A Magical Time of the Year

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

 

We are less than 1 month from Christmas…

Unbelievable!

Status Update: Blood work ok, my 12^th course of poisons is in a few days. My oncologists are pleased with my progress, however as we go longer with this treatment,they become visibly concerned about me developing the neuropathy associated with Oxaliplatin. It usually shows up after 8 cycles, it looks like I may be playing with fire here, however, the incidence is around 10%, is reversible with time, and can be effectively treated with a number of agents. I will press on.

Tesla Titillations: Each week there are subtle changes to the car. Autopilot continues to improve. It operates best when the sensors are seeing 2 lane lines. It will operate following 1 lane line, unfortunately it is usually the lane separating you from oncoming traffic, and the car hugs that line and it can be quite unnerving and lead to knuckle whitening of any passengers who notice. My advice is only use autopilot with dual line input, the car stays perfectly centered and collective anxieties abate.

With 2 lane lines the car remains perfectly centered

One of my patients recently ordered a Model S 90,a top of the line model. I am going add this as one of the options on my prescription pad. 

The Arts report: The Secret of Golf: The story of Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Most golf fans know most of these stories but there were some nuances I had not appreciated. Firstly it appears Watson practiced more than Woods. Secondly he was an alcoholic and has fortunately stayed off the booze. Watson was instrumental in helping David Feherty get and stay sober.

As a coach for Donovan I always worried about the line between coaching and sabotaging a father son relationship.

Watson’s father was a prick, rarely giving positive feedback, commenting that every good shot was “lucky”. On the other hand Nicklaus’ father was as equally a good golfer as Watson senior and played frequently with Jack. The bets between them were always good-natured, such as a car or a house (this was when Jack was a teen!). They both knew the bets would never be paid but it taught competiveness. They usually walked off the course laughing.

Quite a contrast, but they both sought and achieved excellence.

Who can forget the Open in 2009, the 59-year-old Watson was 1 putt away from victory. Somehow the broadcast patched Nicklaus in by phone, his emotion and genuine cheering for Tom was palpable. The book tells us that Jack watched the complete broadcast, absolutely fixated. Generally, he never watches golf!

More touching was his support of Watson’s decision to putt from the fringe rather than chip on the 18 th hole that led to a bogey, his playoff with Stewart Cink which he lost. Watson finally accepted that it was the right play and his disappointment dissipated.

After reading this book I shot my best round in weeks , I focused on inner calm and focus.

15 Dogs: This year’s deserving winner of the Giller Prize. A great read and will leave you talking to your dog and expecting a conversation!

Celtic Lightning: compared to his previous book, “ How the Scots Invented Canada”, a huge disappointment. It became obvious that he had won a grant for the book and it is just not up to snuff. Read his previous book for a more comprehensive and organized look at our history and heritage.

Adele 25: a great album worth it.

The bucket list: get music throughout the house and be able to have different tunes play in different rooms.

Done: I purchased a sonos connect and 2 wireless speakers. I have hard wired speakers in Deborah’s study, the kitchen, the living room, and the patio. The wireless speakers can be moved but are now in the bedroom and my study. I can control the system with my iPhone. I have spotify integrated, thus music choices are endless, of course all my digitalized music is also on the iphone thus options are expanded.

A simplified diagram of the components

The E connect, this accepts input from your home network and some direct hardwire connections eg your CD player

The back view showing wired access

Great quality speakers that only need to be plugged in and get be moved where you want them.

Sorry to be so crass and materialistic …. But as Kurt Vonnegut wrote in Slaughterhouse-Five….

“ and so it goes”

Social: We approach the holiday season and the exchange of good wishes and good cheer. There is also the reality of crowded rooms and the pesky winter viruses. I must therefore pick and choose venues with caution and as many of you know I no longer shake hands but rather rub elbows. Also, my white count recovers about a week after the poisons ,thus I time my attendance at gatherings accordingly. 

We recently had our staff Christmas lunch at C Prime, at the Century Plaza hotel, I have of course seen this hotel change over the last 30 years, I highly recommend the restaurant, comfortable ambience and very reasonably priced. 

The Team: from L to R, Helen,Augustine,Patricia,Christina,Dr.P,HT,Adam,Dan,Jessica,Betty

On December 8, I have my last official task as a member of the Point Grey Board as I open the AGM, this will end 8 years on the board, a highly satisfying activity. I will miss it.

We host our sometimes annual Open House on December 22, Hamish and Catherine return on the 21^st, they are invaluable in helping Deborah bring it all together.

Christmas will bring Uncle Ted and Teresa as visitors; the Christmas dinner will be extra raucous.

Until next time…