39 and a day

Judah reached his 39th Birthday, yesterday, and today we begin the march to his 4oth. I am sure he will take up all the offers to Las Vegas, trips to Westport and parties to celebrate all the summer birthdays, including the Birthday of Judy Sherman his birthday mate.

Yesterday was eventful from a social perspective. Josh and Dave came to visit Judah, Eileen negotiated the blood donor system, John and Helen braved the 134. Benji began a new semester at school. Alissa beat Dave at Gin Rummy.

Yesterday was eventful from a medical perspective too. Judah had another chest tube placed in his left lung. The earlier tube did not address the fluid and air accumulating higher up. Dr. Horac called in a Thoracic Surgeon to do the procedure. ( Done at bedside). The tube seems to give some relief but Judah's o2 requirement is still very high. Josie, his night nurse has just given him a bath, reducing his fever, and has drawn all the bloods. The results will be available to Dr. Forman et al when they round in the morning.

Breakfast at six in Duarte means IHOP . Let me describe the location, its off of Mountain Ave, properly named as the mountains are immediately north of the area. Walmart is on the northside of the street. To the east is Ross for Less, and Home Depot. Early morning breakfast club includes truckers either having just made deliveries or about to begin a days work. A few strange souls like myself a little bleary eyed, and a few of those very peculiar people who actually are cheerful at six am. The wait staff is usually young and like to listen to loud music and watch some oversized tvs whose sound volume is just below my hearing, but loud enough to create a continuous buzz of noise. Early morning silence is not on the menu. But, they do have a senior citizen's menu and I like that!


M