Ch.201 Everything Goes Wrong: Cancer Danger, Flat Tire, Disabled Lawn Mower, Downspout Problems, and a Horse with Loose Teeth.
May 2023
In the past three days I’ve lost any illusion of having control over my world. Here’s what happened:
- I plowed my riding lawn mower into a hidden rock, disabling it and causing it to stop so suddenly the seat of the rider upon which I was sitting collapsed.
- A perfectly new tire went from 35 pounds of pressure to 0 pounds in ten seconds when punctured. Fortunately, I was able to crawl the car home and call for help.
- Hoping for a definitive diagnosis, my cancer doctor instead scheduled a bone marrow biopsy (reputedly painful). The good news is that whatever the result, it doesn’t look like I’m in any immediate peril. [Added note: I have a “little” cancer” which only needs monitoring].
- Yesterday I took apart two sections of my brand-new gutter downspout so I could mow past them. Today I discovered I couldn’t put them together again.
- Samantha, the stable owner where my old horse resides, informed me that Lakota is quickly losing his teeth and needs to be fed mash to keep him from starving.
So, when’s the tornado going to smash into my house?
Obviously, those five troubles listed above are not equal in significance. My cancer uncertainty comes first, Lakota second, the rest far behind. However, all five happening within a couple days has had a cumulative effect. I’m like a storm-phobic dog whose ears are still twitching and turning even after the sun has come out.
I mentioned last week that I was mad at Pat for not being able to hug me. Now I am missing her kindness and her optimism. Pat would hold me and comfort me. She’d tell me not to panic, that things would soon improve, and I’d believe her. But if I did panic, she’d accept that, too. Just Ron being Ron. That’s what I need to accept. I don’t have to be strong right now, trying to regain my illusion of control.
Life might get better, soon.
It’s time for a cup of cocoa.