About 15 years ago, I developed a severe sinus infection, one that nearly proved fatal. I went to a doctor and after a week of antibiotics the infection got much worse, the pain was beyone belief and he put me in the hospital. Two weeks later he sent me home and told my wife there was nothing more he could do for me. By the end of that day the pain intensified to the point where I would mercifully pass out for a few minutes. I had my wife call an old friend, a retired doctor I worked with at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He put me in touch with another ENT surgeon and I was readmitted to the same hospital I was discharged from that morning. Two days later, Sunday at 7 a.m. surgery was performed, and by the next day the pain was gone. I spent another week in the hospital and was sent home to fully recover.
The surgeon, who I also worked with at Johns Hopkins Hospital in previous years, saved my life. Had he not performed the surgery I would not have been alive the following Monday, and I was told this by others who reviewed the case. A few months ago, the surgeon that saved my life was confronted with a life threatening disease, only this time it was inoperable and he is the patient. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do for John medically, and he can no longer drive because he is slowly going blind. Therefore, today, when I finished my Monday newspaper column, I drove to Johns home, picked him up and took him fishing at a local pond.
While we were driving back from the pond he said "You know, this really made my day and the rest of this week a lot more bearable. You don't really know how much I appreciate you thinking of me and taking me on this trip."
The bottom line is none of us are here forever, but while we are, take some time and smell the roses. Do something nice for someone else, even if it takes a day or your time to do it. John's life is hanging on by a very thin thread, and we both know it. I don't know how much time we will have to go fishing together, but as long as he is able to ride with me, I guess I'll be taking him fishing. Just thought I would pass this along to those who think they're too busy making a living to smell the roses once in a while.
Gary
John with a hefty crappie that smacked a wet fly.
An average size bluegill from the pond, one of about 80 we caught in less than 2 hours using fly rods.
[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 05-16-2005).]
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