The Personal Touch

Yesterday was an okay day. After radiation, I drank a couple of Ensures which I promptly threw up in Macomb. This will take some adjusting to but I did manage to take in 8 cans of Flexsource HN through PEG. The staff is a little concerned as my weight is already down to 172.5. I hope it is a little higher today.

Tuesday morning, while in bed at the Millers' home, a very nice lady crawled in bed with me. We generally sleep in the same bed but we move back and forth for the sake of sanity and at least some sleep on Diane's part. This was very special. We sort of laid there on our sides, not talking, but just being there for one another. She wrapped her arms around me as if to try and comfort both of us. It was all very subtle but I realized then how important the human touch can be and how valuable it is to know that someone cares, really cares. This little embrace didn't go anywhere but that's okay. A new lesson for Gordy Taylor--you don't have to have sex to experience love between a man and a woman. Let's be fair, I've known this for quite some time but this was great on the site training for me.

Yesterday I told Diane I was going to mow the lawn. I have a mower I push, not self-propelled or a riding one, and I need to catch my grass. I then decided maybe that wasn't such a good idea but rather have a neighbor boy use my mower and catch the grass. Then I decided maybe I would get someone to mow the lawn. To hell with bagging! I then decided to take a walk but after I put on my tennis shoes I decided to cut the tops off tulips and pick up sticks instead. This lasted for one half hour and then I had had enough. Oh well, I will have a nice yard next year. Diane was proud of me as I did wear my Marlon Brando Godfather in the garden wide-brimmed hat. I scared a couple of neighborhood children but then I'm pretty scary these days. I'm learning I have cancer and have to surrender to the treatment.

We are off to Burlington for radiation and our weekly visit with Dr. McGinnis.