– In Conclusion – Jeff called me after he had seen Dr. Braisley. He asked Dr. Braisley if he could stop taking Dilantin. The doctor became alarmed and warned Jeff of possible seizures. Jeff told him that he hadn’t taken the medication in three months. Dr. Braisley stammered. Then he said, “If you haven’t had…
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We Want To Live – Chapter 20 – Avocados and oranges
– 20 – Avocados and oranges Five days later Beatriz’ friend, Wilma, and Jeff sit in the back seat. Beatriz sits shotgun. I drive us into Mar Vista Bowl’s parking lot. “I’m warning everybody right now, I haven’t bowled but once in twenty years. I have never been very good at it, but I loved…
We Want To Live – Chapter 19 – Healing
– 19 – Healing Nine days later It is 8 a.m. I am dressed in my painting clothes. I go into the kitchen and pack my food in the cooler. I hear Jeff moving on the sofa bed. “You goin’ on a picnic at this hour?!” Jeff calls to me. “I’m off to paint a…
We Want To Live – Chapter 18 – No meds – good life ahead
– 18 – No meds – good life ahead Three days later I stand in the kitchen hand-juicing oranges. I notice Jeff in bed stirring. He sits up. “What are you doing awake at nine o’clock in the morning?!” I ask. “Jus’ woke up.” “Beatriz is in the bathroom. She’ll be out by the time…
We Want To Live – Chapter 17 – A rough life
– 17 – A rough life In the evening The soft lighting sprays warm highlights and shadows on the thirty three faces before me. I feel this loving mood has been set to help everyone forget about death for the next few hours. Everyone has terminal cancer except Pamela, our host, who is in remission.…
We Want To Live – Chapter 16 – Physiological damage
– 16 – Physiological damage Four-and-a-half months later in Beverly Hills, California Beatriz and I stand in our cantaloupe- and honeydew-colored kitchen. We drink a blend of orange juice we have just squeezed, raw egg and raw cream. I notice it is almost 2 p.m. We watch Jeff on the sofa bed in the living…
We Want To Live – Chapter 15 – Cellular reproduction
– 15 – Cellular reproduction Next day, Sunday, October 5th “I ii donn’t wannt taa usse the bed pan. Iii cann go ta the toiiilet,” Jeff says as he sits up. He slides his legs to the side of the bed. Margaret and I help Jeff position himself on the edge. We take him by…
We Want To Live – Chapter 14 – Dark motive revealed
– 14 – Dark motive revealed Next afternoon, Saturday, October 4th I walk down the hall past nurses, orderlies, patients, visitors and doctors on the way to Jeff’s room. “Aajonus,” the nurse calls. I stop and approach the nurses’ station. “My shift ends in about thirty minutes. Did you forget to tell me what Jeff…
We Want To Live – Chapter 13 – Jeff’s rehab begins
– 13 – Jeff’s rehab begins The next day, Friday; Back in Cincinnati I am feeling sprightly after my two-hour nap on the plane. I amble down the hall to Jeff’s new room. I enter, “Hi, kiddo, it’s Johnny! Direct from Los Angeles,” I say imitating the Johnny Carson Show. The room is empty of…
We Want To Live – Chapter 12 – Owanza’s Close Call
– 12 – Owanza’s close call As I park my car, I feel like I’ve left a dream. I take another deep breath and realize the air quality is bad. Here I am back in Los Angeles after a long day at the hospital, an hour’s drive to Cincinnati Airport (in Kentucky), a five-hour flight…