De-LIVER-ance Perhaps

 The Liver is Connected to the Gall Bladder

Ah, we have learned so much physiology over the last six months that it is hard to comprehend how we functioned without this knowledge in our prior lives.  Actually, we have learned more than we ever wanted to know.  But now our journey, perhaps, maybe, perchance could be coming to an end and we can revert to our biologically ignorant selves.  So, different blog followers are at different points in tracking our liver journey so I will briefly recap and then move on to scintillating photos and less weighty topics.  Ever since Alex has been expelled from Cedars-Sinai (due to our ridiculous insurance system) he has steadily improved.  You will remember our endless moaning about the delays in getting access to the USC Keck Liver Transplant Team (insurance again), our final victory in getting in to see them, and the  lengthy, arduous hurdles in seeing endless specialists for endless tests.  Like six months worth.  

Well, life works in mysterious ways.  The very delays that we groaned and moaned about provided the time that Alex's renegade liver needed to start  rebounding.  Now, bear in mind that when Alex suggested about two months ago to the Drs. at Keck that he thought his liver was getting in gear, they dismissed him out of hand.  They said that no one who showed up with a MELD score like his (too hard to explain again- the internet will tell you) escaped a liver transplant.  A couple of weeks ago he implored his transplant coordinator to look at the liver scan that was done a month ago.  Apparently, the Drs. normally look at these things like 15 minutes before your appointment -- I don't know.  Within a day she called back and said she would convene the  big guys for an Alex conference.  Hmmmm.  Within two days, the coordinator liltingly said (she really is very nice) "Well, Alex maybe you won't need that liver transplant after all.  But the doctors want to see you one more time in person just to make sure."  His PCP ordered another liver scan (why stint) and the technician there (probably against all protocol) told Alex that his liver looked good.  Good blood flow.  And the gall bladder looked good too.  We had to look up why that mattered.  So, here we are.  We will see the big chiefs either August 23 or, if the coordinator can coordinate, at an earlier date. (Update we just learned the date has been moved up to August 3rd.) To say we are relieved is an understatement.  Thanks to all of you for your concern, prayers, attempts to channel, and emission of positive energy.  I will not make fun of any of those practices ever again.  We will let you know what continues to evolve.  On to fun stuff.

Let's Take a Look at the Muralists

Honestly,  before we moved to Mexico we had no  interest/knowledge of murals.  I mean... who does...except really artistically aware people.   Which we are not.  But then we moved to Ajijic.  It is a small town awash in murals.  From the most sophisticated to the most... well, should we say... striving.  When we arrived in LA we had no idea how entrenched and how impressive many murals and artists were.  So we started to really take a look.  We invite you to march along with us as we go on a walk about of some of the most impressive murals of LA.

This tells the history of the LA mural. I will include a few photos from the mural, but it is worth seeing the 1/2 mile long mural if you are ever in LA. The captions on the murals speak for themselves.

Pacoima is one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA & is renowned for its murals. This is one of Danny Trejo, an actor and owner of multiple restaurants in LA.

The next two photos show a major portion of one of the murals.

The next three photos are all part of one long mural on a side street in Pacoima.

This strange looking mural was on the side of a building facing the parking lot.

It is great to see the muralist culture of Mexico transported to this neighborhood in LA.

This mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe confirms the Mexican influence.

It was only when walking back to the car that I noticed this reflection of the mural in the mirror.

Justin told me about the murals in "Indian Alley", now known as Native American Alley or in Canada as First Peoples Alley. When we got to the alley, it was gated and locked. Fortunately a man was out walking his dog who was a denizen of the alley and let us in so I could capture these photos of some of the murals.

Downtown - Well, It Ain't Manhattan

Many people disparage downtown Los Angeles as a wasteland.  I think this is because the city just kind of sprawls around and isn't very "centered" like New York or Chicago or even San Francisco.  Of late, it has become chic to live downtown but for years "no, not chic".  We've taken to exploring "downtown" on weekends when everyone goes to the beach or somewhere that is not downtown.  And we've found some interesting (or rather Justin has shown us) some interesting things.

Wandering around downtown we encountered even more murals.

The Angels Flight funicular was opened in 1901 to take people to the then fashionable area known as Bunker Hill.

Central Market in LA is a bustling indoor market with multiple restaurants and open air markets.

The colors and neon signs are meant to dazzle and attract customers wandering through the market.

LA's downtown does have some interesting looking buildings...

the most iconic of which is the LA City Hall.

The Last Bookstore is a "must see" with many people posing for their Instagramable photo here.

The bookstore is located in an old bank building downtown...

with eclectic displays and artwork...

old original coffered ceilings...

and even records for sale.

We left downtown as we viewed this interesting structure in Pershing Square.

We've been to scads more places and Michael has many more fine photos but that is enough for now.  If all goes well, Michael and I will go on a road trip through the West prior to our nephew's wedding in Colorado in September.  As I was getting all psyched for that Michael pointed out that the smoke from all the wildfires may scuttle our plans.  In the famous words of Rosanne Roseannadanna:  "It's always something."  If you don't understand that reference you are too young to be reading this blog.  Have a good rest of summer.

P.S.  If the docs say that Alex is free and clear we will return to Ajijic in early August.  We have been too long away.  As you can tell, everything at this point is fly by the seat of our pants.  That's not so bad.  Not when our son is well and our friends await us.  Take care.