Three Beautiful Things 05/03/19: Update: Good News About Goose, Paint Job Finished, Burgers at the Elks

1. On Friday, May 3rd, three different people provided me updates about Goose.

First, here's what Janice wrote to me:

He just finished with his chemo today (Friday) at 1:00. They have taken him off of the dopamine, oxygen, the IV, and the chemo. The doctors are very happy with his progress; and his oncologist said that things are very hopeful, and went just as he wanted them to. The plan right now is to move him up to the 5th floor (out of ICU) by Monday if all goes well with taking him off all the medications. He will have another bone marrow biopsy in one week to see if his system is producing cells. If not, we take another step, but for right now, we are all excited with his good news.

I asked Janet if Kirk is conversational.

Janice replied:

Yes, he is talking better, but with the chemo treatments his voice got real raspy and now you have to get real close to hear him.

Second, on Friday, May 3rd, on his way to see family in Dillon, Terry Turner visited Goose.

Terry reported much of what Janice did about the chemo, the oncologist's optimism, and Goose's bone marrow.

Terry also reported that during their visit, Goose was sitting up. He was in good spirits. Goose said he didn't feel that bad, but he was annoyed that his voice "was gone" and wished food tasted better.

Third.

I drank a beer at the Inland Lounge around six or so, and Allen "Bucky" Fulton invited me to sit at the table with him and his wife, Debbie.

Allen visited Goose on Thursday, May 2nd. When Allen came in the room, Kirk was asleep, but when he realized Bucky was in the room, his eyes got wide, he was excited, and the two of them had a good visit.

Goose was especially happy that so many of his friends from the Silver Valley have visited him.

I have let Kirk know, through Janice, the kinds of messages I've received from friends online and in person. I'll continue to do that.

The visits and the support boost Kirk's spirits a lot.

2.  It was not a disruptive job, but all the same, it just feels good to have the upstairs paint job finished and the steps going upstairs varnished.

3. Ed picked me up around 5:00 for burgers at the Elks. Lifelong resident Jim Miller, Sr. (KHS Class of 1944) joined us and regaled me with a string of great stories about his life in Kellogg and how he's doing these days.  Before long, Ed's son, Darren, joined us and so did Danny Waldo. Darren works on construction and installation jobs all over, like in Washington State, Utah, and Iowa. As a result, Ed doesn't see him often and Ed was very excited Darren could join us at the Elks and across the street afterward for a beer at the Inland Lounge.