Mojo

I think about things like this all the time…if you had a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, however small, would you do it?
Read on…


“A short while ago, on two occasions I believe, you requested some “mojo” from your website fans, of which I happen to be one (I don’t care what others think, I liked Wesley on ST:TNG). And, upon your request, was one of the people who took a minute to “beam some mojo” your way.
Well, although you really don’t owe me squat, I would like to ask the same favor in return.
You see, my daughter, “Katie” to her friends, and “Boodlie-Face” to her daddy; don’t ask 🙂 is having an operation tomorrow morning. Specifically, she is having a Bilateral Ureteral Reimplantation to fix her Bladder Reflux problem. She needs this done, as she has Reflux Grade 3 on the left side, and a high Grade 2 on the right. At any rate, it’s pretty bad, and without this, her kidneys are almost certain to become damaged.
Understand, this is what everyone tells me is a “routine operation”. But frankly, my mind has been awash with the most horrible scenarios. I’m told that this is normal for a father, especially for a first child. It doesn’t make me feel any better, however. My 16 month old beautiful baby girl is going under the knife, and there is f*ck-all I can do to help, and the feelings of despair and helplessness that a father feels at a time like this can be quite overwhelming.
I’m not a very religious person, although I was raised to be a good Protestant boy. I have found myself silently praying over this, though, in part to try (unsuccessfully) to ease my own mind. I have come to the conclusion, though, that *anything* done is a positive manner can help. I do have my own website, although I get absolutely nada for traffic. Some of us don’t have the name or face recognition of Uncle Willie. I don’t have 50,000 monkeys that I can draw upon to try to get the mojo working for my daughter to help her through her operation successfully. I can only ask you. Could you put a small blurb on your site, just asking your huge fanbase to send the love, the prayers, the positive energy, the white light, the mojo, the *whatever* my daughter’s way tomorrow morning?
Her operation is tomorrow morning, November 26, 2002 at 8:00 am. CST, and is supposed to last for 3 hours. It is taking place at the University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City, Iowa. Did I mention it’s in Iowa? It’s in Iowa. You know. Corn. Soy beans. Iowa. :)”

I have been so blessed since I opened this lame website. People have sent me warm wishes and deeply personal stories when they’ve responded to the things I’ve written. Growing up in a medical family, I have come to believe that there is no such thing as a “routine operation” when you or someone you love is the subject.
I hope that you’ll take a moment tomorrow, and spare a thought for Bob and his baby girl, who are in Iowa.
Iowa. Iowa. Iowa.
Mojo. Mojo. Mojo.
🙂

219 thoughts on “Mojo”

  7. There’s no doubt in my mind that this surgery will go well and your beautiful daughter will be fine. I send all my mojo your way and will be thinking of you at 8 am CST with extra special mojo thoughts.

  8. NYC Mojo via Lawrence Kansas. My bro just had his son yesterday (three weeks early~a few complications) and so I gotta send some out to KS first, but I’ll definitely put the knuckle ball on it and spin some out to Iowa.
    “I’ve never had a way with women, but the hills of Iowa make me wish I could. And I’ve never found a way to say ‘I love you’ but if the chance came by, oh I, I would.”-Dar Williams

  9. I know what its like to have a family member undergo surgery. My mother suffered from a brain tumor three years ago and thankfully, everything went well.
    I wish the same outcome for Bob and his little girl and I send my love out to them. I hope everything goes well and may she go on to lead a full and healthy life.
    Bob: Dont give up hope and I will keep you in my prayers. *sends hugs too because hugs always comfort and feel good*

  10. Im sending all my MoJo bobs way for him and his daughter with nothing but hope that goes with it i know i will be thinking about the state of IOWA tommorow

  12. The best wishes of 50 000 monkeys could never come close to the impact of a simple, uncertain, prayer to the God of the universe. I have and will continue to pray.
    -Jeffery

  18. Can anyone send mojo my way too? We just found out yesterday that my mom has to have open heart surgery tomorrow to replace a faulty heart valve. I can’t fly out to be with her and it’s driving me nuts. Like Bob, they say it’s a routine operation, but I know it’s also very risky. If you have any to spare, please send some mojo to my mom. Dearborne, Michigan, tomorrow at 1:30 EST.

  21. Serious mojo right atcha! My daughter had surgery when she was only 2 months old, I Was also reassured by everyone that it was just “A routine surgery” and everything did come out just fine, but I understand the anguish that you have. So…
    MOJO MOJO MOJO And…IOWA too! heh. :O)

  23. I’m throwing all the mojo I can at Iowa, little girls named Boodlie-Face to their daddies (my own father insists on calling me Fanny Footer, so I grok this name thing), and all good men who worry about their daughters.
    Tomorrow is my birthday, so hopefully – if I wish and worry hard enough – I’ll get double extra special mojonation.

  30. May the blessing of God ease your mind, may the light from Heaven shine down and watch over you and those you love, and may all things you wish for come true. Warm Southern California Mojo with a bit of Irish Luck bless you and your children. P.S. I’ve been to Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, so I hope all goes exceptionally well.

  34. Plenty of prayers coming your way – may little Katie have a safe and successful operation and speedy recovery!

  35. Major mojo your way, man. I have a two year-old son who’s disabled, and we’re always in the hospital. I know the helpless feeling all too well. I’m positive she’ll be fine and smiling your way in no time. Happy Thanksgiving!

  37. Being raised a good Protestant girl — I understand Bob’s request. Bob, you & Katie have my prayers…
    Antika, you & your mom have my prayers too.
    Wil – thanks for the opportunity to support others with our thoughts, prayers and mojo-sending ability. And, like Mary, I’m putting it on my blog to continue to web of support and prayer for Bob, Katie, Antika and her mom.
    ~Janece

  45. Well, it’s just after midnight here on the west coast. Six hours to go for you in Iowa (where, incidentally, my closest aunt and uncle live) and I’m sure these will be tough, long hours since I doubt you’ll be sleeping too much.
    This is a rarity for me, my contributing to any need of mojo, because I’m a mean bastard normally. Yet I read your mail as posted by our hero Wil and now I’ve got this catching breath and elusive tears of _mojo en route_ in my eyes. I can only figure it’s due to me being weirdly sentimental during Thanksgiving week, or being tired as hell because it’s a Monday, or because I can’t help but remember how the night was when I went under the knife seven years ago in order to receive a transplanted kidney.
    Appreciate the fact that Katie will hardly remember (if at all) this very, very strange morning when she’s older, with the unnatural white laboratory coats and the air filters around unseen lips and noses, and bright lights, and most importantly, the worry and fret and helpless love in her dad’s face. Appreciate the fact that this insane situation will be over before you know it.
    My thoughts are with you & Katie.
    Thanks, Wil, for posting this.

  48. Wil…
    just asking is the 1st part…
    considerate it done…
    last year, (sept 2001) I had a routine
    operation for carpel tunnel… it was a breeze looking back …
    I now am saving up for hip replacement…
    the result of a motorcycle and a small tree hiting 20 years ago.. after being run off the raod.. doctors said I would never walk again
    or use my right arm.. (after I woke from the coma)
    thankfully.. Doctors can be wrong…
    my cousin had to have a kidney transplant at the
    age of 5.. he’s now 12 with a black belt..
    we (people) often make big things out of little fears… but as I have learned with 20 years of pain and with what aliments I have been through..
    you would be surprised what humans can put up with… Of course, I have applied alot of
    “Vulcan” teaching.. along with the Arthurian
    and Jedi outlook.. as well as Christian…
    there is much to be thankful for…
    the 1st is to realize that we can be thankfull
    the 2nd, is that we must be… and take nothing for granted…
    I hope everyone reading this has a great holiday!
    however you may celebrate!!!
    peace be with you all

  49. Now this is a worthy cause!
    All my spare mojo is heading over to Iowa as fast as I can send it.
    Could Bob please let us know when (not if, when!) things turn out okay? We’re all concerned now too.

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