Today 24March2023: No Cancer, so far

Yesterday I received my test results from the samples taken during my colonoscopy, and no cancer was found. This is good news, and I, while the chances of cancer were low, was still incredibly pleased not to enjoy any more cancer and the required treatments. Once was good for me. I am still not even a year out of chemo.

Friday started with me sleeping in until 7:15 or so. It seemed that morning was a surprise, and I was unready for Friday. It took me 15 minutes to decide I could rise to face another Friday. I made liberal coffee using my French Press, opened a can of peaches, spooned out 1/2 (leaving sauce behind), and paired that with cottage cheese dusted with sea salt and smoked paprika. I wolfed this during my first meeting on Zoom, starting at 8AM. I also presented at the staff meeting covering GitHub and its potential uses for the team. I also set up a few examples and did a small demo.

After that, I had more status meetings and a few crises of the moment, as one of the data conversions fell over after some unplanned and undocumented manual interventions; polite terms for we were f**ked over. We worked on the problem and undid the unexpected changes, and were able to proceed (it broke again). I read emails and followed along on Slack channels. Soon it was lunchtime, and I shaved the ham with a sharp knife and made a ham and cheese sandwich with a pickle and the rest of the macaroni salad I had bought a few days ago.

Next, Air Volvo took me across Beaverton to Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was in bed, I was in the afternoon, and Susie sometimes rested in the afternoon, but this time she was having gut issues and was resting on her side. She was delighted to have me as company. We called her mother, Leta, and they chatted for twenty minutes. While they talked, my phone sounded with issues from the shoe company (the previously mentioned break in our data conversion). I was needed. Soon the call was done, and Susie was disappointed that I had to leave. It is a work day, but Susie always hopes it is the weekend and I can stay (or I have a day off); no tears today and a promise for a movie on Saturday (John Wick), and Corwin will be coming to visit and watch the film with us–going back to the old days before the pandemic.

I drove directly to the Volvo Cave in the snow-sleet-rain-wet that was today’s undecided weather. There were no issues, and I was before school ended; I was home safe. More Zoom and ad hoc Zoom is a big deal on the usual NO-MEETINGS FRIDAY. Yes, we were again enjoying the impact of incorrect manual intervention in the master data (we were cluster-f**ked). A lengthy discussion ensued, and I helped to lead us to a more comfortable data position and decided to enjoy our data as it is (let’s say we found the safe word).

With that done, I followed along and drove back to Beaverton, this time finding the school buses. I stopped by the woodworking store and purchased a pack of wood veneer, mixing cups, and various small items. I am rebuilding some vintage tube radios to use my digital design and create a steampunk look. There is some lost veneer that I can repair. I also ordered cut-to-size clear plastic to replace the window for the radio (the original is melted and discolored).

I cut a small piece of light plywood I have for model work. I then used my mini-belt and disc sander to get the hand-cut (using my fine German-made hand saw) piece to perfectly fit inside the 1940s radio box. I then used the drill to cut a round-ish cut for the two speakers, three-inch, and covered the wood with Gorilla Tape (black). While not great looking, it will be functional and is inside the radio, and the speakers and clothing will hide the rough cuts.

After that, I decided it was time to slow down a bit. I got the mail and found a package. The other tube radio I ordered on eBay was delivered. Another dead tube radio, a Crosby later model, but ruined inside. I will pull the insides, preserve the face places, and try to create a new look and make it digital. It will be, like my others, an FM radio with stereo speakers amp’d to loudness. I hope to use the four-inch speakers for this one.

Next, I headed to Nomma Emilla again for dinner. I had the Chicken Piccata with a salad and later a tiramisu for dessert. The place was swinging, so I sat at the bar on the corner to stay away from folks. I was in the firing line for the bar, so it was loud, and drinks were made right before me.

I met a waiter that I used to serve me at another place. We recognized each other. We both remember the long-gone Public House near Nike. I had my bulb catalog, she saw it, and we talked about the upcoming Tulip Festival. The waiter had never gone (she is from here), and will do it this year.

I wrote this blog in the noise and chaos. I wanted to hang out with some folks and finish the blog today instead of rushing it on Saturday morning. I also wanted to include the news about my negative tests.

I was unsure how I felt yesterday and decided to wait until today to announce it; it feels good.

Thanks for reading.