Gpanda needs cheer

My very best wishes for successful treatment to Andy. Know that we are all rooting for you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and we need you back at Fodors ASAP so hurry and get better!

Same here. We've got you in our thoughts. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help...we're here for you.

All the Aloha we can muster is coming your way in Boston Andy! Our very best wishes and prayers for your speedy recovery.

Aloha!

Sorry for this news Andy. The diagnosis seems overwhelming at this time and will until you get a treatment plan in place. Then I expect you will be entertaining the nurses and staff with your incredible sense of humor.

Love and Prayers

Andy, sorry to hear you and Beth are going through this right now. However, you are in the best place for care and if anyone can kick this thing it the proverbial shin, you can. So many of us are thinking of you right and and sending you all the positive energy we can muster.

Sending good thoughts your way from NYC!

Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery!

So sorry to hear this. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

All my very best wishes to Andy & family.

Panda,
If anyone can confront this it is you and Beth, together will all your friends here. We wish you strength, good luck and good cheer. We are thinking about you. Please let us know if you need anything. For example, I bet we could get a good cashew chicken delivered to you no problem at all. Tengo.

Yikes! I am so sorry to hear this. I am sending hope and good wishes for the easiest possible treatment and cure.

Keep up that sense of humor, Andy - it will give you and Beth the strength to get through this. Jeane and I are rooting for you and send best wishes for a successful treatment.

What awful news. Sending you all my best thoughts and wishes and look forward to seeing you at the next Boston GTG.

No way! Andy is not the kind of guy who can get sick. Are you sure they didn't say, "He has a brain in here?" not "he has a brain tumor?"

Seriously, Andy, lots of love and best wishes going out to both you and Beth.

My best wishes for a good prognosis. You live in one of the best places in the world to get excellent treatment. Your sense of humor will get you through the coming days and weeks...even if it does drive the doctors and nurses nuts.

who wants to really break the bad news to him, that during any hospital stay the following are strictly not allowed:

cigar smoking
hot tub relaxation
massages---well maybe a very short one if you have an old nurse
playing poker or any gambling
sex--well maybe they would overlook this
fodors GTG's
childish tricks except in the children's ward

Panda! Sending you very best wishes, you will courageously get through this and be well in no time!!

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. We are all pulling for you.

Andy, don't you dare be ill we need you here!!
Seriously, love and best wished from Muffin and I
XX

And forgot to say:
Best wishes for a Speedo recovery...

Oh, lcuy!

Andrew, would you please hurry back here? Can't you see we need you? Who's going to keep Bob in check? Obviously Karen can't do that all by herself!

And in posting what you're NOT able to do in a hospital, Bob has obviously not been clued in to hydrotherapy, which some hospitals do have. I was rehabbing a knee injury once, and I got to use a jacuzzi! (You'd think Bob would know better, given that Karen was a nurse for 40 years!)

Anyway, my point is (and I do have one), you are missed here and will be until you post in again here. Please get well soon.

XOXOXXOOO,
BC

I have never had the pleasure of meeting you Andrew but I sure know how loved you are by all the Fodorites that know you.

I send you my very best wishes and prayers from Northern California. From what I have heard of your spirit you will beat this tumour. And don't pay attention to the "what you can't do in the hospital"..I knew a guy who did smoke a cigar in his hospital bed (back when smoking was allowed of course), well until Nurse Rachet took it away from him, lol.

Andy & Beth, Eric and I are so sorry to hear of this and wish you a full and speedy recovery. We know you are strong and will get through this. We look forward to seeing you in Boston again this year so hurry up and get well!! Your Fodor's family loves you and we are all sending our good karma your way.

Andy, you have to remember to stop telling bad jokes to the doctors and let them do their jobs. I will be happy to put up with your humor at the next get-together; I may even laugh.

Thinking of you and hoping for a good prognosis.

Very sorry to hear this.Sending positive thoughts Gpandas way for a speedy recovery.

So sorry to hear this. We will keep you in our prayers.

Andy and Beth,
I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through surgery and treatment. I'm sure you will be in the hands of the best that medicine has to offer.
Here's to a speedy recovery! We want you back here ASAP.
Carol

Andy, With all the good wishes coming your way plus your sense of humor, this thing doesn't stand a chance! Wishing you the speediest possible recovery. Your fans are rooting for you.

Here's hoping that many wonderful trips await you at the end of this horrendous detour...

Best wishes Andy, I've read lots of your posts and just wanted to send my very best from Australia. It sure takes the wind out of your sails for a while, but I'm hoping there will be a fresh wind to set you on course again very soon.

I am so sorry Andy. We met at the LA gtg a year or so ago and I was so touched with how you made me and everyone feel so welcome with your jokes. Sending you lots of hugs.

He HAS to get better. Who else will issue penalties for late Trip Reports (along with the many joys his stories have provided over the past years).

Sending good thoughts, Andy, and looking forward to seeing you back here soon.

Lots and lots of nothing but good thoughts coming your way from Texas.

Sandra

Gpanda, I'm sure you'll get the excellent care in Boston, but the best prescription is plenty of humor. I'd like to quote a friend of mine (also in the Boston area) whose wife beat back cancer, twice:

"I am convinced it's about her own personal fortitude, attitude, faith, prayer, and just sincere support from friends, family, and strangers too."

Positive thoughts coming your way from this stranger in an even stranger land.

PS, I highly recommend some old Sid Caesar videos. If This is Your Story doesn't get you ROFL nothing will.

Thanks Bob for letting us know - Andy and Beth - my thoughts and best wishes are with you both now.....

Beth reports that andy will be operated on tomorrow afternoon, so lets all keep our wishes flowing....

Bob,

My god that's fast! Please tell Beth and Andy that we our praying for a successful operation and quick recovery.

We haven't met gpanda but I am sending prayers for a speedy recovery from this surgery. And in case you forgot your speedo for the hydrotherapy tubs, maybe someone can pick you up one of these:

http://www.fuzing.com/vli/00349390a369/disposable-panty

topping with heartfelt thoughts

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thanks to everyone with their kind wishes. It is deeply comforting to be reminded thas I am a part of a caringt community. I am not alone.

On the news front, they strongly suspect that I have the same type of tumor a Teddy Kennedy, a gliobaustama. These ra re gerressive and qickly growing tumors. Not good. This sopinion cmes from reading two MRI's. When they do the surgery later today, they will do a complex pathology reprt that will take about a week. WE will then know exactly what type of tumor it is and be able to devise the miost appropriate teratment plan. The3re is a 10% chance that it is a different type of tumor with far less dire circumastances. We will see.

The good news is that I v'e had the opportunity to do the muscle trick five times to the delight of the staff. ONe asked me to do it to an Easter song and I had to confess that Easter songs were not a big part of my jewish upbringing. Ha Va Na Glia was not acceptable.

It's the night before my surgery and I'm wholly unable to sleep. They hacve said that there is a strong likelihood that a significant portion of my left-sided vision may be lost. The tumor is in the right occiplital lobe which controls left-sided vision. Conseq

I missed the punchline that my typos will be much more extensive, if my vision is reduced.

The truly terrifying part is that eventually I may suffer significant cognitive loss. If this gets really bad, I'll get evidcetd from Cambridge and have to move to Needham.

Once they identify the tumor, the prognosis including likely life expectany can be deduced.

My plan for the weekend was a cigar in the hot tub and a poker tournament on Sunday. Instead, I got to check i to Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Again thanks to all who sent their wishes and all who wanted to dsend otherwise, but refrained.

Andy,

Nice to hear from you! We are praying for a successful operation so please know that your friends, from all around the world, are thinking of you.

Good luck tomorrow mon ami!

PS.. no online poker OK!

No online Poker? If I can't drive and can't work, playing one-eyed online poker may be my only source of income. Of course, it won't cover the cost of running the hot tub and the cigars, but is income. I think I make about the same hourly rate as if I worked in WALMART. Rest assured, I do sress better than they.

Oh, gawd, my friend - this is a tough one. How scary this must be right now.

Just know that this network of distant friends is with you, sitting through this long, difficult night with you, hovering gently not far from your side. Feel it? That's us.

Watching and waiting with you, my friend...

My prayers, for what they're worth, go with you too. Hang on tight.

Join others here who have enjoyed your fun trip reports and the Andy and Bob Comedy Show, to send positive waves and good karma for a better-than-expected result.

But a one-eyed cigar-smoking poker player in a Women’s Hospital?
No wonder the nurses are impressed by the ‘muscle trick’

Does it involve a red speedo?

All the very best, so many are thinking of you

From Africa, enormous amounts of positive energy directed to Andy and Beth.

Thanks for your reply to my email, Andy. I also wanted to chime in here in the group chorus of support. Since my wishes come from the land of Pandas, I fancy that they have extra impact.

Please be in that fortunate 10%, ok? We need you here on Fodor's! There need to be real bodies in that 10% body count so let one of them be your furry, Speedo-clad one.

This story isn't over yet and you have support winging your way from all over the globe from distressed and concerned fodorites.

A big hug to Beth who is perhaps in the most difficult position of all.

All the Italian restaurateurs of Beijing and Shanghai join me in sending best wishes for a speedy recovery. They expect you to return to China and dine with them. Cigars on the house.

Joining in and sending you the best of good wishes, Andy! You will be in my thoughts today.

Sending love and best wishes from London to you both! I hope the op goes well today and that we see you back on here soon - we need a one eyed cigar smoking poker playing speedo clad guy in a hot tub to keep Bob in check and I'm not sure anyone else will meet the job description
lucyxxx

Not a single wink of sleep. Usually, anxiety is never present in pandas. It's not part of our genetic code. Therefore, when it swept over me last night, I was sinularly ill-plced to deal with it.

Operation is at 11am EDT. Recovery in ICU ofr a day and then perhaps I'll be back online. Home on Thursday, so I'll definitely check in by then.

If we joined together the dots of all these people who are sitting somewhere, everywhere, thinking of you, holding you in a big space of healing and calm, there would be a string tied all around this big world of people who are sending you strength.

Thinking of you, remembering yet again, how fragile we all are, how every minute is precious, how in the end, there's only one or two things that really matter.

Sending you every good thing, many hopes for every miracle there is.

~L

Andy and Beth,
We cannot tell you how much you are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you the best and please know how many people here and elsewhere are rooting for and caring about you. And, since we all know your sense of humor, here's one to chuckle about:
*****************

A man went to the doctor's. The doctor came in and said, "Well, I've got some good news and some bad news."

The patient sighed, "Okay, give me the bad news first."

"The bad news is that you have an inoperable brain tumor."

The patient looked very grave, and asked, "And what are the good news, anything to help me with the brain tumor?"

"The good news is our hospital has just been certified to do brain transplants and there has been an accident right out front and a young couple was killed and you can have which ever brain you like. The man's brain is $100,000.00 and the woman's brain is $30,000.00."

"I'm glad to hear there's something you can do to help me," the man replied, "But, out of curiousity, why is there such a big difference in the price of male and female brain?"

The doctor replied, "The female brain is used."

Forget the panda stuff. You're now a ferocious Gtiger doing battle. Thinking of you...

Offwego, what a beautiful thought!

Get well, Andy!

Will be thinking of you today, sending you positive vibes,get well soon

BWH is an outstanding hospital. If you can get excellent care anywhere, it's there! Best wishes to you for your surgery.

Blessings to you and your family as you wander the maze of hospitals and doctors' offices, bloodwork and MRIs. Having had numerous brain MRIs since 2003, I liken it to being shoved headfirst into an empty water heater, the exterior then being bashed with a baseball bat for about 30 minutes.

When I first started reading this forum last year, I happened upon the "Ask Oksana" bit where you and Bob pretended to be the lady in question. I laughed so hard and so did MP. Keep that sense of humor!

There's also a thread with the very same title as this one in the Fodor's Lounge right now. Gpanda is a much-loved Fodorite, and people in the Lounge are also wishing him well, and wishing a speedy and full recovery for him.

BC

I'm joining everyone in sending you best wishes and positive thoughts.

Gpanda, hope the surgery went well and you get good news. I've enjoyed all the good humor you've added to this site. It's so clear that you are loved by many.

My thoughts are with you and Karen. If there is anything I can do please let me know. E.g. deliver some GOOD food from NYC
Fanny

Many healing thoughts and much love to you Andy. Keep up your good cheer as best you can. We know you will. I love Lori's thought that we are a big band of energy all around the word pulling for you.
So hurry back and tell us all about how you are torturing the nurses!

Andy, thinking of you right now while you're undergoing surgery. Best wishes!

gpanda, you're probably under the knife right now and I hope your docs are nimble fingered and fully capable of dealing with any stockings containing rocks!

Here's a quote for you

"...it has been well said that it is precisely these moments when we are feeling that ours is the world and everything that's in it that Fate selects for sneaking up on us with the rock in the stocking."
— P.G. Wodehouse

Wishing you all the best and no more rocks.

On behalf of our People's republic of Cambridge. we all wish you a SPEEDO recovery and heaven forbid, move to Neeedham.
love and kisses, andy.
s

Adding my thoughts and best wishes to those of so many others.

Gpanda, I am sending many prayers and positive thoughts for you! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

I'm so very sorry Andy. My very best wishes to you and to Beth. Coincidentally I'll also be at the Brigham tomorrow for tests. You are fortunate to be in such good hands. I know it's hard to be positive but it really does help.

K & I are at the hospital with beth... we got to see andy before he went into surgery... his outlook was good and his attitude excellent.... he thanks everyone for their wishes. all he could talk about is our return to SEA in may....

surgery continues at this moment.

Thanks for the update, Bob. Sending good thoughts your way.

Keeping vigil with you Andy, even in Baghdad.

Bob so glad to hear that you are there with Beth. I am sure she appreciates it greatly, it is so hard to see yuor spouse unwell & you unable to do anything. Thinking about you all. Feel all the good vibes raining down on Boston from all over the world?

We're all right there with you.

Thanks for keeping us informed - that's a long surgery... So glad to hear Beth is not waiting this out alone.

Andy, I'm hoping like hell for that 10%. Hang in there, we're all with you in spirit.

andy, andy, andy, what the heck is going on?

hoping the very best for you. we are praying for you, and a favorable prognosis. imua!!

Andy, I'm sending up a prayer for your full recovery.

Best wishes for your quick recovery....keep your sense of humor...

Yup, Australia's waiting too.

Thailand is just waking up and we are praying for good news.

we have just returned from the hospital...

the doctor came to see beth (and us) in the family waiting area (very nice facility) about 6:15 (that made it about a 5 hour operation). He said the operation went well and that the Glisoblastoma was slightly larger than they had thought and that they removed as much as they could "see" of it (with microscopes). Google this condition for more info... let me just say its not great, but there is hope.

About 6:45 we went into the ICU where andy was awake, and already cracking some jokes.....he looked excellent, had great color but of course was very tired. We stayed only a few minutes.

It is expected that he will be home by the end of the week and in fact up on his feet tomorrow....

Both he and beth are still talking about our trip to bali in mid-may and the doctor has told him that if everything goes ok he will be finished with radiation and chemo by then.....it should start in about 2 weeks from now...

keep your best wishes coming and he will be back here soon with all his "typing errors"....

he very much appreciates all the comments...

Excellent news and thanks for the update Bob!

Thanks for the news, Bob. Given the diagnosis, the news is as good as it can be. I'm delighted to hear that Andy and Bath can anticipate that May trip to Bali!

Keep up the good work, Andy!

Bob and Karen, this has been a long and trying day for you as well. Simply exhausting for all of you, but how precious that you were both there with Beth. I know how close you are to Andy and Beth--a truly great and loving friendship. They are lucky to have you and you are lucky to have them. Here's to a fabulous Bali trip in May and one day at a time between now and then.

And to Beth and Andy....you can see we are all sending you all the global karma we can.

There is no place on earth more suited to healing than Bali. Today is Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence when the Balinese (and like-minded visitors) contemplate their place in the universe. Malevolent spirits are banished and order is restored. A fitting beginning for Andy's recovery process.

Gpanda, I'm glad to hear the operation is over and that you are already cracking jokes! I send best wishes for a very speedy recovery! I know you are looking forward to Bali!

rhkkmk-best wishes to you both as well. Thank you for the update!

My heart feels heavy reading these last few posts--but I know that our ol' cantankerous Panda will be back on his feet lickety-split, insulting my husband about his basketball loyalties quicker than you can blink an eye.

I'm can only rest in the comfort that he's terrorizing the nurses in Boston with his requisite speedo and cigar.

Thanks for the update. He'll keep the ICU on their toes!

Thanks for the update Bob. Good to hear Andy is out of surgery & that you were able to talk to him for a minute before you went home. All the best wishes for the road ahead. There are so many people you will travel the road of treatment with Andy in spirit. He will never be alone. Then a great trip at in sight to look forward to. Take care

Thanks, Bob, for the update. May each drop of all this heavy rain that's flooding here turn into get well fast wishes.

A long day for the four of you. Best wishes for the road to recovery! Trip report gpanda?

Friendship and humor are the best medicine. And the good wishes coming from all around the globe make me realize yet again what a small world it is. It took the Fodors message board to get me to reconnect with Andy and Beth, both of whom were in my class in law school more than a few years ago. I am thinking of you both now and hoping for the best.

Although our path barely passed, I am praying a healing song for GPanda and all whom he has touched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z-eyG8xVhk

Thank you for the update.

More Get Well wishes from Down Under. That world-wide tight hug will get you on your feet again, Panda.

You have been in my thoughts and heart all day, Andy and Beth. Glad to hear that the operation is over and now treatment can begin.

Thanks Bob & Karen. Not only for your "being there" for Andy, but for connecting us all today.

Wouldn't it be amazing to see a map with the location of everyone here rooting for Andy? I'm guessing we'd have almost every continent covered. And they say you only meet axe murderers and kidney thieves on-line...

I need to join the chorus of well wishers, from an Asia forum newbie who has so enjoyed The Panda's trip report from China, which I'm mining like I've got a pickaxe to put together my own itinerary. Being a former Bostonian myself, I know the great miracles that can occur in the city's hallowed halls of medicine. Godspeed to you and your family.

Andy,
Hope to share cigars in BKK again. Get well soon.

I've just come back to this forum after a hiatus and was shocked to see this news. GPanda, my thoughts are with you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Gpanda: Kathie sent me an e-mail today of your condition as I didn't know about it. Thoughts and prayers for you and Beth. Happy Travels!

There is little more terrifying than awakening alone in an ICU. Thank you, Bob & Karen, for making sure Andy was not alone, and for being there for Beth, too, who must have felt like this cannot be happening--I can't begin to imagine what she's going through, too. And most of all, after such a very long day, thank you for letting us know how Andy is. You are wonderful friends to Andy & Beth, obviously, but you are also wonderful friends to us Fodorites.

BC

After this harrowing day I hope Beth, Bob and Karen can get some sleep tonight. I'm sure the nurses have tucked the Panda in for the night some time age. We will all be with you in the morning and throughout this journey.

Thanks for the update, Bob. You are a rock.

Hard yards for the Panda. And all those close to him, far and wide.

And those who only know him through his words on a travel forum.

What a vile ‘hot-tub and poker’ alternative you’ve been served, Andy – but hopefully all the global Fodorite best wishes and good karma will help lighten the load a little.

All connected through the magic of the Panda's budgie-smugglers (speedos)

“And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter
And the sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things
The heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” [K. Gibran]

Andy, Just got back from a week away in Cornwall to log on to and see your news. So sorry to hear of your problems. Carolyn and I will both be thinking of you and Beth here in sunny (unusually!)England . Good to see you posting again your biting wit and balanced viewpoint is needed hear (as is your unique ability to keep Bob in line(well almost!)

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Best wishes for a swift recovery from this Aussie who only knows you through your many helpful posts. You can see from all these comments how admired you are by so many people.There are many of us with you.

Loads of good vibes for a quick convalescence and full healing.

Checking in from Beijing, hoping for good news.

Today's "China Daily" features a photo of, and story about, a Panda recently traumatized but emerged victorious from an upsetting change of venue. Moral of the story -- Pandas are adaptable; Pandas prevail. Surely it is a parable for these difficult days.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/16/content_9594886.htm

China and all Asia await the return of one Cantabridgian Panda.

Beth, all these good wishes are for you as well as Andy. Please remember to eat even if you don't feel like it. (The salads, soups, and rice bowls at the Au Bon Pain in the Brigham are actually pretty good.) It's wonderful to read that Bob and Karen were there with you.

Loads of healing wishes from China.

I´ve just logged on and seen this news. Andy and Beth, I wish you all the best and send a giant hug from West Australia. Andy now you are out of surgery may you get better very quickly. We need you here.

The waiting is over. Now the healing begins . . . and a trip to Bali is an incentive to get well fast!

News continues to be good this AM...I just spoke to Beth. She reports Andy did not sleep much last night(not unusual) and is awake, complaining he is BORED!! They will move him out of ICU today when a bed is available in the neuro stepdown. They both appreciate your best wishes and prayers.

Thanks for the update, Karen. Andy complaining of being bored is a good sign!

Wow - just stopped into the Asia board to see if Andy & Bob had any bickering threads going on - they always make me laugh - and came across this. Tough to read, but followed by some encouraging news.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Andy, but I'm happy that you have Beth and Bob & Karen by your side. Add me to the long list of fodorites who are thinking positive thoughts for a speedo recovery.

Cyn

Bored! No moving to Needham then, I suppose.

Thanks for letting us know Karen.

In honour of Andy's successful operation here's something we all can look forward to once he's fully healed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbwBFLLGzpY

Hanuman, that's so funny! And Andy was complaining that the nurse wanted an Easter song...

I agree with cynstalker and hope for a speedy recovery. We almost met at JFK as I was returning on Singapore Airlines this past November the 13 and the Cambridge/Needham were checking in. One day I will make the Boston GTG.

I am so sorry to hear about this! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

thanks for the good laugh Hanuman!

That didn't sound like Hava nagila to me either, Kathie.

GP -
Pandas are Masters of mind-over-matter.
Create your own prognosis. Repeat often to the exclusion of all else.

Laughter - long and hard - is my prescription: Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy, Kung Fu Panda, Bob, etc.

Bask in the stream of positive energy coming to you constantly from all of your fans here at Fodors.

Thanks for the update. My thoughts remain with all of you.

karen just spoke with andy again... he feels really good... still in ICU because they do not have a regular bed for him.... he might even be able to go home tomorrow.
he has some vision loss but much less than suspected... he has been told that this may improve as the swelling goes down..

so i think this is very good news... i know he thanks all of you for your wishes and prayers... he will at some point probably express that directly...

what a great group we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and thank you fodors for leaving this here

Bob, I think if the editors try and move this thread out of Asia, there will be the equivalent of an online riot!

Great news that Andy is feeling well. And thanks so much to you for keeping us informed.

Seconded:

this is a difficult time for those who have to watch and worry while loved ones endure. So thanks rhk, for having the grace to be able to think of us and pass on the details, in the midst of tough times. How scary for you all.

I'm delighted to hear that he is doing so well!

Thanks to Bob and Beth and Karen for keeping watch on The Panda. We're all rooting for a speedy recovery! Having had neurological problems myself, I know that when the brain isn't working properly, nothing else does either. But it will heal . . . do what they tell you to rehab, even though it seems impossible at times. You can do it!!

Sending more thoughts and prayers to Andy & Beth.

Hey, this is good news Bob, I'm so happy that Andy is getting ready to go home and begin the next stage of his recovery. Thanks so much for keeping us informed. Pandas have amazing resilience. This can be sort of exhausting for Panda-friends like you under normal conditions, but sort of terrific in times like this.

sorry for my spelling errors but this film is for you, Andy:


http://tinyurl.com/ygj5ru9

Mimi, that's fabulous!

Somebody take that man a laptop so he can experience all this healing energy.

Don't look now, but about 1500 fodorites camped out on the flooded Charles River to get the healing party started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW1dbiD_zDk

so so so many wishing you good healing, good medicine and good times indeed.

signed,
i'm not pink

Happy to hear you are doing well! You'll feel even better once you get home.

oh gosh, I hope I didn't steal Mimi's thunder.

I do love that sight and have written a few songs. I wrote this for your dear friend.

http://www.grapheine.com/bombaytv/movie-uk-fdf432e0ffcff1b97bd8b88906cd5f05.html

Kookaburras laughing in my front yard - sending you their good cheer.

good news on andys recovery, and his return to us as a full wit. we certainly don't need anymore half wits on the asia board. already choked with them. lol.

go smoke a cigar, andy.

Andy,
Get well and get back to Cambridge quick. I can already feel the universe out of whack with you not up to snuff. We wish you a quick recovery and good luck from your friends all around the world. Tengo

Wonderful news, thank you Bob & Karen! (If friendship were an Olympic event, you two would bring the gold home every time.)

I am going to BOS next month and sincerely hope the Panda and I can visit, even if only for a few moments. Of course that depends on how he feels and what his doctors say.

Continuing to pray for our dear friend. Fodorville is not the same without him!

BC

Gpanda-
I just started using this message board recently but already I feel like I know you. Funny, furry and a red speedo--it's a winning combination! Keep them laughing at the hospital and be open to all the good karma from the many people who care so much for you. We all wish you a speedy recovery.

Just talked to Andy...He just got up...and MD's in the room. HE reports he has not killed any nurses with the jingle bells/muscle stunt yet. I will let you know more when he calls back later.

Glad to hear his sense of humor is still in tact! Continued well wishes.

You have all of us here wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thanks for continuing to update us, Karen. I'm glad to hear that he is doing so well.

Ditto on that. So happy to hear that he's his old self--even post-surgery.

andy just called with some good news...
he had some PT this morning and he passed their tests....this afternoon he will have some OT (occupational theaphy) and assuming that he passes this he will be discharged late this afternoon to home.

he is to spend the next week quietly recovering and preparing for the next phase of his treatments.

i'm sure he will return to on-line this weekend so stand-by

btw, he had another MRI late last night and the doctor reported that he gives himself an A- for the work he did. he tried hard but he was not able to eliminate the muscle trick from the brain, thus the A-...

The sound of ambulances should get him on his feet. All those potential clients...

Will he be allowed to do the cherry stem stunt?

I'm so glad to hit the USA again (from SYD/I'm in LAX) and read good news about Andy, all within an hour of each other!

Andy, will keep you and Beth in my thoughts and prayers as you go thru what ever comes your way next. You've got lots of cyber-love coming your way... hope it helps you with a speedy recovery!

Carol

Back here in Cambridge. Discharged to the relief on many on the staff. As a special trick, they did not give me a wheelchair, so I walked out on my own. Gotta save some cash somewhere. My typos are going to be worse than ever because of my vision, but tough.

It's a beautiful day with bright sun and a gentle breeze. A perfect day to escape. I can't tell you how helpful all your kind words are. Even a panda can get down every now and then, but not when Your thoughts are pouring over the internet. Now that I've read them, feel free to going back to your usual selves. We don't want to sahtter the thin veneer of good karma.

Speaking of which, imagine yourself in such a desparate situation trat you are enormously grateful to Bob's kindness. This had better never happen again.

I'll keep uou updated on the mundane treatment schedule, but more imprtantly on our Bali ttip.

BTW, I am hereby granting myself a dispensation from the requirement of a trip report about my hospital stay. No penalty.

Thanks again for all the kind words. They helped a lot in the middle of the night.

Andy so great to hear from you. I am sure everyone here is going to be so grateful that you found the time to post so quickly. I have never met anyone on this forum but feel like I know so many & have been looking here for updates on you like you are someone I have known for years. Congrats on being home. Remember to relax a bit & enjoy the beautiful Spring weather while you recover from your hospital stay. Every best wish on the next phases of your treatment. J

You're home already? And you walked out? That's awesome! Good luck with the next stage - keep thinking about Bali.

Only just clicked on to this thread.
My very best wishes to you Panda. Will be thinking of you daily.
Looking forward to your Bali trip report......dispensation denied for that one!!

Welcome home. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather we are supposed to have for the next several days. I'm disappointed that there will not be a trip report on BWH covering food. shopping opportunities, etc. I guess the Bali trip report will have to do.

I do want thank the Fodors Editors for allowing the thread to continue on the Asia forum. I note for the record that the entire episode was merely in preparation for our Bali trip, but they could not have known that. I especially appreciated marmot's note that my surgical date was special in Bali. Another Asia link.

To all those who have never met another Fodorite, I encourage you to do so. They are mostly charming and informative.

Andy, I'm so glad you are home! And I'm sure this was one trip you were really glad to come home from.

Onward to Bali planning.

Welcome home, feel well, bali awaits

Thanks for the compliment, although "mostly" is not entirely inclusive, is it?

I assume you got out of the hospital early for good behavior...

Your incentive (as always) to write a Bali trip report will be to rebut Bob's version...

Best of luck in the next stages of your journey.

I'm toasting to your BWH doctors and nurses who saw you through to this point and hoping that the next stages of treatment will have you up and about just as quickly.

The support provided by the Fodorite community in this thread just warms my heart!! Looking forward to the Bali trip report.

well Andy, I bet they kicked you out because of pinchig the nurses.
We of the peoples republic of cambridge, welcome you home
in spite of that

There's no place like home. This is really good news. You have some wonderful friends, but you know that.

Glad to see you're back to your old self, e.g. "mostly charming and informative"!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ooops. mis-post.

I know you're recovering, Gpanda but nobody deserves a line of slavering Dog kisses like that. My good wishes to you have become tangled with a new resolution: not to lean on the keyboard while composing messages.

Gawd, that many 'x''s would kill a healthy man, let alone one recovering from brain surgery. I'd better shut up.

Wow, Andy. That was fast! That almost qualifies as drive by brain surgery. You must be a lot tougher than you look.

Now that you're home, can Beth can look forward to lots of home cooked meals coming from your wonderful kitchen?

Welcome home Andy! I'm sure the entire staff of BWH is relieved to have you out, especially the nurses.

Welcome home Andy! I foresee a very relaxing trip to Bali with this opening scene as a scenario:

Andy,Beth and Karen walk casually into a Balinese hotel lobby to check in with a sweaty and overburdened Bob shuffling behind in the rear carrying all the hand-carry bags. Andy calls out while sipping an ice cold welcome refreshment, "Quickly now Bobby, don't dawdle,hurry along with those bags"....lol

Aloha!

I'm so relieved you're home---but probably not as relieved as the staff at BWH.

I'm also very relieved Dogster explained all those xxxxx's. I was frankly rather concerned about that.

BC

just for the record, the day we were there his primary nurse was a 6' 4" macho man.... he took no s--t from andy

GPanda -- So excited you are at home sweet home! Cannot imagine how you recovered so quickly from the surgery, must be all the bamboo you consume. You will be in speedo shape in no time!!

You're home, it's St. Pat's, slainte!!

Hi Andy,

I'm sending a large box of restorative bamboo (to counteract all that dog slobber) So glad you've done so well. Keep it up. Bali is waiting for you.

Now I need to know -did the OT session involve knitting a new speedo?

Speedos are born, not knit!

I fear the Panda might have been discharged because he was handing out business cards in the recovery room:

"Do you think the operation went too long? is your TV not high definition? do you want a private room instead of this noisy recovery room with all these nurses running around? If so, please call me at 1-800 --------."

Very glad to hear you are home. Count the past few days as a hibernation, and start eating whatever is in sight. Feel good.

Haven't been to the Asia board lately. What a shock to find out about this at the lounge!

GPanda, you were the second person who answered my questions about Thailand on my very first post. As a newbie, I was quite nervous but your generous heart gave me the courage to continue to ask and learn here at Fodors. You cannot imagine how much this forum has helped me in travel and in life and you were instrumental to make this possible for me. TYVM!

So glad you're home and well enough to be posting. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through the next stages of your complete healing.

In the meantime here's a big ((((HUG)))) and get busy with planning that next Asia adventure!

andy, congrats on your early out. now go smoke two cigars.

ht, your scenario sounds like an old crosby-hope road movie.

Martian-please do not ruin my reputation by suggesting that any of my psots have ever been helpful. It's taken a very long time to develop this personna and your kind words could destroy it. Speedos, cigars, Bob-bashing and massages remain my specailities. All made much easier by a little Doggie slobber.

Bali beckons.

Andy and I have had a couple of email exchanges, so I'll share my last:

There once was a Panda called Andy
Whose wit was incisive and randy
They took out his tumor
It restored his humor
He's back among us not later but sooner.

Your turn.

excellent, Robbie!

G:
you may have a day tomorrow-ish where things seem bleak. This is because your system is withdrawing from drugs. In my experience, about three days after surgery the blues can arrive with a thud - so, should the spirits fall, remember - that's why.

Forewarned is forearmed. No, you are not going mad - you are in withdrawal.

Well, Dogster, if that's the case, Andy should simply ask for more drugs....

Speaking of which, I am suddenly inspired to write a poem.

Oh, Gpanda, Gpanda, you're a silly old fart,
but you've crept your way right into our heart
Despite your hopeless attempts at humour,
I'm glad the doc removed the tumor.

Genius. Pure genius.

Some people pay big bucks for a poem like that. Expect a range of Hallmark post-op greeting cards.

This would have been much dimpler:

The Tumor was found near the brain
Removing yhis turned out such a pain
They left it to fester
Panda us to pester
Ignoting the otomy crain.

Hey Welcome Back Andy....typos and all
X

So glad to hear that you are home, posting and witty as usual.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest, even if they let you walk out under your own steam it takes time for the body to recover.

This really started my day off right to read that you're home - now make sure and do what the doctor's tell you - as frustrating as it will surely be.

Take good care, Andy; we'll all be checking in regularly to see how you are doing.

Cyn

Mea Culpa Gpanda!! Back to speedo ...

What some people will put themselves through to garner some sympathy.

Do you have no concern for the feelings of others?

Really glad to hear that you are home and walking under your own steam.

You know that you are in our thoughts.

Sounds like things are going well. That's great!! See what all those cyber (((hugs))) can do?
All the best to you and Beth.
Carol

there was a rumor
of a fierce tumor
but it was only wayward bamboo
still awaiting a chew

coverage denied.

Stay strong!

One of my clloeagues had some small suggestions for trhe nearosurgeon to make a few samall changes in personality while he was in there. unfortunately, the neirosurgeon sais he had so many suggestions that if he had implemeted them all there would be nothing left.

A client of mine said when we first apoke that I had gone above and beyond to attract attention. She may have been correct.

An opponent spoke to my boss and wanted him to remibd me that I still suck.

SNAFU is definitely still operating. Perfect.

It could have been worse. I could have lived in Needham where there has never been any need for brain surgery. It just never came up.

forgive me but all I can think of is this. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_pKqiB5Rg

it's a beautiful day out there in Bawston Massachussetts, embrace the day and be well, well. . . I don't know just be. A lot of people seem to be relying on you be~ing.

Andy, you really are amazing. Keep up the good work!

Andy, it's so good to have you posting again!

Bellachefa-one of my favorite scenes. Thanks. Thanks again to all the wishes. It's great to know that I'm not alone and appreciate the positive life force generated by Fodortes. This forum s a constant source of great nformaton and good karma.

Bob and karen stopped by to deliver dinner and we chatted about 2011 trip to India and/or Japan. What could be better than that. Asia does really lie at the heart of the life of a Panda.

Andy, I see you have a "blank" where there should be a SPEEDO photo on facebook...!

Facebook would not allow a Speedo Panda in all his glory. It would get too many hits and the rest of the site would be unused. That's my sory and I'm sticking to it.

I have a cousin in his forties that goes on facebook more than any teenager alive. I think I'm too old to get it.

Isn't wifi great? Remember the old days in the hospital when you couldn't even use a cellphone because they were worried it would interfere with the EKG monitors?

I'm glad you're able to stay in touch with us!

Try twitter instead of FB - bet I'm older than you and I like it there.

Andy- you helped me plan my thailand trip last year as you have helped so many others. best wishes for a speedy recovery from all of us who owe you so many thanks for your kindness and your good humour.

you would not believe andy....when we visited this afternoon he looked just as he had two weeks ago, except for the incision on the back of his head and a bit of missing hair...

he was full of it, could not stop talking, was up and down out of his chair and just as obnoxious as usual....well maybe a bit more tame, even humble....

we were so pleased.... and yes as reported we talked about asia in 2011 and even november this year in thailand...when he heard nicki might be there he perked up...

his vision presents some small problems but it is hoped that this will straighten out with time...he read to us without trouble which i found amazing...

we came away with high hopes...

So great to see your posts from home here, Andy – and to know that the recuperating Panda is being fed regularly by his keepers

A lawyerly pandy named Andy
loved cuban cigars and old brandy;
Too-tight speedos of red
Made it go to his head,
Surgically purged with the visions of Candi!


[No not the cute nurse impressed by the Muscle Twitch Jingle - Candi Dasa, Bali of course!]

So now Andy has a bald spot - welcome to the club!

Panda has not a single bald spot
The hair was shaved, where he was depraved.
But the vision of incision
Will lessen for Blessin.

Maybe, I'll think of it as my new lucky sopt.

Bob and Karen's food was great. If I have to rely on Beth's cookng, I'll be gone long before cancer could have any effect.

I should put some Bali stuff in here, so the editors can continue to graciously allow this helpful thread to stay alive on my home forum.

Beth and are flying 5/19/10, OS-Denpasar on Singapore Air. Same lousy connection through Frankfurt, but it is Singapore Air. A few nights in Sanur, which s a great beach. Up yo Ubud for 6 nights and then down to Seminyak for 5 nights or so. We've been to bali and were completely charmed. Very much looking forward to it. Panda forward!

Checking in from Shanghai, another city where there is substantial Panda presence, and so very happy to read that you are home, Andy. Panda fast forward, I would say.

Heading out shortly for a casual xlb supper at Din Tai Fung here in Pudong. Hoping, when we shift over to Puxi tomorrow, to get to Jia Jia Tang Bao.

Bali on the brain sounds like a much better condition than what sent you to the Brigham. Trip preparations always bring great cheer. Have fun with that. By the way, the biggest gift to your local university last year was a hefty one to create a center for the study of Indonesia, a center that goes by the name Rajawali. Keep an eye out for it. There may be speakers and events of interest in the years ahead that you can amble over to and check out in between trips.

I suspect there is so little "hair loss" (thanks to the docs at BWH) that Andy doesn't feel self-conscious in the least. But if he did, he could easily don one of the two hats he'd modeled for us at the last GTG--one was a "commie" hat with a prominent red star (perfect for being in The People's Republic of Cambridge), and the other was a "Panda" hat!

Now we just have to get him out of those Clark Kent glasses and into something more nerd..I mean suitable.

As for Beth's cooking, well...there may be something from Zingerman's deli headed via FedEx or UPS to chez Panda....I've said too much already.

BC

Andy- I can't believe how fast this has all happened. I haven't been on Fodor's a lot lately but I checked in today just to see how you were doing. I'm so happy to hear that you are home and doing well.

Now that you are on the mend, I'll share with you what my husband David said when we first read the news;
"Can they amputate? It's not like he uses that part of his body much anyway."
He thought you would appreciate the joke.

Can't wait to read about all the adventures in Bali!

Thanks Krsitna-tell David that amputation was their first thought, but where would they put my smile and how would I smoke a cigar?

Clearly you've never seen the Patpong cigar smoking show.

pook... TMI!!! (too much information)

Perhaps Carol (no "e") is correct. My imagination remains intact. There is a small chance that we will now visit BKK in November. Tiny. We'll see how the Bali trip goes and move on from There. Essentially, if Bob ruins Bali for us, we won't go to let him torture us n November. If he manages to avoid his usual trip mangiling, our chances get better. t would be great to have another BKK GTG and maybe I won't cough the entire time.

The bad news is that I'm supposed to be resting so I can check fodors lost and chime in with my absurd opinions more often.

A GTG in Nov would be FAB, Bob and i have compared dates in Nov and it looks like we MAY have some dates that match!!!!!!

Hey guys....

If you'd wait until mid-December, several more of us would be in BKK as well. Why not consider a December holiday trip? Would love a GTG with all of you.
Carol(no e)

Carol, I think we'll be in Bangkok at the beginning of December. We're going to miss the November GTG it looks like.

Kathie, I won't arrive until about 15th/16th? But Brad will probably be there a week or so before that. No reservations made yet.

well Andy, straighten out BC, calling we who live in the peoples public of Cambridge, Commies. I'll need a new photo of you in your speedo. I've worn the old one out by looking at it so much. My best to Bob and Karen. I envy you having such wonderful people so close to your heart.

"commies"--- that's a compliment

decisions decisions decisions
how to give da panda some cheer?
hmmmmmmm

Door number One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqQx7PfCF4M

Door number Two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fE9HNWueQ&NR=1

or the curtain behind carolmarrol? I if only I could give gpanda some joy with his cheer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRWjTo6kDXE

Bella... thanks for the walk down memory lane!

Memory lane??? Those things are so old, it's positively "Amnesia Lane" here!

In any event, I hope our Panda has a nice, comfy chair to recline in and is napping peacefully, dreaming of Bali breezes gently kissing his face. (In reality, it will be one of the cats licking him!)

BC

Bellachefa-thanks for the input. It's the invigoration of posters like yourself that give this Asia forum it's unique qualities.

Of course, I have a nice recliner, but the steroid infusion prevents any long sleep. The good news is that the weather here is so good for the last days of winter that the perfection of Bali is forseeable.

The long-ridicled Ekscrunchy has checked in via private E-mail and been advised of the situation. I did take the opportunity to suggest that her usual penalties for late/tended trip reports might be doubled under the circimstances.

Ah, yes, I remember the steroid effect well. The sleeplessness will continue for a few more days, followed by...well, perhaps I should e-mail you privately on that one. The important thing is for you to be comfy.

Nice to know ekscrunchy has checked in. No need to be too tough with her, though. The way of compassion should be the way of the Panda, too.

BC

Forget that compassion nonsense. To or from the Panda. She's wandering around Asia with nothing to do but report back to us of her delights and perils. Her search for the bon mot is officially concluded.

I'm glad somebody has nice weather. It's snowing here right now. As DH would say, hey, it isn't June yet!

Enjoy your comfy recliner, panda.

Just stumbled on this. I'm in shock. I've been amused by the Panda's drollery for some time. Was even more shocked at the sudden puppy affection from Dogster.
Happy to hear the surgery went well and fingers crossed for the most positive prognosis possible.
Bali is the perfect place for relaxing and recuperating.

There once was a panda called Andy,
Whose teasing ripostes were quite dandy.
But along came a tumor--
This was news without humor--
Yet he breezed through the brain-op--send candy!

Propelled by everyone's best wishes, the Panda will be appearing in court tomorrow. It's all an illusion with which I am very familiar. Do you think I can bill at the normal rate or will I have to give a discount for reduced brain power?

Billable hours, gpanda, billable hours.

if that were the case, legal fees would be a lot cheaper in almost all cases!

Andy, I have recurring nightmares in which I have to go to court. They have replaced my recurring nightmares about going to take a math test for which I have not prepared. Glad it's all an illusion.

Nikki, the Panda has a back-up plan. I believe it involves smoke and mirrors. Lcuy, good point! The Panda will prevail! No one will render a judgement before its time...whatever that means!

BC

if truth be told he should have been charging reduced costs for ever...

Charges should be increased, surely - surgeons have certified the existence of a fine brain & removed all impediments.
This is a renewed, refreshed & vigorous brain at work - not some dusty old version like the opposition's.

I'm in court with you, Andy, to declare your virtues and your beloved faux pas.

Andy, Joseph and I also want to extend our best wishes to you and Beth for a speedy recovery! Thank goodness we live in one of the greatest cities in the world for medical care.

May you continue to get the best care out there, and may you and Beth continue to enjoy many years of SEA, BKK, and Bali travels! The rest of us always count on you for the best travel tips.

terryr

Bokhara2-a perfect marketing strategy. I love it.

Terryr-pandas are relentless. It's all a sinister plot to rid the land of Needhamites forever. To ssson now, but it will become evident.

First order of business, court tomorow with the semblance of nomalcy. Argyle socks, cigars and a absurd legal position. I'm covered.

You're covered? Thank God. That Speedo leaves way too little to the imagination....

I just had a mental image of The Panda in court in a Speedo. I am now laughing so hard, tears are running down my face. I can't help but wonder if that would be considered "cause" for a Judge to issue a contempt charge!

BC

I'm sorry to report that I do not wear a speedo to court, even under the usual uniform. I want to win on merit, not distraction. However, because of my status as a giant Panda, I do wear suspenders. I figure I pay a tailor lots of money to have the suit fit correctly and a belt is not sufficiently delicate to place the waistline at a constant point in my changing girth. Also, for some bizarre reason, I always wear Argyle socks. Every day. So, no speedo, but suspenders and Argyles will make up my armor.

Wishing you a speedy recovery mate. All the best from down under.

Wow - only suspenders and argyle socks... I didn't know they make suspenders long enough to reach all the way down to the socks....

Gpanda,

Need your advice - tomorrow is the day that I must decide if I am to go to the Rugby 7 in Hong Kong. You and "runnignrugby" are the rugger expert, I presume, on Fodors so is it worth it?

Help!

Gpanda, just built on a family tale about a great-great uncle whose newish wife attempted to have him "put away" in the early 1900's. His sister, suspecting skulduggery, prevailed upon an eminent psychiatrist to examine him before the wife could get him certified; whereupon he became the proud possessor of a certificate proclaiming his sanity. Much to the amusement of the rest of the family, it apparently became his party trick to wave it triumphantly & declare that he was the only person any of them knew who had a certificate to prove their sanity. Curiously, the marriage didn't last.

Bokhara2, interesting tale. I had a psychiatrist evaluate me during my lengthy hospitalization of '07. I never received any paperwork about this, so I have no idea of what the conclusion of the evaluaton was.

I think it is commendable that the Panda wants to win his cases on merit alone. Surgery has obviously not impeded his scruples. (I also wear argyle socks!)I have seen The Panda in his suspenders (and yes, he was wearing other clothing). It is a sight to behold, and he is obviously comfortable wearing them as part of his professional "armor" as he mentions.

Hanuman, for heaven's sake, yes, go to the rugby game. "Is it worth it?". Goodness, next you'll be inquiring if it's okay to wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers in public.

BC

Gargoyle socks?

Gargoyle socks! Now that would be armor!

Back from court. It felt great to be out and about. Everyone tried to treat me with kid gloves, but I suggested they just go normal speed. One judge actually hugged me. The truth is that doing familiar things brings about a certain comfort. Relaxing. Most seemed to take solace in my failure to develop a better personality.

Hanuman-of course you should go to the 7's tourney. It's close, it's quick and those guys can really play. There's no downside. Wish I could join you.

Congrats on your day in court! I'm sure it does feel good to do something "normal."

Andy, I am happy things went well. I never had any doubts. However, I am concerned about what appears to be an "ex-parte" expression of affection from the judiciary. Please be careful, The Bar Association may ask you to turn in your argyle socks if this persists.

BC

There's something about resuming a normal routine that's very therapeutic. Keep on keeping on!

I'm not going to be overly concerned with being disbarred from now on.

Speaking of Argyle socks, I've never understood why most men in suits wear those unbelievably boring dress socks. They aren't just neutral, they're non-existent. They've had Argyle socks since long before I slipped into practice. How is it that they have not become de rigeur? The same guys that wear the most ridiculous ties bought by their children put on drab socks every day. every day. Another conundrum.

Bob's suggestion today was that he just put my head in the mircowave and we can get started with the radiation. Do you think they have a oanda setrting like a popcorn setting? This is why they don't have Needham neuroscientists.

I want everyone to know that I cherish each post on this thread. It really helps a lot.

I guess a guy in his 50's that is comfortable wearing a Speedo in public would be comfortable wearing a suit with gargoyle socks. To each his own - some people are RS fans and some (those that wear bland, neutral, drab navy dress socks, preferably with a blue pin-striped white shirt) are Yankee fans...

Andy, if you go with the cost-saving microwave strategy be sure to punch some more holes so you don't explode...

Andy, let me put it this way: I think when Bob suggested that method, he may not have had your best interests at heart. And he's probably just acting that way because he's jealous of your socks.

My argyles were obtained from an online retailer (I'm not joking) called The Joy of Socks. I have both black and brown argyles from them. The black ones have a bit of blue in them, too, so I often will wear those when I'm wearing blue jeans. And I totally agree, if you're going to wear socks, wear something interesting.

BC

Once --- a long, long time ago -- I walked to work from my house to the lab where I worked --- on a rainy day. My socks were soaked when I arrived, so I took them off a put them in the microwave in the break room. The result was a pair of red socks with little burned holes in them. DO NOT put your head in the microwave!

Hurray for argyles! (My Pop wore argyles, and he was a cool guy.)
I think the pink and blue thigh-high ones here would be fetching:
http://www.sockdreams.com/_shop/_pages/search_results.php

PS: Do not microwave your head.
Do wear argyles.

Hmmmpph. The link's not working. Maybe that's a good thing.
www.sockdreams.com

microwave.....don't forget to punch more holes,lol......that's why I love this Asia Board.

Andy,so let me get this straight, since I also wear argyle socks do I have to stick my head in the microwave too?

Aloha!

Did Rumpole wear argyles?

Wasn't Bob spotted wearing argyles with his swim trunks and sandals at the BKK Marriott???

Gargoyle socks sound great - my favourite socks are covered in a variety of greyhounds.

You are sounding so great Andy. Wonderful to see.

he did not have the guts to tell you the 2nd half of my treatment.... it involved some stripped wire and a plug and some body parts...

Why would Needham ever develop any strategies for slowing or reducing the grorth of mutant cells? If Mutabcy did not exist, it would just be anothter Dreaeded "N" town, The quick-side-long glance might bome a lost art. It's mor difficulut to giuve face on judgement. Why do youthink the Btits hacve had hunfdrrd sof vyerso connittees.

Checking in from Shanghai again and so happy to see this thread dominated by the customary teasing and banter. Gargoyle socks! Now there's an idea. I am sure that there is a factory nearby here in southern China that could be set up to make them in a heartbeat...

We will continue to celebrate your quick recovery by eating lots of xlb's on your behalf. Also, some more of that great kung pao sauce at South Beauty.

May you enjoy the pleasures of some completely unremarkable and normal days going forward. Also some inspired planning for Bali days and nights.

i'M TOLD THAT THE aRGYLE SOCKS MADE FOR bROOKS bROTHERS ARE ALL MADE IN cHINA. eVWERY ONE. i'LL GO BACK AND SWIcTH THEM WITHGold Toe. No ome woul blow the ehsm

This tyear, they're plamnning a Newedham Scavebger Hunt It's got dister long before the traditional shine,

Hmmm....scavenger hunt..now I have a mental image of Fodorites engaged in a variation of the kind of escapade depicted in "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"...

BC

And I'm guessing the hunt prizes will be along the lines of argyle socks, and red speedos?

count me IN!!!

You've missed the sense of the hunt. We will all be dressed in speedos, argyles and suspenders. The objects for which we will be seeking will be much more subtle, e.g., an intelligent person in Needham, a humble Caledonian or for those long-time readers, the ever elusive, truly unique Ask Oksana's. Now that would be a find to rival any tomb of the Pharoh!

Andy, the GTG only lasts a weekend! If I could accomplish ANY of those tasks in a weekend, I'd be working at the Brookings Institute. Trust me, my family room where I am currently posting looks NOTHING like the Brookings Institute and the pay is considerably lousier, too.

BC

Hey, checking one of my favorite sites, they are now advertising that they ship internationally!

http://www.joyofsocks.com/

BC

I have great visual images of this scavanger hunt.

WOW!! Am I impressed! Back in courst so soon.
You really are something-what that something is, I don't know

Dog Socks:

www.declic.com.au/

If you search on the top line Gpanda, you'll find a range of socks called 'Jimmy'.

those socks fit right in for a 'person' in cambridge

Today's socks were baby blue with splashes of orange. Resplendent. If I don't pat attention, I could become the Imelda Marcos of socks. Now there's a peculiar cross-cultural reference. I do note that it has Asian ciontent and strongly argues for the continuation of this thread as an exchange of asia information.

Dogster, are you familiar with the provincial Bostonian reference to 'Jimmies"? This term has been used to refer to the chocolate sprinkles that might appear on an ice cream cone. It's become outdated, but lives on in our fading memories. Slightly different than your usage. English is a wierd language.

Chocolate sprinkles, eh? lol.

I'm not sure I can get any jokes out of that. Best not to try.

To return to the socks. My Declic socks are a world-beating tourist attraction on their own. They attract a LOT of attention in airports, where, of course, people see your socks more than anywhere else in the world.

English is a wierd language.

especially when written by Gpanda...

Marija-the language and I have had a difficult relationship. I'm a complete numbers person and it's simple. There's an order and the interaction between numbers can be accurately described through the use of equations. (Please don't anyone feel like they have to refine this. I do know, it's just not relevant.) Words do not fit so nicely into place. Simple narrative statements take on deeper meaning. Brilliant prose, ignores soem reality.
At this point, I'm hoping that English and I have reached an uncomfortable truce. I get to try to use it in a mildly amusing fashion and it doesn't confound mne to the point where I'm wholly uncommunicative. Works for me.

Today, it's back in court for a brief appearance, return to office where they have hopefully modified my computer so I can work at home. A two-edged sword. I think I may go with a brown suit, Zegna tie and very flashy orange Argyle socks. If so, I'm going to have to slip it by Beth. I may need a distraction.

How about daily photos of your sartorial splendor?

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. Mark Twain

BC and Doggie - they have some seriously good socks on those sites! Love the dotted Declic ones. I suspect the credit card is about to get another hit!

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I love the "categories" they have like "Anything Argyle".

BC

OMG, LOL! I just saw the Joy of Socks site has bamboo socks (for women) with PANDAS on them as a design! (they appear on a screen that will come up if you click on "Organics and Naturals".

BC, ROTFLMAO

This socks thread has me thinking...

I have found that some things I wear speed my processing though security. For instance, I have a bracelet made of old majhong pieces. It gets comments in Hawaii and everywhere in Asia. It's a playful diversion. As someone who has never liked socks, I tend to wear sandals to/from Asia, and only have nail polish to distract from the ho-hum bare feet. While I'm often amused by the nail polish, the amusement comes mostly from the name of the color ("I'm not really a Waitress" is one of my faves) so it's not a shared joke. Some of these socks, however, I would expect would have the TSA folks rolling on the floor. Would that make me more likely or less likely to get a secondary search?

Speedsing through security is rarely an option for us panda-sized creatures. There's no apparent extra scrutiny, but they do seem to pay attention. In truth, I usually have atheletic socks on when I pass through security. I cahnge into my thick woolies when I get on the plane. I may have a sock fetish. Always argyles as attorney, wear wool when wandering. Nothing like a little cheap alliteration tom spice up some basic socks talk.

The "jimmy" socks are an awful like the "Elvis" ones. Note that they're made in Austyralia, not China, gpanda. The "Eiffel" are modified argyles, but, gPanda, I see you in the "Quadro's, clearly tasteful colorful abstractions of the argyle.

I can't believe I'm writing this....

How about phone "socks"?

is that like sex sox?

here's some from Macy's

http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=430377&cm_mmc=GoogleShopping-_-2-_-19-_-MP219

Bamboo socks are wonderful to wear. And if you are a Giant panda they could always come in handy if you get a little hungry. I highly recommend them - for wearing at least as I've not really been that hungry yet.

I draw the line at edible socks. Form and function should not be identical. To paraphrase very old SNL line:

My goal is to look Mahvelous, not taste Mahvelous.

Plus, the nature of argyle socks is that they are segmented into various splashes of color. No reason to believe that the blue will taste as good as the orange.

Big day today. Three doctors will get to poke aand prod the panda. I've ignored the advice of some friends and none of these three will be a veternarian. Not to mention that I wouldn't really fit into one of those cute carrying cages.

I do want to let each of you know that every post o this thread brings joy to my little pea-shaped black shriveled heart. Thanks.

Good luck today! We are all rooting for you. May the medical trinity of panda pokers dispense only good news and then lots of bamboo treats.

Speaking of treats...Our driver from Logan airport several hours ago commented on how the "lights have been on alot" at Fenway recently as the park is readied for opening day. Lots of things for Great Furry Ones to look forward to both (sooner/here) in Boston and (later/there) in Bali.

And watching seeing your fingers get back into perfect typing sync so quickly brings joy to my little pea-shaped black shrivelled heart, Gpanda. The brain's a Mucking Fahvellous organ, isn't it?

Have you read Norman Doig's book, "The Brain That Changes Itself"? http://www.scribepublications.com.au/book/thebrainthatchangesitself

Didn't hit the "submit" too soon at all - just testing to see if you spot my 'deliberate error'.

Andy, I wish you the very best today, and of course, always. I just had scans done yesterday (PET and CT) and will pick up the results on Saturday.

Drop in when you can and let us know how things went.

BC

Hope all goes well for you today Andy - you'll be in my thoughts - as will you, bookchick - hope things are ok for you.

Cyn

Good thoughts & good luck, Bookchick. Hope it's nothing to worry about, and if it is, that's it's easily identified & fixable.

Gpanda, it occurred to me that you might like a laugh:

" Calling in Sick"

We've all had trouble with our animals, but I don't think anyone can top this one:

Calling in sick to work makes me uncomfortable. No matter how legitimate my excuse, I always get the feeling that my boss thinks I'm lying.

On one recent occasion, I had a valid reason but lied anyway, because the truth was just too darned humiliating. I simply mentioned that I had sustained a head injury, and I hoped I would feel up to coming in the next day. By then, I reasoned, I could think up a doozy to explain the bandage on the top of my head. The accident occurred mainly because I had given in to my wife's wishes to adopt a cute little kitty.
Initially, the new acquisition was no problem.


Then one morning, I was taking my shower after breakfast when I heard my wife, Deb, call out to me from the kitchen.

'Honey! The garbage disposal is dead again. Please come reset it.'

'You know where the button is,' I protested through the shower pitter-pa tter and steam. 'Reset it yourself!'

'But I'm scared!' she persisted. 'What if it starts going and sucks me in?'

There was a meaningful pause and then, 'C'mon, it'll only take you a second.'

So out I came, dripping wet and butt naked, hoping that my silent outraged nudity would make a statement about how I perceived her behaviour as extremely cowardly.

Sighing loudly, I squatted down and stuck my head under the sink to find the button. It is the last action I remember performing.

It struck without warning, and without any respect to my circumstances. No, it wasn't the hexed disposal, drawing me into its gnashing metal teeth. It was our new kitty, who discovered the fascinating dangling objects she spied hanging between my legs. She had been poised around the corner and stalked me as I reached under the sink. And, at the precise moment when I was most vulnerable, she leapt at the toys I unwittingly offered and snagged them with her needle-like claws. I lost all rational thought to control orderly bodily movements, blindly rising at a violent rate of speed, with the full weight of a kitten hanging from my masculine region.

Wild animals are sometimes faced with a 'fight or flight' syndrome. Men, in this predicament, choose only the 'flight' option. I know this from experience. I was fleeing straight up into the air when the sink and cabinet bluntly and forcefully impeded my ascent.
The impact knocked me out cold.

When I awoke, my wife and the paramedics stood over me.

Now there are not many things in this life worse than finding oneself lying on the kitchen floor butt naked in front of a group of 'been-there, done-that' paramedics.
Even worse, having been fully briefed by my wife, the paramedics were all snorting loudly as they tried to conduct their work, all the while trying to suppress their hysterical laughter......and not succeeding.

Somehow I lived through it all. A few days later I finally made it back in to the office, where colleagues tried to coax an explanation out of me about my head injury. I kept silent, claiming it was too painful to talk about, which it was.

'What's the matter?' They all asked, 'Cat got your tongue?'

Mr. Panda,

I hope I get to meet you at the Boston GTG this fall - was not able to attend last year. I too pray for peace and healing for you.

Here is a joke to amuse you. I ran it past Bob and he approved it

Andy was showing Bob all the cards he had received when he said "Bob! I just realized nobody down at the courthouse sent me a card. You'd think SOMEONE would be concerned - it's my brain we're talking about here!"

To which Bob replied, "De minimus non curat lex!"

Gpanda, it was such a gorgeous day in Boston today, I pulled a lighter coat out of the closet. I reached into the pocket and felt something metal. I pulled it out and it was the panda refrigerator magnet that you had in the goodie bags at the October Boston GTG. I unwrapped it and put it up in my kitchen. It is my touchstone while you are receiving treatment. I'm going to tap it each morning for luck. So, if you feel a gentle little tap on your head at around 7:30 each morning. That will be me : )

And Bokhara2, I just read your hysterically funny post. Tears are streaming down my face I am laughing so hard. So descriptive and so unbelievable, I know it happened just the way you said. No one could make this up. LOL

BostonH - not to me. It was sent to me as a joke. You're right though, I think it probably did happen to some poor sod.

Well, it was funny whoever it happened to.

Hanuman, hopefully you chose to go to the Hong Kong 7's as it is truly an amazing time. This is the home of the original 7"s tournament. There is a tournament going on at the moment covering the globe where teams travel to various destinations like South Africa, Brazil, Portugal play tournaments gain points from victories with the country with the most point the winner. A bit like the formnula one racing.

We just had the tournament here in Australia played in Adelaide in 38o heat.

Ahhh to be able to play rugby and tour the world as well...utopia

Anyway back to reality.

Thanks for all the anecdotes. Giggling helplessly is a big part of my treatment,

On the boring logisical front, we met with three docors yesterday.. The neurosurgeon was pleased with my physical and mental recovery, The eye doctor gave me a lot of quantative tests and then daid I lost some minr portions of my vision, but I'm fuly able to drive in Massachusetts, For thos e who have driven here, that means that I can drive 50 miles and hour, screaming at the top of my lungs while delivering a one-fingered salute to random passersby.

Mrt with the oncologist at length to dicuss proceeding. Rven I recognize this is tedious, so I;ll hit the highlights. 6 weeks radiation, same start date with Temidar, also, if I'm elegible, I;ll start a clinical drug trial. They do this for a few months and take another MRI to see whether the tumot has grown, stayed the same or reduced. Plan B is then formulated.

Pandas are not patient by nature. Waitng around for 2'3 months to determine critical factors seems endlewss (sort of like this thread). I'm thinking maybe after 3 weeks I can bribe somebody to let me use their MTI Scan for quicker results.

Yestreday, I went with a very bright tiem classic Hrat, Schaffner pin stripe suit with sparky argyles made by Smart Sox.

Today is simple, a quick visit to Dana-Farber to begin establishing the radiation schedule.

I also promise to not report the daily details of treatment. Only if something really amuses arises will I report thereon.

First things first - Bokhara2 - that was hilarious! I was giggling before the kitten um, pounced.

Andy, I thought the surgery was to remove the tumor - did I misunderstand, or were they unable to remove it all? And please - feel free to report on the daily details - that could be a good way to help you cope, and I guarantee everyone here will read every word!

Cyn

Andy:

Good luck today at Dana Farber. After the rigors of yesterday and today, you sure do deserve some emotional and physical respite this week-end.

Please write as little or as much as feels comfortable and right for you. This is just a different kind of trip report, yes?

Given the character of your Asian TRs and your generous and witty online presence here, I have a hunch that what you write will help others even more than it helps you though. Just a thought.

bokara- very, vey funny story. My only question though, is that if events went as told, "... having been fully briefed by my wife..." why were the EMTs laughing? Would boxers have been less hysterical?

More cheer, dear

http://www.grapheine.com/bombaytv/graphiste-uk-a5134233dbb622d9f2eaeafd9064ba7d.html

Great story, Bokhara. Fodors is constantly amusing. It bever fails me.

My son and his wife have arrived from ann arbor (home of Bookchick). Naturally, he invited a friend of his for dinner. She's a vegetarian who needs gluten free. My son and I spent 1 1/2 hours in Whole Foods trying to decipher the code. We'll see.

I drove around today as if nothing had happened. It was great. Who would have ever thought that driving in Boston would be fun?

Bali looks unlikely, but there's still a small chance. I'm stalling calling Singapore Air until some clarity is acheived.

I received my scan results today and my scans are clear.

The situation Andy and I face is one that is reflected in the rest of society: the radiologists are interested in Andy's brain and my chest. Go figure!

BC

Mimi, what a great little film clip. And he looks like Andy, don't you think?

Congrats, BC. And I'm still chuckling about the brain/chest comment.

Mimi, that IS hysterical! (And what a striking resemblance to Andy, LOL!)

BC

I have been on a trip and just saw this. I hope and pray that your tumor is treatable. I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts and wish you the very best.

I am looking for years and years worth of enjoyable posts to come.

Sandy (in Denton)

BC, That is wonderful news. Very happy for you.

It's so great to hear Bookchick's story. I'm also going to Dana Fraber. they've got a great group rate for Fodorites.

Mimi's movie fails to capture the depths of embarassment suffered by Beth over the years. The speedo is the least of it. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say:

Your wife must be a saint.

I know how you feel about deciphering food codes Gpanda. I have to remain gluten free and it took an age to work it all out. Now its easy but not for my friends so I always arrive with dessert or something to make it easier - they are often the things that worry people most. I now make the best pastry of anyone I know! Basic principle for friends - just do simple things.

As for driving in Massachusetts - I thought thats how we drive here in Australia so we'd be fine - especially when we add in a change of road driving side.

Glad to hear you now have a Plan A for treatment - hopefully no need to even think about a plan B.

Wow - I leave this board for three weeks or so and all hell breaks loose! This has to be the only place on the internet with brain tumor limericks. Sending lots of good wishes your way for the speediest of recoveries (and still grateful for your lenient sentencing for my tardy trip report).

Welcome home Crosscheck. As always, humor sustains us. Ridiculing Bob will never go out of fashion.

For an update, i went for a short run today. My surgeon said it was fine. Of course, Beth was convinced that my brain would fall out. Apparently, I was not quite that delicate. My speed was so slow, I was nearly backing up. It felt good to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

Dinner tonight at Similans, the Saturday night spot for the GTG. I made reservations for October 9, 2010, so we're good to go. The food was superb. A crispy fish salad really hot the spot.

My guidebook says that at Fuxing Park in Shanghai, you nearly always see someone walking backward all around the park because it is "healthy." Hmmmn...maybe you have recreated an ancient Chinese therapeutic method?...

MaryA-I actually ran through Fuxing Park in September. It was so early that there were still lots of youngsters outside the disco on the east side. No one seemed surprised by the pseed or direction of the panda. I suspect that they have seen it all over the years.

Marya_, there's a thought sometimes that the quad muscles can "overpower" the hamstrings. So people who run will sometimes run or walk backwards. The former CEO of my former place of employment ran the Boston Marathon one year (or so he told us) and the following day he had to go up the stairs walking backward due to the temporary injury he incurred to certain of his leg muscles.

BC

Andy, glad to see that you are back at work, driving again and doing some exercise. Eric and I are looking forward to seeing you in October. Perhaps you Beth, Bob and Karen will be up to another weekend in NYC this summer? We can go back to that great little restaurant.

Andy, please send me a copy of your trip report. My e-mail address is yaddayadda.com...

As you know, the very famous "Lynn" had a thread that was frozen after many, many posts like the one above, perhaps a record number. I hope this thread will shatter that record, if such a record exists. So I request that the Fodor's editors will continue to cut us some slack...

Craig, that's so funny. I was thinking about that thread and thinking that Andy's deserves to shatter that old record number of responses! I guess that means we're both "old timers" here on Fodors. Actually the responses I liked best were the ones that said "send me your trip report" and had no email address in the response!

Laurieco... looking forward to yet another BOS GTG in October, and seeing you and Eric once again. I was pleased to read your thread in the lounge, concerning your visit to AZ. Hope all is going well for you!
Carol

bookchick: Congratulations on "clear scans." That means different things to different readers . . .

Lynn's trip report will fowever live in Fodors lore. It was priceless. To have this thread even thought of in the same vein is an honor. The editors have been very generous in permitting this to continue. I very much appreciate that and all the wonderful posts. I continue to be embarassed that it was started by Bob, but such is life.

On the actual Asia front, there's a tiny chance that I will be able to go to Bali on our scheduled trip. I keep hoping. We will probably ignore Bob's suggestion that Beth go anyway and take along someone she really likes.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you will be able to go. I understand that the clinical trials have indicated that a trip to Bali is more effective in slowing tumor growth than either chemo or radiation.

There was something on the news yesterday or the day before, about a "positive attitude" being an important part of good health. Bali would certainly qualify as something positive!! Hope you do get to make the trip!

carol that is so true... but some people just have ATTITUDE..

I can attest to the beneficial effects of a post-chemo Bali jaunt. Went for 3 weeks about a month after I finished 6 mths chemo & 7 weeks radiotherapy & it was absolutely the best tonic. Came home fit & tanned & haven't looked back since. That was nearly 12 years ago. Dr Bokhara prescribes ...

As the Director of Development of the Excessively-Lengthy Fodors Thread Foundation, I am pleased to report that the editors have revised the bylaws so this thread can be "at least as long, if not longer" than Lynn's. Lynn's thread had 729 posts, so we are good to go for at least 399 more.

It's great to see that there are Fodorites even more obsessed than I. How else could we count on someone knowing how many posts there were on a thread that disappeared years ago? Just when I think that I'm crazy, one or more of you chime in and I realize I could be more unhinged. Bob thinks otherwise.

Hmm...I will take that as a quasi-compliment. Yes, I am crazy and obsessed, but I only memorize the number of posts on my OWN trip reports. You will be thrilled to know that Lynn's thread, with its 729 posts, has NOT disappeared (and that the humor holds up).

I wish I could say I used advanced computer skills to find it, but I just typed "Lynn" into the search feature above, then found the link on one of numerous threads about the original.

here it is: http://tinyurl.com/ydqemno

or:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/anyone-want-a-copy-of-my-10-day-bangkok-trip-report.cfm

Might know its Bob pushing up the numbers of that other thread!!!!

I'm more than happy to add to this one as anything that will keep the Panda practicing his typing skills and also offers him anything in the way of cheer is good. That means he will, in turn, be around to keep us cheered up for a long long time and hopefully also keep Bob slightly under control.

We also need our "report supervisor" so how could the editors even think of letting this one go.

Do hope Bali comes off as planned but if not it will be waiting for you later.

I agree, Mary, I can't believe Bob would pad the numbers on that old thread!

Hey, Crosscheck, it's good to see you back!

No need to worry about ATTITUDE. There's a Fearless Monitor already screening for it. Beware--the next warning may come your way...

Andy-- regarding Bob's suggestion that Beth take someone other than you...

Can you ask her to give me a call??

The drama continues:


http://www.grapheine.com/bombaytv/webdesign-uk-d5854519af7c1376c804a70dade38e0a.html

Ha, ha, Mimi, another great film clip. Although I'm not sure if Gpanda is the wind, or Gpanda makes the wind...I am leaning toward believing the latter is the case.

BC

Marija: You ain't got no ATTITUDE! You just live in Chicago.

I have certainly generated my fair share of wind. A short story. A lawyer filed a Motion to Join. I wasa sent to court to oppose this motion. I did so successfully. As I was walking out of the court room, the lawyer that had filed the motion said to the judge and the others present:

That saved us 1/2 day at trial.

Lucy, I passed your suggestion on to Beth. the question is 'How comfortable are you wearing a speedo?"

Sorrry, I asked thias question before on another thread and I didn't realize till now that it was answered. Am about to do some research to follow the history. I didn't want to get sidetracked before finsihing Dogster's wonderful cruise report. But this guy (girl?) is driving me to distraction.

I'm glad to report that all of my favorite trips have included a middle-aged female Caucasian, i.e., Beth. This remains true, even though I still think of myself as a teenager.

Andy, so Beth is really "Mrs. Robinson"????

BC

Andy-
For the opportunity to travel with the Fab Four Three, sure, I'd wear a Speedo.

But I'm guessing Beth would look better in it than I!

Beth shall remain a woman of mystery.

Court this morning. Drove back to the office in a downpour without a hitch. Slaving away, pretending to be intelligent.

Slaving away, pretending to be intelligent.

Intelligent people let others do the work for them. I'd explain further, but my boss wants me to finish this project ASAP.

Andy,
I haven't looked at the Forum in several weeks - - had no idea about your "condition". Wishing you all the best for the treatments you are having. You'll be in really good hands at a great hospital. If all the good wishes from Fodorites have any impact, you'll be on your way to Bali for sure.

<<Slaving away, pretending to be intelligent.>>

Okay, and so this differs from how things were prior to the tumor being discovered in what way?????

BC

Don-very clever

BC-the main difference is that the pretense of intelligence now happens at a much decreased decibel level. For years, i was a giver of headaches. I'm now on the receiving end.

In court today, one of my colleagues asserted that three of the nurses in the ICU filed stress claims after my stay there. Still generating billable hours.

Today's attempt at cheer:
MY PRIVATE PART DIED
An old man, Mr. Wallace, was living in a nursing home.
One day he appeared to be very sad and depressed.
Nurse Tracy asked him if there was anything wrong,
'Yes, Nurse Tracy ,' said Mr. Wallace.
'My Private Part died today, and I am very sad.'
Knowing her patients were a little forgetful and sometimes a little crazy, she replied, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Wallace. Please accept my condolences.'

The following day, Mr. Wallace was walking down the hall with his Private Part hanging out of his pajamas. He met Nurse Tracy. 'Mr. Wallace,' she said, 'You shouldn't be walking down the hall like that. Please put your Private Part back inside your pajamas.'

'But, Nurse Tracy I can't,' replied Mr. Wallace.
'I told you yesterday that my Private Part died.
'Yes,' said Nurse Tracy, 'you did tell me that,
but why is it hanging out of your pajamas?'

'Well,' he replied, 'Today is the viewing.'

Andy,
So glad to see that your typing and spelling is improving. As for Beth being a saint that is known throughout the world.

<<In court today, one of my colleagues asserted that three of the nurses in the ICU filed stress claims after my stay there. Still generating billable hours.>>

If this is what your colleagues are saying about you, just imagine what your opponents are saying!

I can just imagine the paperwork the hospital's risk management department is receiving from the staff about your stay: "Patient subjected nurses, technicians, orderlies and candy stripers to witness some trick he does involving flexing his bicep and deltoid muscles in time to some off-tune jingle. All staff subjected are requesting hardship pay as well as paid time off until we are no longer able to recall these incidents with clarity. We submit this is a form of deliberately-induced PTSD."

BC

Nywoman-I did notice that the number of my mistakes was decreasing. WE'll see. Perhaps I will return to my usual level of typos.

Marija-that story is inapposite. I don't wear pajamas. Nonetheless, quite humorous.

Bali may be out, but I still have hope that I will be able to play in the Seniors Event of the World Series of Poker in mid-June in Las Vegas. Imagine what a great story a win in that would be.

I hope you are aware of my cyber-efforts to give you something to read in your dotage, old fella. All of Dogster, splayed out like dead meat on a hook, every sordid Jimmy twist and turn displayed for YOUR delectation, Gpanda..

http://thedogster.wordpress.com

Without your gentle patronage and those of your ilk none of these stories would have been written. Now look what you've done.

Well done you, Dogster, but I'd hardly blame the lot of us!



BC

Dogster, I've been following your efforts with glee. I'll gladly accept whatever blame is to be assigned. I'm not sure gentle is my best thing.

Does this mean that I've joined the Ilk's Club?

Andy, Did you say Gentile is not your best thing? I'm telling your mother...

Hmmm. I note ASkOksana's post has been removed from here, as has my post yesterday about my finally going back and looking at the bizarro history of him/her.

Or was that AskOksena, I get them confused.

LA--it's possible your posts rolled off this morning during this thread's perilous journey. I don't know if anyone else noticed but the thread was in Asia early in the morning, then abruptly transferred to the Lounge, then gone entirely, and then back here again. Fortunately, someone came to their senses... Hanuman's thread is just plain gone!

How strange! I hear arguing Fodor's editors...

Asia, Asia, Asia Asia. Anyone know a good place to eat in Bangkok? There, that should keep it here.

Lcuy-my mother was well aware of my non-gentle qualities. It's not exactly a secret.

I am deeply appreciative of the kindness of the editors in allowing this thread to continue on the Asia forum. Asia Fodorites are the ones that I've tortured over the years. They are the ones that have suffered my rants and raves.

The genesis of my Asia fascination was my reading of spy novels. Whenever they were set in Asia, there was a mystery that lay under the plot line. The old expression "Asia hand" used by John Le carre and others always brought to mind some hyper-competent super spy. It made me want to visit Asia. Our first trip was for my 50th birthday and we've returned every year. Asia has gone way beyond my expectations. I'm excited when newbies are planning their first trip to Asia. This forum renews that excitement. (Is this enough asia stuff to keep the thread Asia-centric?)

When I noted this morning that the thread had been moved to the Fodors' Lounge, I e-mailed the editors and asked them to please move it back here to the Asia Forum. I received a very nice e-mail later in the morning from an editor named Amy, who said that Fodors does try to keep non-travel posts in The Lounge, but since this thread is dedicated to Andy, who appears on this particular forum much more often than in The Lounge, they did decide to re-locate this thread to its original Forum.

Apparently Katie, the editor Andy has met, is now on maternity leave...leaving the question, where were all you men from this forum approximately 9 months ago? Please have witnesses to back up your responses.

BC

BC, thanks for noticing the unraveling and taking prompt action.

Congratulations (anticipatory or otherwise) to Katie.

A big thank you to Amy and her fellow editors for restoring this thread to its rightful place. You just have to read between the lines sometimes to see the references to Asian travel...

Does anyone know how I can get a copy of Lynn's BKK trip report?

The thread says it is closed, so I can't ask for one there.

We went to Asia in 1998, a conference that MP was invited to attend. He called me at work and said, "Do you want to go to Korea next month?" and I said, "You betcha!" (Actually, I asked my boss if that was okay and she said, "Korea!????" The rest is history. . . . We hit Hong Kong and Korea in ten days. Back to work when the semester began at Indiana University . . .

OK... Asia related... ummm, I'm headed back to BKK in 3 weeks. Does that count?

Carol, you ALWAYS count, no matter what you've written!

BC

andy took quite a fancy to katie.....so did filmwill

I was informed today that Katie has decided to stay at home with her family, extendeing her leave indefinitely. Their gain, our loss...

BC... YOU count too! (thank you)

Kathie, I didn't get to meet Katie because I didn't make it to filmwill's GTG. But you are right. Katie's family will be the winners. Katie will be missed here. I hope she will jump in here (as a civilian) and chat sometime.

Tomorrow is a big day. I get tested for my eligibility for a clinical drug trial. Fortunately, there is no personality potion of the test. And as always, I have a great deal of experience in the swimsuit competition. Imagine me showing up at Dana farber in a speedo. Perfect.

Good luck Andy!

PS. if you wear the Speedo on your head they will give you something for sure.

Ah, Andy, for clinical trials, there is always a Miss Congeniality.

oK...Keeping this thread honest; does anyone know where to buy speedos in Bali?

and where in Asia do you think the those drugs in the trial will come from?

Katie's gone? What a loss for Fodor's! She was so adorable and very diplomatic when she came to the Hollywood GTG.

Also sorry to hear we've lost Katie - is there a farewell thread somewhere? (I usually avoid the Lounge...)

The very best of luck today, Andy. Thinking of you. There should be a reward at the end of this ordeal. An Asian trip reward.

Katie is a loss. She was a real spark at the LA GTG. However, Amy's attention to Bookchick's input on this thread demonstrates an accurate sense of what this forum is about.

Amy, please allow this to serve as a formal invitation to the Boston GTG, scheduled for the weekend of October 8-10, 2010. It would be great to meet you. We cab obtain a restraining order to limit your contact with Bob.

Do I sense this is turning into an argyle speedos thing?

Congrats Katie!!!!!!! Is it a boy or girl?

Aloha!

Good luck with your eligibility tests today, Andy.

Gpanda, agree with you about Asia. There's always that certain something - combination of sounds, smells & air - that is so distinctive, I'm sure it would be recognizable if we didn't know where we were. I'm hoping to get to Vietnam for my first visit this year. Haven't done anything but the most cursory research yet, but will be asking for advice shortly.

I have an appointment at Dana-Farber a week from tomorrow. Now I will have to fight the nausea I'm experiencing at the thought of Gpanda appearing there in a Speedo. I know I've got some Compazine somewhere around here.

Thank you, Carol.

And yes, Amy seemed quite personable in her e-mail response to me, and I e-mailed her back to let her know we were grateful for her swift response.

BC

Good luck today, Andy! (And to keep this thread going and Asia related, yours is currently scheduled to be in Singapore and Thailand for work for most of April -- as always, drinks on me at various airport lounges.)

Now, I have a good feeling about you Andy; everything will be just fine. (And thanks for continuing to consider/fly a certain Asian airline -- and no bias from me.)

Early and warm Easter greetings, Andy, and to all in fodorland.

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Andy, hoping everything goes well for you today! ((hugs))

Me too. Bon chance.

The tests went great. I'm in the clinical trial for XL184. My MRI was not horrible. I can go play in the Seniors event at the World Series of Poker.

I will have to switch Bali to August. This entails getting singapore Airlines to switch our reservations. We will see how smoothly this goes. I may prevail on AskOksena to intervene if necessary.

I'm so happy you had good news with the tests and the poker game is still on.

Good luck with switching the Bali plans, glad the trip is still on.

Great! Glad the news was good. Good luck in the poker tournament! And I hope you can get your Bali trip squared away!! The trip would be good for you.

Woo hoo, Andy! Great to hear this; I'm sure if the entire Fodors Asia Forum brings its considerable influence to bear, Singapore Airlines will have no choice but to bow to your change of plans! Bravo!

BC

Andy, you are a poker professional? One never knows whose company one is in. I thought it was a loud, flamboyant(sp?) lawyer
with bno outside interests.

Love your cats

The best medicine is to travel!

Haven't been active on Fodors but just saw a post in the lounge. My prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
Pat

In playing poker, there is a huge advantage to looking big and stupid. I always play in a suit and tie to add to the appearance.

I will call Singapore Air next week to ascertain what our options are for postponing our teip. We'll decide when we learn what the additional cosots are. The weather in Bali is still good in August, but there may not be a schedule match.

Dinner with Bob and Karen last night. Take out from Punjab. The food was great. Bob told his opinion of bicycle riders. Beth and I were appalled. His visa to travel from Darkest Needham to fair Cambridge may get revoked.

So happy to read the latest. It sounds as though you are keeping above water in all ways. Now you have a little extra time to plan for Bali as well as the reports from the Needham advance team to look forward to.

Scrappy, noisy Fodorites from around the world standy ready to kick up a fuss on-line if Singapore Air doesn't do the right thing. Pure Panda-monium will ensue.

Keep us posted.

Panda I am rearing my head up from my jet-lag-induced fugue state to send you my fuzziest wishes--I am so glad that Balinese Panda-monium will erupt come August!

As for Singapore Air, a whispered threat of the wrath of AskOksAna might be in order should the slightest hint of balkiness arise.

aloha andy, happy to hear things are going well for you. on the river, where and when is the seniors tournament?

I am in a state of breathless excitement at the prospect of this post turning 400.

Delighted to hear the good things happening to our big Panda, am I making the 400 of this post?!

K-the Seniors Tournament is from June 18-20 at the Rio in Las vegas. It is one of the many events that make up the world series of poker. they show the Main event, $10,000 buy-in on ESPN all the time. they show the final table from other events. Last year there were 2700 entries to the seniors event. I did not win a hand and was gone in four hours. Amarillo Slim busted me. he has A-2, I had A-J. A deuce appeared on the flop with and Ace and I was history. I went and played in some smaller tourneys and did no good there either. this is a new year and I have high hopes. In 2008, i won $14,000 in a Seniors even at Foxwoods. Hope springs eternal in the panda's breast.

Dogster, I too am amazed at the numeric longevity of this thread.

Well, with the poker tournament and Bali to look forward to, that should carry you through the radiation and chemo.

Good news for gpanda!

gpanda=400!! how apropos.

Beth, as always, is a tough grader. She says that we should subtract all my posts from the total number to arrive at a more informative number, i.e., non-panda posts. I choose to go with the gross number. Why should my massive self-deception ever end? It's served me well in the past.

If I had my say, we (yes, I have a mouse in my pocket) would start the radiation, chemo and drug trial tomorrow. Patince is not a panda personality trait. However, Patience was my mother's first name. How perfect is that? One would assume that being my mother would require a great deal of patience.

Bob would probably say the number of your posts IS a gross number!

Since the thread is entitled "Gpanda Needs Cheer" I would respectfully argue to Beth that your input was vital on this thread, Andy. After all, we didn't know why, or how much or what kind of cheer you needed, and until or unless you gave us feedback, we'd be in a lurch here.

And perhaps we should change the title to "Gpanda In Fear" since I'll be dining with Gpanda some time in the next 10 days.

BC

Just found out all this was going on while I was away!

The nice thing is I didn't have to wait to find out that Andy is well on his way to being his usual pesky self

Glad we got to meet you Katie

Since you'll be in Bali in August you may want to tap into some of Made Surya's healing tour. With the popularity of Eat, Pray, Love there's been a lot of exploitation of healers -- authentic and fake, but I can tell you this is the real deal. If you contact Danu directly you could most likely work out a personalized itinerary.
http://www.danutours.com/bali_healers.html

Pesky? Can I put that on my reume?

Marmot-I had the same idea about seeking healing in Bali. This week I will interface with Singapore Air to determine our options. I'll keep everyone apprised of these interactions.

Right now, I'm off to play poker at Foxwoods. A two hour drive each way, but the tournament structure is good and I've done well in the past. Plus, I can smoke a cigar in the car and become contemplative for a brief moment.

You could put this on your desk:

http://www.cafepress.com/+pesky_panda_large_mug,65673694

I'm pleased to report that I won the poker tournament for a profit of $1200. I played well and was lucky. Also, I safely drove. Home and getting ready to watch the Final Four. Pretty sweet.

Cool! So I take it dinner's on you???

Seriously, congratulations and enjoy the game. (GO GREEN!)

BC

All this and you still won the poker games? I think we may have to check that deck of cards. Now, if you get the winner of the basketball right you will be on a heck of a roll.

Feel good. Regards from BA.

GPanda, for what it's worth, I found a bag of saline before my IV chemo lessened the "hang over" the next day, so may be worth discussing with your chemo nurses if you're having IV.

Even though I'm a Hoosier fan, I'm rooting for Butler tonight.

Bokhara-I'm told that my chemoo will be by pill. It's Timador (sp?) that has shown good results with brain cancer.

I just reread the thread from the beginning and was touched by all of you guys sending your support. Thank you.

Tengo-I'm going to get in touch when you return. be ready.

The Butler-MSU game was great. really fun to watch. I'm much more appreciative of every small thing. Probably not a surprise.

Congrats on the poker win, Andy!

Cynstalker-Thanks. i'm pushing my luck and going to play in anothet tornament on Sunday. I figure to do everything I can before the treatment starts in earnest.

BTW, I've decided I'm not going to Beat Cancer, i'm not going to Fight Cancer. The plan is to Annoy cancer and have it leave me alone because I'm too much trouble to bother with. This plan has worked throughout my lifetime.

In Indiana, basketball is a religion, not a sport, so everyone is psyched for tonight's game. I'm guessing Butler will get stomped.

I like your plan, GP. Be a pest to those which pester you.

It maybe requires a bit more agility in terms of planning, being opportunistic as occasions arise.

You seem well-suited to the task.

I think we should all do what we do best. Annoying may not be what you do best, but you do it well. If cancer can be annoyed into remission, you'll do it.

Well said Kathie. He CAN do annoying very well at times!

Cancer is merely a bunch of out cells behaving badly. Just like any other hoodlems, they need to be booted out with a good swift kick up the automograutum & then ignored with the contempt due to them, while the good cells get on with the business of repairing the fences.

block that metaphor! just kidding.

Pandas are not subtle beings. Metaphors escape us. We are way too literal. We would rather see a smile than hear a simile.

One of my mental images in battling cancer has been an illustration from "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" that I actually used as my profile photo here for a while here. I used to think of myself as "Alice in Cancer-land" because my experiences were so surreal due to my 7 week-long hospitalization. While the Knave is on trial at the end of the tale, Alice, arguing with the Queen finally shouts at the jury "Why, you're nothig but a pack of cards!". I developed a visual of myself shouting at my cancer "You're nothing but a pack of cells, that's all you are". I know this sounds totally absurd. But those of us afflicted all need to do what we need to do to get through it.

BC

With the help of Tengohambre, I just talked to0 Singapore Air and explained my situation. The representative said that if i provide a doctor's note they will give a full refund with no penalty. I'm going to start a separate thread on this to sing their praises. Of course, we will await the cash.

Good work.

BTW, what was the name of the kid/warthog in Kotter's class who was always bringing in notes from his mother/doctor/dog?

Was that Arnold Horshak? It's been a very lomng time.

BTW, Gabe Kapler is a very accomplished poker player.

Kapler the baseballer, Kaplan the poker player, it's all more or less the same.

and Bingo! on Horshak -- I've been trying to think of that all morning

No penalty. Your trademark panda expression. Not often that we hear of empathy with the airlines.

This post and the path it has taken are enlightening and moving to us all. Where we once saw the panda as purely a black and white fellow, we are now becoming accustomed to the many shades of gray - the x'rays, detours called plan A, plan B, plan C. Panda has shown an amazing ability to return to his former life. I can't believe you WON that poker tournament. Your resilience gives other people something very valuable. Hope. For you and also for themselves.

Glad to hear you have been selected for the drug trial. Though there are often extra scans and time involved, participants often report that they feel good about contributing to the bigger picture.

Rivet-I just think of myself as a guinea panda. I just hope my fur doesn't mess up the scanning devices.

Today, it's a few hours in the office, a two hour drive to Springfield for two cases and a two hour drive back to wonderful Cambridge. A full day, but I think I'm ready.

With any luck, I'll be back in civilization early enough for a cigar.

Rumor has it that GP plans to bill Dana Farber $275/hour during the trial.

Pssst...Rizzuto, I've had him "piggyback" my fees onto that, so that he and I BOTH recoup a fee from DFCI. So it's now up to $375 an hour. It's only fair, since we're both patients there. (My next appt is Friday afternoon.)

BC

Pro Bono. There's a very good chance that Dana Farber has never had the Panda experience. I'll have to go slowly with them at first.

Seriously, I don't know if it's because I'm from out of town, but there have been a couple of times they've failed to bill me for my co-pay!

BC

Like many others, I have not checked out the Asia Forum in quite some time, and was so sorry to learn today of Andy's situation. Andy and Bob have been the mainstays of this Asia Board and provided not only fantastic travel gems and advice but much humor and fun.
I'm sending strong positive thoughts and prayers to you as you begin your chemo Andy and wish you the very best possible outcome. May your future trips be just the healing and relaxation that the doctors ordered.
Sue
(just booked our 7th trip to Thailand for next Jan)

14 hour work day yesterday, trial today. I enjoy annoying other lawyers so much.

A slightly humorous story. I was sitting when I noticed a slight blurry spot in my right eye. It immediately brought to mind the potential physical loss that awaits me, e.g., vision loss, mobility, motor function. Sadness swept over me and I began to tear up. I called several friends who were very supportive and caring. After about 10 minutes, I gathered myself and was fine. I drive home, eat dinner with beth and tell her the story. She grabs my glasses, cleans them and my vision clears right up. So, I had a meltdown because of a apot on my glasses. Clever, eh?

Doesn't really sound like a meltdown, Andy; but I'm glad Beth was able to clear things up for you.

Andy,
I have not been monitoring the forum for quite some time so I just saw the original posting. Wishing you all the very best for a full and complete recovery. And if the vibes from all your Fodor friends make any difference, you will be on the road again in no time!
Take care,
Ivy

I've been having problems with Posterior Vitreous Detachment (one of those aging things) so totally relate to the meltdown and don't think it was at all an over-reaction... But good you have someone around to clarify things!

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Good lord, did your ass fall off?

ROTFLOL! Great picture! Actually, could stand to loose a pound or two there... No, as the vitreous gel in your eye ball liquifies with age it pulls away from the retina. (If you really want to know, see http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/index.asp )

Dinner tonight with Bookchick at Similans. I can already taste the delicious food.

Trial today went well. The judge said privately to me afterwards that she was amazed that I was completely me during the trial, i.e., annoying, combatitive and loud. I told her that I would be Andy as long as possible. She pretended to be pleased. Actually, my cocounsel in the trial has the same problem as Thursdayd. He's going under the knife on May 7. I told the judge that we were dropping like flies.

"He's going under the knife on May 7" - wow - nothing like that so far for me - best wishes to him as well.

he never called us about any loss of vision... i doubt he has friens in the plural

Dinner was very nice. BC was generous in sharing her fight with cancer and it gave us more hope.

Both BC and Beth said that I could not tell a story about a BOb incident. Trust me, the moral of the story confirms my long-timeassertions about Cambridge and Needham.

Off to a spinning class this morning. I'm cleared for exercise, so why not do an intense workout?

Our Asia plan is to wait until we get the scans 2-3 months from now and decide which Asian city will be graced with our presence.

I'm glad you and Beth were able to have dinner with bookchick. It is SO helpful to talk with others with similar experiences.

After talking to BC, I realized that my treatment might entail some dietary restrictions. Therefore, I went out last night and had lots of raw oystres and raw clams. Delicious. Truly unique taste.

Playing poker today with very little sleep. I'm going to try to yawn my way to victory.

Hanuman's thread on the BKK protests is very upsetting. I always think of the amazing tranquility of the Thai people in the madness that is BKK. No longer.

I did indeed enjoy an interesting evening with Gpanda and Beth on Friday evening. I've just arrived home from my Boston trip. The most interesting part of the evening came when I asked Gpanda and Beth how they arrived at the point when they decided to marry. I knew they'd been law school classmates together, went their separate ways, and then reunited years later. What Gpanda said about Beth's sentiments toward him was truly hysterical.

When I was hospitalized very dramtically with blood clots (which led to my cancer diagnosis), I had (and still have) a friend who served as my "cancer mentor". She is a woman with whom I used to work who was diagnosed 12 years ago with ovarian cancer. She was a supportive friend and an amazing resource for me. Although I'm obviously not happy about Andy's diagnosis, if I can "pay forward" any information or experiences I've had to benefit Andy in any way in his fight with this bastard of a disease, I am happy to do it.

The Similans, as usual, provided us with delicious food as well as outstanding service. I swear you could ring the Gpanda household at 3 AM (not that I would recommend that!) and ask them to recommend dishes off The Similans' menu, and either of them could list their favorites while still asleep. (Although Andy doesn't sleep all that much these days. It's a side effect, though. As I often say about bumps in the road of life "this too shall pass, although it may feel like a kidney stone when it does".)

BC

don't call or he will get the idea that he can call anyone at any time, and he will....just to chat or describe the muscle trick or the hand silouttes and now the tooth pick trick...

Oh, Bob, Andy and Beth split a dessert on Friday night and they brought not one but TWO marischino cherries, with the stems attached. You can figure out what happened after that....

BC

I was raised, and believe to this day, that marascino cherries are radioactive.

True story. Anybody else recall this urban myth of the early 60's? It must be around the Cold War time, pre-Kennedy.

To this day I do not eat red, radioactive berries with my dessert.

Dog, I think I recall that story. I was around then as well. I don't like marachino cherries at all. Someone else can enjoy the ones from the tops of my Haagen dazs sundaes.

Leaving Lucerne today, back to Zurich. Hope the nice weather holds.

Andy... wishing you and Beth all the best. BC... all the best to you as well. We'll see you in October!

Carol

Dinner with BC was delightful. Fortunately, Bob was otherwise engaged. Therfore, the conversation flowed smoothly.

I lost $120 in the tournament yesterday. I finished 32nd out of 109 entries and got paid nothing. However, I did play in a cash game before the tournament and won $121. A profit of $1 for my time investment of 8 1/2 hours. Pretty sweet, eh?

Today, I have the test radiation. They do everything to hook me up for radiation, but they don't actually zap me. It's designed to familiarize me with the process. I'm going to get 30 radiation treatments, so learning the process will assist. I'm not sure where I can sneak in the muscle trick, but the prctice might inform me.

I can't tell you how much comfort I get from this thread. It's wonderful. Plus, with certain unnamed Needham exceptions, it's been troll free. Why do you think that's happened?

After today's appointment, you will be one step closer to the next Asian trip. Then the countdown, from 30 to 1. Not sure whether that's going to be Bali or somewhere else. Perhaps you are thinking over various options.

"Why do you think that's happened?"
Maybe people with a good sense of humor have a unique ability to endear themselves to others and deflect trolls' interest?

But Andy, if you were paid a dollar, aren't you bound by some confidentiality agreement and shouldn't be disclosing, um, oh, um,damn - I don't know - I got nothin'.

Hope the test radiation goes well for you. When's the first actual treatment?

Either that, or any potential troll may well sense the rest of us would have them for breakfast & spit their bones out.

The zapping's painless & doesn't take any time at all, GPanda. Took me more time to get my gear off - but I'm assuming you won't be wearing a bra & shirt on your head.
(Michael Leunig where are you ???) http://www.leunig.com.au/cartoons/

FWIW, I used liberal rubbings of aloe vera straight from the leaf before & after the r/t sessions & had no burning until the 35th session (I had an extra week of "boosters"), when there was the slightest pink tinge. Others had "sunburn" from the 2nd week and blisters by the end. This was 12 years ago, so technology may have improved by now. Does no harm and is very nice & soothing, though.

The actual radiation starts on Thursday. Thanks for the Aloe vera tip. How do you think chemo and radiation will affect my fur? Do you think I'll lose the black and retain the white or vice-versa? This may be a first for Dana Farber.

Andy, I have a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer right at the time of my hospitalization for lymphoma. She received radiation as part of her treatment. She told me she was "tatooed" at the medical facility, so they would know where to direct the radiation.

Re: the use of aloe, although it's probably fine, please check this out with medical personnel. A college acquaintance noticed when he received radiation (and this was decades ago) that the skin of his ears was drying. He began to use baby oil on his ears. The condition worsened and became painful to the point he mentioned this to a nurse. The nurse told him that he was essentially frying his ears! The medical personnel were able to get him a prescription ointment to reverse the "frying effect" and give his skin some relief. So long story short, be careful, and as I'd advised you, communicate about the side effects to members of "your team" so they can help you minimize them.

BTW, Fodorites, Andy was almost at the point of being tearful on Friday evening when he told me how much this thread meant to him. Who'd have thought that somebody like Gpanda would go all warm and fuzzy on us and so appreciative????!! Now hang onto your hats, because he even had wonderful things to say about Bob and how kind it was of Bob and Karen to spend the day of his surgery at the hospital with Beth! (There may be hope for a lasting peace in The Middle East after all.) And Beth noted this thread has become so long that it takes a while to load when you bring it up.

For my own part, I am just happy to have dazzled Gpanda with my command of the English language during our dinner at The Similans. (I had hoped to do that since English actually IS my native language, LOL!)

BC

thursdayd: Several years ago after six months of sweating that I might have MS, the diagnosis of "vitreous detachment" was music to my ears! Happens to old people all the time, but is a minor problem . .

dogster: Don't know about radioactive maraschino cherries, but Fiestaware left over from the old days in colors of red or orange are really and truly radioactive. Someone I worked with brought in an old orange Fiestaware platter to the lab and it pegged the Geiger counter.

BC - "Gpanda would go all warm and fuzzy" - isn't that the definition of a panda?

indianapearl - it's all in the context - I was getting ready to leave for two months in the Caucasus and the ME,and hearing about 2% chance of retinal detachment with max of a week to fix...

Gpanda - continued best wishes

BC is delusional. What's the chance I was appreciative of Bob? Zero! Warm and fuzzy? Was she imaging a cartoon panda? Admittedly, her grasp of the English language was good. She's clearly not from Needham.

On an Asian note, I went on several travel websites to see if the fares to Bangkok had dropped as a result of the protests. They had not. Beth suggested that there might be a lag. I assume that this will happen. If so, I may strike for a future trip.

I've never heard the "maraschino cherries are radioactive" rumor (if they were maybe Andy could forego the radiation and just eat the cherries). But I met some fellow students when I was in college who had worked at a factory that made maraschino cherries. Their description of the process was enough to put me off maraschino cherries forever.

Given that Andy and Beth apparently love the things, I'll refrain from telling the story.

Just want to add my good wishes for the beginning and duration of the radiation treatments Andy. I'll be thinking of you on Thursday. How often are they hoping to give the treatments? Hope that you can get it behind you ASAP so that you can then plan and prepare for your next Thailand trip, or will it be Bali? So good that you have such a nice vacation to look forward to. All the best for the coming weeks as you take on this menace with determination, and, know that all us Fodorites are pulling for you.
Sue

My Dr told me about the aloe vera BC, and I told my Radiation Oncologist I intended to use it. He said it was ok but sceptical that it would make any difference.

He & the team were astonished at the difference between my skin & some of the other girls on the same schedule. I started taking plants in so others could try it & the staff were happy with that.

One of my friends had radiotherapy last year & his r/t team said they didn't mind, but didn't think it was necessary. He didn't use it for the first few sessions, but said he thought it was beneficial when he used it for the remainder.

I wouldn't use anything but the pure gel, straight from the leaf.

I can imagine your friend did burn more with the oil - just like we used to do when we "fried" ourselves in the quest for a suntan.

You might have to get a bit of "Grecian 2000" to your luxurious black fur, GPanda. And you might need a fur-straightener, too. Seems re-grown fur in adults often comes back in tight grey curls.

I did fail Gpanda in one sense. As an inpatient, during a 7 week-long hospitalization, I had two rounds of chemo and one of radiation. That was absolutely the only radiation treatment I had. I went on to have four more rounds of outpatient chemotherapy. When Gpanda asked me what the radiation was like, I couldn't answer him because I had no memory of it whatsoever. I do remember bits of the chemo as an inpatient and all of chemo as an outpatient. I was so exhausted during my inpatient stay and often sedated, too, and when I returned to work a few months after my discharge from the hospital, a co-worker asked if I had been in a coma because every time she phoned the hospital, she was told I was asleep. (Well, when one is on a ventilator, which was the case with me for a month, I guess a lot of sedation is called for.) This was another reason I chose an "Alice In Wonderland" theme for recovery, as I thought of myself as "Alice in Cancerland".

One of my cousins used vitamin e on one of my aunts, and had the permission of the medical staff to do so. My aunt thought it helped a lot.

Kathie, Andy isn't the only one---you should see Craig's wife, Jeanne with a maraschino cherry! She showed us this at the Boston GTG dinner of '09 at The Similans.

And trust me, Gpanda did indeed get all warm and fuzzy, and then when he started to talk about Bob...well, I was hoping I wouldn't lose my appetite, and things had become so gooey that I didn't order or consume dessert.

BC

Beth just noted that I had the surgery on the Ides of March. I can safely say that I did way better than Julius on that day.

Bokhara, I mentioned the Aloe Vera to a radiation person and she said that I should wait to see hpow my skin/fur reacted.

BTW, when I met all the radiation people that will be helping me, I refered to them as my future victims. They're going to be stuck with me for six weeks. On occassion, I can be amusing in short doses, but six weeks will seem like a lifetime to these poor people.

Apparently, my chemo drug can only be obtained through a top secret mailing process. I spent 1/2 hour on the phone verifying my information.

For female Fodorites who have mammograms, we've all learned that we shouldn't use deodorants prior to the procedure. The aluminum molecules in them can give erroneous results. Never a dull moment . . .

Panda - my very good friend had to undergo a lot of radiation (for BC) and found that having a reflexology session after helped enormously. It was recommended by another lady - both had absolutely no burning where many others did. No how that would work out for a panda head I don't know but at least its relaxing.

Two friends of mine (one male, one female - both younger than you at the time of their diagnoses) had brain tumors, and both of them found that after their therapy their hair grew back in coarse and straight. It seems like it also grew back in gray.

Unfortunately, I do not remember if they had chemo or radiation or both. I just remember all their hair fell out from it.

My fur may fall out. I'm preparing by buying a number of sleeveless T-shirts, preparing to wear a large earring and adopt the appearance of a movie tough guy. I'm not quite sure how this will go over in court, but what do I care?

Two client meetings today. I have to pretend I'm a competent, aggressive lawyer.

I've got the suits and ties
For the lawyer disguise.
And the easiest part
Is that I've got no heart.

So I go to meetings
And listen to bleatings.
Then I render advice
And pretend to be nice.

If they had taught me that ditty in law School, I could have saved three years of wasted time.

I believe those lyrics are from the old Johnny Cash song, A Boy Named Sue.

I'd also encourage you to get an extra baseball cap or 2. Speaking as one who has a furless pate per la grazia di Dio, I can attest to the ease and speed with which you can wind up with a beeotch of a sunburn up thayah.

Yes. Actually when exposed to sun, cover yourself up head to toe with sunscreen. As I described to you, I did lose my hair and it began to grow back in over summer. Despite some hot days, I did wear scarves on my head, and still have a really impressive collection of them. (Someone working at the UMich Cancer Center complimented me on a scarf Cigalechanta had given me and winked and said "And remember, I see head scarves all day long in my work".) Then I went through a "GI Jane" phase when the hair was coming back in. Prior to going back to work, I acquired a couple of wigs. When my hair came back, it was super-curly, and that lasted for several months before the texture returned to the straighter-but-still-somewhat-wavy hair I'd had prior to my illness. Kind of does give you a chance to re-invent yourself. I told some of my girlfriends "Mother Nature is a smart chick. She knows you've lost your hair, so she makes the 'new stuff' super-curly so it will appear as thick as possible to intimidate anyone who may approach you." LOL!

I liked your little ditty on the legal profession, Gpanda, but I do fear it applies to a number of professions. Luckily since I'm currently unemployed, I don't have to worry about that. And that said, I will now break for coffee.

BC

No problem with losing my hair. Wearing a speedo has exposed a great quantity of flesh to the sun. If there's a little more because of hair loss, I will take it into account.

Rizzuto-baseball caps make me look like a doofus. It's my thick neck. Maybe a cool Fedora will do the trick.

GP, if you wish to blame a baseball cap for that phenomenon, I won't contest it. If the fedora doesn't work, try double-bagging the protuberance in question.

Mr. Panda,

Did you ever get one of these?

http://www.4swimwear.com/spbepadrsu.html

Come to think of it, maybe Bob needs one as well!

Cranachin-way too much fabric in those suits. More of the panda is revealed in my suits.

Rizzuto-several others have made similar suggestions, but they volunteered tight plasic bags.

I note for those paying way too much atention to minute details that the hat worn by Agent hanuman's likeness at the last Boston GTG remains in my posession. It may get some use. If anyone else thought of this, they should seek professional help.

Cranachin, things could definitely be worse; the hotel where I stayed this past weekend had a lovely indoor pool in a garden-like atrium. The guest services information in each room stated that they had "disposable swimsuits" for sale for guests who wanted to use their facility but had failed to bring a suit. Thankfully, I saw no one there who had to avail themselves of a disposable swimsuit!

BC

Here is how lawyers look at disposable swimsuits:

http://www.wikipatents.com/US-Patent-7210170/disposable-swimsuit

Pictures are first, then the text starts on page 7.

Take note especially of the following quotation:

"It is worth to mention that a suitable swimsuit can provide support and shaping to the body of the user for enhancing the aesthetically pleasing appearance." It is obvious there is much debate as to what is suitable for making the Panda aesthetically pleasing!

A light bump in the road. They ran some more tests on me yesterday to determine my eligibility for the clinical drug trial. I really want to be eligible, but there is nothing I can do about it. Either I am or I am not. I am worried.

Keeping good thoughts for your eligibility, Andy. Perhaps the additional tests were just routine?

Keep the faith Andy. Perhaps the drugs for the trial are available outside of the US?

Panda,
Good luck today. Bring lots of bamboo and a relaxed attitude. Allegedly, Pandas have lots of patience.

Gpanda, as you have pointed out, there is nothing you can do about it, therefore worry is not necessary. The way of the Panda is to take only what is necessary. Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. Smile. Be here now. All will be clear.

BC

Clinical trials aim to enroll eligible patients ASAP so you can be sure your team is working to get you in there if they possibly can. Good luck!

Good luck, Andy - we're pulling for you.

Andy

Just found out about your situation as I didn't login for quite a while. I wish you a speedy recovery!

We are thinking good thoughts...lots of young tender spring bamboo!

terrific good news....andy just called to say that he has been cleared for full participation in the clinical drug trials. whatever the situation was with his recent blood tests has been cleared up and they are now on the track for full steam ahead...

Thank you for confirming the good news that it was indeed a "light bump in the road." Whew. Pandas prevail. The sun is shining here in Massachusetts in more ways than one.

Yea!

Woo Hoo!! Thanks, Bob! Gpanda needs every break he can get. I spoke briefly to my oncologist at Dana-Farber on Friday about Andy, of course without revealing Andy's name. My oncologist concurred with me that a clinical trial would be a wonderful venue for Andy to explore treatment.

BC

Good luck for tomorrow Andy. Don't forget to take Frank with you!!!

Hugs from Muffin and I

Just a hiccough (or is it hiccup?) on the way to treatment. Apparently, I had not been demonstrating sufficient anxiety and it was decided to mess with mu head. Either that or it was a sneaky way to get this thread close to 500. Either way, I'm glad that the treatment path is clear and I can wander down.

What do you think about starting a part2 thread when this one reaches 500? Then it won't take forever to load but you can still easily keep track of the number of posts.

Andy,

Your clinical trial is "best current treatment" versus "new therapy", right - there's no placebo group (at least I hope not!)?

500 yahooooos

Wonderful!

Andy - great news....and I understand what the last 24 hours have felt like. When I was going through treatment someone told me the cancer experience was like being a pilot ...

"Hours of boredom, punctuated by seconds of terror"

Damn - Kathie was #500

Cranachin-there are no placebos in this test. They offered us one in which 33% got placebos and we passed. I want to be sure, I'm getting the intended drug. Blind testing is a necessary component of the scientific method, but I need help right now.

Marija-your suggestion makes perfect sense. However, the ego part of me would love to have this thread surpass the record of "Lynn's Trip Report" that had over 750 posts. It's a long shot, but I'm all for giving it a try. My memory is that Lynn's thread did not take this long to upload each time, but they did make a lot of changes a few years ago. I do realize that each of you that has recently posted has endured a lot of waiting.

I'm taking three books to the hospital tomorrow. The nine hours will be mostly waiting and a Panda is not to be left with his own thoughts. Nothing good can come of that.

So glad the clinical trials are a go. Good luck tomorrow and I hope you picked some good books to make the time go by. All my good thoughts are with you.

Glad you made it on to the trial! That can really make a difference. When my ex-husband's colon cancer metastasized to his liver, the odds looked lousy, but he was able to get in on a trial, and has been cancer-free for well over five years.

Good luck for tomorrow! If you haven't got enough books you might try this one about the Middle Aged Brain and it's released tomorrow.

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Grown-up-Brain-Middle-Aged/dp/0670020710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271281680&sr=8-1

I heard an interview with the author on the radio and one important point she made was that the brain is able to have a more optimistic outlook in middle age.
So channel the power of positive middle aged thinking!

I'm adding this post to help increase your numbers. "All in all, it's just another brick in the wall . . ."

Good luck tomorrow!

Middle-aged? Pandas are etenally young and vibrant. Effervescent, bubbling and energetic. Anyone who has spoken to me for more than five minuted knows that I have the brain of a seven year old. Aside from this lttle cancer thing, everything's great.

Two mysteries and Michael Lewis' new book. I'm really hoping the treatment doesn't lay me low because I have two briefs to write that I don't want other lawyers to screw up.

Great omen that your pathway to the trials has been cleared, Gpanda.

"I'm taking three books to the hospital tomorrow. The nine hours will be mostly waiting and a Panda is not to be left with his own thoughts. Nothing good can come of that"

Those black demons of doubt wandering the shadowy hallways of the waiting mind & the dark recesses of the 3O'clock wake-ups ready to pounce, have to be vanquished. We need to flood the dark passages with white light, humour & anything else to keep them out.

I played Goons tapes, watched Blackadder videos and in quieter moments, used guided visual meditation & classical music. Beethoven mostly. Crosswords - the harder the better.

Sometimes all I could do was stand in the shower & howl like a baby; the water unleashed a dam & I'd end up "crying for the children of China". Completely drained, I'd feel strangely relieved; lighter, almost luminously "cleaned out" inside. I'm not putting it very well, but anyone who's been there will know. We try so hard not to let go, and I'm not one to discuss emotionally challenging things at all at the time - but sometimes the body takes over & does what's best for us.

Michael Lewis' new book is sure to raise your blood pressure - it has mine

Bokhara2, my guess is Gpanda may take a slightly different route: he will stand in the shower, letting warm water wash over him, laughing and thinking of all the people he's bound to make unsuspecting people cry over some of his antics. Over some of his wins in court. Over some of his winning poker hands. The way of the Panda is stealthy sometimes. Sometimes the Panda acts more like a koala. Or a grizzly.

BC

Good luck tomorrow Andy. I'm sure you will come through the trials just fine. I'll be checking in for updates (and to add to this thread so you can beat Lynne's record. Go Panda!).

Probably, BC. I used my Dr's recommendation sometimes too: Driving (alone)gutterally yelling "Yessssss" at the top of my lungs. Don't know why, but it was very cathartic & uplifting too. Need to make sure it's not at the lights though; imagine the poor sod in the car in the next lane Probably call 000 !