Parking meters? In Healdsburg?

For 20-odd years I have been spending my early mornings at the Downtown Bakery and Creamery with a ragtag group of friends [referred to affectionately (?) as The Bench Bunch]. Some of us arrive as the Bakery is dragging the benches out the front door to start the day, others arrive later; we are dispersed by 10:30. Most of us drive, some bicycle and the few lucky ones walk. We generally park on the North, East and South sides of the Plaza. We are “townies” dedicated to patronizing our downtown. We have established long and friendly relationships with the proprietors, new and old. Our experiences are what make Healdsburg unique in our trend-crazy, ever-up-scaling county. Healdsburg is a neighborhood with friendly townsfolk who actively engaged with visitors making sure that they enjoy their visits. We understand that the city is about to encounter a rather sizable deficit which some feel would be shored up by installing parking meters on the plaza and extended business district. Parking meters are for cities, big cities with fast-paced lives and next-door neighbors who never see each other. I don’t know what the meters will cost to install and maintain. I don’t know what fees will be charged. I do know that you will need traffic wardens to issue tickets for violations. You will probably need more that you already have. My guess is this is going to cost a bundle with a lengthy interim in which to recover those expenses. I have a suggestion. We have at least one traffic warden whom I see infrequently scooting about the downtown area. I suggest that we eliminate the little golf-cart and arm the warden with a hi-def digital camera. Using creative methods of marking tires to catch violators they can also photograph the hundreds of people who drive around the plaza talking on cell phones. Photograph the license plates and date-stamp the photo. Mail the violation and collect the big bucks along with the parking ticket fees. Issue a few “public drunkenness” and “littering” citations during barrel-tasting weekends and other booze-fests our little town is subjected to. Ticket those that back into parking spaces for entering traffic illegally. This weekend [Passport] I saw plenty of folks driving with the little neon-green wristbands which look to me like a fool-proof signal to stop for a friendly question or two. This would promote the use of designated drivers [a growing cottage business] and prevent expensive fender-benders and worse. Parking meters downtown is a tiny Band-Aid, too small to cover the wound. It will forever change the warmth of our wonderful Plaza and its surrounding businesses.

The Juicer

A few years ago I bought a juicer at Costco. It was reasonably priced and I like juice. I used it for a week, got tired of cleaning it and stashed it away. Now I am told that is the most important of my 283 appliances. Thinking it would be buried in the garage I entered this dark mysterious cell in search of that that shall make me well. Immediately the colorful box appeared and my hopes soared as I reached across the hundreds of boxes of books. The damn thing was empty. Back in the kitchen I got on my hands and knees and banged through the cupboards displacing underused pots and pans of past culinary endeavors. No luck. It was later discovered in the little cupboard where no one goes [over the stove hood]. I dragged the dusty contraption up to the house where I am dog-sitting. After I dis-assembled it and soaked the soak-able parts in hot soapy water, scrubbing the screen with a stiff brush, I reassembled it and went foraging for experimental materials. Several, small pealed carrots, half a stalk of celery and two Asian pears would do. Use as wide-mouthed a jar/cup as you can fit under the spout. This puppy makes quite a mess. I frightened the dogs out of the kitchen as well. Delicious! Next day I filled the shopping cart with broccoli, kale, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, carrots, spinach, celery and more. When I returned to the juicer I remembered being told I could add nuts as well. I looked through the manual for instructions. There was the answer to my cleaning problem. Before using the juicer, line the hopper with a small plastic bag that can later be removed and sent to the garden compost. The bags from the veggies worked fine. I prepared a carrot, celery, and spinach libation, enough for three 12-ounces glasses. I am drinking the last one now. I will get more creative as I learn the benefits of each ingredient.

In Retrospect

One of my biggest questions [I’m not sure I’m going to get an answer] is how this invasion is so widespread. Until the needle biopsy I had been patting myself on the back that I was in such good health. My blood work always came up clean, I was dieting and losing weight at a regular and safe rate. I didn’t drink or smoke. Then there is this lump. Please learn the early signs. Check for lumps. Find out where your lymph nodes are and explore… better yet, have a loved one explore. Check sores, moles and irritations. Check often. Be aware of other symptoms, such as night sweats. Don’t let it creep up on you. The following is from The American Cancer Society. What are some general cancer signs and symptoms? You should know some of the general signs and symptoms of cancer. But remember, having any of these does not mean that you have cancer -- many other things cause these signs and symptoms, too. If you have any of these symptoms and they last for a long time or get worse, please see a doctor to find out what is going on. Unexplained weight loss Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. When you lose weight with no known reason, it's called an unexplained weight loss. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung. Fever Fever is very common with cancer, but it more often happens after cancer has spread from where it started. Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system. This can make it harder for the body to fight infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Fatigue Fatigue is extreme tiredness that does not get better with rest. It may be an important symptom as cancer grows. It may happen early, though, in cancers like leukemia. Some colon or stomach cancers can cause blood loss. This is another way cancer can cause fatigue. Pain Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers like bone cancers or testicular cancer. A headache that does not go away or get better with treatment may be a symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary. Most often, pain due to cancer is a symptom of cancer that has already spread from where it started (metastasized). Skin changes Along with cancers of the skin, some other cancers can cause skin symptoms or signs that can be seen. These signs and symptoms include: • Darker looking skin (hyperpigmentation) • Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice) • Reddened skin (erythema) • Itching (pruritis) • Excessive hair growth Signs and symptoms of certain cancers Along with the general symptoms, you should watch for certain other common symptoms and signs which could suggest cancer. Again, there may be other causes for each of these, but it is important to see a doctor about them as soon as possible. Change in bowel habits or bladder function Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of colon cancer. Pain when passing urine, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder function (such as needing to pass urine more or less often than usual) could be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Report any changes in bladder or bowel function to a doctor. Sores that do not heal Skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal. A long-lasting sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer. This should be dealt with right away, especially in people who smoke, chew tobacco, or often drink alcohol. Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and should be checked by a doctor. White patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue White patches inside the mouth and white spots on the tongue may be leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a pre-cancerous area that is caused by frequent irritation. It is often caused by smoking or other tobacco use. People who smoke pipes or use oral or spit tobacco are at high risk for leukoplakia. If it is not treated, leukoplakia can become oral cancer. Any long-lasting mouth changes should be checked by a doctor or dentist right away. Unusual bleeding or discharge Unusual bleeding can happen in early or advanced cancer. Blood in the sputum (phlegm) may be a sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool (or a dark or black stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium (lining of the uterus) can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer. Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body Many cancers can be felt through the skin. These cancers occur mostly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer and should be reported to a doctor, especially if you've just found it or notice it has grown in size. Indigestion or trouble swallowing Indigestion or swallowing problems may be signs of cancer of the esophagus (the swallowing tube that goes to the stomach), stomach, or pharynx (throat). But like most symptoms on this list, they are most often caused by something other than cancer. Recent change in a wart or mole or any new skin change Any wart, mole, or freckle that changes color, size, or shape, or that loses its sharp border should be seen by a doctor right away. Any other skin changes should be reported, too. A skin change may be a melanoma which, if found early, can be treated successfully. Nagging cough or hoarseness A cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of the voice box (larynx) or thyroid gland. The signs and symptoms listed above are the ones more commonly seen with cancer, but there are many others that are less common and are not listed here. If you notice any major changes in the way your body works or the way you feel -- especially if it lasts for a long time or gets worse -- let a doctor know. If it has nothing to do with cancer, the doctor can find out more about what's going on and, if needed, treat it. If it is cancer, you'll give yourself the chance to have it treated early, when treatment works best.

Phase Two

I just got a call from my doc and the CT/PET Scans show quite a few sites located in the mediastinum [throacic cavity], retroperitoneum [the back of the abdominal cavity] , the spleen, the supraclavical [throat] and some other locations. I have a meeting with a hematologist and oncologist on 3 May to discuss treatment. I don’t yet know what to expect as to how it will change my life style but I will keep you posted.

Me and the VA

On Monday, 16 April 2012, focus changed. In late March I felt an odd lump in my neck. It was about the size of a peach pit. I pointed it out to my Doctor. I am self-employed and do not make a lot of money, therefore, like much of the rest of the country I don’t have medical insurance. I am however a Veteran [1968-72] and as such fall under the remarkable care of the Veteran’s Administration and there remarkable medical facilities. I see my doctor at the Santa Rosa VA Clinic out by the Charles M. Schulz Airport. It’s a brand new facility. They perform a lot of out-patient procedures there and the scope increases as they settle in. On regular visits I am afforded blood tests, a basic metabolic panel, cholesterol screening, glucose etc. It is quite extensive requiring about 4 vials. Weight and blood pressure are also recorded. It’s just like the “high-priced spread.” On the last visit I was even afforded an EKG and a chest X-ray, both done at the clinic in SR. Back to the lump; my doctor suggested it could be serious and we had better check it out. He checked other lymph node locations, could not find anything else and sent me on my way. I came back two days later on a short fast and had 12 vials of blood taken. This would be thorough. I was also asked to “pee in a cup.” Two days later I received the results in the mail. The chest X-ray, EKG, blood work and urinalysis all indicated a remarkably healthy 65-year-old male. For safety sake I would be required to have an ultrasound and a needle biopsy. The ultrasound was scheduled for mid-May but the needle biopsy was set for 12 April. I had to travel to the San Francisco facility. There are two types; one is considered surgery where they remove a core with a much larger bore syringe. The out-patient procedure employs a standard syringe but requires several penetrations to extract enough material to biopsy. After 4 stabs I was on my way. On the following Monday while driving into Healdsburg for “coffee and” at the Downtown Bakery I got the call from my doctor. I have a B-cell Lymphoma and we need more tests and appointments. On 17 April I get a call that there is an opening on Thursday the 19th at 8AM. My friend, Peter insists he will drive me down and back. This is not necessary; it’s not a debilitating test. I could drive myself. Peter would hear no such thing, he was driving me and that was that. Peter is a cancer survivor and he knew exactly what I needed. At 6AM we headed down the highway and he told me of his experiences from diagnosis to remission/cure [I am not sure I understand that paradigm yet]. He told me of his fears, his decisions and his recovery. We got to the hospital early and I needed an IV placed [just the apparatus] before reporting to Nuclear Medicine. As soon as I was at NM the receptionist called someone to say I was ready. It was still well before 8AM. The technician hooked me up to a machine which would inject a radioactive substance into my bloodstream. He told me it would turn me into an X-ray as such. The Scanner would read my body by the escaping gamma rays. I think that’s how he put it. I was told to lie down for about an hour so that the space juice could circulate. I was lying in a window overlooking the twisted trees of Lands End. Soon I was led to a large room that looked like a Star Trek episode. I lay on a narrow bed, had my ankles clipped together and raised my arms back over my head. I had to maintain that position for 25 minutes. NOW I UNDERSTAND STRESS POSITION TORTURE. We were through before 9:30AM and Peter insisted on treating me to breakfast at one of his favorite haunts in Sausalito. Fred’s [Since 1966] serves up major breakfasts. Check it out. I now wait to hear the results of the PET and CAT scans.