Part 51 Welcome to the big leagues


Buffalo Springfield Again. Another one of my favorite albums of all. It refreshes me as I listen to it during my day. After work, I jump into the present by listening to an Austin group, the Krayolas, anticipating a trip we will soon make there to see my brother. At night I sit on the couch with Brooke, who is sick, and we watch High School Musical 3, which makes her feel a little better (me too).

I have been referred to a new otolaryngologist, Dr. C- for an updated scope of my throat. Other than the part where they stick a tube up my nose to anesthetize my throat, the procedure is simple, conducted as I sit in the seat and monitor the image of my throat projected on a screen. The doctor is delighted; she sees a clear throat with only some small white particles residual to radiation. Dr. A.- calls me later with a referral for a esophageal specialist at the medical center downtown, Dr. Ra-, who apparently has the skills and courage to perform the delicate procedure next week to widen my throat without tearing it in the process. My good fortune continues. Becah is friends with a nurse who works with Dr. Ra-, who raves over his skills. He is apparently the pro that everyone goes to when all others have been exhausted. I pull up his resume online. Impressive. Although it is convenient to see physicians and be treated within a 20 minute radius of your home (the 20s again), sometimes it is necessary to expand your boundaries of comfort. If the best are downtown, you drive downtown.

Breanna has regained her confidence! She swims in the meet on Saturday morning, and does well. I am there after having slept four straight hours the night before, a feat which makes me happy. When I accomplish this a second night straight, I know I am rolling. I listen to a Cancare speaker at church and watch the choir perform their end of year informal concert after that. A choir member, Rich, who has been undergoing a medical struggle for some time (including chemo and radiation treatments), is in attendance. He has been regularly emailing my wife with suggestions that may benefit me. Sometimes these are just little things, like what kind of lemon drops are most soothing. His wife says his previous week was “not too good” for him. He is up there singing, though. I attend a contemplative service in the evening. Rich, seated near me, reaches across and shakes hands. No words need to be spoken.