Point Made

 When I received my first dose of Katruda, an Immunotherapy drug for my bladder cancer, I was advised about specific side effects. I was dosed on Thursday and was aware of one of them creeping up on me by Saturday. Having to be a few steps from a bathroom wasn't the worst thing I could have suffered. However, the weakness and nausea that accompanied it put me down and put me down hard for roughly twenty-four hours.  As Jeanne and I often remind ourselves, the alternative is unacceptable. I'm feeling better as I recovered reasonably quick with a good night's sleep and a few healthy meals.  Tutoring: I wander into new territory this week as I begin a volunteer gig, tutoring young people in reading. I've been assigned a K5 student. I hope the youngster looks forward to our journey as much as I am. As a member of the Golden Book generation that moved on to the Classic Comics and a Minneapolis Library card in the fifth grade, I'm anxious to share my love of reading. The ...

 Unlike Lake Wobegon, my life in Milwaukee presents a bit of drama. I don't mean the opening of the theater season, although that's also happening. I was going to begin immunotherapy last week. What I didn't know was if my treatment had been authorized by my Medicare provider. After a nug from my doctor, the authorization has been granted. Good news? Not yet, anyway. I'll see my Oncologist on Thursday (9/14). I'm delaying publication so I can fill everyone in.  One of the significant issues is my cost. The stuff they are using is expensive. I should be okay this year because I've exceeded my out-of-pocket expenses. The question remains: what happens next year? Results of Doctor visit. My concerns about the cost were resolved. I had my first Immunotherapy injection of Katruda. I will have further doses every three weeks. They will do a CT scan in about three months to monitor progress. Theater Again We kicked the theater season off by attending a table reading at...

 Jeanne and I couldn't wait for the local theater to begin their season. We spent the weekend in the driftless zone in and around Spring Green. From a distance, we viewed Telisand, House on the Rock, and various other Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired buildings.  We found our favorite outdoor relaxation at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort. We sat on our bag chairs on the lawn, looking over the river while watching the tubers, kayakers, and canoers come ashore while we were listening to live music being performed.  Did I mention we were in the shade? Did I tell you the temps were in the nineties? I should say they served an excellent Fish Taco. We both enjoyed an Arnold Palmer or two. In fact, we liked it so much we went back on Sunday. We saw three performances at the American Players Theater. (APT) Given my reluctance to rate these kinds of things, I will only tell you why you should see these Plays if you have the opportunity. First, They are produced by APT. The acting, stagin...

 It's a busy week in The City By the Inland Sea. Doctor's appointments, our free film from Milwaukee Film, Brewers vs. Cubs, lunch at Libby Montana's to celebrate my friends Janet and John Brownson's 42 wedding anniversary, attending a major meeting of Common Ground in our fight for tenants of public housing and preparing for our trip to Spring Green for the American Players Theater.  (I got tired just typing that agenda.) There is little let-up next week as I will be starting the Immunization phase of my treatments, and we begin the theater season in Milwaukee. For some reason, this is a time of the year when I'm writing Happy Birthday emails to many friends and family. However, when you consider their conception date is sometime in the dead of winter, it does make sense. I'm spending a lot of time keeping myself relevant in the eyes of some public services. Because of COVID and my volunteering with the All Saints Hunger Booksale, I haven't used my library ...

 Health Report: My oncologist tells me we are going to start immunotherapy on September 6th. We are waiting for this procedure because of the continued action of the radiation treatments despite having completed the round of treatments. That is also why we are not doing evaluative scans (CT, MRI, PET). They would be unreliable and probably unreadable because of the radiation activity. However, I can have a camera inserted into my penis for evaluative observation and possible mass removal. I can't tell you how excited I am about that procedure. There are two things to celebrate. My stamina and cognitive functions are noticeably better. I can even keep the characters straight in my favorite Brit Box dramas. The Doctor tells me not to expect any side effects from the immunotherapy except for diarrhea. ( I'm aware I might be oversharing here. ) On The Easel: Bench by the Birch Tree Pastel 12 x 16 If you saw the photo Jeanne took of me sketching, this is the scene I was working on. ...

 Jeanne and I took a tour with the SWAN, affiliated with The Riverkeepers. We boarded a lengthy pontoon boat and began an exciting trip through the harbor and the three rivers that flow into it. We listened to the Riverkeepers' representative, who gave us too much information to absorb, but certainly conveyed the need for all of us to support revitalizing our water resources. Many of you remember my days as a historic tour guide on the Vista King, run by The Milwaukee Boat Company. The last time I was on the rivers or in the harbor was when I returned to Milwaukee in 2019. I must admit that while my tour relied on the historical influence of these waterways, I needed to be more educated on the present-day issues we face.  Most of the problems are from past abuse by industry, runoff from upstream farms, and unregulated dumping of wastewater by smaller communities. The headline grabbers are the chemicals lying in the riverbeds. Many of these areas have been identified and are in...

 For those of us who labor in the belly of the beast, The All Saints Hunger Booksale starts in late June and concludes in early August. This over thirty-year-old tradition started with a challenge from a pastor to his congregation to do something for the less fortunate. As it has ever since, the group accepts donations, sorts, prices, and displays them. The group of volunteers assembles in the basement of the church Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. I started volunteering two years ago at the invitation of my friend Michelle Mooney. I found that the skills I acquired working at the bookstore and my lifelong love of reading made me useful with this gang. I was hampered a little this year because of radiation treatments, but I was a full-timer for most of the trip. We are on a route toward another record year and will contribute to Milwaukee's various food assistance programs, something north of twenty-five thousand dollars. Silly Aside About The Booksale : Jeanne ad I...