Author Archives: dmtgat

OK, so I have a certain type of sense of humor.  I’ll admit to that as I’m reminded of it frequently BUT no one has ever walked up to me and smacked me across the face.  Goodness, couldn’t Will Smith have maybe taken Chris Rock aside and said, “Hey buddy, no more jokes about myContinue reading “Perspective”

When I sit down like I am this afternoon, I just never know where my mind will take me, and today is no different so let’s begin. It has been some time since reflections were made here about The Fourth Quarter, and as I hit year #76 before this month is over, it would seemContinue reading “Rule 6”

Hooray, we have arrived in SW Florida.  It is a bit chilly here but then compared to up North, well you get the picture. We are moved in, bought groceries, got the car washed, and went to the weekly Farmers’ Market. Time now to walk a bit, do some long-delayed reading, and soak up theContinue reading ““We just kept on coming…””

Swallow test #3 is now “in the books.”  I entered the “swallow room” on the 13th with a good deal of apprehension as I knew the future of my relationship with PEG (stomach tube) hung in the balance. For the past six weeks, I had been diligently doing my exercises and knew what to expect sinceContinue reading ““I Just Want Some Money so We Can Have Chinese for Dinner””

I simply couldn’t escape the logic of writing a few lines relevant to the holiday that is upon us, so Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Before I ruminate a bit about my favorite holiday, an update on the “journey” would seem to be in order.  The Mayo Clinic’s Medical Oncology Department called to say they don’tContinue reading “Thanksgiving”

Friday, October 29, 2021 It has been two weeks since the happy dance celebration with wonderful MRI results.  Monday is November 1st, and I have been pondering what that will bring. Since the beginning of this journey on July 2nd, Diane and I have been touched, deeply touched, by the support we have received fromContinue reading “I Give It a C-“

Friday, October 15, 2021 Today should be THE DAY with some answers. We went to bed last night after the Buccaneers beat the Eagles and the Dodgers prevailed over the Giants to win that series. While we are sports fans, we aren’t nuts, but now we apparently are. Nothing says major sports events like thoseContinue reading “The Waiting is Over”

Friday, October 8, 2021 It is 10 a.m. and I am sitting here wondering what today will bring.  Diane worked her usual magic and got my appointment moved from October 14th to today at 6 p.m., so we will be heading out to Iowa City in an hour or so.  It is amazing how, inContinue reading “Tick Tock, Tick Tock”

September 27, 2021 I guess you could say progress is being made, just at a snail’s pace. After the needle biopsy cancellation due to “too risky” on September 10th, we had a meeting with an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist at the University of Iowa Hospital System on September 27th to determine the next stepContinue reading “The Roller Coaster”

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 journeyContinue reading ““Come on Up””