Althouse: At the Chrysanthemum Hotel...

September 30, 2009

At the Chrysanthemum Hotel...

... come in, luxuriate, sprawl about, and tell me everything...

35 comments:

Lem Vibe Bandit said...: "You [hang] all your own associations with flowers on my flower ... as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower – and I don't."

(O'Keeffe rejecting the notion that her flower paintings were sexual metaphors.); 9/30/09, 10:09 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: or is it metal forks?; 9/30/09, 10:10 PM
traditionalguy said...: My favorite flowers are the fall Chrysanthemums, and they last until it freezes. I believe that the Japanese Emperor made them his symbol. We just watched A Few Good Men on cable, and enjoyed the performances of Tom Crews and Jack Nicholson again. The Col. Jessup, Marine CO( played by Jack Nicholson) with an angry, sneering attitude was a good example of the outdated Angry White Man that is going to have to learn how to live among today's new social customs. That may be part of Sarah Palin's niche appeal today...she is a feisty conservative, but she is not an angry white man that is no longer be electable. I sure hope that the angry white men in the GOP leadership circles don't throw away their opportunty to nominate her just because she is a woman.; 9/30/09, 10:26 PM
Michael Haz said...: Everything? Okay. Let's start with this.

Last week's CAT scan showed a tumor on my left kidney and a possible metastasis on my liver. I'm meeting with a surgeon tomorrow to discuss a nephrectomy on an ASAP basis.

Other than that, my week's been pretty good.; 9/30/09, 10:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Ouch. Michael, Sorry to hear that.
Best of luck.; 9/30/09, 10:35 PM
Irene said...: Good luck, Michael Hasenstab. One more person will keep her paws crossed for you.; 9/30/09, 10:36 PM
Penny said...: "Blogger Lem said...

or is it metal forks?"

Exactly, Lem! Or sporks, even?; 9/30/09, 10:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Good luck, Michael.; 9/30/09, 10:40 PM
Penny said...: "Other than that, my week's been pretty good."

Michael, I always had you pegged as an optimist.

I like that. A lot.; 9/30/09, 10:45 PM
traditionalguy said...: The Lord be with you Michael and with your skilled Doctors in the coming weeks. Many cancer alarms do not turn out as bad as they first seem. We love you.; 9/30/09, 10:48 PM
XWL said...: "... come in, luxuriate, sprawl about, and tell me everything...

I can handle the coming in, the luxiriating, and the sprawling about, but as far as telling you everything, I have to save something for BLOGTOBER.

(tomorrow's the first day of BLOGTOBER, and BLOGTOBER means lots and lots of BLOGGING); 9/30/09, 11:08 PM
MamaM said...: Lovely but Somber

Frost warnings tonight

Trading fresh nasturtiums
and flowery cotton skirts

For Hardy Mums and pants

Sometimes the realities of change and challenge, spots of every kind on butterflies, milkweed bugs, livers and lives brings tears to my eyes.

The beauty and the hardness, side by side; 9/30/09, 11:11 PM
Donna B. said...: Ahhh... Michael. You know, I hate the word "metastasis" and I'm sure you know why I do.

I wish good surgery, good chemo, and good radiation for you.

Above all... I wish you didn't have cancer and didn't have to undergo any of the above. And... I know that wish is meaningless because I control nothing.

Yet... those who I have had not control over have survived worse, so all is not lost.

Perhaps.

If it is, you have my love.; 9/30/09, 11:14 PM
Penny said...: Ok, Michael, I think you are still here, and if not now, you will check back in here. How do you think we should all move on with this news?

If I had a Harley, I'd ride it. If I had a Lord, I'd pray. And Lem? I'm a "budding" artist, honey. ;)

Tell us how YOU feel, Michael?; 9/30/09, 11:14 PM
chickelit said...: @Michael:that's potentially harsh news. I'll hope and pray for you.; 9/30/09, 11:57 PM
Peter Hoh said...: Michael, you (and your doctors) are in my prayers, too.

Note re. chrysanthemums, for those of you who aren't sleeping with a gardener: if you bought a pot of chrysanthemums to enjoy this fall, enjoy them, but don't bother trying to plant them in your garden. The odds of them surviving the winter are slim at best.

If you want them in your garden, buy them in the spring. If they were forced to bloom early (which is true for most plants available at garden centers) clip off the blooms when you put the plants in the ground.; 10/1/09, 12:01 AM
Maxine Weiss said...: I really think pictures of ornate chandeliers would set the mood far better.

Distinctive lanterns and such....much better icebreakers.

wwww.twitter.com/tweetmaxine; 10/1/09, 12:16 AM
Deb said...: Good luck, Michael. You are in my prayers, too.; 10/1/09, 12:39 AM
AllenS said...: Good luck, Michael.; 10/1/09, 6:45 AM
AlgonquinS said...: Good luck, Michael.; 10/1/09, 6:46 AM
Rich Vail said...: Ann, I really wanted you to read what I had to say...this is my comment from you entry on Obama's taxing your cadillac insurance plan...

Ann,
Not that you'll read this far down...but

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR. YOU! Voted for this man, now he wants to take from you. You were stupid and naive to think that he wouldn't raid your pocket to give to the poor.

Many people tried to tell you who he really was, but you refused to listen. Instead you bought the hopey changey line of bull shit that he was throwing around. Unforntunately, now the rest of us have to pay for it as well. Quit crying and try to get fiscally conservative men and women elected to Congress,; 10/1/09, 6:48 AM
KCFleming said...: Sorry about the bad news, Michael; our best on your fight.

A little Marcus Aurelius might be useful during all the waiting.; 10/1/09, 6:49 AM
MadisonMan said...: Good luck Michael -- sorry to read about the diagnosis.; 10/1/09, 7:14 AM
Michael Haz said...: Thanks for the words of support. They are greatly appreciated.

I'm glad that I have a good health insurance plan. I don't know if it's a Cadillac plan, but it's at least an upper-level Buick, with some of the really cool options like satellite radio and heated seats.

This episode has reminded me of how good our healthcare system truly is. I thought I had a kidney stone, called my doc and he saw me the next day.

I had a sonogram, CAB and UA that afternoon; and a CAT scan three days later. I'm seeing a surgeon today and will most likely have surgery next week, with the surgeon using an incredible robotic device to minimize the incisions and maximize the recovery.

I dread to think about how this would have worked if the government was providing my healthcare. I'd probably hop a jet to India, or have my condition worsen beyond help while waiting for treatment decisions to be authorized.; 10/1/09, 7:30 AM
ricpic said...: Your chrysanthemum photo would make a beautiful wallpaper. That's a compliment, by the way.

Best of luck, Michael.; 10/1/09, 8:11 AM
Ron said...: Michael, I send my support and hope all works out for the best.; 10/1/09, 8:12 AM
Bissage said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10/1/09, 8:45 AM
Bissage said...: (1) Get well soon, Michael Hasenstab!

(2) I wrote a little joke to mark the occasion of your inevitable victory over that evil little bastard:

Q: What is the difference between a liver and a lover?

A: Not much, if you are Alexander Portnoy.

(3) Okay, okay, I freely admit that was a perfectly awful joke – worth even less than you paid for it, which is pretty mind-boggling if you stop to think about it.

But after all, it’s the thought that counts, and the good news is this: Your doctors absolutely have to be a hell of a lot better at doctoring than I am at writing jokes.

Now there’s an encouraging thought!

(4) Get well soon!!!

(5) wv = comottas. Wasn't he the bad guy in "The Happy Roman" (2000) played by Joaquin Phoenix?; 10/1/09, 8:50 AM
kjbe said...: Lovely pic. Thanks.; 10/1/09, 8:51 AM
Darcy said...: Sending love and prayers your way, Michael. Bless you.; 10/1/09, 9:13 AM
Chennaul said...: Michael-

God give you and your family strength, luck and what ever else you need to get through this.

We already know you have the greatest sense of humor.; 10/1/09, 9:52 AM
Beaverdam said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 10/1/09, 10:24 AM
amba said...: This seems more private than Twitter somehow (!). So, just wanted to add to what I said to Michael there: as I'm sure you know, living with one kidney is NOT a problem. My grandmother had one that was full of stones removed in, I think, her 50s or 60s. She lived to her mid-90s.

The same to you.; 10/1/09, 10:29 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Michael, I hope all goes well with you. We love you and care about you here.; 10/1/09, 12:04 PM
Michael Haz said...: Thanks everyone.; 10/1/09, 2:18 PM