Chapter 18: Prayers, Poems and Pies

Prayers

Hello, all.  Sorry I have been a bit remiss in this month in communicating, but it turns out there may have been a good reason for that.  I have several topics to discuss now, but this one has priority over all, including the Christmas holiday.  A co-worker (and I have her permission to share this) named Barbara is on the same roller coaster ride with her husband George as I was on in August 2016.  He has recently been diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer.  Summing up the state of things, Barbara wrote that they had a very positive experience at Florida Cancer Center, and that they were very proactive in their pursuit of the disease.  He is currently scheduled for surgery on Tuesday the 26th following a diagnosis on the 22nd.  They got an appointment the same day they called on the 22nd, which is amazing in and of itself.  They wanted to have a PET scan but given an OR was available Tuesday and they would be operating regardless of the results, they will do the PET scan after the surgery.  The scan will show if there is any matastasis.   I won't say more than that as it seems a bit personal even though she told me I could share.  The main point of sharing is so that all of you, as you are praying for all of your family and friends this holiday season and beyond, please include George Simons in your prayers.  I can attest to the power of prayer based on my own results.  I'm almost at the 1.25 year anniversary after an initial poor prognosis.  Pray for George, Barbara, the doctors, the surgeon, the facility,  etc.

Actually, while you're at it, if you could continue to mention my name in your prayers, I've had kind of a rough month suffering some extreme vertigo.  My cane isn't really sufficient to keep me stable anymore so I'm looking at walkers.  I hate to take that step because I'm afraid I won't come back from it, but it also seems prudent given if I fall my bones are terribly weak from the bone cancer and I am a big risk for broken bones/displaced parts.  Some think I should get a motorized scooter, but if I do that I know I won't get ANY exercise in my legs and they will atrophy.

A Poem for InfoTech

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through "The Pointe"

No people were found in the InfoTech joint!

The building was locked up as tight as a drum

So peeps could stay home and wait for Santa to come.

The parties were clearly defined by the leads

With requirements defined by the development teams.

The services team was asked how they felt.

Some said "let's do First Mag" for a belt.

Consulting was asked if they would opine

They replied "Yes, but we'll need more time"

Agreement was finally reached by all

Next year we'll start early in the fall!

Lessons behind us, the future looks cool.

Next year I'm winning that football pool.

Jeff Bakes a Pie

What's your definition of eccentric?  Would it be accurate to say that baking pies in a hotel room with a kitchenette because someone asked you to, would that be considered eccentric?  Or is that just plain crazy?  Well, it's neither.  It's typical behavior of my friend Jeff Hisem from Ohio.  We worked together at ODOT for 23 years. He was my boss, but more my friend than a manager.

Jeff was down here in Gainesville at Info Tech for the Decision Support Summit at the beginning of December, 2017 along with about 50 other folks from various transportation agencies across the country and Canada.  Their flight arrived on Sunday late afternoon, and his traveling companions with whom he was sharing a rental car dropped him at our house.  Janet and Justin made a point of saying hello to me before dropping him off, which I really appreciate.  Very caring people, for sure.  There was another ODOTer here for the summit  (Tim) but he had other transportation.  I had not been feeling all that great that weekend and so it was a pretty short visit, but it was wonderful to be able to sit in the sun, have a beer and talk to Jeff.  Actually, listen to him would be more accurate (tee hee).

Monday was the summit opening, and I really wanted to go but I had a doctor appointment and wasn't feeling at all well.  So I didn't make it in that day.  Probably best I didn't because I understand it was sardine city in that area!  Shout out to Shanna for being able to orchestrate breaks, lunches, etc.  She's a wonder, for sure.  A lot of people put maximum effort into making this event a success, and from what I've heard it was for sure.

On Tuesday, I went in to the building to see some of the people that I've known for years from DOTs and AASHTO.  So many good friends and all available at the same time. It happened that I arrived as they were in the middle of the break and I was able to talk to a bunch of people.  When the summit resumed, Jeff led me in to the first room and I sat in a chair along the wall for about 5 minutes.  It was crowded in the room, so I excused myself and Jeff escorted me out.  We went into the other room, and I had what I can only describe as a panic attack being at the front of the room with so many people.   I didn't realize until that day how much my confidence has been affected by my disease.  Before I was sick, I was noted for giving good presentations,  leading meetings, mentoring and managing people.  Now I was a bowl of jello, shaking and nervous because of the crowd.  Jeff saw I was in distress, took me by the arm and led me from the room.  I texted Connie and she came to pick me up at the front door.  That was the weirdest thing that has happened to me in terms of psychological impacts of my illness.  I guess I'm going to have to work at getting my self confidence back.  I know I can do my job, but I'm happy to not be closely involved with the clients right now.  I'm hoping eventually to get back to that, but it seems a long way off.  This is by far the slowest healing process I've ever had to endure!!

 So, I've gotten off track. This is supposed to be about pies.  Evidently, at the first part of the summit, someone questioned Jeff's ability to bake pies.  Given they were staying at a hotel that had a full kitchenette, he picked up the gauntlet.

All he asked from me is to borrow a few items.  Pie plate, french roller, pastry cutter, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatula, bowls, salt, cinnamon, aluminium foil; he bought the rest of what he needed and made the pies in his kitchenette at the Marriott Residence Inn.  Monelle also supplied him with a pie plate (Maybe other things but I'm not aware).

One of the pies he made was egg free, because Janet (from Ohio) has so many food allergies and one of them is eggs.  He saved two pieces for Connie and me, and I'll tell you what; I don't know if I've ever had a better egg free pie (or if I've ever even had an egg free pie)!

It was delicious.  He came by, picked up the stuff.  I was in my jammies but still came out to talk to him.  He was very apologetic, but I was like "Jeff, you're just being you and I love that."

So, the pies were a huge success.  He returned the items on Wednesday evening; same deal I was not well and in bed most of the day but got up to see him.  He is one of the best friends I have ever had, and I would have been devastated if I hadn't been able to see him.  It was a precious memory being made with the pies, etc.  Oh, not to mention the home made peanut brittle and caramels he brought us.  Yowza!

Happy Holidays, everyone.  I hope you have a wonderful season with your families.