In 1994, I was working at my first radiation oncology job in San Diego at Grossmont Hospital when I came into work to hear disturbing news. One of my colleagues in medical oncology, a compassionate man known for his gentle nature, had stayed late at the Cancer Center the evening before to finish up paperwork. … Continue reading In Memoriam–Dr. Michael Davidson
The Curbside Consultation
Recently a friend of my husband’s in San Diego had a mammogram which showed some suspicious microcalcifications in her right breast. She underwent a stereotactic biopsy which revealed ductal carcinoma in situ, the earliest form of breast cancer also known as Stage 0 breast cancer. This type of cancer is non-invasive and does not metastasize,… Continue reading The Curbside Consultation
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
“I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure as hell can spot a loser.” Rocky On Saturday night, thirteen horses were saved from kill buyers at Mike’s Auction in Mira Loma, California, by three rescue organizations—Forgotten Horses Rescue, Inc, HiCaliber Horse Rescue and Joey’s Home Animal Rescue. Here in the… Continue reading They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
When Cancer Comes To Call
A patient story tonight, from Jackie: It was one of those days. I had been to the gynecologist the week prior because I somehow knew the sporadic bleeding which I had experienced was NOT a simple Urinary Tract Infection for which I had been treated three times. My doctor did the scrapings and biopsies… Continue reading When Cancer Comes To Call
Siskel and Ebert
I have always loved the movies. Like every grade school kid watching reruns, I cried when Bambi’s mother died, and when starry eyed Judy Garland clicked her heels and said, “There’s no place like home!” But when the big budget films hit the screen in my early pre-teen years—Ben Hur, Camelot and Lawrence of Arabia,… Continue reading Siskel and Ebert
Love Letters
Another guest post tonight, from my friend Jackie Widen: I miss letters. Rather, I miss sending AND receiving letters in the mail, real letters on stationery. Our cultural communication has been reduced to tweets, posts, texts, emails and Facebook messages. Another part of growing older is remembering and cherishing this simpler method of communication. I guess… Continue reading Love Letters
The Library
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Stephen King If books are a uniquely portable magic, the same cannot be said for hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of books, but port them we did. The first thing that my husband and I noticed about the house we ended up buying was the library—a room completely… Continue reading The Library
It’s Been Awhile
Back in late September, my friends asked me if I was worried about the upcoming move to New Mexico. I replied, no, it would be a piece of cake compared to my earlier cross country move from Boston to California. After all, in 1993, I said goodbye to our babysitter of nine years and packed… Continue reading It’s Been Awhile
A Not Quite Requiem for Big Red
Some of us think of the automobile as a means of transportation and nothing more. Others, like me, see the car as something else entirely—an extension of ourselves, and an expression of identity. Growing up I was influenced by my dear old Dad—our childhood was marked by a succession of American made muscle cars from… Continue reading A Not Quite Requiem for Big Red
Lighting Out For The Territory
“But I reckon I better light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.” Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn While I wasn’t looking, someone snuck up behind me and bought my house. Well, not exactly… Continue reading Lighting Out For The Territory