"Ask Me Why"

Good Tuesday Morning! The Beatles recorded "Ask Me Why" in the spring of 1962, it was later released in 1963 as the B side of the "Please Please Me" single. Mainly a John Lennon love song, it has proved to be an obscure Beatles song since the original recording tapes were destroyed. If you ask me why, I will answer immediately. If you ask our insurance company why- it takes two weeks to get a reply after they had made a decision, and only if you call them and press the customer service folks for an answer. So... the lead in to my cancer struggle is we finally got an answer to our appeal about using the lodging benefit under our insurance plan. The answer was no, which isn't surprising- the lack of customer service as we were making plans and trying to arrange for housing caused some unnecessary work and stress. The good news is we can handle a speed bump once in awhile.
I am still in pre-transplant testing every day which has included a head to toe evaluation. We had nutrition and prescription consultations and a upper body C. T. scan yesterday. We finish most of the tests by next Monday. So far, so good on the tests and I am scheduled for the start of three days of total body radiation May 7.    Live Happy-

"Another Country"

I was going through some old songs and found Tift Merritt in my catalog. I did some more research and discovered some good video from Tift's 2007 release  Another Country. The title tune is about chasing love. I chose the post title to describe the Fred Hutchison Experience so far.

I was used to the slow pace at St. Joseph's in Tacoma for the inpatient chemo and complication stays from October until very recently. I discovered that there is a big difference between Fred Hutchison and St. Joseph's, like being in a new country. Yvonne and I feel like we are back at school or at a well organized conference. We have a daily schedule which is updated as needed. They stay to the schedule but also are flexible when they can be. We arrive in the morning and check for updates. For example, today I started with a blood draw, had about an hour before the next scheduled event but went in a bit early for the bone marrow aspiration. I was taken in and after an hour I moved to the next test, a pulmonary exam. We got in early for that and were done for the day. We were able to enjoy a nice lunch in lower Queen Anne and back home in time to get some work done.

I have a tentative date for the transplant- May 13. As of now I will continue with testing until I go in for total body radiation May 7th. Three days of radiation and then two days of chemo happen just before the transplant. If all goes as planned that means my hospitalization at the University Hospital will be for about 20+ days after the radiation/chemo.  A lot of stuff needs to be done between now and then, so far so good. My hips are sore tonight, but should be better tomorrow. I hope you enjoy Tift, she has a new album coming out June 1. Live :) !

 

"I'll Be Back"

Yvonne and I just got back from a nice 4 day get away to Victoria and Vancouver Island B.C. We stayed at the Westin Bear Mountain just outside of Langford B.C. (a golf resort.) We were able to check out the Cowichan wineries, spent some time in Victoria, and even surprised some river otters in  Sooke on the Whiffen spit. We have our first appointment at Fred Hutch today, and will continue to go to the center the next couple of weeks. I won't know about the transplant for sure until I pass the tests and the potential donor is scheduled.
John Lennon wrote "I'll Be Back" in 1964 for the A Hard Day's Night album. Since I plan on coming back just like the protagonist in the song; today's post has special meaning to me. John's song showed a  mature, confessional style after early rockers dominated the first two albums. This was the last song on side two, ending the album on a strong personal note. The video is a demo from the Anthology album highlighting some raw moments.    Live Happy- Greg

Taxman

Happy Tax Day tomorrow! In honor of our USA official tax day, I chose to highlight the George Harrison anthem "Taxman." George wrote the song in 1966.  The song was the first song on side one of the Revolver album. It was one of three songs George slipped into the usual Lennon/McCartney dominated album. George was frustrated with the British progressive tax which was hitting people like him making a lot of money (up to 95%) than lower wage earners. Paul plays lead guitar for the solo, and John ended up helping George write some of the song.

I do have some news about the cancer fight. It's been a hurdy gurdy ride of late, a couple of weeks ago I thought I had a donor all worked out- she ended up being disqualified. Then the next day the Hutch found a new potential donor. The new donor (a 50 year old woman living in this country) had a blood test last week and today I found out she is a 100% match. She had a physical today and I find out next week how that works out. I am scheduled to go into the Fred Hutchison/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance center on Tuesday April 20 to begin my testing and administrative procedures to move towards a bone marrow transplant in early May. If I pass the tests, the new donor is committed to helping me out - all that needs to be worked out is the final donation/transplant dates being scheduled. I work tomorrow and then Yvonne and I are headed to Victoria B.C. for a weekend getaway before I report to the Hutch Tuesday. Thanks again for all of the support, prayers and well wishes. I am ready to take the plunge- Live Happy and Strong!   Greg

It's All Too Much- Paul Gilbert

Sometimes it is all too much. People bombard you for all sides, fame and riches were being compared to life's simple things in "It's All Too Much." George wrote it and the Beatles recorded the song in 1967, it was originally intended for the Magical Mystery album but for some reason did not quite make it. It was added to the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album in 1969. The song was George's ode to psychedelia and his life at the time. This cover version by well known (not necessarily in the billboard music world) guitarist Paul Gilbert. It is true to the original with a wild guitar and heavy bass line twist, not for the faint of heart.

Finally Friday (Good Day Sunshine)

We found out I had a fairly rare form of a yeast infection (candida parapsilosis) Friday, it was introduced into my old central line catheter- and it is on its way to certain death now. They removed my chest catheter, installed a temporary catheter in my arm and by 5:00 PM Friday the arm catheter was removed. I went home without any catheter at all for the first time in over 6 months! My smile is real as I receive the second unit of blood Friday at about 3:30. Yvonne and I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers this week.  After some work around the house on Saturday, we will be attending the Fallen Officer Memorial Ball Saturday night. Also, I have a last minute update to the Big Climb fundraiser. Team "I Got A Fever" moved into 7th place out of over 500 teams raising just over $14,100 by last night. Thanks for all of the support!

The sun is shining, outside I go! Just a lost minute add- enjoy the slide show in the video.



Greg

"When I get Home"

"Come on, let me through
I got so many things I gotta do
I got no business being here with you
this way"

Just one verse from the John Lennon song. John wrote "When I Get Home" in 1964- it was placed on The U.K. "A Hard Day's Night" and the U.S. "Something New" albums. It is known as an early rocker from the Beatles. The lyrics help me explain my desire to go home.

My fever is gone and two out of three of my important blood counts are on the rise. Doctor Senecal told me this morning if the white count goes up again tomorrow (into normal range) I will finally be released to go home. I will receive a platelet transfusion today, and have every expectation I will be done with chemo side effects for a long time. Yeah!

Live Happy- Greg

Weekend in Tacoma

I could also title today's post "I should Have Known Better." I ended up in hospital because my platelets were extremely low Thursday, Friday, and then on Saturday. When the Saturday morning blood test came in,  my other blood components like white blood cells and red cells were also very low. The Doctor wanted me to get a transfusion so off to the art deco hotel on the hill I went. Bad luck must have met me at the door as I developed a fever at about the same time. Saturday saw some ups and downs, Yvonne comforted me and the fever only got to the mid 101's. I looked towards Easter Sunday hopeful for improvement. Sure enough, I did improve, enough for me to ask the well known epicurean experts here at St. Joseph’s to make sure the Easter Ham was spiral cut and honey baked. Yvonne brought me some outside treats just in case the hospital Chef was off his game, and Easter Sunday started off well. We were able to walk and share some laughs with our grown children via phone on top of making the most of the situation.


Yvonne probably thought it was funny when I called "Cuisine on Call" and enquired about my ham. I was told that ham was not normally on the menu- a great substitute would be the sirloin steak. I said, "I really want ham, but will accept a medium sirloin as long as it is accompanied by roasted potatoes, not mashed. " After being reassured, I sent Yvonne on her way to take care of Sadie and the house. Cuisine called me back and said due to my request, the Chef had found a way to purchase a ham, and that I would be eating in style tonight! What a relief. I reluctantly canceled the steak, and began to prepare my room to befit an Easter feast. The moment arrived, the "Cuisine" folks deliver your meal like most four star hotels, the anticipation builds as the tray is set down, you learn to check under the cover just in case- the ham seemed to be dark brown, gristly, and shaped like a piece of pot roast. My laughter was heard around the block- I excused the cuisine delivery person and thought to myself- sometimes a burned piece of pot roast is better than nothing.



I tried a few bites, the chef did not spare any time cooking the meat that is for sure. Sirloin it was not, maybe day old pot roast with some salt and pepper? As I was about to call for some back up Jell-O and veggies, Cuisine showed up again. I went from low to high in a New York minute. Could it be, would it be Ham? The cuisine person exchanged trays and I slowly lifted the cover, smelling wafts of pork and nitrates, memories trickled back.  I carefully cut the first piece, ready to taste the famous Easter Ham. One bite and I... couldn't feed it to my dog Sadie. A bit dry, and let's just say over salted. This time my laughter echoed down the hall and into all four quads on the tenth floor. My nurse came running; I reassured her trying to control myself- probably telling a small white lie just to keep it simple and avoid further explanations.

Is there a moral to the story?                                      Ask and ye shall receive.

Happy in Tacoma- Greg

Saturday Night

Don't worry- I am not going to post the Bay City Rollers version of "Saturday Night." (although it sure was big in 1976.)  After a bit of a roller coaster ride of our own the past couple of days, Yvonne now gets to spend Saturday taking me to St. Joseph's Hospital for fever and post chemo complications. My blood levels are really low, probably awaiting a transfusion for platelets and maybe whole blood. I should have expected my very last scheduled chemo session last week would leave me with issues. I hope your Saturday night is better than looking out into Tacoma, and that your Easter Sunday is a great time of reflection, food, and family. Hospital Ham is on the menu tomorrow if you want to stop by.
Living :) Greg

If you are interested in an alternate version of "Saturday Night" check out Ned's Atomic Dustbin from the soundtrack of So I Married an Axe Murderer posted below. It does have some funny moments.

"I'm Down"

Happy Good Friday, I hope everyone has some family togetherness planned for the Easter weekend. I was a bit down but not out as we received word that my bone marrow donation hit a snag. One 100% donor was removed from the list for a year for unknown reasons, and the secondary donor isn't possible as a primary donor right now. Then at a little after 4:00 PM I got a call that the Hutch had found a new really good potential donor ( what they think will be a probable 100%).  I should find out more on Monday or next week. My Easter basket is here early for sure. I think from now on I will just wait to announce anything until I'm in the center getting the I.V. started!

The Beatles (Paul for the most part) wrote "I'm Down" in 1965 as an homage to Little Richard and early rock and roll music. It ended up being one of the stronger rockers in their repertoire and the closer for their concerts towards the end of playing live shows in 1966. This version from the Shea Stadium show in 1965 highlights John and George inter-playing including John playing a Vox organ on stage- a bit unusual at the time for the band. Live Happy-

Julia

John's haunting tale of love, probably an ode to both his mother Julia and Yoko- it made me think about my childhood and a family friend named Julia. Our Julia was full of Midwest family values and unconditional love and support for our family.  She came from Kansas to work in the WWII support industry in Oregon with my Grandparents in the 1940's. Examples of the greatest generation, they were like explorers to the wild west coast. She and her husband Charles heaped love and support on our family during good and tough times- they did not have children of their own. At the time I didn't truly appreciate how important they and family were, at 50-something my reflections seem to grow stronger. I hope you give some thought to who was there for you, say thanks if you can and who knows maybe even more... 
John was traumatized when his Julia passed early in his life. She was accidentally killed when she was hit by a car driven by an off duty constable as she walked across a road near her home in 1958. "Julia" was technically the only Beatles tune written, performed, and recorded solely by John Lennon. In this "Anthology" demo version from 1968 you can hear John playing by himself, make a minor mistake and then hear Paul give John  motiviation and support to continue the song. This vulnerability and concern shows that the Beatles main song writers were not always at each others throats as is often portrayed.   :) Greg