Giant Weight Reduced

Heading to the oncologist appointment a few hours ago, I was unaware how much I had dwelt on the phone call of Tuesday - telling me I would be getting a call from the radiology department to set up an appointment.

Radiation. The biopsy of my lymph glands, performed two weeks ago, must have revealed a new spread of cancer - now I need radiation to fight it off while it is still newly developed. The weight of this news was heavy on my mind. As often happens, the caller was not aware that no earlier contact had been made to tell me the lymph nodes were clear. So today's visit was to allow the oncologist to confirm that all was looking very good and that I will undergo a precautionary radiation therapy on only the shoulder area where the original tumor had been removed. Therefore, I am not expected to see the cancer folks again for six months and then only as a further precaution against something unknown and unforeseen.

Cancer-FREE. Sounds too good to be true after ten months and three surgeries. But then, I am still being studied by the urologist and the gastro-interologist. Will proceed with caution.

A Few Decent Humans

The government shutdown really angered me, as I trust (and hope) it did for millions of our citizens. I sent a note to a commentary show asking why no one in the news seemed interested in discussing the Warren Buffett-inspired pettitions that were being circulated online to deny the members of Congress their regular pay during the shutdown. It was a very sane and logical idea. And naturally, it went nowhere. Today during the news shows, a crawl at the bottom of the screen was saying that some members of Congress have decided to return the money they were paid during the shutdown or give it to charity. These particular legislators must have felt guilty all along because they were a part of the ugliness of wasting money and time while hurting the common cause for our society and setting back our feeble economy. But these (I'm sure just a few) decent people who care about their fellow citizens were probably powerless to stop some of the idiocy in Congress; their only guilt was by association. I would bet that no members of the real trouble-making group who actually caused the shutdown are among the people giving back any money. Those fools (read: Tea Party Radicals) don't know what real giving back is all about. There is a deep sickness in our society that has allowed us to foster an elected taliban that is willing to use financial terrorism against our own people.

Reminder Request

Well, the government is back, open for business. That's a good thing. Now the fools who caused the trouble will visit a new alternate universe to concoct a story to explain the productive accomplishment that their respective political side can claim.

The fact is, nothing was accomplished except for the possible clarifying of who the fanatical obstructionists in Congress really are. At the very least, the one benefit of the whole last two weeks should come in 2014 - IF the Progressives and all the media outside of Fox News will properly remind the electorate of who these fools are. The names and photos of all 144 House members who voted "Nay" last night (to re-opening the government) should be almost constantly paraded in front of the voters who need to decide what they want their representatives to represent.

The next Congress needs to be one of action.

Out of Pure Appreciation - -

No, I don't yet have the Blogger situation figured out (and this whole entry will come out looking unedited because the final "Publish" order just dumps all the style I try to create) - but a friend of many years has said something so nice in the previous comment that I simply MUST write something. Hope it's still something "sane" sounding to her.

The CROCK-MARKET is looking feeble again and may totally crash. Serves it right! As I wrote last year, the whole idea of that facade of an economy having any positive impact on any of us beyond the very wealthy, is a real crock. Perhaps this time around, a big tumble will hurt (that's actually probably not possible) a few of the biggest, fattest cats and something new and better will come of it. The rich and powerful keep on putting the hurt on the whole country (I am confident "they" have contributed to the government shutdown, paying off crooked legislators to get their way), so it's only right that they occasionally get a kick in the groin.

All for now. I promise to try again to correct the blogging system that is failing me - as soon as my body that is failing me gives me another decent break from biopsies and meds. Will keep you posted.

NOV 12 update: As you can see, this is now somewhat edited since I wrote the piece and since Al Dexter helped me work on the Blogger input. Also, the govt. shutdown ended (with new ways to shoot itself in the foot awaiting our illustrious Congress); The CROCK-MARKET has rebounded again, following greater than expected recovery taking place - all because that "*&-%$#@*# President" keeps on pushing forward right through the obstructionist efforts of the Republican fools; And I am feeling marginally stronger after many bouts of check-ups and treatments by various doctors. This week I was fitted for the devices to be used in administering my radiation therapy that will begin next week. May take another hit against my energy levels for a time, but I feel positive about the eventual outcome.