This afternoon, I had what they call a “port” installed in the upper right portion of my chest, near the collarbone.

The purpose of this port is to give the nurses and doctors an “easy access” to be able to administer the chemotherapy, when these treatments begin, likely very soon. All throughout the small minor surgery, an outpatient procedure administered through a local anesthetic, I was awake and talking with the doctors and nurses about 60s music, sights to see in Chicago, among other topics.

Perhaps it is the influence of my brother-in-law Bill, the Dallas tax attorney, whose passion is boating, that I had to chuckle when they were installing the port. All I could think of was — they’re installing a port on the starboard side of my body. I dunno; it just seemed funny to me. All ahead, mates.