Don't give up the ship

Dear Friends, thanks for all of your notes. I will tell you, in the middle of the night what a difference it makes. Pam will cetainly tell you that truth.

Yesterday was a day at the hospital doing cutting edge (ouch) stuff. Just amazing. James coordinated the day, Shiloh showed up with extra muscle, things went well. I am home recovering. I can't always answer the phone, but I send you my love, all my love. The more you give away the more you have

Your friend

Gregory

Blogging from USC

Dad made it safely to USC Norris today - I'm blogging from the hallways on the second floor where dad is getting implanted with coordinates for the cyber-knife treatment of a tumor scheduled to begin sometime next week.

I think I should share with everyone that dad loves receiving your comments- even just a hello. I share with dad how often this site gets visited- by hundreds of friends, students, family and others. This site connects many of us, and the thoughts and feelings warm dad's heart.

Dad will visit this blog again tonight, as he has every night for the last few months. Please feel free to leave a note, even just to say "hi".

The Littlest Colmunicator

My Grandson, Joseph Gregory, had his own Sunday schedule. Here he is in all his young sweetness sending out messages of love to Shiloh, Trisha, and Grandpa. I think he wanted some of that french toast. We'll work on his speed, 'cause he could certainly muscle all he wanted. He is a keeper.

A Moveable Feast

Dad (Greg) and his tribe are at Coleman Keep in Trabuco Canyon, and despite dad not being able to make it to Britta's - our Sunday tradition - Britta's came to us, almost literally. Britta not only prepared the food, but also sent a care package composed of table items to recall our regular Sunday experience - the checkered tablecloth, rosemary sprigs and a handwritten note.

I called in the orders, Motomi picked up this morning's 'moveable feast'. Margie coordinated and we ate! All our loved ones are with us in spirit this morning. Hat's off to Greg Mirken with a nod to Ernest Hemingway for this entry's title.

Colmunication

Several weeks ago I wrote about the "Coleman-ism" of pouring maple syrup into coffee. We were breakfasting, and I thought Greg had picked up the wrong little pitcher, expecting it to be cream. But no, he explained, he wasn't being chemo-brainey, he actually likes maple syrup in his coffee.

Tonight as we all sat eating and drinking (those of us who keep opiates in our cheek pouches had virgin scorpions, the rest of us had real, stinging scorpions) Greg coined a new Coleman-ism: Col-municating. We do it by putting our heads very close together, as in a hug, and speak softly of the most important subjects, like life and death, wisdom and love.
And the greatest of these, I have heard it said, is love.

A little addendum...

Ornery and determined mountain climber that he is, and despite the immense difficulty in walking from here to there these days, yesterday Gregory practiced quite a few leg squats between the bed and the dresser, with an audible "f*** you melanoma" mantra on the intake.

That was followed by quite a delightful and detailed analysis of a Francisco Tárrega piece.

Getting spoiled

Dear Friends:
I had a pretty good night last night. Managed balance to all the meds on the head of a pin (very difficult). James was here to strong arm me, and Samirah kept the nurrsing going (I think they play good-cop/good-cop).
Next week I go back to the hospital for some out-patient work, than it is Back to the Future. Keep all fingers crossed, windows rolled up at speeds In excesst of C2, and you must be highter than this sign to get this vitamin R. (Roentgen)

See you soon!

Gregory

Music of the Spheres

Tonight I played for the Maestro again. And I played for each one of you who has wanted to play for him, in sickness or in health. It was the music of the spheres; it just came to me through your thoughts and players, and I played in on my harp. It helped him to sleep.

We know that you're thinking of Gregory, because technology allows us to see how many people visit this site. Rest assured that although his fight is getting harder, he's snug in his own little home with his tribe attending to him.

Same old miracle

Dear dear friends:
I always wish for better news for you and me both. A degree of pain has gone down, but not enough, so now we appeal to a cyber-knife. Whoa there pardner. Do I get to play with the cyber-sword or cyber M-16. No? Well, just why not? Anyway, the fight goes on.

I truly miss you

Will see each other soon, I know it.

God bless you for your thoughts and prayers

and there is no reason not to celebrate life, even though sometimes this one seems not to fit.

Gregory

Progress report, and many thanks

Dear friends:
Well, the bad news is the enemy within in growing, the good news, slowly. Then bad news is that doctors are not all-powerful, the good news is that they make super-human efforts to save lives and bring comfort. Thank you Dr. Weber. Thank you Dr. Weber.

I have had to start a daily radiation treatment for a 14-day program up in LA to stop or slow the growth of a tumor pressing on my spine. Ouch! You #$ darn 0l" %!!%* thing. The treatment is very easy. Five minutes on the table, with a few light hearted comments from staff and and I am out of there!

So, on we go. Now don't forget your part in this. I am not talking about the wonderful giving of rides up to LA at the ungodly hours, although that certainly counts. I mean, you enjoy every second of your life, breath the sun in and out, and put everything in perspective. You won't get everything you ever asked for, but you will get some joy and peace, some love and laughter, and that is so wonderful. Is that what it's all about? If so, is that so bad?

I miss you all. Drop a comment.

By the way Motomi, the jeans fit great. Thank you.

Gregory