Even Olbermann has his Troubles, and so do I . 20090930

I have missed K. O. the past several days on his show, but I understand with which he has to deal.  The standins are OK, (I would like to see more females in the slot), but they are not K. O..  He is back tonight, with a vengeance, and that is a good thing.

He is likely the most expressive and passionate advocate for our cause that is not on shortwave radio.  I am glad that he was able to come onto MSNBC tonight.

The show is not nearly as good without Keith.  That is just a fact.  The others try mightily, but he has a presence that is different.  We miss him, and are glad that he is back for the evening.  I believe that I can speak for the entire community by saying that we wish his father a rapid and complete recovery.

I feel for him.  I lost my mum back several years ago, and sort of went away for a couple of weeks to deal with that.  Then I lost my dad after a long illness, and had to go away for a couple of weeks to deal with that as well.  The difference was that Dad dealt with the arrangements for my mum, and I had to deal with the ones for Dad.  I am not talking about only the “final arrangements”, but dealing with the medical folks for the best treatment as well.

I never got a good answer about what sort of cancer he had.  You medical types here, please help me.  He had severe lung infiltration of plasma, and they drained it on a regular basis.  He never smoked, and was maybe a two drink a week guy.

He did work in the shipyards during World War II (he was 4F for ulcers, so was not called to arms), and accordingly essentially bathed in asbestos.  I am not convinced that asbestos is quite as bad as the legal system says so, but certainly it is not a good thing for bathing.

On a final note, the divorce became final yesterday.  There is no longer a Mrs. Translator, but rather a former Mrs. Translator.  So goes 32 years of life.  We are not, and never will be, enemies, but it was a sad day, and will be a sad week, month, and year.

This essay is sort of nothing but a request for sympathy for Mr. Olbermann and his family, but sympathy and emphaty are hallmarks of progressive ideals, whilst the “hell with you” mindset is more reserved for the conservative folks.  The hell of it is that the real conservatives are also folks of good heart.  The superficial ones have been skimmed off by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck and have morphed into a hateful cabal.

I am sorry that this has turned into something other than best wishes to the elder Mr. Olbermann.  I hope that you all join me is wishing him a rapid and complete recovery.  My troubles pale in comparison with his at the moment.

Warmest regards,

Doc

Crossposted at Dailykos.com

15 comments

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  1. for Keith and his father.

    Warmest regards,

    Doc

  2. Mom!  I appreciate it.

    Warmest regards,

    Doc

  3. I don’t get MSNBC and have never seen Keith Olbermann except in short bursts on the internet. He seems a little cartoonish for my tastes.

    You on the other hand, get me to read scientific things. Things that I usually avoid like a plague.

    I honor your sadness, and hope that someday soon it becomes lighter.  

    • TMC on October 1, 2009 at 04:31

    that the divorce is finally behind you. I hope now things will start to improve for you.

     Since I am an only child, it fell to me to take care of my mother during her last 5 years and carry out her final wishes after she died. I didn’t take much time off after her death, since her wished were to be cremated and her ashes scattered at sea. Her love of the sea was about the only thing she shared with me and my late father.

      My Dad’s death was unexpected and it sent me back into a state of depression that rivaled the death of my first husband. I was 19 when my Dad died of a cerebral hemorrhage at 46. I was in Europe on assignment and could not get home due to snow storms in Europe and NYC. When I returned to NYC 3 years later, my Dad’s absence hit me like he had died yesterday.

      My best wishes to Mr. Olberman and his Dad. I know how difficult taking care of am ailing parent can be from both sides of the sick bed.

       

    • frosti on October 1, 2009 at 06:49

    If he had his lungs drained, then likely they were draining pleural effusions from the space between the lungs and the chest wall.  It could have been metastatic cancer from somewhere else, such as colon cancer or such.  Or if he was exposed to asbestos, then he may have had mesothelioma.

    I appreciate your scientific writings also.  I loved the logic and sense that chemistry embodies.  It took a while in school to “get” it, but then it seemed so logical, the periodic table.  I wish you could somehow get a job using your skill of explanation.  You are so talented!

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