Was This In The Brochure?

 "If I remember my training correctly, one of the lessons was titled 'Don't dig up the big box of plutonium, Mark.'" Mark Watney (Matt Damon), The Martian (2015).

I went to a pre-op conference with one of the surgeons who will be part of implanting the radioactive plaque on my left eye... Oh, did I miss a step?

About two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma in my left eye. Apparently, only about 2000 people in the US hear those words every year. Believe me, I don't feel all that special.

This is a serious illness, but fortunately it was early and the PET scan (have you ever fallen asleep in a tube, woken up with a mask on your face and then had a panic attack?) was clear, so far. So, I have that going for me, which is nice...

I've enjoyed embarrassing good health over the years, to the point that the medical history I've had to share with about a dozen people usually includes a pause, they set down their pen and say "Nothing?" Our joke has been that when I get something, it will be a doozie. When I related this to one of the nurses, she said "You won't tell that joke again."

She doesn't really know us.

The prognosis is good, at least in the near term. I have surgery on October 7th and - amazingly - I will be too radioactive for Pat or the dogs to come near me for more than one or two momentary PDAs a day. There is a slight possibility the radioactive pellets might escape, in which case we - pick them up with tweezers, put them in a jar of water and set it someplace remote. One of the lessons...

After that, maybe double vision for a while, with no real way to know how much more sight I get back.

It's a long story and at some point I'll be available for margaritas, Mexican food and a story to tell. Until then, I can feel the strength and good wishes you are conveying. We'll make sure to keep everyone in the loop.

Until then - keep a happy thought.  

RBG

 Mourning the passing of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

It has become chic to occupy the parapets of partisanship, and become amateur political operatives at every opportunity. It is particularly so upon the death of a Supreme Court Justice. Friends and family members have not had time to digest the sad news before Washington moves on, if one can call it that.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg served her country in an indispensable way. She was a tireless advocate for equal rights, especially where gender is concerned. At a time when women were openly discriminated against - and the law permitted it - she began the long, arduous process of evening the playing field. A gifted and accomplished law student, she was initially deprived of the opportunity to serve as a judicial clerk because of her gender.

It is easy to disagree with Justice Ginsberg on matters of law. Were it not for reasonable differences of jurisprudential opinion, law would be a sterile and boring endeavor. It would not be very difficult to find an array of her opinions where even a cursory reading results in head shaking and tut-tutting.

It is also not hard to find a person fully committed to justice, equality and freedom. Her opinions were well written, precise and forceful. It was common during a Supreme Court term to select one of her missives and admire the pith with which she stated her position. Sometimes, grudgingly, I had to admit she changed my mind.

Justice Ginsberg served her country by being a strong advocate for her principles. They didn't change with the prevailing wind. When she wrote an opinion, it was hers - not, as so many mistakenly conclude, constrained by either rigid ideology or political party talking points. If the breadth of her work does not demonstrate that, one need only know that her closest friend on the Court was, until his own death, Antonin Scalia.

The law is more just and fair because you served admirably, Justice Ginsberg. Thank you.