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My name is Inigo Montoya

12/19/2014

14 Comments

 
    I first knew for sure that I had cancer on Dec. 5.  That night, I was in the shower with everything playing in my head, when I started laughing.  Don't worry; this was not the laugh where you'd speak to me in that hyper calm voice while the big guys with the straight jacket and the syringe of happy drugs sneak up behind me.  It was just that a truly funny thought had popped into my mind and I had to laugh.
    Let me back up.  Way up.  I had read the book The Princess Bride back in college, before it was a movie.  I loved that book.  It's a wonderful book about true love, plain and simple.  True love on a whole bunch of levels, but true love nonetheless.  It is FUNNY.  Not in a slap-stick way, but in a gentle, beautiful, sophisticated and glorious way.  In the book, there is a character named Inigo Montoya.  He is a self-taught swordsman who has had one focus since he was a little boy: avenge his father's death.  A 6-fingered villain had killed the father in front of his young son, but had spared the son's life.  Now, he has grown into that young man focused like a laser beam on hunting down and killing his father's murderer.  Throughout the book (and the film), he repeats what has become his mantra, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father.  Prepare to die."  He says it very matter of factly, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that the bad guy would indeed meet his death.
    I swear, the line just popped in, apropos of nothing, but it was just a bit different.  "Hello My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my rectum.  Prepare to die."  And it as that that made me laugh out loud in the shower.
    Inigo finally finds the man who killed his father after a 20 year search. Then he ruthlessly, coldly and efficiently executes the villain who has taken so much from him.  If you've not seen the movie, please keep in mind this is a movie with a great deal of humor to it.
    So, you see why this line popped into my mind?  The focus, the determination, the planning and preparation, the execution, literally and figuratively.  Yep, that's it, I thought.  Then, after watching this clip, I scrolled down, noticed the funny name of an interviewer in another related clip, and I can't tell you why, but I clicked on it and watched it.  And this is when I got a serious chill.
    It was weird.  For him, this film was about his father and his fight with cancer.  It was a losing fight, but a fight.  Now don't panic here.  I am not about to lose this one.  I ain't even close, so quit that right now, OK?  OK.  Now, come back with me to when I'm laughing in the shower, and when this line pops into my mind about dealing with The Little Bastard unbidden.  And then within a few minutes of that, I hear what the actor kept thinking of as he made the film - cancer.  Oooh, weee, oooh (that's my approximation of eery music)!
    At the end of the clip, Mandy Patinkin says the meaningful line for him at the time, 20+ years ago was this; "I have been in the revenge business so long, now that it's over, I do not know what to do with the rest of my life."
    I will be in the revenge business like Inigo, with focus, determination, planning, preparation, and execution.  Looks like about a year for this fight, not the 20 that Inigo endured.  But when it's over, you can bet your life that I'll know just what to do with the rest of mine!
    God Bless!!!
14 Comments
Cindy Cassity
12/19/2014 10:43:48 am

Thanks for connecting those dots. Peace.

Reply
Doug Gibbs link
12/19/2014 11:33:07 am

OMGracious! I've been absolutely living on FB today waiting to hear from you!!!! My sweet friend you did not disappoint:). How can I get something to you? Please?

Reply
Linda ketcham
12/19/2014 12:04:24 pm

And this is why I love you.

Reply
Shannan
12/19/2014 12:29:53 pm

Love it, Barb. I watched part of his interview but missed the portion you're referring to. I love reading your posts. We miss you. Thinking of you!

Reply
Heather Welch
12/20/2014 12:06:59 am

Inigo stole the show as this posting stole my heart. Our constant prayers remain with you.

Reply
DebbieLB
12/20/2014 02:15:35 am

Don't worry, we know what you will do for the rest of your life! It will be long and exciting! Take this time for revenge and then move on. We will all help you! Love ya, gal.

Reply
Lela Engel. ( Kylee Polok's mom, and Debbie Blythe's neighbor)
12/20/2014 03:22:19 am

Barb, Just love your storytelling ability. So many, including me, are praying for you to get The Little Bastard. You have been such an inspiration to my daughter, that I feel as though I know you, even though we've never met. Carry on and let your battle cry ring far and wide!

Reply
Tiffany Flatt
12/20/2014 04:47:14 am

You are an amazing person. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.

Reply
Dick/Nan Skochdopole
12/20/2014 08:30:31 am

I've passed on this site to Jim Skochdopole who was a patient at
MDA for thyroid cancer a number of years ago. You may hear from
him regarding a Rotary Hotel there which is sort of a Ronald McD.
House for grown ups which Joe might find considerably less expensive
than a commercial hotel.

Reply
Scarlett
12/20/2014 10:15:02 am

Revenge on LB will be sweet. You got this, Inigo! And, we got your back!

Reply
DoogieB link
12/20/2014 10:21:13 am

Yes a cancer battle becomes a major focus in life.. I'm a 17 month from a bone marrow transplant - stem cell. Even with the declaration of cancer free in July.. I'm still dealing with the side effects of all the chemo... I'm learning to develop a "New Normal". Make your plan for the your post cancer simple and flexible. Thats been the most difficult to accept and develop... Humor, positive outlook, and lots of supports from friends and family will get you through it all .. I'm so thankful for FB, friends and family that keep me focused. Prayers for your battle of quick recovery, humor (I loved your latests post) and Positive attitude and results .. Merry Christmas.

Reply
Daren Williams
12/20/2014 11:00:22 am

That's incredible. The interview with Mandy Pantinkin sent chills down my spine. I think its OK to be in the revenge business in this case. It's not vigilante justice, it's self defense!

Reply
Jennifer Savage
12/21/2014 07:51:54 am

Kick the little bastard's ass. I think you have every person imaginable praying for you, Joe and the girls!

Reply
Lela Engel
12/22/2014 08:21:46 am

Cheering for you, Barb!

Reply



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    Barb Downey

    On Dec. 5, 2014, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. And that's where we start. If you're here for the first time, you'll have to read from the bottom (no pun intended!) up. Go to Dec 2014 and scroll to the bottom of the page...

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Downey Ranch, Inc.
Joe Carpenter & Barb Downey
37929 Wabaunsee Rd.
Wamego, KS  66547

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