Welcome to my Blog

I chose the title of this blog to go with a Beatles song from 1969. The title made sense in October of 2009 because fighting cancer might be a drawn out challenge. I take inspiration where I can, and hope to motivate with my musings about music, my status and anything else related to life. Anyone can post comments; no sign in or account is needed, just click on the comments section towards the bottom of the post and write me a note. A splendid time is guaranteed for all. Live Happy- Greg


"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain



Tuesday, August 30, 2011

One For My My Baby (And One More For The Road)

Yvonne showing off the pearly whites
Thank you for the nice 29th Anniversary well wishes, Yvonne and I were able to enjoy a nice dinner out at the Pacific Grill in Tacoma. Here are a couple photos of the event:



I have a reason for sharing Frank Sinatra again, I know there there are a lot of Sinatra fans out there, and this is a classic Sinatra tune. Written in 1943 by Johnny Mercer and Harold Allen for the movie The Sky's the Limit, sung by Fred Astaire. It didn't take long for Frank Sinatra to record it more than once in fact (1947) and it became a standard Sinatra concert effort. As Old Blue Eyes states in the opening of the video, you put yourself in the setting- a small smoky bar at  or near near closing time while our protagonist sings a sad song. Also notice Frank is doing his singing with a cigarette in hand.

                                                                                            I was at radiation yesterday and noticed a new bump on my head (one more for the road) but was able to get the radiation doctor to add it to the list for irradiation. It was one more bit of worry for my baby as my new temporary tattoo highlighted the need to get some other treatment started soon to quell the cancer that seems to be much more active than first thought. If I could change the Mercer/Allen lyrics, here is my revision:

"Well that's how it goes and Joe I know you're gettin' anxious to close
So thanks for the beer, I hope you didn't mind my bending your ear
Don't let it be said that little Freddie can't carry his load
Just make it one for my baby and one more for the road
That long, long road, that long, long road and winding road."

New "Tattoo" of a new tumor just below the big original one



11 comments:

Cathy Curths said...

I'm glad you two had a nice dinner out. I'm sorry to hear of the new tumor. Hopefully they can start radiation on it soon. You and Yvonne are in our prayers
Love, Cathy

Anonymous said...

I got them to finish out yesterday and the rest of this week adding the new spot so at least some radiation will zap it before I start chemo next week.

Anonymous said...

Greg, Franks records were a staple in the dance business. Sorry you have a another tumor show up.We still plan to come up soon. Wish we could make things better. LOve Dad and Alice

Mary-Beth McMurray of the East Coast Clan said...

Hi Greg:

Happy Anniversary to you and Yvonne. I hope that you enjoyed your night out.

So sorry to hear that another tumor has appeared. You and your family are certainly being tested, but we know that you can beat this. Keep strong and positive as always.

Love, love, love Frank Sinatra. Quite a few memories in our family who had an uncle that sang a Sinatra song for the new bride and groom at each and every wedding.

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as always.

Mary-Beth of The ECC!

Alice Lor said...

Hi Greg, Yvonne is so beautiful! Those pearly whites are gorgeous!! Glad to see you two are so in love with each other after 29 years, it is a rare and precious gift you give each other! Thank you for the posting of Old Blue Eyes' sentimental song. He sang it with such ease. Hope the new spot will get zapped quickly and be out of the way ready for your chemo. Stay strong and positive. We are with you, you are not alone! :-)

Anonymous said...

Alice, you are such a beautiful spirit and help. Thank you for your friendship. I wish I could make it downtown to visit, all of my treatments are in Tacoma. Mary-Beth, I can't thank you and the ECC enough, the power of support, prayer, and just good old fashioned compassion is overwhelming. My family as always- I can't do anything without you! Bumps are easier with a good suspension system and heavy duty shocks.

Capt. X said...

Well, as one of my favorite Gilda Radner characters, Rosanne Rosannadanna would say, "It's always somethin. If it's not one thing it's another!" I expect you'll fly through this episode and come out the other end stronger than before. Did you know that Gilda underwent 9 rounds of Chemo and 30 of Radiation? And established Gilda's Club, which now has 20,000 members and 17 chapters across the country? She knew how to LiveSTRONG. Keep the faith brother.

Anonymous said...

Thanks X, yes I am very familiar with Gilda and her courageous ovarian cancer battle. There are not a lot Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia survivor stories, especially famous people. So here's to becoming famous and changing that! (Doing so while living happy and strong.)

robinhood said...

Praying kid, wish I could do more !

Anonymous said...

Greg and Yvonne, glad you got out to celebrate. But darn it all with this tumor stuff. Very sorry to hear that and hoping it gets obliterated. Always love to hear Frank and enjoyed hearing about the ECC uncle singing Frank songs. Always thought of Frank as an East Coast kind of guy. (When he wasn't in Vegas.) And love to think about Johnny D. gliding to Frank in the dance studio.
Hang in there, like Alice said you are not alone. This too shall pass.
love and prayers,
Mary D.

Edie said...

Great pics of your dinner date! Placing aside these latest cards you've been dealt - I am so happy that it is not keeping you down. Keep up the fight Greg - eat sugarfree :) - and keep us all in awe with your positive attitude! Another ECC heard from: my mother is 87 and asks about you often.