Parkinson’s scared me more than cancer. Those words bored through my thinking in late February 2020 and remain persistent now. Unfortunately, nearly every terminal patient who’s taken a stoic stance (remaining in control), there comes the point in time during… Read More ›
As I’ve done every week for the last eighteen months, I checked the most recent COVID-19 numbers. Compiling COVID statistics for 38 states and 140 counties requires significant effort. First, one has to ensure infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are… Read More ›
Clinicians inform me that a person with bradykinesia moves, just slowly. I wonder how much of that is true. Some days, I feel as though my fingertips and hands are experiencing small repeated 6.5 earthquakes. If I were James Bond,… Read More ›
Comedian Steve Martin used to do a routine in which he envisioned his post-death conversation with God. “Mr. Martin,” the Lord began. “Do you know how many times you took my name in vain?” Of course, Martin indicated no. “19,465… Read More ›
In 1998, two automotive dealership technicians became very competitive in their attempts to date the dealership’s cashier. Each thought they were the better man. During the ensuing months, each unsuccessfully attempted to build their bravado while simultaneously sabotaging the other…. Read More ›
My bones ache. No, it is not muscles. It feels like bones. I first noticed the condition in August. I awoke mid-August and felt an unusual symptom: the bones (tibia and fibula) ached in the lower part of my right… Read More ›
A little past 6;12 PM, an Information Technology administrator and I exited the westside Chicago hospital. “Care for a drink?” I nodded enthusiastically. “I warn you; we have to get past some I.E.D.’s.” He wasn’t referencing the military term ‘I.E.D.’… Read More ›
I no longer walk a solitary journey. As best as I tried to walk alone toward my final hours, back pain has become my companion. Walking is difficult, and sleep is elusive. So I staggered to my recliner just past… Read More ›