January 3, 2002|
The Tragedy on New Year’s Eve
Previously on ArtCanning.com, Art vowed to be in Times Square for New Year’s Eve. It was a simple vow that as we will read this week was fated not to occur. Alas.
The beginning. It all started at the Pittsburgh Airport, where I lost my scarf, my precious, beautiful, warm navy blue scarf. A scarf is essential for outdoor spulunkering, especially for me- mr. pencil neck.
The downfall continued. My companions on the trip both exclaimed their fear of the cold. Women. You could be in the Sahara Desert and a woman would complain,”I feel a draft! Do you have a sweater!” It was 30 degrees! That’s like summer in Ohio! Alas, it was Art, left by himself.
And onward. I was not allowed to eat the entire New Year’s Eve until I had finished both my CT Scan and PET Scan. True to nature and technology, one of the two PET Scan machines broke, and I was stuck at the hospital an extra 3 hours. I arrived at 1pm, and didn’t leave until 7pm. Further my last meal was the night previous (chocolate cake, mmmm…). Not only would I be late getting to Times Square, but I would be starving also. Nonetheless I planned on.
The kicker. For Christmas, I bought myself a digital camera (Art says “Merry Christmas Art!” Art replies, “Wow! Thanks! A digital camera! You shouldn’t have!”) I was so set to take many a picture for this very web site. Of course, as I was setting it up, while waiting for my PET Scan, the battery ran out. Patient Art was becoming flustered Art.
The change of plans. There was no way I could go to Times Square. At the rate I was going, I probably would have been hit by a herd of crazed taxi drivers on the way there. Famished, I grabbed burgers from Wendy’s, headed to Katie’s apartment and watched “Memento” – one of the most perplexing and confusing movies ever made. Flustered Art became more flustered.
To the rescue.Remembering an invitation gathered the night before, Court, Katie and I convened and decided to go to our friend Steve’s New Year’s get-together. We celebrated the New Year in style, on the roof, squinting to see any sign of the ball dropping and hearing the complaints of many a woman about the cold (“Oh the wind! I feel a draft!”). It was a New Year’s Eve for the books.
More Adventures
Since then, I have been pounding the cement of NYC, hitting Macy’s, the movies, delis, and this internet cafe in Times Square that I write you from. Last night was another one for the books. Ali and I went to see “Kate and Leopold” (starring Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman) and then had tea/coffee at Cafe Lalo, the cafe from the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks hit “You’ve Got Mail.” It was only appropriate. I also saw “A Beautiful Mind” on New Year’s Day. It definitely rivals “Lord of the Rings” for Art’s Movie of the Year.
Oh yeah, there is also that whole health thing. Yesterday was another long day at Sloan Kettering, getting all the necessary pre-work completed for the Bone Marrow Transplant. The highlight was Dr. Perales’s “No-Hassle Bone Marrow Biopsy.” A Bone Marrow Biopsy is where the doctor sticks a needle (with a circumference of like 2 inches; at least it feels like it) through your muscle into the back of your hip bone. Nother rivals feeling a needle going into your bone, especially without sedatives or the numbing agent at full strength. Hearing and feeling your bone crack, it is something EVERYONE needs to experience. I think it was some sort of Nazi torture exercise. I am sure it was.
During the procedure, outside, I didn’t move a muscle, looking straight ahead and replying with all the masculinity I could muster “I feel fine!” Inside, it was a different story. I was screaming like a little school girl. “EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!” That’s why I like this new doctor, Dr. Perales. He gets the job done and means business. “EEEEEEKKKKKKK!! June 6th- D-Day! Normandy! EEEKKKKK!”
So Much More
I have much more to write, but my minutes are running out at this internet cafe. I will try to tell of more adventures next week. Till then, keep your head up, stay warm (esp. you women) and watch out for doctors with big needles.