Here is a link
to the last diary I could find,
the last diary in the list
of Indigo Kalliope diaries,
written by ulookarmless,
C. J. Campbell:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Here is the introductory poem,
written by CJ himself.
I altered it,
and borrowed it,
and have used it ever since I was given
the honor
of continuing this poetry series.
It used to be on Mondays.
Here is the original:
Join us every Monday night for drinks at the Daily Kos community political poetry club
Your own poetry is always welcome in the comments
Bongos, berets & turtle neck sweaters optional
The keypad is mightier than the sword
Here is the link
to the last diary
in the list
of diaries by ulookarmless:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Day 4
Doc says no chemo until late in September, and that's a relief, my arm is starting to resemble a thunderstorm at sunset with rays of reddish light poking through blue clouds.
Headaches have returned with a vengeance and are causing my inability to sleep (it's 2am right now!) Doc says the CLL is the direct cause, impacts a vein in the right forehead. I can see, hear and feel it! Treatment now with massive doses of antibiotics for next month.
Next step is exploratory brain surgery. We will have discussion about all my options before I commit to that!
Prognosis here not great, likely to result in sudden total blindness. Not a good prospect for a writer, poet and painter!
Today, my friend and assistant soccer coach Erling advises he will miss game tomorrow. Driving to TX to pick up his cousin, bring him back here, set up apartment together, start a new job. Happy for them.
And more from that diary:
Day 7
Treated for after effects of antibiotics. Cramping and disorientation.
Came home at 7am, walked to coffee shop for latte
Coolette brought originals of Jonah's work
Wrote this for my KosAbility colleagues:
The New Horatios at the Bridge
(For A.E. Houseman)
An outnumbered band of ill-equipped veterans
Volunteer for duty on this fate deciding day
Where nurse and priest and blogger stand
Shoulder-locked in confident array
A quilter and her sister over there
Stand arrayed beside a kilted Scot
Mother/fighter for disabled rights. Care
They for those less able to go not
Where help is needed most. Look see
The bear arms locked with the math savant
Himself learning disabled. Many others to be
Mentioned in this army of care for human want
This bridge will hold, as with Horatio, until
Every soul is safe and help is an open offer
We can do no less, for if we don't fulfill
Our duty to our fellows, what more does life proffer?
© CJ Campbell September 2012
And more from that diary:
Day 14
Up at 5am headache excruciating
Can't eat, losing weight fast, pajamas keep falling down LOL
Wrote new poem about the future and what it holds for me
Jonah's art will be up by the following weekend
Oncologist first thing. News is that biopsy in necessary to find out if they
can stop impending blindness. Will go tomorrow.
Told oncologist my son getting married in Jan. He replied
"That's why I became a doctor!"
He went on to say "You and I should write a book about the
past eight years, with my notes and your writings and poetry,
let's do it, you are a very different case and a very different patient"
Then he reached over and gave me a big hug! What a great doc I have!
Spent the day at Caffrodite. Needed much caffeine.
Carl picked up my laundry
Dinner from the Soccer Moms. Delish!
Pain eased but not for long, hope tomorrow's consult helps
Pain very bad in temple, (9/11) Pred dose increased again to 60mg daily
to be gradually tapered to zero over 3 months or so before
biopsy can be done.
He died,
a year ago,
September 29,
2012.
Here is the link to his memorial diary,
by Nurse Kelley:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Please read
the diaries at the links,
especially the memorial diary.
And read the comment threads.
For CJ:
We do what we can,
with what we've got,
our life is only that.
We stand,
at the end of the day.
We see
some respect,
from a few,
our friends.
We smile for a moment.
And then,
we're gone.
Thanks for reading.
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