sadness and grief - never mind ill health and Wammo leaving the Asylum Street Spankers. And Carl Crawford signing with the Red Sox, Cliff Lee with the Phillies and the Bronx Bombers making do with the likes of Bartolo Colon, Rafael Soriano and Mark Prior. And I turned 60. Oy vey!

Joe wants to "Keep Your Team Out of My Book"

I usually enjoy Joe Queenan's columns and essays wherever I encounter them, as well as his rare appearances on TV shows such as Bill Maher's Real Time on HBO. His essay in last Sunday's (April 18, 2010) New York Times Book Review is exceptionally funny, especially for baseball fans. Yankee-haters will laugh out loud love it. I have to say that even I laughed out loud several times; it is just a wonderful piece about cultural realities. A link to the essay is provided here. Enjoy!

Doctor Who?

So the country has a new health care law in place. Note that I did not write that the "nation" has a new "health care reform" law. First, I submit to you that the USA is NOT a nation, especially if you consider the animosity we direct to each other as recently exhibited by the so-called patriots of the Tea Party ilk. The USA does not support the classic definition of a nation as is taught in political science and political geography courses (except in Texas, but that is another story for another tirade). Nor has health care been "reformed." A single-payer or universal health care law would be health care reform; the new law reforms only certain aspects of health care coverage and insurance company policy. Much more has yet to be done.

I read this morning in that drearily middle-of-the-road rag known as the New York Times that some doctor in Florida placed signage on his door demanding that Obama supporters go elsewhere for their health care. Not so unusual here in Corvallis, OR where a much respected physician has refused to provide health care to me because I am too ill and take too many medications (I'll give you his name if you ask offline). Health care in this country must be really reformed so that people in Florida and Oregon (and the other 48 states, also - assuming that Rick Perry hasn't led Texas to secede this weekend) can be treated by any and all physicians. No physician should be allowed to practice if she/he chooses to refuse care based upon politics and disease!

My Mosi Tatupu Story

“What is Mosi Tatupu’s photo doing in the New York Times?” I asked myself this morning over a cup of coffee and some hot steel cut oatmeal. “Oh,” I answered aloud as I read the sad news of his death at only 54. This is my Mosi Tatupu story.

In the early 1980’s I worked as a clerk in a stereo and photo store (Audio Concepts) in the Attleboro Falls section of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Due to the store’s proximity to Foxborough, the site of the New England Patriots home stadium (then called Sullivan Stadium, if I remember correctly), a number of the Patriots players lived in the area and shopped at the store for their toys. Amongst the players that I remember were Steve Grogan, Roland James, Larry McGrew, Lin Dawson and Mosi Tatupu. McGrew was a very nice man who once greeted me by name in a record shop near Boston. Dawson once approached the store with a pair of Bozak speakers, one under each arm. If you know Bozak (not Bose!) you know how strong Dawson was. Roland James picked up his repaired cassette deck just a couple of days after he had fumbled two punts and/or kickoffs in a game against the Miami Dolphins. One of the other clerks cautioned him not to fumble the deck. But my favorite Patriot was Mosi Tatupu.

Every time that he came into the store (or so it seemed) he was with his wife Linnea. One year they brought an early 60’s GM classic California car to the store to have a stereo installed. Another time, Mosi lusted after a new Sony Walkman (they were very much the hot item that year) and Linnea told him that he could get one if he scored a touchdown that Sunday. He did and he got his Walkman the next week. As was always the case, Linnea paid with a check. They always seemed so friendly, so serene and so approachable.

I do not watch much pro football these days and I cannot say that I know the players as well as I did when Mosi played special teams with aplomb and was a very reliable third-down addition to the backfield. I did get excited a couple of years ago when Mosi’s son Lofa joined the Seattle Seahawks. Whenever they play on TV, I try to watch a defensive series or two to see Lofa play linebacker. Next season, I’ll try to watch a little more.

A Letter From a Reds Fan...

Several years ago, when Bubbie and I lived in Texas, I became acquainted with a newspaperman in Rockdale, Texas by the name of Mike Brown. Here’s the scoop.

Some historical cemeteries in Texas were being recognized for their esteemed contents and Bubbie’s father’s cousin in Israel had heard about it. A relative of Pop’s (Bubbie’s dad) was, apparently, buried in a cemetery in Rockdale and the Israeli cousin had contacted Pop and wondered if he (Pop) would attend the dedication ceremonies. No, he would not, but Pop contacted Bubbie who asked me to find out what the real story was.

I contacted the Rockdale newspaper’s office who put me in touch with an editor (Mike Brown) at the paper (The Rockdale Reporter) . Mike had recently written an article about the upcoming dedication and informed me that the cemetery was being dedicated as a repository of the remains of Confederate Civil War veterans. Coincidentally, Pop’s ancestor was also buried there, in the segregated “Jewish” section of the cemetery. Pop’s ancestor, a fellow with the last name of “Crown” had died in a fire at a local hotel, leading to his permanent residency in Rockdale.

Crown is actually the Anglicized version of the name “Crohn.” Another relative if this Mr. Crown is Dr. Burrill Crohn who described the disease named after him in 1932. Dr. Crohn was Pop’s uncle. All of this, however, is anther story for another time. This is about Mike Brown.

I e-mailed Mike after the Yankees clinched number 27 in November 2009. Because I know that Mike is a devout Cincinnati Reds fan, I teased him about being a Yankees hater. Here is his reply.

Gee Michael,

I don't know why anyone would possibly classify me as a Yankee hater.

Doesn't everybody use the term "bloated plutocrats?"

As I've previously told you I was rooting for the Yankees against the Phillies for obscure and cabalistic reasons of my own involving the 1975-76 Reds.

Since this is me, my reactions to the WSJ (Wall Street Journal) article are unique and several degrees off center.

I love the way the WSJ refers to "Mr. Sabathia (they spelled his last name
Incorrectly…), Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Teixeira. " At this newspaper we only "Mr." somebody in obituaries. Guess you have to die to get any respect.

What a law firm that would make, Sabathia, Rodriguez and Teixeira. How many
people do you know who would have to take a pay cut to become an attorney?
Sorry, I guess that re-tort was out of line.

And, of course, that made me think of Groucho's law firm in "Animal Crackers."
Hungadunga, Hungadunga, Hungadunga and McCormick.

Then I got copied on a reply to you from Mr. Menard who referred to "doyens
of the Red Sox nation." Wow, have they ever fallen. I would have thought
it would have been hundreds instead of just doyens.

Which made me think about either Roger Angell or Roger Kahn who wrote about
trying to get the word "cerebration" into print three times and each time an
editor changed it to "celebration."

Probably a Yankee fan.

Mike

The End of Pain?

The attached ad for a “Copper Magnetic Therapy Jesus Bracelet” was in this morning’s Red Plum coupon supplement to the Corvallis Gazette-Times (04/06/10). It just may be in your Sunday newspaper, also! Not only has Dream Products harnessed the power of copper and magnets for their reputed therapeutic powers, they apparently have contracted the services of Jesus Christ himself. Having much chronic pain myself, as well as being a noted pain in the ass at times, I am intrigued. The cynic in me, however, wonders if this item would be better as a dog-style collar. Maybe the fine folks at www.Mixedspecies.com will create something!

Travels with Bubbie: 11/27/2009 - 11/30/2009

Bubbie and I went back and forth to/from Seattle to visit with Sarah and Gannet over the weekend. Gannet was lots of fun (so was Sarah!) and we took in the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place and some Northwest seafood. We sampled Northwest-style clam chowder at Ivar's, Anthony's Pier 66, and and the hotel restaurant at the Waterfront Marriott. All OK and different, but maybe Ivar's white chowder was the better of the bunch. Their red was mediocre and their fish and chips would have been awful if the chips hadn't been acceptable. At least they offered malt vinegar. Being a Ye Olde English fan, I am rather finicky (OK, pissy) about F&C, and I really haven't been completely satisfied. Sea J's in Port Townsend, WA is consistently good and I had good F&C at the Word of Mouth in Salem, OR (although it seemed to be a one-time special on the day I was there).

The weather was decent and the scenery from the hotel room at the Waterfront Marriott was excellent, overlooking Elliot Bay. Gannet loved watching the ferries, container ships, tugs and gulls do their thing; Bubbie and I enjoyed watching Gannet do his thing!