I am back home and feeling much better. The idea of having Jim Page visit me in the hospital is among the most compelling reasons to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible. Being a captive audience while Jim drones on for hours about his childhood in Florida and the ant farm he just bought....... Just picture watching infomercials featuring Uncle Joe from "Petticoat Junction" selling spatulas that turn into knitting needles.

In all reality, I'm feeling much better. Tuesday I went in to have the chemo port in my chest. As part of the process, they run a wire down your neck to run a catheter along and during that part, they nicked my heart. It's not really as bad as it sounds. It is an accepted risk of the procedure. As a result, my blood pressure dropped down very low and my heart rate went through the roof. I was moved from the surgical center to PG Hospital which is the #2 trauma center in Maryland. It's not very comforting when they lay the cardiac paddles on your chest, "Just in case...."

Once stabilized, I was transferred to Holy Cross for the second attempt to install the port. That's when the terror started. The incessant IMs not only from Jim Page, but also John Howard (for those who don't know John, he's a combination of the Jack Klugman character "Quincy MD", and Yoda.) The combination of the two was more than I could handle. I had to get out.

My greatest comfort was from Rich Smyth. I am truly blessed with such a good friend. I just have a small problem with the document he sent me to sign and have notarized about transferring all royalties to him upon my impending demise.

Thank you one and all for the concern and continued prayers. I am truly blessed with such friends....even Betty.

---

(09-02-2015 07:37 PM)Jim Page Wrote:  One of my tiny triumphs is that my daughter and son never were tattooed or pierced.

--Jim

Gee Jim, One of my great triumphs is that all members of my immediate family do have tattoos. Some of you may be aware of my tattoo of the state seal of Virginia over my heart. So, when I put my hand on my heart I put it on VIRGINIA!

(09-04-2015 07:56 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  I am back home and feeling much better. The idea of having Jim Page visit me in the hospital is among the most compelling reasons to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible.

Hah! I'm proud that I helped in my own small way!

That sounds like a terrible experience! And as for my children's lack of tattoos, I always told them if they had to decorate their bodies, a bumper sticker would be much better.

--Jim

You still have your sense of humor - I love it! As long as I'm not your target... Just kidding, and please don't give us any more scares.

So good to hear form you, Jim. Today there was an article in out newspaper about Benjamin Köhler, a soccer professional, who was diagnosed with stage III Hodgkin lymphoma seven months ago and this week was back on the soccer field - cured (officially declared by the docs). One great encouragement came from his club Union Berlin - the day before he began treatment his contract was renewed.

Eva, I think that Jim will do fine, based on a phone call I had with him earlier today. He's sounding like the Old Jim.

Plus, that cute new button nose he got yesterday will bring additional excitement and pleasure to his life. He thinks that one day Sofia Vergara will be on one of his D.C. history tours, and that's why he spent so much on his new toupee, too. "Preparedness" is his byword.

--Jim

I just had a nice conversation with Jim as he was driving around in his car! He's even talking about going to work tomorrow. Hard to keep a good man down.

(09-04-2015 02:16 PM)Jim Page Wrote:  Eva, I think that Jim will do fine, based on a phone call I had with him earlier today. He's sounding like the Old Jim.

Jim(s) - my post (I modified it) was intended to encourage, I'm sorry if the effect didn't come over. Upon reconsideration I realize someone who has his chest tattooed will do fine in any other treatment.

Eva, your post was fine! It was encouraging to Jim, I'm sure. My post was probably wacky, as I was at the car dealer and they have the best free coffee in the world. By the time my car was serviced, I was too full of caffeine to be rational.

--Jim

Jim, just reading up on your latest medical adventure. Very scary . Did they charge you extra for your heart tattoo ? I liked Jim's plan to change you into Mary Lincoln. Perfect for Halloween ! Wishing the best with the next phase of your treatment.

Anita, my transformation of Jim hasn't--so far--turned out as well as I thought it would. He went absolutely berserk on Amazon.com last night, ordering things he can never use. And when he was running an errand this morning, he berated a cross-eyed woman named Julia at his local Starbucks for no good reason.

This is unusual for Jim, and I hope that it isn't a permanent addition to his repertoire of behaviors.

On the other hand, he baked a delicious white cake just now and ordered new drapes and carpeting for his home.

So I'm not saying the change is all bad.

--Jim

Jim, be careful if Jim Garrett wants you to go to the theater with him.

Gene, thank Heaven you emailed me in time! Jim/Mary had invited me to see My American Werewolf this coming Friday at Ford's Theatre! He/she said we'd have a private box overlooking the stage and everything.

Wow. That was a close one . . .

--Jim

(09-05-2015 10:37 AM)Jim Page Wrote:  Gene, thank Heaven you emailed me in time! Jim/Mary had invited me to see My American Werewolf this coming Friday at Ford's Theatre! He/she said we'd have a private box overlooking the stage and everything.

Wow. That was a close one . . .

--Jim

This thread has become funnier than watching old Seinfeld shows! Jim, how about trying to break into show business?

(09-05-2015 10:26 AM)Jim Page Wrote:  Anita, my transformation of Jim hasn't--so far--turned out as well as I thought it would. He went absolutely berserk on Amazon.com last night, ordering things he can never use. And when he was running an errand this morning, he berated a cross-eyed woman named Julia at his local Starbucks for no good reason.

This is unusual for Jim, and I hope that it isn't a permanent addition to his repertoire of behaviors.

On the other hand, he baked a delicious white cake just now and ordered new drapes and carpeting for his home.

So I'm not saying the change is all bad.

--Jim

Since you are responsible for this Mary transformation you will need to keep close watch on Jim. If he says the doctors removed steel springs from his head, don't send him to Bellevue Place. He'll need to stay with you! Anita

I just bought 106 pairs of fine lace gloves!!!