Author Archives: Al

Eclipsed

Merry glanced up at the TV, which had been on continuously since nine AM. “We’ve got time,” Merry said. “They said the Eclipse starts at 3:04” “Uh, no. The moon begins to cross the sun at 1:49.” I worried our … Continue reading

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Prostate Margins

Someone on Mayo Clinic Prostate chat group asked about cancer found to the margin on the prostate. I wrote: A year ago I had a robotic radical prostatectomy. Immediately after, while I was still groggy on narcotics, the surgeon told … Continue reading

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I Hate To Run

In the New York Times today, an opinion piece appeared entitled “I Hate Running. I Trick My Brain Into Doing It Anyway.” That’s me! I had to comment: I’m glad I’m not alone. I started running at age 50 in … Continue reading

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Climacturia

I started to experience Climacturia and Arousal Leakage a few months after my prostatectomy.  I first noticed it when I was still working on controlling urine leakage and thus quite conscious of anything which would trigger a spurt. On occasion when … Continue reading

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Sea of Tranquility

Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility is a compact, complex romp through time and space. Beginning in England, 1912, she sends Edwin St. John St. Andrew (no relation!) to Canada after he embarrasses his parents at a dinner party … Continue reading

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Birnam Wood

In Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood, three young New Zealanders and a middle-aged American billionaire have interwoven plans for a vacant ranch on the South Island, at the base of the (fictional) Korowai National Park. Mira Bunting, a 29-year-old horticultural student, founded a … Continue reading

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Visitation

[Final Draft] “He likes to argue, doesn’t he?” Julana asked. “He was on the debate team in high school. It’s hard sometimes…” Cheryl responded. “Hard?” “He always has to have the last word.” Julana looked over at Michael. We were … Continue reading

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Visitation – II

[First Draft!] The next month, I prepared for the Hawaii Ironman, mid-October. Following that, back to the triathlon grind for Ironman Arizona, mid-November. My brain had no bandwidth for the past, only the immediate future of finishing my Ironman career … Continue reading

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Visitation – I

“He likes to argue, doesn’t he?” Julana asked. “He was on the debate team in high school. It’s hard sometimes…” Cheryl responded. “Hard?” “He always has to have the last word.” Julana looked over at Michael. We were having a … Continue reading

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It’s Just Like Riding a Bike – IV

[First Draft!] A year into medical school, I felt the need for two-wheeled transportation again. Another police auction in downtown LA, and for $60, I got another beater. My world opened up. I already had a car, of course – … Continue reading

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