Short update: Neutral news from today's surgical bronchoscopy.

In the event, today's surgical bronchoscopy was not dramatic. We reported at 1200, but I had nothing to eat or drink since midnight. As I was an "add on," I didn't go in until after 1500 (3 pm for civilians). The procedure was short, but with the recovery period I didn't get out of the VA until 1800, home at 2000, as we stopped for chow.

The surgeon talked to Bonnie while I was still under. He did very little debriding today, but took out the stent and hoovered out the rubbish, said that let him see deeper in the lower lung, which is good. He wants me back for another to see how it is doing sans stent, with debriding and stretching various areas with balloons, in about two weeks.

My O2 use has gone down lately. and my FEV numbers up, but I had a lot of coughing tonight and they were way down. We'll see about it in the morning.

They have set up a meeting for us with the Palliative Care Team on May 14, to talk about "end of life" issues. They think it's good to make my desires known before needed, in case. Huh--my desire is to postpone it! All I can think is about the Monty Python bit below. Meanwhile, I fight on. Holding the line now, but we will see what no stent does to things. ~Bob

Large Man: Here's one.

Dead Collector: Nine pence.

"Dead" Man: I'm not dead.

Dead Collector: What?

Large Man: Nothing. [hands the collector his money] There's your nine pence.

"Dead" Man: I'm not dead!

Dead Collector: 'Ere, he says he's not dead.

Large Man: Yes he is.

"Dead" Man: I'm not.

Dead Collector: He isn't.

Large Man: Well, he will be soon, he's very ill.

"Dead" Man: I'm getting better.

Large Man: No you're not, you'll be stone dead in a moment.

Dead Collector: Well, I can't take him like that. It's against regulations.

"Dead" Man: I don't want to go on the cart.

Large Man:' Oh, don't be such a baby.

Dead Collector: I can't take him.

"Dead" Man: I feel fine.

Large Man with Dead Body: Oh, do me a favor.

Dead Collector: I can't.

Large Man: Well, can you hang around for a couple of minutes? He won't be long.

Dead Collector: I promised I'd be at the Robinsons'. They've lost nine today.

Large Man: Well, when's your next round?

Dead Collector: Thursday.

"Dead" Man: I think I'll go for a walk.

Large Man: You're not fooling anyone, you know. Isn't there anything you could do?

"Dead" Man: I feel happy. I feel happy.