ustxtxb_obs_1981_11_20_50_00020-00000_000.pdf

e n Bod LIEN\( Aci 0101-Id recorder, delivered by friends the previous day. At 4:30 a.m., we are feeding Eric brisket and listening to Br’er Rabbit threaten the tar baby and celebrating Eric’s return. The next morning the doctor comes by and voices amazement at the improvement in Eric. But now we are faced with a problem I would rather avoid resumption of treatment. We take Eric in for a blood test and confer with the doctor later in the day, finding ourselves in agreement on two points that the drugs are failing to control the leukemia but are succeeding in making Eric very sick, and that we will wait until Monday to decide on further treatment. I expect a miracle. Every night for five days I sit with my hands on Eric’s legs, talking to God and Eric’s bone marrow. I know that off the poisonous drugs, Eric will make it. But the blood test on Monday shows where we are headed. Eric’s white count, which the doctors have wanted between 3,000-4,000, and which was 3,400 on Wednesday, has now risen to 33,000, constituted primarily of leukemic cells. I realize that the miracle has already occurred; the drugs extended Eric’s life by 18 months. My employer places me on a leave of Notices on upcoming events must reach the Observer at least three weeks in advance. PRO-CHOICE MEET San Antonians for Freedom of Choice will host a theatrical presentation, an assimilated debate, and an explanation of the New Right’s strategy to ban birth control and abortion on Nov. 24 at the Coates Center, Trinity Univ., 7 p.m. There will also be a display on the types of birth control that would be absence with pay and allows Eric and me to cement our relationship. We exist in harmony, the mutual satisfaction desired by fathers who want to father. We take rides into the hills of the Callahan Divide and sing, “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad.” One day we count dead animals, the next we look for Granny Grunt and her relatives Grandboy Grunt, Grampy Grant, etc. When I spot Granddodo Grant, Eric laughs for five minutes. A friend brings us a 16mm projector and then movies and cartoons every day. Eric’s favorite is “Famous Movie Monsters,” and he watches it four times in one day. He takes hot baths and leans against the rear of the tub, catching the toys floating over the drain with a straightened-out coat hanger. He sits on the couch and draws and colors pictures for his friends. Prednisone, started back at the suggestion of Houston, has relieved his pain. We are flooded with telephone calls and food, usually delivered to a neighbor to cut down on traffic as well as to prevent my wife from writing individual thank you notes. Eric gets cards and flowers and toys and huge posters from people he doesn’t know. A clown delivers a balloon bouquet. Our chief sup outlawed should the pending Human Life Amendment pass. INDEPENDENT FILMS Three independent films series are now showing in Austin. First Run Features, a new cooperative distributor for American-made documentaries and fiction features, has booked its 17 films \(8 of them Screens, 2021 Guadalupe. Still left to show: “Rosie the Riveter” and “Love It Like a Fool,” Nov. 20-26; porters visit at least daily. We are a tiny family with an immense cheering section spread across the land. Ironically, as the country turns inward, we see nothing but endless generosity. With Eric’s white count skyrocketing, we start him back on the drugs but on a lesser dosage. He develops blood in his urine, a possible side effect of the medicine, so we discontinue using it. His white count goes to 71,000, and over a period of days, his urine turns to blood. We start rounding up blood donors, wanting to infuse their platelets to plug Eric’s leak. Over four days, we give him the platelets from 24 units of blood and the blood bank has to turn away volunteers. By the next Monday, his nose is bleeding uncontrollably and at 2:30 a.m., the blood bank is rousting out of bed willing donors for fresh blood. In a week, Eric has used two units of red cells and 30 units of pletelets. He still has 15 units of blood to his credit and a list of people wanting to donate. But endless good will doesn’t prevent his physical deterioration. His white count has risen to 119,000 and the blood remains in his urine. Three weeks after his first descent toward death, he seems destined to return. When we see the “Joe and Maxi,” Nov. 27-29; “The Wizard of Waukesha” and “Different Drummer,” Nov. 30Dec. 3; “The Dark End of the Street,” Dec. 4-10. The American Indian Film Series, hosted by the Leonard Peltier Support Group, will bring “Sacrifice Area” to Transact Theater, 222 E. 6th, on Nov. 24. Laguna Gloria Art Museum has 5 films still to run in its series on independents: “Hannah and the Dog Ghost,” “Encyclopedia of the Blessed,” and 2 short Dec. 8. WOMEN’S POLITICAL CAUCUS The policy council of the Texas Women’s Political Caucus as well as the administrative committee of the national Women’s Political Caucus will meet in San Antonio on Dec. 5. There will be a Christmas party and auction that evening; for details call Ann Costello at 512-474-1798. Progressive Organizations In no hurry, the Observer is building up lists of the political organizations we regard as progressive, their meeting evenings where that is applicable, and a phone number for each, in Texas cities. The editor invites communications recommending organizations for inclusion, by city. AUSTIN ACORN, 8 nghbrhood groups, 442-8321; Amn. Friends Service Cmte., 474-2399; Amnesty Intl., Group 107, Cindy Torrance, Bx. 4951, Aus. 78765; Austinites for Public Transportation, 3rd Tue., 441-2651; Aus. Lambda, every Mon., 478-8653; Lesbian-Gay Pol. Caucus, 4th Tue., & LesbianGay Demos. of Tx., 478-8653; Aus. Nghbrhood, Ccl., 4th Wed., 442-8411; Aus. Nghbrhood Fund, 3rd Mon., 451-2347; Aus. Tenants’ Ccl., 474-1961; Aus. Women’s Political Caucus, 1st & 3rd Tues 472-3606; Black Aus. Demos., 478-6576; Brotherhood of Viet. Vets., every Sun., 443-4830; Central Aus. Demos., 3rd Wed., 477-6487; Central Tx. ACLU, 477-4335; Central Tx. Lignite Watch, Travis Co., 479-0678; Citizens’ Coalition for an Economical Energy Policy, 474-4738; Cmte. The Social Cause Calendar 20 NOVEMBER 20, 1981