When the focus of “the blog” changed from observations on life in the 4th quarter to my serious health odyssey, I told myself that it was important that I be honest and straight forward and not sugar coat what the Taylors were experiencing. The goal is not only to inform our friends of our journey but also to provide background and comfort to others who might unfortunately find themselves on the same health trajectory. It is my heartfelt hope that in the days ahead and sooner rather than later, I can write here that I apologize, “Gordy is the boy who cried wolf and he is fine and this was all much ado about nothing.” At present, I don’t honestly believe that or I wouldn’t be wasting your time here. Yet, I do want to return to the previous perspectives on life postings as soon as these health issues are behind us.
Thursday, September 9th
Tomorrow is the big day with the CT-scan guided needle biopsy procedure in Burlington, Iowa. It has been eight excruciatingly long days since we got the troubling PET-scan results on September 2nd. Diane and I are continuously asked in one form or another, “How are you spending your time during this endless period of waiting?” Let me tell you. We try and eat together as best we can, I’m with PEG and 2 1/2 cartons of product per meal and Diane with carry out, leftovers, toast, English muffins, and cereal, endless bowls of cereal. She consumes Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and Mini Wheats by the box, not the bowl. She is such a good sport but through “all this” her appetite is severely diminished. I confess, I am oh so tired of “product” and long for any food group or some form of liquid nourishment. It is very boring.
As for what we do daily, we are on separate trajectories. Diane Monet, Diane Van Gogh, Diane Klimt has taken up what I call sophisticated paint-by-number creations of famous painters which is slow but the finished product is excellent. She has an occasional lunch with a friend and has been out to visit a few of them. She is attending the local Gazebo Arts Festival and that should be fun as well. Diane is also our “in house” doctor, schedules appointments, does some medical research, and orders product for her husband–thankless work but has to be done. If anyone really knows me, I possess minimal technology skills. Heck, I loved my “flip” phone which met its demise in 2018 when in the early morning darkness in the car, I dropped it in my glass of Diet Coke forcing me to get a “real” cell phone. Diane does everything concerning the blog: initiation, posting, editing, photos, and collaborating on the written entries. Anyone want to play bridge? Diane loves the game and online bridge became the norm when her groups didn’t meet.
I walk and then walk some more. It is what I do to eat up the day—7 miles most days but throw in a 10 miler once in a while. How can that be? How does a person with what I might be facing walk that much every day? It makes no sense but at least it gives me sanity. I do scare people. Since I can’t swallow, I walk down the street, put water from my bottle in my mouth and then, because I shouldn’t swallow, spit it out. I must be quite a sight.
And then there is the mindless entertainment—Dateline, 20/20, 48 Hours, Cold Justice, Reasonable Doubt—you name it, we’ve watched it. What have we learned? If you are a woman, do not stand on a steep cliff with your significant other behind you, do not take a bath with a psycho husband in the house, or stand in front of a steep staircase. For the men, be cautious of antifreeze cocktails given freely to you by an overly zealous female. Gee, we’ve learned so much worthless information the past month or so, but it does pass the time. Reading is difficult as concentration is hard to do but need to work that into our routines. Of course, there is yard work and a house to manage but TIME has dragged on and on and on.
Friday, September 10th—Morning
It is 5 a.m. and as I type this, I am thinking about what we have been doing the past twelve hours or so and I wish it was getting a good night’s rest but that was not to happen. At 5 p.m. we sat on the couch looking at each other and quietly asking, “What do you think will happen tomorrow?” We both uttered something positive and optimistic but not sure either of us was totally convincing. For dinner, I had the usual and Diane, why a small bowl of cereal of course. We watched the evening news then everywhere we looked, it was reflections on the twenty-year anniversary of 9-11. That was riveting to watch and took our minds briefly off today’s activities. I went upstairs and watched Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Dallas Cowboys and I lasted for a half, turning off the tv at 9:30. Diane came up at midnight.
Here we are and it is now time to head out to Burlington for the needle biopsy. The sun will be bright this morning and directly in the eyes of those driving eastbound, so I’ve decided we should leave a little early so as to not be on the road traveling westbound when the poor folks going east can’t see us on the country roads. We should be traveling north by the time the sun comes up. See what you learn when you walk early in the morning. There is also the ever-present concern with deer at this time of year as the corn is high and not yet harvested so must be vigilant for them as well. Damn, I’m a planner.
As I close this segment, my thoughts are on the quote of noted writer, Anna Quindlen, who the day after the 9-11 attack gave us the following prophetic observation, “September 10th was the last everyday morning of the rest of our lives.” Will Diane and I be saying the same thing about September 9, 2021, as it relates to our lives? Time to leave. Is it OK to use the Beatles refrain and Diane and Gordy’s “song” “Here Comes the Sun” or maybe it’s Jackie Gleason, “And away we go.” My stomach is churning; I take one final look in the mirror to see what I look like before the next chapter in our lives begins.
Friday, September 10th—Afternoon
We’ve returned to Macomb and my looks haven’t changed much as the needle biopsy was CANCELLED!!! Do you believe it? We barely do. We arrived at 7 a.m. and did blood workup, explanation of sequence of events to transpire, and IV solution started. A CT-scan was set up where they attempted to get some measurements so a needle biopsy could be performed. I laid on my back motionless for 45 minutes as they tried in vain to get a good “photo angle” so the needle procedure could be done. They withdrew me from the tubular machine and announced “too risky.” Apparently, there is an abundance of vascular activity right in the path including the huge carotid artery, so the doctor said he just couldn’t in good conscience attempt the procedure. Again, Diane and I are disappointed and totally dumbfounded. We need some good news here folks and can’t seem to get any . Now, to be frank, kudos to the medical team for not doing what they felt they couldn’t do safely so there is that for which to be grateful.
Next step is to meet with our ENT doctor and develop a new strategy moving forward. We are saddened by the fact that things remain backed up due to Covid issues, primarily because of unvaccinated people who need medical treatment and are clogging up the system. I’m sorry, but I’m old school. This just doesn’t seem fair. If these folks had gotten the vaccine, I wouldn’t have to wait and then wait again longer than necessary because of their selfish behavior. We’ve been told that this issue is percolating down through the entire health care system and is not unique to Gordy Taylor but still it rankles me . OK, that’s it for today. Time for a walk, a very long walk.
Tuesday, September 14th
The waiting continues. Yesterday, through the relentless efforts of our ENT doctor and Diane, all of my medical records have been sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, a 5 ½ hour drive from Macomb. We are now waiting (there’s that word again) for them to evaluate my case and in the words of Bob Barker on the Price is Right call us and say, “Come on up?” Here’s hoping.
Gordy and the Fourth Quarter 
Good luck my good friend.
On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 11:01 AM Gordy and the Fourth Quarter wrote:
> dmtgat posted: ” When the focus of “the blog” changed from observations on > life in the 4th quarter to my serious health odyssey, I told myself that it > was important that I be honest and straight forward and not sugar coat what > the Taylors were experiencing. The goal ” >
Great move on Mayo request. This again
may take sometime , but you have now gone
to the best for your well being and Diane’s assurance🙏
You have an unbelievable talent for expressing your thoughts, Gordy. I’m so sorry for all you have to endure, but extremely happy to learn you will be going to Mayo’s. I’m thinking of you and Diane.
Mayo Clinic is a tremendous step in the best direction for an evaluation of your situation. My are prayers are with you and Diane. ❤️
If it’s any consolation, you’re making the rest of us feel lucky and treasure every day. Your frankness is inspiring as is Diane’s devotion. I hope Mayo is able to give you some timely direction. You deserve it. GOD BLESS ..
❤️❤️❤️
How frustrating for you guys! We’ve discovered through our many medical adventures that there is a motto that applies here – “Hurry up and wait….” If you need the directions for the bypass around Waterloo, let me know. We’ve done the Mayos run a few times… Hang in and hang on!
If you need someone to drive you up to Mayo let me know. I’ll take a few days off to help you out old friend. I’d be happy to do so!
I really loved seeing you two and getting to visit. Gordy, you have not lost your wit! You both are always in my prayers and I’m so glad you are going to Mayo! Keep in writing! Love you guys❤️🙏🏻
Ron and I are inspired by your courage to face this challenge. We are hoping and yes praying for this to be fixed. We are appreciative that you are sharing your daily activities and thoughts. It is a constant reminder to take each day at a time and to be the best we can be to ourselves and to each other. Onward and upward to Mayo!
I do appreciate your blog. Mayo Clinic is awesome and hoping you are able to get in soon. Blessings on both of you and your journey.
Hang in there you two. There are a lot of people rooting for you. ♥️
So sorry to hear this. I can only imagine how frustrating this is for you having to wait for answers/appointments because the non vaccinated are filling the hospitals/clinics so others can’t get needed appointments! Mayo’s is the best! I’ve had surgery there and have nothing but good things to say. I will be thinking of you.
Gordy, always love your wit and humor, not easy when you are face to face with a monster. Always praying for you.
My late sister in law was a doctor trained at Mayo, she convinced me it was an extra ordinary place to go when others did not have the solutions. Good luck
Still praying for your Gordy! It’s just not right that you can’t be drinking a Diet Coke and doing what you do best! Sorry about the change in course. Mayo is the best of the best though, so hopefully you’ll get some good answers.
Praying.
Many are praying.
Please DO keep up with your blog if able. It taps me into remembering what’s important, provides coping strategies by way of example, and spurs me to think about and appreciate all of the members of the wonderful village who brought me up — and of course that includes you.
Prayers continue for you both. I am specifically praying that your case can be looked at and you can “Come on up” sooner rather than later. Praying for the medical team that is looking at your file and making a plan for you.
We are so sorry the needle biopsy could not be done, but sounds like that was necessary. We’re glad you are going to Mayo Clinic and hope they can give you some good news! We are certainly thinking of you both and will be praying for you!
Oh my friends, I understand how hard the waiting is. It is brutal. Know you are loved and you are held in prayer by so many.
Gordy and Diane, you are such an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for keeping the blog going.
For some reason I enjoy baseball analogies. It’s the bottom of the ninth, you are the home team and the score is tied. The first guy up singles to center. The next guy up walks and you now have guys on first and second with no outs. Next guy up gets hit by a pitch. Bases are loaded with no outs and your team has their number 3, 4 and five hitters coming up. The next pitch is a hard hit ground ball to the third baseman and he throws home to get the first out and the catcher throws to first to complete the double play. You now have your number 5 hitter up with runners at 2nd and 3rd and two outs. He strikes out on three pitches. It definitely takes the air out of your sails, but guess what? The game is still tied and you have another chance to win it in the tenth inning. Mayo’s is your tenth inning Gordy. Go get ‘em buddy!
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Continuing to send you positive thoughts, prayers, support and lots of love! Take care!
Just for fun Gordy and to maybe take your mind off of things for a minute or two, there was an error in my baseball analogy. I’m sure you caught it, as did others.
I remember the first time I heard of “Gordy Taylor.” It was the fall of 1965 at WIU, Seal Hall. I was a lowly freshman. You were an RA on Seal Hall 2 or was it 3? I was on Seal Hall 4, so I didn’t really interact with you. I was a little afraid of you too!! Little did I know that over the next 56 years, we, as couples, would become close friends. Jan & I cherish our friendship with you and Diane, and we wish you Godspeed in overcoming this next obstacle in your life.
Easy for me to say, but, Hang in there, Gordy and Diane! Hopefully something good will come from Mayo!
I am so sorry to hear of your new health challenges. Mayo is a great place and I hope it provides some answers and some guidance in an efficient manner. I would also like to recommend that you become an Audible subscriber so you can listen to books rather than read them. I started doing this so I could get more books in while I am out walking. I am a piker compared to you as I only do about 3 miles a day. If you have an American Express card you might get 6 months free subscription for new members. I was sent that offer this month but I am already a subscriber. The offer is supposedly good until Feb 2022 but I can’t find it on the American Express website now so you may have to call them if you are interested. Thinking of you and Diane and wishing you all the best.
Thinking of you both with affection and admiration.
Gordy,
Loved Fuzzy’s analogy… but most of all know that you have all of us praying hard and feeling positive about Mayo and your future together…let us know if there is anything we can do for you & Di
John & Kathie Sanders
Gordy, prayer works you are in my prayers. Dad is 95 recovered from Covid in Dec. As did Karen and I .
Gordy, Diane we are with heavy hearts reading this blog as it hits very close to home with our medical journeys and adventures. You will be in our many thoughts and prayers!
It sounds like you are exploring and pressing for options which is excellent. Stay strong and be your own advocate we will be working the prayers!!