April 22, 2008
Earth Day and we have had all sorts of sights at Sanctuary. . . a large fox having an early breakfast of rabbit down in the wetland just south and west of the house, a deer with a small rack of horns coming up to the fence west of the great cottonwood and seeming to jump straight up and over effortlessly, and an owl flying low with a snake in its beak. If one were a reader of omens here, I think there would be a good amount of materials to work with.
The willows are green and the plums are just ready to bloom and yes, today the ticks made their presence known. They are one of the consistent reminders that this is “almost” Paradise. First Charles found a tick and then John-paul, so I immediately did the dog check and found three on Alphie. He received his treatment which I suspect means that the ticks land on him and leap off as soon as he comes to a stop. This is usually in the house, of course. Now Alphie gets an extra brushing after his walks, and his entire demeanor is “life is good!” The rest of us all add the “tick check” discipline to our daily doings. I am very certain there will be no ticks in heaven.
Last week contained a visit to the oncologist. The blood counts continue their very slow slide and after another discussion of not “if” but “when” concerning the progression of the disease, I came home in a somber state. I was told that nothing can be done to make my life any more comfortable than I am now. Perhaps a parallel example might be comparing the body to a well-worn and highly valued automobile which is taken to the repair shop and hearing the mechanic say that absolutely nothing can be done to improve its performance even though it is beginning to run a little rough and the milage keeps decreasing. We will continue to monitor the blood counts and when they cross over the “critical” number, then a new regime of chemotherapy, etc., will be tried with the intent of gaining another extension in earth time.