Who are the true patriots?

Patriotism in this country used to be linked with sacrifice. During WW2, Americans endured government-regulated rationing, food and product scarcity, water and utility limitations and many many other sacrifices. They turned off their lights after a certain time of evening. They collected metals and other products soldiers needed. All of this was done willingly and without complaint. 

When polio struck, the entire world reeled.  No one knew where it came from and who it would infect. Americans were terrified. When the polio vaccine was created in 1955 and distributed a few years later, we were tearfully relieved and thankful.  We all gratefully accepted the vaccine. Today, polio is all but eliminated from the U.S.

The smallpox outbreak of 1947 in New York City was another medical crisis. It shocked residents, many of whom had been previously vaccinated. (In some, the vaccine didn't work or had expired). Since the vaccine was available and refined, 6 million New Yorkers were vaccinated in less than a week. No weeping, wailing, or gnashing of teeth required. Thanks to the success of vaccination, the last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.

https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/18/nyregion/nyc-smallpox-vaccine.html

Long ago, Americans knew the importance of supporting one another and sticking together to fight a common foe. 

We live in a very different country today. Many Americans only care about themselves. And they are proud of their self-gratification. They besmirch patriotism by acting in completely unpatriotic ways. They pretend that their refusal to be vaccinated or masked is somehow upholding the “American Way”.  

Sorry, they’re full of merde. It’s doing the opposite. Their behavior is prolonging a worldwide pandemic, stressing hospitals and medical people and adding unnecessary risks to the already immune-deficient.

Plus, they look profoundly stupid. 

Their patriotism is fake, bordering on treason. The true patriotism of long ago has reverted to complete insubordination and selfishness. 

 

The dreaded "news", Part 1

This week I received the news that all cancer patients dread to see:

"Considering the extent of her visceral involvement, I also recommended that she engage palliative care because her status could decline quickly depending if she does not respond to the next line or two or treatment, and because it is helpful to have discussions about goals of care and quality of life when she is in a lucid pain-free state."

The "this might be the beginning of the end" news. Ugh. I'm not surprised. I have metastatic ascites, from breast cancer, which has a prognosis ranging from 0 (nada, zilch, zippo) to 50 months (4 years, 2 months by Gregorian calculations) And that upper range, or surpassing it, is as likely as winning Powerball. Or, seems like it, anyway. My 50 months expires this December. 

I hate to admit it but the first thing I thought about was, “Now that bottle of 360-count Vitamin D (that I take every other day) will be wasted.” Then a massive wave of memories, people, and sights washed over me, making me a blubbering mess.

I'm not afraid of dying. Seems quite peaceful. But I’m going to miss so many things and people and that makes me sad. The blue-blue skies of the Pacific NW (shhh, yes we do have them, many of them). The majestic snowy mountain peaks. The thrill of seeing a wood duck in the wild, its reds, blues, and greens peeking out. Walking, biking, hiking and exploring the nooks and crannies everywhere I go. Hearing honking seals. Playing with a neighborhood doggie. Baking my muffins. Reading Laura Lippmann and others. Eating cheesecake. Sharpening a pencil. Having friends delight me with visits and small gifts. Dancing. My music. “There’s a Place in the World for a Gambler” is a lovely Dan Fogelberg tune, one of my favorites, and I dedicate it to Rick, my husband. 

Rick. 

As Dorothy said to the Scarecrow, “I’m going to miss you most of all.”  

OK, pardon me for a few moments. 

I cherish my friends and family. You all are the best. I wish I could spread my arms long and wide to hold all of you tight. You’re all so talented, bright and funny and I love all of you to pieces.

Good news is that they are coming up with new drugs all the time. Next Tuesday I start a new chemo that was only approved here last month! Of course, it’s IV chemo, I’ll lose my hair, blood counts will bottom out, crushing fatigue will set in. 

I also mourn the loss of my current relative functionality. We’re going to ride bikes later this week and that might be it. 

But, who knows, maybe that “Powerball” has my name on it. I can always hope. 💝