No, not just TGIF, I want to give a follow up post to my announcement of a few weeks ago for my loyal readers because many of you had invested yourselves in my personal challenges.
As many of you know, my family had a huge medical challenge recently. It was all about this familiar symbol.
Back on the week of October 18th, my lovely wife went through a double mastectomy, which seemed to be the best option given the situation. The surgery was succesfull, with no complications, but we had to wait for final lab results and follow up scans. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, and to top it off we lost a beloved family pet of 15 years Monday. Minners is finally drinking clean water somewhere.
So dear readers, please forgive me if I’ve been dour and a little snippy here. I know I have been a bit rough around the edges. I’ve been so frazzled I forgot to do our weekly Sea Ice News last Sunday. I forgot to take out the garbage Wednesday, and at coffee yesterday morning I couldn’t remember the name of a person I’d known for years. Stress is a weird thing.
Late last night, after two days of follow up at Stanford Medical Center. We got the news. No metastasis, they got it all. Now it’s just the long but certain road physical therapy.
I gotta tell you it was like somebody cutting the guy lines to the giant lead balloon I’ve been tied to for the last three months. It took off into the stratosphere, never to be seen again.
I want to thank you all for the kind words, prayers, and most especially for the support of WUWT with ideas and guest articles. I want to give a special thanks to Willis Eschenbach, Tom Fuller, and Steve Mosher for guest posts. Special thanks go to Evan Jones and D.B. Stealey for their support and the kind letters they sent me, and to Charles the Moderator for keeping the chaos managed.
If I’ve missed anyone, please don’t feel left out, I’m just a bit scrambled mentally. Everybody gets gold stars.
In a day or two, I’ll be back to chasing errant weather stations and missing “M”‘s in METAR reports.
Discover more from Watts Up With That?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Anthony,
Great news about your wife. I understand (just a bit, having never gone through anything with my wife that even is distantly comparable) and am sorry about minnies (I know exactly how you feel).
When we had to have a pet put down a friend (who is also no longer with us) sent us a sympathy card that had the perfect words inside.
They will not go quietly,
the pets who’ve shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still can make us
think we hear them at the door
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them…and always will.
Cry when you need to and laugh (and remember) when you can. Each one leaves us just a bit different from the way we were before.
Walter
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife, Anthony. Life is so precious.
Anthony,
Your description of your medical emergency inspires me with its simplicity and gratitude and the warm reception from your readers demonstrates the enormous goodwill you have earned around the world. Great news. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Very, very good, Anthony! I’m pleased that your wife’s treatment was so successful. If you need to take extra time to support her emotionally, do so–family always comes first.
You are a very fine man, Anthony, it is so apparent in what you do and who you are. But give attention where attention is due. Forget about this blog for a while. Take another three or four weeks off. As you can see, others can handle it, and have done a magnificent job. Go celebrate somewhere with your lovely wife and forget about us. We’ll still be here when you get back. We’re nothing in comparison. I’m so pleased about the news for you both. Sincerely, Mike S.
Excellent news. Very happy for you both.
You have told us on a couple of occasions that you have a hearing disability, so I’ll say it louder.
EXCELLENT NEWS. VERY HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH.
Excellent news! All the best to you and your family. And, sincere condolences on the loss of a dear pet. Something like that can truly feel like the last straw. So happy to read that it’s all upwards from here.
Dear Anthony and Mrs. Watts,
Of all the WUWT columns I’ve read & participated in, this is, without a doubt, my favorite!
Congratulations, God bless, and may you continue on the road to healing and good health. Cheers, Chuck & Ginny
May I nominate particularly Charles the Moderator to carry load for you, Anthony?
Over the past few weeks he has been the one to stay fiercely true to your mission; and I feel is the one who shares that mission with you most completely.
Around the world people are sharing your family situation with you, and wish wife, children and yourself well.
We, perhaps even “the world”, need your work time — but we (and I believe I can speak for most) will only very reluctantly take your family time.
Go well; and go easy.
It is heartening to hear that all is well. We get wrapped up in our discussions and debates, but our families always come first. Glad to hear that you and your wife have good news.
Ed
Great to hear the good news. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for all your hard work, and those who assist!
Anthony,
Absolutely great news. Been there. May Mrs. Watts and you live long and prosper.
Again, congratulations.
Mr. Clark.. great poem. that is a keeper.
Great news Anthony. I met you in Perth, Australia, during your recent tour “down under”. It’s nice to see that good things do happen to good people!
Anthony, God bless you and your family. I’m really glad to hear that the prognosis is so good. You sure have gone through a lot recently, stay strong!
Thanks for the update Anthony. I hope you and your wife are getting to take some nice, long walks together. The K~Missus and I wish you our best!
Great news about your wife, give her the worlds biggest hug from us all. Shame about Minners, lovely picture, she looked very cuddly. Perhaps a little Minners to replace?
Looking forward to the next see ice update seeing it seems to have hit a brick wall ! 🙂 Us AGW folk can have our day in the sun, except there isn’t any up there of course at the mo’.
Once again excellent news.
Andy
see ice, sigh …. I’ve only written about it on blog posts for years as well. The Queen will be ashamed !
Andy
Will continue to pray for you both as your wife continues to recover from all this and may God continue to bless you and your family.
James.
Wonderful news Anthony and especially Mrs. Watts
Wishing the best in the recovery phase.
Best wishes also to the WUWT readers and posters in similar health situations.
Hey Anthony
Absolutly fabulous news. I’m away with my family in bucketing rain in a boat and we’re just loving it. The just being together part.
Wishing your Boss a speedy recovery and for you the heart felt relief.
Cheers Jack
Great news, Anthony. Best wishes to you and your family.
Great news for you and your wife Anthony, if by mischance things don’t go according to plan, my wife and I went the alternative way. You have my e-mail address. Best wishes to both of you.
Great news. Now go get a kitten
I’d just like to add my sincere wishes for Mrs Watts’ speedy recovery. Dave.
So True. Today IS a great day. And may there be many more ahead for you and Mrs Watts. Robin.