Art & Artillery

As dictated by Jeff Itami, March 8th 2024

Dear Friends & Family,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and good fortune. It is the Year of the Dragon, same as the year I was born in 1940. It is poetic that this year I found out that I have stage 4 kidney cancer, and may not see the next turning of the lunar year.

Linda is doing well, happy in her blissful forgetfulness. Always the lovely and sweet bride. With my daughter Suzanne’s, help I’ve been sending flowers as I can no longer make the trek to sunny Arizona myself. It was too hot anyway, but I enjoyed the open road in my Subaru Crosstrek much as I used to enjoy the Autobahn in my younger years.

At the beginning of February I took a fall, and but for the grace of God, friends, and family would not have found out if the Groundhog was frightened by his own shadow yet again. Thanks to my neighbor and buddy Ian, noticing I hadn’t responded to lunch requests, he called in the Salt Lake PD who came in and found me prone and disoriented between the bedroom wall and my bed. The whole neighborhood got quite the afternoon show with Ambulance, EMTs, etc as they whisked me up to the U of U hospital for emergency care.

The good ‘ole docs were perplexed at first, but after a battery of picks and pain, they found a mass on my right kidney that explained the problems. Unfortunately, it’s an aggressive type and has made itself quite at home among my viscera to the point of being inoperable. They did a biopsy confirming the doctors’ diagnosis and got me hydrated again so I was in my right mind and able to leave the hospital.

Suzanne has been spending time in SLC helping arrange my care, coming to doctor appointments, and getting the old homestead in shape. A house becomes a heavy thing as the years wear on, and it is a relief to have younger hands doing the work of daily life. She found me a spot for rest and recovery at St. Joseph’s Villa where I am now, and have been for the better part of a month. The food is subpar, but I’ve been snuck in some fresh bananas and treats here and there, making life more tolerable.

They have TV and a channel showing Bones, which is a semi-accurate forensics drama with a nice looking lady and a male lead I remember from other shows an does an okay job holding a pistol. They always solve the case which ais a nicety of TV, as the real thing was far harder and not so sure. I miss teaching and travel to teach in South America which is a joy as the students are eager even as they face the gruesome crimes of cartels and the indifference of politicians in their home countries. They are always great hosts and over many years they have become a second family of sorts for Linda and I.

As for my health, I have been unable to send my usual missives and they are likely to be fewer as my energy is not what it was only a few short months ago. Cancer is a mean son of a gun, but it’s been a good long run and I’m thankful for the many years of raising hell and getting to know good people on this rock. It’s been nice seeing old friends and my usual buddies making the trip to see me. Makes a man feel as though he mattered. I am getting my mail and Suzanne is reading me emails and Facebook messages and posting updates. She’s a sweet kid and I’m lucky to have her.

I hope to write again, but I’m signing of for now. Andrà tutto bene.

-Jeff