1/19/23

Thursday, January 19, 2023

In bed at 9:20, awake at @ 5:30, up at 5:45, hard time falling asleep, dream of walking in downtown MKE w/ Don Shane, friend met through TSJ, finding wad of currency, turning it in to nearby storeowner, owner claiming it, meeting friend of DS's, squirrel cage thoughts, TSJ dead at 78, Kitty 77. 34 degrees out, hazy, high of 37, wind blowing off the lake at 10, expected at 5 to 16 mph, gusts to 26, 25 wind chill now at 25.

Tom St. John.  Geri and I tried to call Caela this morning but got her voicemail.  Geri had emailed her yesterday and I sent a text message that resulted in a "not delivered' message on my phone.  I suspect that by now, midday Thursday, she has been joined by some family member(s) or close friend(s) helping her to deal with what must be dealt with.  Autopsy?  Death certificates?  Revised travel arrangements? No idea what she and Sal are facing in St. Croix, when they may return to Milwaukee.

I've been semi-perseverating on the lines from Caberet sung by Liza Minelli/ Sally Bowles about her roommate Elsie in Chelsea:

The day she died the neighbors came to snicker: / "Well, that's what comes from too much pills and liquor!" But when I saw her laid out like a Queen / She was the happiest corpse I'd ever seen

I think of Elsie to this very day / I remember how she'd turn to me and say / "What good is sitting all alone in your room? / Come hear the music play / Life is a cabaret, old chum / Come to the Cabaret!"

And as for me, and as for me / I made my mind up back in Chelsea /When I go / I'm going like Elsie.

It seems fitting that Tom should pass on outdoors, engaging in an adventure.  He was not one made for a hospital bed or an elderly facility, but rather for an ocean, a ski slope, a basketball court, or a golf course, doing something challenging.

VA Dr. Chatt: Sent a secure message to Dr. Chatt asking whether I should be coming in for a visit re (1) weakened, raspy voice, (2) occasional difficulty swallowing, and (3) gratuitous weight loss.  Her nurse Cam called and passed on recommendation to stop taking the amitriptyline for a week or 10 days.  If symptoms continue, call back.  Will do.

Micaela  Caela returned our call and we were able to talk with her for 15 minutes.  Still in shock, not sure of what the future holds with Tom gone, concerned about Saul as we are.  Cause of death cardiomyopathy, Tom's heart twice normal size.  Caela wondering if his two bouts of covid-19 might have anything to do with the cardiac condition.  Should be home tomorrow, hopes to see us on the weekend. Called David Lowe to inform him of our talk with Caela.  Dan Goldberg called to check in.