Ken Billett – Writer

Rollin’ Stone Week

Pre-excision

March 13, 2021— It’s been a week…man, it’s been a week. As many of you know, I love blues music, and this week has been one continuous blues song—full of highs and lows, and just about everything in-between. The theme of this post is dedicated to that legendary Mississippi Delta bluesman who made Chicago blues an international sensation: Muddy Waters.

Like Muddy’s iconic song, Rollin’ Stone, this week had me back, back down the road I’m goin’. In other words, every time I moved forward, I seemed to move even farther back.

A Shot in the arm

Monday I received my first Pfizer vaccine dose. I posted on Facebook that the process was fairly quick and well-organized. In fact, Muddy was there to accompany me (see bottom photo).  I’m glad to be closer to being fully-vaccinated and, hopefully, safer from the coronavirus.

Time after time

This week I started a new writing gig for StoryBoard Memphis. I now have a recurring column, currently titled Time Capsules. I’ll focus on personal essays, stories, and observations/commentary. My first column (Time Capsule) was published on Thursday, March 11th.

 

I’ve written several pieces for StoryBoard, and I’m excited about the opportunity to continue developing and improving my craft. In addition to the new column, I have two short stories that will be published (hopefully sooner than later) in a local mystery writers anthology.

Deja vu all over again—Warning: Yucky picture!

It was a little more than a year ago (see Don’t Believe the Gripe) that I had my ninth melanoma removed. Yes, nine melanomas! The 9th melanoma (in situ) was on my upper right ankle.

On Thursday of this year, my dermatologist informed me that the biopsy she took Tuesday morning was another melanoma in situ. So, on Friday, I had a wide local excision (see photo) on my lower left jaw.
That’s now ten melanomas removed. Ten! Like I said last year, I’m not a happy camper. Last year’s diagnosis came at the same time COVID exploded, so I was simply in a huge funk. Frankly, I was pissed.
I’m a little more philosophical this year. Perhaps it’s the overall timing—true, the irony is not lost on me—but, maybe, it’s that I feel a lot more comfortable dealing with these challenges because the world seems to be getting better.
Obviously, we have a ways to go—with many questions and concerns still unanswered. But, for me, the future looks brighter.
Funny thinking for a guy who—in 2020—had a melanoma removed, had (stage IV) melanoma spread to his right adrenal gland, lost a family member to COVID, self-quarantined at home for over three (3) months, and started a new treatment regimen.

It’s not only been a heck of week, it’s been a hell of a year!

Sure ‘nough, I’m a rollin’ stone

Next week, it’ll be more of the same. Infusion #9 on Thursday (March 18th). Story deadlines and edits to be made. Thinking about some place nearby to visit. Within driving distance. Isolated. Where to begin work on our gardens and what plants to buy.
So, I’ll leave you all with the last stanza of Rollin’ Stone—I think Muddy says it best…
Back, back down the road I’m goin’
Back down the road I’m goin’
Back down the road I’m goin’
Sure ‘nough back, sure ‘nough back

 

Thanks, as always, for listening.

 

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Writer’s Note – I’ll continue to update my blog on a periodic basis. No set schedule. So, I want to thank everyone who continues to stop by and check out my blog. Please leave a comment or message; I’d love to hear from you.

Don’t Believe the Gripe

March 13, 2020 – It’s appropriate that today is Friday the 13th. It’s now been two (2) weeks since I had a silver-dollar sized (see picture below) chunk from my lower right calf removed. It’s a procedure called a wide local excision. The diagnosis was melanoma in situ – which means the tumor was “situated” and had not yet spread. Another term used is Stage 0. We caught it early. That was the good news.

Unfortunately, it was another skin melanoma. That makes nine (9). So, I’m…

…Not a Happy Camper

Yeah, I’m not a happy camper. I didn’t put much out on Facebook about this latest melanoma diagnosis. In fact, I bundled my recent diagnosis together with a post about my family and the Leap Year Weekend. We had so many fun, neat things happen that week and weekend that I didn’t want to dampen it with my sad situation.

But, in general, I’m just pissed right now, and I need to vent – gripe. If there’s a silver lining to this it’s that I decided to have that mole checked earlier than my scheduled dermatology appointment. If I had waited until later in March, I may have delayed the visit. That wouldn’t have been good. I’m lucky and, right now, I’m okay.

And I’ll Get Over It

I think with everything going on here at home and around the world (see upcoming post titled Corona Blues) – we’re all overwhelmed. And I’m no exception. I try to remain positive, but it’s difficult right now.

Strange days ahead. So, one suggestion for everyone is – Don’t Believe the Hype!

Note – For those of you scoring from home, the photo on the right shows a quarter, a Liberty half dollar, and a Liberty “silver” dollar (Ike’s profile on one side). For those of you under the age of forty-five, yes, the half-dollar and “silver” dollar were actual coins minted by the US Treasury. My lovely excision is about the size of the Liberty “silver” dollar.

Thanks, as always, for listening.

Apparently Flava Flav hasn’t had a good March either.







Note:  If you want to leave a comment, just choose “Anonymous” from the Profile Selection drop down bar right below the Comment box. (It’s the very last choice.)  Sorry for any confusion.


Also, please make sure you leave your name or sign-in somewhere in your comment.  Thanks.

Writer’s Note – I’ll continue to update my blog on a periodic basis.  No set schedule.  So, I want to thank everyone who continues to stop by and check out my blog. Please leave a comment or message; I’d love to hear from you.

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Ken Billett – Grumpy Bear Writing © 2021