Robert's Road to Recovery: The Second Transplant

the international society for mannosidosis & related diseases presents:
Robert's Road to Recovery: the second transplant

Kathleen's Diary:
September 14, 2002

BMT + 167

Every time I come up to UCSF for Robert, I figure this should be the last night in the hospital. But then here we are again. Kathleen
brought Robert to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon because he had a fever. He has a slight infection in his main line and they are also filling him up through the IV. Robert looks good, until you see how thin his legs have gotten. Little stick legs. Be nice to see him eat. Tonight he ate a dinner roll and a whole package of Rugers.

It’s not all bad news. Robert and I are sharing Marinol. One for him, two for me, one for him, two for me. It hasn’t improved his appetite
much, but I sure look forward to that hospital food. I’d be in heaven if I could only get a few Grateful Dead LP’s.

Kathleen went home this morning to watch soccer games. The Stark-King-Olsen clan doesn’t have 14 games like last weekend, but there
are often two of the kids playing at the same time.

I was watching Kathleen dealing with a large team of doctors recently and it got me thinkin’. All those qualities Kathleen had while growing up (Kathy back then) that really bugged me as a kid are now valuable. Watching her telling doctors what to do gave me a sense of déjà vu.

Better she treats the doctors that way than her little brother.

I know this isn’t true for the Stark Clan, but Kings have always been in awe of doctors. What they do is magic, and it best not to question
magic. But Kathleen has broken loose from her heritage. She not only questions them, but doesn’t mind telling them what she thinks or wants. It’s a changing world. Next thing you know Kathleen’s going to develop a singing voice and an ability to bake a cake.

I don’t know if you are all aware, but Kathleen needed a hobby for all that free time she has had lately. She is running for Saratoga City
Council. For those of you in Saratoga, make sure to vote early and vote often. For those of you not Saratoga residents I think you are running out of time to get in your change of address cards.

I needed to contribute something, so I wrote a poem. Originally I was thinking I wanted to write a haiku, but I’m only in my second week of Japanese Literature and we haven’t gotten to haikus yet.

I’m a lonely Saratoga ballot card
Waiting to be free
Please ignore those Florida blowhards
Participate at your municipality

On the first Tuesday this November
You can act locally
It is important to remember
Don’t rely on trickery

Give my card three punches
King, Kline and Streit
Show up at the poll in bunches
You will leave upbeat

Don’t leave the chad hanging
Give it a good jab
Take your time, no slap-banging
Even if you must, take a cab

In the words of Mayor Aliota
Vote early, vote often, vote
Get yourself to Saratoga
No time to be an old goat

Cheers,
Dan King
dking@danking.org
http://www.danking.org

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