This was the view at dawn from one corner of our room in the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel. The room provides, as realtors might coyly say, “a partial bay view.”

That is a portion of San Francisco Bay out there. And it is visible from a part of the room. A chair has been strategically placed in that precise spot to emphasize the view. This morning, I enjoyed seeing it.

For those waiting with bated breath, my initial procedure yesterday at the University of California San Francisco medical center at Mission Bay was a success.

Its limited goals were to get a scope and some tools down my throat into my gut to examine the area around a small obstruction in my plumbing, which involved trying to get the tiny camera and tools into the lower end of a bile duct; relieve the immediate symptoms of jaundice the blockage has created; and get material for a biopsy for testing.

Two prior attempts at Straub hospital in Honolulu failed when the entry point to the lower end of the duct couldn’t be accessed.

The same thing happened yesterday. However, here at UCSF, there were multiple contingency plans. Plan B, which was to lower a miniature ultrasound tool down there as well to find an alternative path, did the trick. Plans C and D were unnecessary, but involved a radiology team standing by in case we needed to trigger those options.

What it means is that the immediate symptoms of jaundice, including my “Yellow Man” appearance, should fade over the next couple of days. That is a biggie.

And we have been cleared to return to Honolulu in a few days.

This isn’t over, since that biopsy could deliver bad news. But in the moment, it is a big relief.

I’m very fortunate to be covered by Meda’s insurance plan, a huge benefit she earned over 50 years of employment by the University of Hawaii system. Today, I’m appreciating that good luck in a very meaningful way.

We plan to be home by Saturday night.

I’ve been posting at ilind.net more or less regularly for 26 years, beginning in early 2000, if I recall correctly (although it might have been the following year).

I think this is the first time I’m reluctantly putting it aside for more than a few days.

The greatly edited story is that I watched the weekend’s storm from a 6th floor room at Straub Hospital.

Two attempts to complete an endoscopy failed, and I’m hoping to be admitted to a medical center in San Francisco for further diagnosis and treatment.

I might be moved to grab the keyboard now and then, but I need to avoid that little daily background stress and concentrate on my health.

I know you all understand and I appreciate all of your support.

And don’t forget that this remains a good place to search for interesting tidbits from the past z25 or 26 years.

Subscribers will get a notice when I’m ready to resume.

This is addresseed to regulars who stop by this site from time to time.

I have just discovered a medical issue that I have to deal with. It came up with minimal notice and took me by surprise.

While I’m trying to push the diagnostic process along, and trying not to scare myself by searching online for potential worst case outcomes, I might be a little erratic with posts here.

Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

The best I can suggest is that you subscribe, if you haven’t already. That way you should get an email notice each time I post.

So please bear with me while I sort things out.