1. "message from Bob G."
Posted by Stefani on Jan-4th-03 at 12:25 AM

Well, Bordenians, my four-hour spinal surgery on 12/23 became an eleven-and-a-half hour go when the surgeon "unwrapped the package" and discovered how bad my back truly was.  I now have FOUR fused and rebuilt vertebrae.  So, I was in Lenox Hill Hospital over Christmas (not TOO depressing), and I got to come home last Saturday.  Jay's been super, and he met me at the doc today ( I took a car in) for a follow-up x-ray and exam.  I'm healing well, if I do have to deal with the body's strangenesses while you're getting better (Whaddya mean you're too uncomfortable to sleep?  You're supposed to be resting!  Of course you have cold feet - the circulation needs to improve, etc.)

I will be out of work at least until April, oh my God, thank heaven for disability insurance.

As my tolerance for sitting upright in front of the terminal improves you'll be hearing from me!

A HEALTHY 2003 TO YOU ALL!

Love,
Bob G.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Bob,

May this year be a healthy one for you!!!

Missed this notice.
Just stumbled into it.
HELLO BOB G. !!!!!

You know our thoughts are with you.
Sincerely hope this does the trick, and you recover nicely.
If your feet are cold, that's what Lizzie and Emma are for!
(Poor J. and the litterboxes!  Please tell him he has my sympathy) KK

Good luck with your recovery, Bob G.! Perhaps a good time to do some reading?

Get well soon Bob!

A message from one of your favorite movies. The doctor was heard to say this after your operation was over:

Oh, what a thing to go through over Christmas!  I hope you are feeling better now and are in better spirits.  We'll keep the home fires burning for you on the forum until you are back with us, Bob G. 

Hello Bob,

I'm glad your ordeal is over, and I guess you are too.
April might seem like a long time to wait, but I'm sure it will fly by and you'll be back at the old grind again - and that's a good thing.
Since you have so much spare time on your hands, why don't you become gainfully employed?  And do what? Why write the Great American Novel of course.  I have selected a subject for you: first initial "Lizzie" second, "Borden." You certainly have enough material at your disposal, and wouldn't have to bend over backwards to acquire more (did I say that)?
Write when you can. It's always uplifting, informative and a pleasure to hear from you.
Your friend,
Bill

Dear Bill - as Lucy Ricardo would say, "Lizzie who Borden which?"  It's great to hear from you and so many of the friends I've made studying the case.  I'm glad to say that I'm feeling better (even if I'm still relying on the Percoset and the hot-water bottle to get through the day!), and I've been out for short walks in the neighborhood the last few days, enjoying the air and seeing people.  Jay is at the theater this evening (I encouraged him to go with a friend), and I'm going to have a low-key evening.

Love to all!  

(Message last edited Jan-10th-03  6:27 PM.)

Hi Bob!  Good to hear that you are up and about!  As I can tell you from experience, be careful with those Percosets, they can be addicting! 

Up & About IS good newz!
Congratulations!
When does physical therapy start--that's the best part!
Don't listen to Susan...she has no tolerance.  Enjoy your Percoset!

Hey!  I resemble that remark! 

Sorry to have just found the message about your health Bob G. but so glad to read that you are doing well and the prognosis looks good.  Best Wishes for the New Year and God's speed for your recovery...

BC

Thanks, Bob Cook!

Believe me, folks - I'm not overdoing the Percoset; if anything, I'm overdoing the hot-water bottle (what's he talking about?)!  I'm waiting for Jay to get home from the gym, and we're going to bundle up (it's cold in NY today) and slowly head to a nearby diner for lunch - I've gotten fairly mobile this week.  Watershed moment this morning - being able to give Lizzie and Emma (our cats) fresh food and water, all by myself!

Did I mention that a high school friend of mine is now a potter?  As a get-well gift, she made me a beautiful ceramic PEAR - and she had no idea what a perfect gift that would be for a Bordenian!   

(Message last edited Jan-12th-03  11:50 AM.)

Hey, everyone!  I'm MUCH better; I'm walking a lot, and even taking the bus and subway by myself (no more car service!).  Your support, prayers, and humor really helped.  I'm able to comfortably sit in front of the terminal here at home again, and I'm looking forward to getting back to work in April, God willing.

BTW, I had a nice phone chat with the very busy Len Rebello the other evening, and he's got some neat things a-brewing - I marvel at that man's dedication!

Oh, and special thanks to Stef and Kat for everything (Stef, I never got the January Newzletter e-mailed here to my home - pleaze???)!

Before I forget - the new issue (#47) of SCARLET STREET magazine (it deals with horror, suspense, noir, etc.) contains a book review written by yours truly the very week before I went into the hospital.  It should be on the newsstand, or at your local Borders or Barnes & Noble or Tower any minute now - let me know if you get to see it.     

Hello Bob G.!!!!
I was thinking of you Monday night, and now here you are!
I was going to put out an APB!

SO glad you have returned with your GOOD news...we were waiting, really.
It's appreciated!

I'm curious what you might have traded J. for doing the litter all that time?
When I was laid up I had a Phd. help me out there, at teacher's prices.  Luckilly it didn't take too long...less than n hour.
It's funny because at the same time, I was having my lawn mowed by Another Phd. !
(I LOVE telling that story)
Happy Return!!!!!

Oh, I didn't have to trade him anything!  He's a very good soul, even if he gets a little silly at the theater and the opera (which is funny, 'cause HE takes ME to the opera, which is not my art form of choice)!  I'm a little sore today from tromping around in the snow with Jay on Monday (carefully), but the recovery is proceeding; thanks again to all who have sent their regards, prayers, and love - it really mattered to know you were out there!  I'm still not as good as getting online as I should be, and, as I feel better, I do try to use my time at home to do, oh well, housework, ya know, and those cats won't feed themselves! 

Shameless plug department:  My enthusiastic review of Richard Barrios' fine book, SCREENED OUT: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall is in the new issue of SCARLET STREET which should now be in your local Tower, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.  While I'm proud of the review, I especially want to direct people who might otherwise miss it to this wonderful book.  The same author gave us the definitive volume on the early sound musical, A SONG IN THE DARK.

Speaking of musicals, run, don't walk, to see the film of CHICAGO!  We went on Sunday, have cane will travel.  It's tempting to think of the parody rewrite someone could do with its two lead characters, murderesses named Roxie and Velma, names which are not too far from Lizzie and Emma...

(Message last edited Feb-19th-03  3:27 PM.)

Thanks for the update!
You were out Sunday AND Monday?
With a cane?
Can one remain dapper with a cane if one is traipsing through SNOW?
I'm trying to imagine!

It's 78 degrees here NOW and they just showed a 95 year-old lady on the news golfing.
She was asked what keeps her feeling young and able to golf?
Her answer:
"I'm BAD!"
"I'm FRESH!"

So good to hear you're out and about!  And in the snow, yet.
I went rushing out of the house last weekend, slipped on a patch of glare ice, and nearly had to go the cane route myself.  Was I ever lucky!  I simply skidded into the deep snow and didn't get hurt at all.  That's my fall for this winter.  I don't dare risk it again.
I'm gonna try to find a copy of your review.  We have several bookstores nearby.  Speaking of "Chicago," does anybody remember that old Ginger Rogers movie, "Roxie Hart"?   It was the same story, but sans music.  I must've seen it when I was a small child, and I had the funniest memories of it, because the plot was obviously 'way too adult for me to understand.

I've seen the ads on TV for this movie; were they the best parts? It seems to me that the brunette seems to be high on drugs or something (in those ads). What is your opinion.

Last month I saw "Enemy of the State" on TV. In the restaurant scene, Tom Sizemore's eyes appear glassy, as if he had a load on. He was sitting in this scene, which tends to confirm my observation. Any comments?

My spinal surgeon has okayed my return to work next month, on April 7th, y'all!  Since you were all there with me throughout this mess, I wanted to share the good news.

Thats great to hear!  Finally some good news in the world.  You go, Bob G.! 

Returning to work is good news?  For you, I'm sure it is, and I'm very glad to hear it.  I hope your health problems are over.

Welcome back to the land of the ambulatory, Bob.

Will expect to hear from you on the message board, early and often.
Bill

Welcome back to the land of the ambulatory, Bob.

Will expect to hear from you on the message board, early and often.
Bill

Welcome back to the land of the ambulatory, Bob.

Will expect to hear from you on the message board, early and often.
Bill

Good, William!
You told him 3 times!
Just my sentiments exactly!

And good Luck to you Bob G.!

               H I C C U P S !

That lovely man Bill can hiccup at me ANYTIME!  Thanks, y'all!

Something that makes the Bordenian in me laugh:  I have a new DVD of a 2001 BBC film of Bernstein's one-act opera TROUBLE IN TAHITI, which is about a late-fifties/early sixties married couple having "difficulties."  At one point they run into one another on the street, and they both lie to avoid having to eat lunch together.  She sings, "I'm on my way to lunch with Susie" and he counters "And I've got a date with old A.J..."

Well, we all know who "Old A.J." is in MY head, don't we?