Chickadees

O no, not another bird blog!

I listen to KAXE alot and there is a segment called "Speaking for the Birds" by Laura Erickson, a well known birder. One of my favorite stories of hers has to deal with chickadees and their ability to grow new neurons in their brains. Each fall, chickadees get these new neurons to help them remember where they have been caching food. Come the next autumn and the 'old' memory cells with locations of 'old' food caches are replaced with new memory capability; they only remember what they need to remember to survive. Pretty neat, huh?

Karen and I cannot grow new memory cells, and speaking for myself, I know my mind is overly cluttered with bits of mostly useless detritus and arcane knowledge of limited value. We are, I am, limited by my ability to learn and remember new things. Karen and I are getting better at navi-guessing our way to the U of M-Fairview. This is good but I hope someday I do not need to remember how to get there.

I am re-learning lessons from 1991 and 1992 because my memory failed me: how to be pro-active and speak up for myself in dealing with medical people, the absolute necessity to keep track of all paperwork related to treatments, diagnoses, expenses, insurance. Karen has been a great help here, especially in keeping us organized and in asking the correct questions. And of course, we did learn something new this week; never head out of town without bags packed with necessities for an overnight stay.

I am reminded of what my friend Denny LaCroix says "It cost money to go to school." And this week we did have an expensive lesson. We went to school on taking people at their word and the sometimes faulty communication that exists in large medical institutions. An unexpected night in the hotel, another day of PTO, another day without pay for Karen; it all adds up. It is only money. I know that but none of it was necessary and in very kind words, I let Fairview know that this afternoon.

Today we are recouperating from the past two days. The emotional ups and downs, the lack of sleep, the long days of waiting and then the drive home late at night; all these take a toll on us. We are thankful for being able to call up our bosses and say we won't be at work tomorrow. And we are thankful for being able to call family and ask them to take care of the dogs and rabbits on short notice. And I am thankful for Karen. She has made me her priority and sticks by my side through thick and thin. Or as it was yesterday, through wince and grimace.

Now we just wait. Prostate biopsy reports should be available next week and the results will probably set our course for the next few months. Thanks for all the support, prayers and good wishes. Keep the good vibes coming.
Peace to you all,
Mike