tatt-le tale...

i headed down for my "simulation" yesterday.

probably the normal stuff for people preparing for radiation.  just new to me.  everything went smoothly and they said my incision is healing nicely... so i'm good to go.

i was a little surprised though.  in order for them to keep a reference point for targeting the exact area to radiate... they tattooed me!

and... i'm a little disappointed, to be honest.

i mean.  i always thought my first tattoo would be something memorable... like "mom" or some cool picture of... ...something cool.

instead... i get 3 tiny dots... like freckles.

what am i supposed to do with that?

they're not close enough to make an image of a bowling ball once treatment's over or anything.  they're even too far apart to form some grand constellation.

just little black dots that my grandkids will probably notice sometime when i've fallen asleep at the beach.  "hey, granny beth!  what are these black dots on grandpapa?"

oh well.  i've got six & a half weeks of radiation before they become totally meaningless.

my friend "tim" once asked what the 3 littles dots mean that i use frequently when i post to my blog.  you know those "..." things i substitute for commas from time to time?

anyway... no one had ever asked me that question before... so i told him they represent the trinity (because it just came out of my mouth... and you know how super spiritual i am all the time.)

anyway...

maybe i'll just tell my grandkids they represent the trinity.

no... that's dumb.

i mean... tim may fall for it... but my grandkids will be much too smart for that.

radiation starts wednesday of next week.  i guess i know what i'll be thinking about during treatment.

Comments

[rosann lerczak]

RANDY!
you handsome angel ( I was going to say devil but being that you are a preacher i thought that inappropriate)
you have finally, although unwillingly come to the dark side ----tattooing!
I now have 2 tattos; my "tramp stamp" that's what the kids nowadays are callng it---on the small of my back. it's a heart with wings with joe's name inside the heart.
2 days ago I got a hummingbird on my shoulder blade. as i was getting the humming bird i suddenly realized why people are "cutters". not that i am considering that kind of behaviour but now i understand. just thought i would share an insight.
i am going through a shipload of emotional trauma and the pain of the tattoo at the time made it seem so much less that it is. not to mention that endorphins are probably having a wild party. endorphins, Randy, not dolphins :) , although I think a wild dolphin party would be fun, i think it would have to be a pool party.
so, after that short story being long I think that a tattoo in memory of your courage, bravery, and the love you show for your family and for life itself would be awesome!
Randy, you rock, i see you and i see how do i say this??
i see what god has meant for us to be......,.
love and prayers,
rosann
ps....i hope i made you smile with my not-so-funny-to-anyone-but-me-jokes:)

[nathan]

I can see it now...
"Okay, Grandpa, but if the tatoo is for the Trinity, why is it on your AMRPIT!?!"

I doubt you want to explain the theology of that one...

[Rick Lingenfelter]

**Uh, Mr. Melonoma, you might want to avoid napping on a beach**

[randy]

good point richard. but... i'll just slather myself with sunblock... and dream of being a dark-skinned lingenfelter.

[Tim Maynard]

you mean... they DON'T represent the trinity???

I don't know WHAT to believe anymore, I'm adrift in an ocean of doubt and disillusionment!

[randy]

nathan - thankfully they aren't in my armpit.
tim - sorry to rock your world brother. by the way... why did you use 3 question marks in that first sentence? are you mocking me?!? or is some of my super-spirituality rubbing off on you? or does that simply indicate how completely confused you are?

[Tim Maynard]

yes