Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

. . .

The first time she had it done, we waited almost an hour past scheduled time, and there was an older gent there with his wife (the patient) and they waited 3 hours! He kept asking anyone coming out what was taking so long. I never heard the answer. But she was in and out before my wife came back out!

This past time was even longer for the procedure (not the wait). But she was doing better after the intubation than last time. Much more sampling done. We have a referral in process to Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston, and are waiting to here if we will be seen soon or at all. The local GI doc suggested Portland, which is our fall back position. But for serious stuff, we head to Boston, which is about 3 hours away. Others see it as snooty, but really, if it is cancer or major surgery, wouldn't you want to see someone who deals with day in and day out, and not some one who only sees it every so often? That is our thinking, anyway. Maybe it would be different if Boston was really far away.

Going for the best of the best is not snooty when the life of a loved one is on the line.  It's commendable.

I'm with Mike, it is NOT snooty. You are making a smart, informed medical decision.

It's not like they use golden scalpels or replace the saline with Evian.

On the shaving note: Stirling Balm is what I use post shave. It's awesome. Do you use the regular, menthol, or Glacial? I've only used the Glacial, and it is a wonderful cool-down regardless of what irritation I do or don't get.

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Thanks, guys, I needed to hear that! Some local folks roll their eyes when they hear people say they are going elsewhere for medical advice, procedures, etc.

Paul mrdoug it is the regular unscented, no menthol or alcohol. I am really liking it and note that I need far less than the moisturizer I typically use . It is a winner!

KKeep doing what you are doing. Thankfully world class doctors and knowledge are only 3 hours from you. Some people travel thousands of miles to seek out what America has to offer.  
Taking care of your wife the best way you can. Is what every man should do.  Never apologize for doing that.

Thanks, Ken, I appreciated that. I have not said much to people around here, but based on what others experienced, I am giving no one the benefit of doubt! This is me, taking the best care I can for my wife. Thank God I am in a position that we can do that. I think that is what sticks in some folks' craws: not supporting the local hospital, like we do the local pizza place. Not the same in my judgment. Yes, we have some great docs in town, and I have spoken at times confidentially about our local system. There is a lot of cronyism and other shady (or at least unethical seeming) stuff that comes to light. Add to that pharmacy patients over the years who battled cancer, and the stories they told about our local cancer center, makes you think about a 3 hour car ride and dealing with Boston traffic. But at least there's a Dunkin on every corner! like Lewis Black's Starbucks across the street from Starbucks. Don't care for the coffee, but donuts!

I got off track. Sorry. I guess as I said, I appreciate the support from you guys. My nature is to be a people pleaser. Don't know how exactly I got that wired into me, so I get in my head sometimes about decisions.

Cities from Space w/28 mm Timberwolf knot
Brass Karve to compliment the brush colors!
Israeli Red Personna on 6th use
and Mike's, last use of this tub. The soap donut got too thin (I mash them as they form to keep the tub bottom covered) and was breaking up. But I have a new tub in the wings, so I have the technology and can make it better than it was before  )

Maiden voyage of Cities in Space (aka Cities from Space!). Very nice, it is as wonderful to use as it is to behold! And I wish I had thought to snap a pic or two, but I actually had three brushes loaded and in use! Like Norm from Cheers, in response to the question What's shakin'? Four cheeks and a couple of chins!! Joking, I'm joking! Only facial cheeks need shaving (TMI, right?!) But yesterday I set a 28mm G5A synth into a very nice Maple handle. So I wanted to see how it was. Not my cuppa. I will be removing the knot and any of you reading this that want to try it, shoot me a note and it's yours. [EDIT: The knot is spoken for] The third brush was pulled out after the 28mm G5A let me down. It is the 26mm G5A in Aurora Borealis. Yup, it feels great and is why I thought I'd get another G5A in a different size. The Cities in Space was used for the actual "real" lathering, the other two were being tested, and like I said, one was found wanting!

Since I am belaboring the point, I will continue. I like a lot of splay. In the badger world of brushes, I was more floppy than scrubby. This 28mm G5A is the epitome of scrubby. Short and dense, but very soft. I found it difficult to splay the way I like. And I had it set with 2 rubber washers and 1 quarter, just like the 26mm. I don't want to go higher, as I think the knot may look odd then. (Paul has kindly fixed an issue I created on a handle, and made it even more spectacular. He noted I had the knot set high! Yeah, I like splay, and setting higher gives me that!)

Lastly, the other day was a William's Mug day for me. I hope this isn't against the rules, but I am doing it anyway. I cannot handle the brush knocking against the mug as I try to lather. So it is getting grated this weekend into an empty tub. My inner nerd came out and photocopied the Williams box, and I will try to carefully apply it to the tub, creating my own Williams' labelled tub! Thanks again to Dave for sharing a puck with me. I like it a lot, but don't care for the knocking and banging as I blearily try to load the brush!

Now you are mostly up to date on my life in the suburban woods of central Maine! Today we are anxiously sitting by the phone (not really, we have mobiles!) waiting for the call back from the specialist in Boston. The referral was made to a doctor who specializes in cancers of the bile ducts and gall bladder, and we hope to be seen soon!

Take care, all! You guys are great.

Nice write up Eric, and good luck with the phone watch. Prayers sent.

Great write-up Eric!

Hoping and prayin for you and your lovely Wife.

Your re-finished birch handle will ship out after I re-set the knot with a new rubber spacer. Your old one is toast... well, not toast, I just don't feel like spending 2 hours picking the silicone off it

Hoping you get the call soon Eric... Moreso that they will see her soon.

I'm with you on a soft splaying brush. I'm a fan of the Synbad, as it feels like silk and so easily splays. Still, I also dig the 2BED, for the minor scritch (though it's a fan, so it splays easily too). I don't think I've tried a Timerwolf, but it definitely looks nice in the brush.

Happy Friday.

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Nice write up Eric, and good luck with the phone watch. Prayers sent.

Great write-up Eric!

Hoping and prayin for you and your lovely Wife.

Your re-finished birch handle will ship out after I re-set the knot with a new rubber spacer. Your old one is toast... well, not toast, I just don't feel like spending 2 hours picking the silicone off it

Thanks! We are preparing to go, making lists of things needed etc, so we can be ready! No calls as of yet, but trying to put the 5 Ps into place.
(planning prevents p#@$ poor performance!)

Very nice write up.

Do what you need to do for you and your family. Don’t worry about what other people think or say. Keeping you two in our prayers.

Very nice write up.

Do what you need to do for you and your family. Don’t worry about what other people think or say. Keeping you two in our prayers.

Thanks, Tim. I do the same for you and your wife (and for patience with Turbo!) Speaking of Turbo, our new guy Sylvester is 10 months. Man, he is into EVERYTHING. 3AM I hear clatters in the kitchen. I go to investigate, and they are both sitting there, one even yawns, like i just woke them. But most of the stuff on the kitchen island has been rearranged, some to the floor! My wife warned me, when we were getting ready to adopt them, saying "are you sure you want a kitten?" and I was all know it all, Yeah, he's almost 1, how bad can it be? Famous last words, for sure!