Hey Lug- Best of luck to ya, man. All of your Audiogon buddies are pulling for you. Merry Christmas and get well soon!!! |
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Great news, Pat. Keep it up, man. Maybe I was wrong when I told me wife that women are clearly tougher than men. |
Lug-man- Glad to hear you are well enough to come home, although maybe you should be thankful they did't do it in the drive-up lane ;~). Really, good to hear from you. Heal fast. Your friends are thinking about you often. |
Goo luck, Pat. As you can see, we all think about you every day, and as hard as it may be, the personal contact is good for all of us. Hang in there, my friend. |
Thanks for the pix, guys. And thanks to you, Pat for keepin' 'em guessing!! Anything you can do that crosses up stereotypes has intrinsic value. BTW, is that lens flare or a halo over your wife's head? |
Ain't nothing out there to prevent me from sending hate mail when Ah feel like it. Its almost funner than openin' a can o' whoop-a$$ on some blue state liberal ;~) |
Patrick- I've been thinking about you a lot. My wife has just finished her 4th surgery in the last 2 months and is about to start what they call dose-dense chemo in a couple of weeks. People like you and she are the definition in my book of class AND bravery. Taking the bitter with the sweet and doing what you have to do without any sense of self-pity. Her long term prognosis is pretty good so that helps her (and me), but so far she has not caught any breaks at all in terms of what was anticipated vs. what actually happened. And of course at some point you just have to decide either to trust the docs or not; there is no way you can have the independent knowledge to know that from a medical standpoint you are doing the right thing if your not a Dr. yourself. That doesn't mean that you have to do what they recommend, but if you can't trust your doc to give you valid info on something as complicated and significant (understatement!) as cancer therapy, then you're really up $hit creek. BTW, with the new anti-nausea drugs, is the smoking recreational or medicinal? Hard for us to know how to plan for this, especially with a 16 year old in the house. I guess we will just let it come to us.
Glad to hear that you have had a good time with your buds. I'm not a shooter but hanging out and drinking some good booze and listening to some tunes, sounds like what I like to do with my friends; just substitute golf for skeet! Don't get a chance to do it that often; note to self to do that kind of thing more often.
I'm thinking about you and will be sending all good thoughts for good results on your CT scan. |
Thanks, guys. I can relate to the humor. I used to work in a plumbing warehouse back in the 60s and got quite creative with brass pipe fittings. I also remember travelling home from Woodstock (yes the 1969 Woodstock) and getting stopped and searched by some local yocal cops. They made me empty every pocket except the one that would have landed us in the slammer!!
My wife Susan is making it all so very easy on everyone. Great sense of humor (including lots of cancer jokes). So far, except for recovering from the surgeries, she has been completely healthy. That's the hardest part for her; she felt fine until they started treating her. And tough; after her 3rd op, which they said would be 1-2 weeks recovery, she was back to work in 1.5 days!! tis most recent they say 2-6 weeks and she is planning on going back this Wed after 1 week. So far I have been very lucky; she's made it awefully easy on me. The 3 of us (my wife, son and I) had one shouting match about a week ago but that's all. 'Course with a VERY smart, VERY stubborn, 16 year old, that's probably 5-10 less than our typical weekly total ;~) I really do appreciate the good thoughts and kind words, tho. |
Great news, Pat. Been a busy week, but I will try and get in touch this weekend. Hang in there, bro! |
Hi Patrick- Hope you feel better after the steroids and the anti-histamines stop fighting. While I have (thankfully) no personal experience, the steroids and anti-nausea cocktail they give my wife seems to be fighting it out with her anti-cancer drugs and makes her feel pretty $hitty for about 4-5 days; then 2-3 fair days, then a week feeling pretty good. I know she would have a hard time doing it w/o a pretty good light at the end of the tunnel. I admire your strength w/o the docs giving you much of a light. Of course, we all hope that they are wrong. I went to Doug and Paul's last night and heard their new Teres/Schroder/ZYX Uni set-up. I've never been a huge fan of B&W, but I was pretty blown away by what I heard. We listened to a 45 rpm of Louis Armstrong doing St James Infirmary which was the most amazing example of soundstage, imaging, and layering I have ever heard, on top of a heart-stopping performance. I also aquainted them with some of my bluegrass-country roots (Trio 1), which we all enjoyed as well. The Dvorzac (sp?) was very intense and the Bach Cantata soothing. Very humbling to hear what is to my way of thinking, a pretty maxed out analog rig. Big $ for sure, but not crazy $. Hope you get your analog well set-up soon.
Keep hanging in there, friend. All the best. |
Thanks, Patrick. On the subject of analog rigs, while Doug and Paul's TT/ARm(Tri-planar, not Schroder)/CARt/Step-up are world class, their Pre/phonostage, as you may know, is older and very modest in cost at present and yet the sound was to die for. So I would never sneer at anything w/o hearing it. I have not had much of a chance to hear other high end rigs since I work so much and have become a bit of a loner, but going to the show in NYC a couple of weeks ago and then hearing a really optimized analog front end, it has energized me to do better in set-up with what I have. I've also had less than mind-blowing performance from some well regarded phono stage/cart combos so I have figured out not to pre-judge. I am sure that the Airy 3 will be terrific. I bought the demo Airy2 and now must get it together to get a step-up. |
LOL, Patrick thanks for the smile. As they say in Bahstan; Yaw a real pissah! |
Patrick- Good luck, my man. All of your friends and acquaintances here are thinking of you. Loony has said it all, but just one thought. If its time to put your ownf and your family's needs first, then that's what you should do. Even though most of us have not had the pleasure of meeting you personally, I am sure that I speak for all of your Audiogon buddies: please don't concern yourself with making us feel bad; if venting here helps you even the slightest amount, then that's just fine. I hope you take the opportunity to put your words and thoughts out there just as they occur, w/o any concern about their effects on others. No way do you seem like the selfish sort at all and your concern for the impact of this on those you've never met is quite touching and even a little embarassing. So let it fly; I think the bargain we (the Audiogon community and yourself) made was for you to be honest and for us to listen and help in any way we could. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for some good news soon. |
Oh man, Pat. 2nd and 3rd sentence got me thinking that this would be one of those feel good pieces about the hard-working doc bringing some good news. Sweet dream, but a dream nonetheless. At least for now. I know you have developed a good relationship with your oncologist and he has given you some real relief the last few months. It must have been very tough on the two of you, and your wife and family as well. From your words, it sounds like you may be considering either experimental or alternative therapy. To say that I wish you luck in whichever path you choose (or choose not to take) is an understatement. At times like this I wish I was a religous guy and could offer my prayers for you and your family. That's not the case for me, although you know that there are plenty here who will be doing that. I sincerely hope that they are right and I am wrong and the prayers provide you and them some comfort. Please forgive me for rambling- have a great weekend; enjoy your family and wife and know that I will be thinking of you all. |
Pat- Hug given. Susan sends a big smooch back to you. Me, too. Good luck tomorrow. |
Happy Birthday, Pat. And FWIW, I've been looking for an excuse to go to Denver. My brother and sister in law live there, so I've got a place to stay and my wife would have something to do. Hope you continue to feel well. |
Pat- I can only echo Larry's eloquent words. Every single one of them. In reading that post, I am reminded of Mark Twain's words (I'm paraphrasing here)- "I am sorry that my letter is so long, but I didn't have time to write a shorter one". I think about you several times each day, frustrated that there is nothing concrete I can do for you. And Patrick, don't underestimate your strength, composure and grace. There are many others who have not shown your style. Maybe it will give you some pride to know that I aspire to be half as honest to myself and others, as you have been. Our combined experience here has opened my eyes to the positive power in the internet, FWIW. This is a real "virtual village" here at Audiogon.
WC- I'm sorry for your loss. My wife is one dose ot taxol away from finishing her breast cancer treatment (oops, except for the tamoxifen. Its been easy for me to think that this is the end of her illness; you have reminded me that its just one battle and that I need to focus on living in the present, since the future is a big question mark. This should not take a cancer diagnosis for a loved one to fully appreciate, but sometimes it does. |
Great post, Pat. Good luck tomorrow with the doc. Can't tell about the paving part, but the description of the fishing hole, etc. sure sounds like paradise. Maybe Idaho has gotten a bad rap as home of skin-heads; I know it was never on my top 10 list until now, even tho my Mom and Dad lived in Cour d'Alane for short wille about 60 years ago.
Go Lance, indeed!! |
Pat, FWIW, Mick mentioned to me a couple of months ago that he had made arrangments for US repairs. Drop him an email. Hope your weekend turned out great. We had just the perfect summer New England weekend. 85 degrees, low humidity, gentle breeze, brilliant sunshine.
And as for Lance, not only did he win #7, but he smoked 'em. Steady, unrelenting pressure, took the lead as usual in the mountains and then finished 'em off in the time trial. Quite a feat. He's been at the top so long, its sometimes hard to believe that he is only 33. Superman, for sure. |
You will NEVER be off our radar or far from our thoughts, Pat. I hope this day is one of your good ones (and tomorrow and etc.). If not, then take it easy, slip in one of those silver disks and try and rest. |
Lngbruno- Amazing quotes. Who is the author of the 2nd? |
Zaikesman's comment re: SF weather reminded me of quote from one of Hartford's more famous residents, Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain), paraphrased, it goes like this
"Coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" I've only been there a couple of times. I agree. |
Pat- I've been absent for a while in terms of participating, but you are never far from my mind. I check in on as often as I can, and usually with a combination of eager anticipation and fear. Anticipation to share a bit of the amazing humanity that pours out of this virtual conservation, fear that I am going to read that you have been having a an especially tough time while I have been away. I am most sad that I could not get to RMAF; I was sure I could go and you said you were not sure that you would be up for it; and it turned out the other way around. My family needed me that weekend and so I missed out on what must have been a terrific time and the chance to put a voice and face on the "Lugnut" handle. Speaking for myself, I know I am getting far more than I am giving. I'm not a religous man so I can only say that you and your "gene pool" are never far from my thoughts. As I've said before, the most remarkable thing (beyond your generosity and strong spirit) is the way this group has used the most anonymous of media to facilitate a deep, communal experience. I will always treasure this; it has been one of the most amazing things I've ever been witnessed. Perhaps I may have taken it very personally due to my wife's recent bout with breasst cancer, and also because one of my colleagues and friends also went down the very same path you are on, about 10 years ago. Best Regards, Michael |
Pat/Barb- Please don't take my silence as indicative of not caring. I think about you often. I'm rarely at a loss for words, but find myself without anything constructive to add and it seems presumptuous to think that I can provide any words of insight or comfort. That leaves me feeling a bit helpless, but I do know that in tough times, the presence of friends and family is as comforting as anything they so. So this post is just to let you know that I am present (virtually). As for the pup, I think Cinna is great. Can't remember if it was to be an Australian Shepard or Sheepdog. I know someone who breeds the sheepdogs, and they are remarkably intelligent and good-natured dogs. Best of luck with her, sheepdog or shepard or whatever. Sounds to me like you've made the best of the hand you were dealt; played the game with style, grace, intelligence, humor and love. Truly a remarkable life and legacy.
Your friend, Michael |
A wonderful Indian summer day here in southern New England. Sunny, warm (70) when it usually is 50 and cloudy, often with rain. Just checking in, Pat and Barb to let you know I am thinking of you. Best wishes, of course. |
Pat- I hope you are resting comfortably and enjoying some quiet time with your wife. Your love for each other shines through this most impersonal of media.
Barb- I sincerely hope that someone is taking as good care of you as you are of Pat.
I think about you both often. Best wishes and much love. |
Gregadd- I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I know its always a reality check when a peer dies, for a big sister it must be really tough. Be happy though, that you had someone there for you to pull your bacon form the fire. |
A beautiful pup for a beautiful lady! |
Congratulations, Ben. In several ethic traditions, naming a baby after a recently deceased family member is an important part of the circle of life. You've done Pat and all his A'gon family a good deed. Best wishes to you and your new son. |
The best gift we get in this life is each other. Well said. Very well said!!!! I never met Pat but I had many a fine discussion w him here and he made me smile, often. I miss him. Thx for bringing those good memories back to the fore. |
