Colonel Mustard in the Study with a Lead Pipe
Judah asked to play a game of strategy, so I went to Wallmart to see what they had. Now I'm not making any judgements against Wallmarts, but the closest thing they had was CLUE. Here's a picture of Judah playing Clue before he realized that it requires 3 people to play.We had a long talk with another patient here named Peter who is roughly 30 days ahead of Judah in terms of treatment. He told us that he started eating solid food around 35 days into his treatment. After that he said they look for signs of Graft Vs. Host disease (GVH). Mild GVH is apparently a good sign as it signifies some degree of activity of the new immune system (don't quote me on this, I heard it from Peter's mother). The downside is that it can sometimes be unpredictable and severe. Peter ended up with a scaley rash, but it's going away. Tomorrow will be 30 days for Judah since the transplant. We may see some rapid improvement soon.
A new Rabbi came by today to visit. She is actually a rabbinical student at HUC named Sabine Meyer. She's from Germany, and with her face mask on, she is a spitting image of Rabbi Marianne Gevertz of beloved memory. For all we know, under the mask she might look more like Dr. Stanley Gevertz, but just the same, she spent a nice time with Judah and will make a mishuberach for him.
Tomorrow will be a bit trying for Judah as he goes under for a gastric scoping. We'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, thanks for your continued posts.
posted by The Whites @ 4:39 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Hey Judah!
I will come play clue with you the week after next. I am off to NY for a fabric show, but will see you when I get back. I'll be logging in to check on you...
Lots of love,
Danielle
Wow, Clue! That brings back memories. In fact, I think it brings back memories of playing Clue with you guys. Also reminds me of our (the Carmels) first earthquake, which I think happened while we were playing Clue on the living room floor. Unless it didn't. Maybe we played Clue afterwards. Or Monopoly. Hm. Now I'm confused. Anyhow, Day 30!
The gastric scoping sounds delightful. Hope all goes well and continues to go well! Must run back to the TV to see who wins that "Dancing with the Stars" show that I've somehow gotten addicted to...
Abby
Hey Hey, Judah White.
What's shakin' buddy? Good to see photos of you with flowers in the background, fresh air swirling around you.
Mikey and I went to Santa Barbara this weekend for a much-needed break from the daily grind (a different grind from yours, to say the least). It was lovely, and relaxing, and I can't wait to go back.
I see you met Sabine from HUC - she is wonderful. We had many good conversations when I worked at the College. Lucky you, lucky her.
Off to NY tomorrow for a Jeser family reunion - Michael's grandfather was one of 28 children (one dad, two moms, 14 kids each) and the descendants are gathering in White Plains on Sunday. It's a big thing - the media is coming and everything (you should know about the media, Famous J, cover of the Jew Journal).
I'll write when I get back.
Cloud sends antiseptic licks.
I send germ-free kisses.
Judah, I've has version of "gastic scoping" and it sounded worse than it was. The light anesthesia along witht he amnestic (Yeah Versed) made it almost fun. Not really... but really not bad. I hope it is as easy for you. Thinking about you often...Lisa Lainer
Clue is good. By now I feel certain you have been bombarded with game suggestions as Uncle Wiggly, Parchesi, Chinese checkers, Go, and more, but I'll spare you. I also think your fan club has sprung to action and that FedEx is beating an overtime path to City of Hope with actual games.
Now Dr. White, honey, I suggest that you learn to knit (I'll teach you) or crochet (Suzanne is the expert). Don't laugh. Both activities were popular w/ the British troops in the WWI trenches and served three purposes. It mitigated some of the unrelenting boredom, it took one's mind off the unrelenting anxiety of a mortar or gas shell, and it was practical, as the men never had enough warm clothes. Also, it could be done alone. Prior to radio and television men forced into bedrest by illness or accident often took up the needle crafts. It will save you from becoming addicted to mindless TV shows like some people. I, on the other hand, advocate a useful activity, along with a brief history lesson.
With much love and always in my thoughts as we count the days. Mrs. C.
hi there judester,
i like clue...i was introduced to the game by my nephews. do you recall another game we played a couple of summers ago?? that was fun and we must play again the next time i'm back west. until then, keep sending them pics...i miss hanging out with you buddy...cindy c.
Shalom Judah,
I walked into our BMT unit to see what a 30 day post transplant patient looks like...and he looked nothing like you. (well, truth be told it was a two year old ethiopian child so what exactly was I expecting! duh!!), anyways with the cap and all you look more like the old Parsi guy in the Shuk in Jerusalem selling tea in one of the dark corners.
Hold in there, ask for lots of benzodiazepines for the scope session and you'll laugh your way through it and not remember anything.
You are well on your way to counting weeks rather than days...a fact that brings a smile to my face. Keep at whatever it is you are doing, and not wanting to spoil anything...I was Prof. Plum with the wrench in the library.
noam zevit
Judah,
Good to see that things are progressing. Your old housemate says hello and is as lost as normal at Downstate. Good luck with the endoscopy. Keep on truckin'.
CJ (as opposed to the other Josh)
Judah,
Can't believe Walmart didn't have Risk. Now there's a game of strategy ... and world domination.
Speaking of games, we have our last softball game of the season tonight. Our record is 4 - 6. For the Desparados, that's not too bad.
Anyway, talk to you soon.
Mike
hi judah,
a voice from the distant past ... i saw the article in the jewish journal of la (as i've kept my subscription since leaving 9 years ago). i'm not sure you'll remember me clearly as i was not positive it was you at first. we met at mira's apt. at makor events in 1995/96 while i was a postdoc @ caltech working on flower genetics. i remember that we had some good discussions though the memories are blurred with time.
i wish you the very best for a refuah shlema. it sounds like a tough road. i realized that you are seeing all the people who care about you through it all and maybe that can bring you some inner strength.
my current research is on mouse models of cancer and the connections to stem cells.
if you have the strength / interest to reply, you can email me at jz_levin(the at sign)hotmail.com
best wishes,
joshua
p.s. i'll be thinking about you and checking on you via the blog....
Hi Judah,
I am so happy to hear that you are playing games! It was great seeing you the other day. As for being a good host, that shouldn't be something you think about because nobody else does! Just get well and then we can have a good party!
Good luck with the gastric scoping. Sometimes the anticipation is worse than the actual thing, so hopefully this will be the case.
See you soon.
Love,
Janet
Dear Judah,
OK, I am forwarding to your mother's address some games to be played (all strategies with some fun twists). Hope you can use your laptop to play. I must say that it was hard to compete against the computer, but give it a try, you are much smarter than I am.
Continuing to be happy for you and never forgetting to add my daily bracha. My jet-lag is still keeping me up at night and sleeping in the afternoon, otherwise I would have been by to see you in person.
Much love to you Judah, when do they let you go home?
Rachel
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