Spring Waxing Flower Moon
The Woollies met last night at Stratford Wood where Bill and Regina live. The topic of the evening was friendship, requiring time one said, trust another, play yet another. We evoked our history as a group of men who have given each other time, trust and vulnerability. We talked about the vessel, the container we have created, a place of safety and love. We wondered about men and the trajectory of men’s lives that leads away from the easy friendships of youth and into the barren land of male competition and ambition.
One of us spoke of his wonderful physical. His doctor commended him on lowering his blood pressure through diet alone. All looked well. Until the phone call. Which said his hemoglobin numbers were well below normal. Since then he’s been endoscoped, colonoscoped and even put on film by a small bowel camera. No joy. No explanation. Only shortness of breath going upstairs and fatigue. He sees a hematologist this week. Kate thinks the hematologist will probably take a bone marrow biopsy.
My swollen hand and bruised middle finger got some attention. We discussed, again, the bees. Charlie said I should get an epi pin right away. Kate, who sees a lot of bee stings in urgent care, has a more moderate evaluation. A localized reaction to multiple stings. I think she’s right.
Cybermage Bill Schmidt’s brother in Iowa still lives, though in hospice care. Another brother, Bob, had a near deal with sepsis. Life is fragile and wonderful, treat with gladness.