Focus on the Future

 

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

The last post: It was a bit verbose; in future I will try to be more succinct. My apologies, hopefully you fell asleep and the zoplicone can be used another night, consider the savings!!

How am I doing: Subjectively very well.

Objectively holding my own. The blood work is stable; the tumour marker is essentially stable. I am tending to agree to social commitments which may lead to fatigue, management (Deborah), is proroguing such behavior. As mentioned last time, the upcoming CT will help decide further therapy.

The Arts report

Disgraced: at the Stanley in Vancouver. Great play, beautifully acted. Vancouverites, go see it!! Playing until Oct 18.There was a scene of violence, 2 rows behind us a companion growled until the scene was concluded. Awesome, even sucked in a highly trained professional. No way that actor would get near his mistress. A first for me.

Black Mass: Not for those who deplore violence (Deb was observed staring at her shoes more than a few times. Johnny Depp will be nominated for best actor, totally sold me on his character, supporting cast very strong as well, may be more than 1 nominee.

VIFF: Sorry to be so parochial. Saw Brando: totally overrated, save your money see Amy (documentary on Amy Winehouse)

Opening night was Brooklyn, a beautiful movie with wonderful character development, excellent cinematography, a twist at the end as the audience sympathizes with the dilemma of the young Irish woman being torn to return to Brooklyn or pursue opportunities in her small home town.

 

Last night we saw the Paul Gross film " Hyena Road", an excellent flick and I was lucky enough to have just finished reading the story of Jody Mitic, a Canadian sniper, which complimented the movie beautifully and makes one understand how snipers can save troops live and respect their incredible skill and training.

Deborah and I remain very disciplined in staying true to our schedule as we have a season’s pass and have to deflect competing distractions.

The week has been a little busier than usual, entertaining some out of town golfers both from the UK and Australia.

The Canadian Seniors Golf Association arranged a fabulous tour for the Aussies, starting in Quebec (Royal Montreal, Beaconsfield, Mount Bruno), Toronto (Toronto Golf, Scarborough, Glen Abbey), Ottawa (Royal Ottawa, Ottawa Hunt), BC (Whistler, Chateau Whistler, Pemberton), Vancouver (Point Grey, Shaughnessy). I played with 3 very engaging men, Very solid players, and socially most interesting and interested. The reception after the game arranged by the Pope went off like clockwork.

 Our foursome, from left to right, Ross Bradfield(Barwon Heads GC),John Foulsham(Killara GC),yours truly,Bruce Wallis(Indooroopilly GC).

Their home courses are amongst the best in Australia, and their enthusiasm and skill reflected on their collective passion for the game. Always great to hang with the Aussies!

The Pope and the Butler surprised me with a presentation of a 65^th birthday present at the reception, unexpected, but much appreciated. I was able to tell the audience that coincidently I had received the notice of my first OAS cheque!

Something a little different, a mushroom with a seemingly mirror image:

Rantage: Ministry of Child and Families.

A tragic end to a young man’s life while under ministry care, as he jumped from a 4^thfloor hotel room that by Ministry policy he should never have been in. This adds to a long list of such incompetence within this ministry, the most recent high profile case in which a mother had her children removed and placed in the care of a pedophile husband. After years of legal battling in a David and Goliath setting, the court ordered the children released to their mother. This was never done and when caught out the ministry appealed the ruling. Naturally the buck stops with the minister but these 2 cases underline the fact that the inmates are running the asylum. Blatant contempt in the first case , misleading the court and arguably contempt of court In the second case total disregard of a very clear policy.

Not to diminish how hard these jobs are, but rules are rules, court orders are court orders. Heads need to role, the minister needs to persevere.

Election Update:

Please wait until next week’s polls, too much peeking skews your thinking.

To steal the Dauphin’s Father’s line “ The universe is unfolding as it should”

PMO

PMO: (Prime Minister Obsessive), staying on message, very disciplined, buoyed by recent budgetary reports showing surpluses.

The Pretender

The Pretender:(Tom Mulcair), the electorate is starting to get their calculators out, support in Quebec is weakening, in my view it was never that strong but based on Jack Layton’s energy. Quebec historically has been very strategic in seeking a say in the balance of power. The conservatives are actually making unexpected in roads in that province. Ontario will never support an NDP government, Rae days live forever.

The Dauphin

The Dauphin: Did very well in the French language debate, but these debates are watched by a handful of voters. Again the electorate is getting out their calculators, he cannot win the economic arguments he puts forward.

The Hugger

The Hugger: Not so gentle, it has been reported that she would condone violence as a means to a green agenda. Not a good week.

Take a look at the polls this Tuesday.

Portland and Election Commentary

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

 Status Update: I am holding my own: weight, energy level and appetite are close to normal. Weight maintenance requires 4 times insulin daily in varying amounts according to dexamethasome dosages and at least 3,000 calories. The muscle mass is reappearing even without any special workouts, mathematically my body is seeking unity.Two games recently in the 80's, a critical sign.

 More poison next week, this will be my 8^th therapy and a CT will follow to objectively assess response.

Tesla titillations:

I trick myself with things to look forward to. The car clearly needed to make a substantial trip to assess the viability of long distance travel. 

Ginn enjoyed her first trip in the car with an unforseen side effect

 Accelerated aging unique to Australian Labradoodles exposed to Tesla G forces

Ginn Before her ride

We journeyed first to Seattle; Deborah is a closet baseball fan. We stayed at the Mayflower, a few blocks from the Public Market and convenient shopping. We took public transit to Safeco field, 4 stops, all underground, the tunnel uses both trains and buses, it all seems to work. The trains are clean and certainly up to European standards. The walk to field is a bit of a maze, once in the stadium, one cannot help but be impressed. 

Our view of the field

In the outfield stands there are convenient food outlets with seating and numerous food choices, it is the only place where liquor is served. The walk to our seats, 16 rows behind home plate revealed wide walking areas and the usual fare of stadium food choices, beer but no liquor. One quickly understands the US tendency to obesity; throughout the game the traffic to these venders was non-stop.

The program was the most unusual magazine I have ever read at a home game. The criticism of the team and some of its highly paid stars was unrelenting. At one level refreshing, if you are paid $ 24 million annually, you better be hitting, the writers took no prisoners. Predicting a managerial change, trades, non-renewal of contracts etc. I would hate to be on the receiving end of these comments.

The game had everything. Home runs, bean balls, runners hit on the head by a catcher’s pick off play, another pick off at first base over-ruled by video replay, wild pitches by the Angels which led to a myriad of Mariner runs, errors that were at a training camp level by both teams. The home team prevailed, 10-1, the fans were happy, we naturally took credit for bringing them a change in luck.

The Deluxe Lobby

The next day, after a leisurely breakfast we made our way to Portland, there was a supercharger in Centralia and we stopped for about 40 minutes. We checked in to the Hotel Deluxe, their garage was equipped with a Tesla charger (210 volts), very convenient. The theme of the hotel is old Hollywood, each floor as a theme, the lobby has vintage scenes as pictured here which change every 12 minutes.

Mucca Osteria

We dined at Mucca, our favourite Italian restaurant and caught up with Genevieve Metson, a post PhD student studying at the University. She is the niece of close friends Anne Marie and Jeff Rushen and we have known her since birth. A source of great pride and highly accomplished at age 27. As usual I was able to give unsolicited career advice of questionable usefulness. Diner did not disappoint and we closed the joint.

Liam Kent with doting relatives

The next day was shopping in the am, and a visit to George Fox University where Deb’s nephew is on a baseball scholarship. A small school, which looks like a great fit for this fine young man. He is training and studying hard. We had a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant followed by a tour of the campus. 

For trivia buffs, J. Edgar Hoover was born on campus and is a graduate. His family home still standing and part of the University.

The next day was the trip home, this time with no stops other than for electrons. The night previous, Elon decided to download to my car a new software update. This was quite handy as it told me precisely how much power I needed. I had been too cautious and was wasting too much time charging needlessly. The total driving time home was 7.5 hours, including stops. I estimated this to be 90 minutes longer than usual. Gas cost I estimated to be $150.00, Elon paid my electric bill.This photo shows a back passengers view of the stuff on the console. I think I drive more safely ( accident stats seem to back that up), Deborah is uneasy with how much the computer is doing the driving.

Happy Birthday Deborah

September 18 was Deb’s birthday, low key with dinner at home with Donovan. We will go out for a dual celebration next week, as I celebrate mine on September 28.

Election Observations and Predictions: My comments in this piece will be controversial and I hazard few will be in agreement.

A few definitions, and assumptions:

The polls are not to be believed. They are done superficially, and too frequently. It is well known that the results of polls influence future polls but not necessarily the final results. Canadian pollsters have had an abysmal record over the last 3 years, eg BC,ON,AB. These polls may be accurate regarding public opinion, but many who have answered do not vote! To get the right answer one needs to measure what a voter feels.

Secondly, and this is my assumption, new governments are formed based on anger towards the incumbents, their election is rarely related to new policies. (Alberta is the striking example here).

Thirdly, say what you will whether you like a particular leader, the election is won riding by riding and here the committed vote is key.

Some nicknames:

PMO

Mr. Harper: PMO- Prime Minister Obsessive. If he walked into my office that would be the diagnosis based on his hair. A personality that perseverates on details. (He would never have blood on his logbook if he had diabetes and there would rarely be a missed reading).

The Pretender

Mr. Mulclair: The Pretender.

A staunch Canadian, he also has French citizenship.

His major success has been political; he sure can get elected by whatever stripe, Liberal in Quebec from 1994-2006. He resigned rather than to be demoted (? Team player). His claims as a senior administrator in his CV may be true but were short lived.

He courted all 3 parties before landing with the NDP; given his malleability he would be a fit for any of them. Given his unbridled ambition rest assured this was his best choice in order to be a party leader.

The Dauphin

Mr. Trudeau: The Dauphin

A term used for the eldest son of the king of France (1349-1850), i.e. heir apparent but with no power.

He is the eldest son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and is trying to regain his father's throne.

The Hugger

Elizabeth May: The Hugger

She hugs trees, fish, whales, and college kids, anything but business.

My Take:

The long campaign is not bad. Although designed to bankrupt the opposition an unintended consequence has been it has turned into a multitude of issues. I think this is a good thing. The voters will decide whether Duffy, Syrians, pipelines, create enough anger to roll the dice for an alternate government.

My opinion is that we have had good governance. I do not trust the Pretender, the Dauphin has maximized his name and hair recognition and the Hugger at 4% can be hugged with impunity.

When voters go into the polling booth, one hand is on the marking pencil, the other on their wallets.

At this juncture an important fact is the conservative base is solid and non migratory, the same cannot be said for the other parties.

The Conservatives will remain in power with a narrow majority.

The Arts Report: I have a seasons pass to the Vancouver International Film Festival and so recommendations will follow.

Rantage: During Mayor Robertson’s tenure we Vancouverites have paid out over 1 million dollars in severance to city managers. 

Sheila Rogers was dismissed without cause, ok, new administration, new management. Then Moonbeam hand picks Penny Ballem, no city managerial experience, paid greater than $300,000 per anum, a sum more than the premier of the province. (PMO earns about $390,000. Can). Is this reasonable? Her contract was open ended with an automatic 20-month payout no matter what the reason for her departure. Outrageous! Moonbeam claims to have been too busy to read her contract. Obviously there was legal and senior management advice. They have earned their dismissal… with cause (no eligibility for severance!)

Until next time..

More Poisons, Seattle and Portland Bound

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

My status:

The last infusion was uneventful, each episode is unique, and I think the solutions differ in concentrations of the poisons. Let’s leave it at that.

The first 3 days I am on high dose of steroids, specifically Dexamethasone. This stuff inhibits side effects from the poisons, but it energizes me. I usually up most of the night, thus I clean up any desk litter and start the blog.

Weight s stable and climbing revised goal is 165 pounds. I started on light weights with multiple reps tonight. My driving distance has to improve!

The visits by Hamish and Catherine were for me magical. They are fine young people and my message not to let my predicament affect their career development has been taken to heart. For this I am extremely grateful. 

Family dinner Out

Catherine met with her Dean to see if part of her education can be done at UBC. He was very helpful, and will facilitate her wishes. So progressive and accommodating.

This week we celebrated the British Open and Zach Johnson:

The menu: British Open 2015 Zach Johnson

Appetizer:

Oysters with mint julep

To Start:

Vidalia Onion Soup

Main:

Southern fried chicken

Corn on the cob

Georgian biscuits

Marinated Portobello mushrooms

Georgian Green beans

Desert:

Peach Cobbler

The dinner was a major success with great company, good humour and always a new story. I provide the menu to chef Robert Craig and he and his staff do a spectacular job of meal preparation. There was a little hiccup with the oysters due to “red tide” on the west coast. He ordered in PEI oysters, but the smallest order he could get was for 100 of the bivalves. This was no challenge for this motley crew, all 100 were consumed! Some issues with late night behavior of men returning home with so many oysters on board but those comments remain in house to protect the guilty.

From left to right, Jim Russell,Peter Butler,Bayne Boyes,The Pope, me and my beaner,Greg Bridges. Not shown but present and accounted for, Kurt Aydin.

We have the last Major to celebrate, Australian theme in honour of Jason Day. We will endeavour to have a larger audience, as hopefully travel will be slowing down as we progress into the fall.

Tesla Titillations: Road trip. 

On Monday we are off to Seattle, take in a Mariner’s ball game, and a stay at the Mayflower Hotel. Tuesday to Portland for shopping, and a visit with Liam Kent, Deborah’s nephew on a baseball scholarship to George Fox University, in Newberg OR. We will also meet up with Genvieve Mettson, niece of close friends Anne Marie and Jeff who is doing a post doc in Portland. Her speciality is adaptation of cities to their environment, my electric car should be consistent with her views on this topic.

We will use the new travel software to manage battery top ups and see if my paranoia of battery depletion can be treated. There are a series of super chargers on the way, which should minimize tine recharging.

The car does not have a CD player. Deborah has tired of my incessant playing of the Beach Boys and is trying to get the car to broadcast one of her talking books. This is problematic as the books from the library are free but you can not transfer the audio files, thus purchase seems the only option. The books can be uploaded to an iPhone, ipad, or iPod and then blue toothed to the entertainment system.  I am happy to report this is now fully operational and Elon correctly predicted we could live without a CD player in the car.

Burnham and Berrow, followed by London theater in October:

A classic par 3 looking out onto the estuary

On my bucket list was a desire to return to Burnham and Berrow Golf Club, to which I belong. I feel healthy enough and thus will take the risk, meeting Deborah a few days later to take in the new plays in London, one of my favourite activities.

 


The arts: “ The Girl in the Spider’s web”, a continuation of the Milennium series of novels written by Steig Larsson. This latest novel written by David Lagercrantz stays true to the characterizations of Lisbeth Salendar and Mikael Blomkvist. The book is hard to put down, highly recommended.

Rantage: As predicted last time the staff returned from holidays and put the water restrictions back to level 2. Still unjustified caution. As can be seen from the graph we are at historic norms, therefore no restrictions are necessary. I have no explanation for their illogical decision-making.Duncan , who estimated the largest volume for November 1 st claims to be manipulating this whole affair. The Scotsman is a shameless money hoarder.

Until next time..

Labour Day and Family Time

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

How am I doing? Weight is consistently above 160 pounds, energy level about 90 %, blood more or less stable, however a drop in the red cell count continues, albeit at a slow rate. My mild anemia is unlikely to be causing any symptoms. I have learned to manage the first week after the poison infusions and am thus more confident in what I can and cannot do.

The steroids associated with minimizing the side effects of the infusion shoot my sugars up and I am using insulin aggressively to control my levels. Steroids create significant insulin resistance thus I have needed up to 150 units daily in the first few days post infusion, which tappers to about 30 units a day as the steroids clear. To put this in perspective you normal folks out there your body uses approximately 24 units of insulin a day.

High glucose levels are my enemy. The tumour takes up glucose avidly and does not require insulin to do so. It follows therefore that if my glucose levels are allowed to rise too high, I am just feeding the tumour; you lose marks for that strategy. I am contemplating writing a paper on this stuff as it is not in the mainstream diabetes literature, and the cancer guys appear to be more interested in the latest poisons than glucose uptake by pancreatic tumours.

Hamish returned from LA on Tuesday, Catherine from Edmonton the following day. Great to have them home and to feel their support. As Yogi Berra said: “ 90% of this game is 50% mental.”

Dr. Oliver Sacks

The arts report: Oliver Sacks passed away, having just finished his biography and read many of his books, the world has lost a uniquely talented individual.

Michael Lewis: The Big Short a wonderful explanation of the etiology of the crash of 2008. A little anxiety provoking in these unsettled times. A reminder that investing still involves gambling.. like it or not.

Chris Farley

I am Chris Farley: A documentary on this SNL icon. A touching portrayal and we were lucky enough to see it at the Rio and director Brent Hodge and his brother Kevin Farley took questions, a movie worth seeing but Amy will win the Academy Award for best film in this class.

Tesla Titillations: Another internet download this week, updating my blind spot warning and making trip planning seamless with the Tesla power stations.

On Wednesday’s men’s night we were on the second tee and the back shop guy was confused where to put the tee marker, I suggested a quick call to the pro shop for clarification. The conversation his end started: “ I am with Dr. Tesla’s group and was……..”. Classic. I do not mind his mispronunciation of my name.

Meanwhile at the Cancer Agency this week my name was: 

Heeaaough.

The drought is over and one would expect that this would unleash unbridled celebration. Au contraire, events since the rains had led to further rantage!

Vancouver has just finished a record drought and appropriately, officials demonstrated caution if not prudence in introducing water restrictions. The impetus was: reservoir levels falling below “acceptable” levels:

If the red line continued the reservoir would be almost depleted by November 1

 The restrictions introduced in July effectively decreased consumption.

The rains came and the reservoirs were replenished to 2014 levels for this time of the year.

Why on earth continue water restrictions? Is there evidence we will deplete levels? Not really, but even if we did, restrictions could be re-introduced.

A reading of How not to be Wrong The Power of Mathematical thinking by Jordan Ellenberg would give them ample guidance.

Who suffers? The cleaning guys who make their income by power washing windows and buildings.They make the majority of their money in the summer, the policy suspended their ability to make a living.

I suspect the ban will be lifted when our hard working city employees return from their 6-week vacations.

Not to be totally negative, the data put out by the city on a daily basis is very helpful and my emails to them were promptly returned, but these are the guys who collect the data and do not make the decisions.

Until next time