DOWNEY RANCH, Inc.
Registered & Commercial Angus Cattle in Wamego, KS
  • Welcome!
    • About Downey Ranch
    • Getting Here
  • Production Sales
    • Spring P/T Sale
    • DRI Fall Live Auction >
      • Registered 20-month-old Bulls
      • Commercial Bred Heifers
    • Getting Here
  • Live & PDF Catalog
    • Get on the Mailing List
  • For Sale...
    • Private Treaty Females
    • Private Treaty Bulls
  • Fun Stuff
    • Newsletters
    • Radio Ads
    • Beans!
    • Blog

Now we wait (and enjoy a few random observations)

12/30/2014

9 Comments

 
    As you know, I report for duty on Jan. 5 at MD Anderson.  I have labs and doctor appointments that day, then on Jan. 6, I go through my simulation.  This is where we draw a bead on The Little Bastard (see the previous post for the complete schedule).  Then it's a day or two before all is ready and we get to start blasting away with massive doses of radiation that combined with the chemo should literally fry the sucker.  Which made me think of my favorite comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes.  I've posted the appropriate frame to the right for your enjoyment.
    So if I've got a moniker for The Little Bastard, I guess we've just christened the radiation equipment "The Mertilizer."  I may have to print this cartoon up and see if they'll hang it on the wall.
Picture
My radiologist with an undoubtedly very expensive piece of equipment, getting ready to irradiate my backside.
    Back on to the subject though, which is waiting.  I do not like waiting.  Jan. 5 seems like FOREVER away.  Patience is not my strong suit.  Once I've decided something, I want it done NOW.  It must be a family trait that I inherited from my father.  He was notorious for going to a car dealer and coming home with a vehicle a very short time later with no discussion, or Sunday trips to a car lot, or brochures laying around or any of that.  And the suits - he wore a suit and tie to work every single day.  The man had a lot of suits (and still does).  We kids were pretty sure he walked into wherever it was that made his suits and said, "Got a suit?  I'll take it,"  And it was done.  So I want to be started with this yesterday, or earlier.  Not next Monday.  Now, dang it!
    Speaking of next Monday, I'll take a load off all of your minds and let you know that Joe is going with me.  You all win.  I was determined to drive down there by myself and "save" Joe for when I really needed him.  However, I was subjected to what amounted to an intervention the other night and suffice it to say, I won't be going alone.  It's probably a good idea.  Just don't tell Mary Ann & Debbie I admitted that.

Random observations

  • The official ribbon for colorectal cancer is blue.  It should be brown.
  • If I pin a blue ribbon to my back pocket, would it be a blue moon?
  • Testicular cancer should get the blue ribbon.  I'll let you think about that one while I go on.
  • Seriously, is there a more unglamorous cancer than colorectal cancer?!  Actually there is.  It's rectal cancer.
  • I can not say the word "rectum," as in "the tumor is located in my rectum" without immediately flashing to the punchline from the highly junvenile joke, "Wrecked 'im?! Darn near killed 'im!"  The entire joke is here.  As an aside, in relating my history I had opportunity to repeat the word "rectum" to numerous medical professionals.  Inside, I was giggling every time, although you'll be proud to know I maintained a straight face.
There will undoubtedly be more of these little observational gems.  It may have to be a regular feature.  Tomorrow, we hit a little more scientific subject, my dietary approach.  But don't fret, there will be plenty of opportunity for continued irreverence.




9 Comments
Shari and Ken Paynter
12/30/2014 02:10:20 pm

Thinking of you Barb while you go to Texas for your procedures. Praying everything turns out fine.

Reply
Mary Mertz
12/30/2014 02:20:06 pm

Delilah, previously known as Della,...together with her soul mate Samson... Want you to kick the little bastard's ass out of the pen!

Reply
Tim Songs
12/30/2014 02:59:27 pm

Barb,
As you make this trip down to M D Anderson on January 5, 2015 with Joe by your side, I'm sure you will have family, friends, neighbors, buyers and well wishers waiting for your new blog about that LB. It is hard for us as humans to understand why we get picked for the mis-fortune of getting cancer in our body. Please know that we all will be by your side during this trip and any other trip it takes to wipe out that LB. Prayers for you Barb, Joe, Anna and Laura as you run this marathon. God is only a prayer away and always open.

Reply
Bengie Foster
12/31/2014 08:53:14 am

Thinking of you, Joe and the girls. God bless!

Reply
Dan & Marge
1/1/2015 01:14:29 am

We're with you, praying all the way.

Reply
Joe and Ida
1/1/2015 09:20:40 am

Agree, ribbon should be brown. Starting an online petition to get that one fixed just for you. Sending link when ready.
Barb, as I emailed you privately, I 'happened' onto your blog as I was searching for help in our battle. Ida is patient ( always has been with me) and I have a new title...co-patient/caregiver. The humor and honesty I read helped...we are starting next week down 'memory lane' ourselves, A.K.A. MD Anderson. Humor,check...tooth brush, check...all packed. Appointment was "offered" for Thursday. Of course we accepted the invitation with joy. Next thought...who is "happy" to see an oncologist? Ida answered wisely, "someone who is really sick". That answer can be taken two ways...let you think on that. Hope to meet you in the tropics. Bring sunscreen.

Reply
Steph Glickman
1/2/2015 03:17:11 am

Barb,
Thank you for sharing your journey with such amazing grace and humor! Sending giant hugs and prayers your way!!

Reply
Stephanie Teagarden
1/2/2015 06:51:47 am

Barb~
Praying hard for you and your family! You are a phenomenal woman! Hang tough! How do I subscribe to your blog? I have combed the page looking for the right spot! Much love to you!
Steph Teagarden

Reply
Barb
1/2/2015 10:21:00 am

Thanks Steph (and ALL of you!)! Over on the right hand side, you'll see an RSS feed icon. You can subscribe with any RSS reader app. When I get into Houston, I'll investigate and see if there's an easier way. :-)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    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...

    Archives

    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

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

(785) 456-8160 - Ranch
(785) 556-8160 - Barb mobile
(785) 556-8161 - Joe mobile


e-mail us