David and the 23rd Psalm

I've been becoming more interested in learning and reading especially this past week.   I came off of a new chemo for me and had 3 of 4 treatments ending on Wednesday.   Since then I have gone steadily downhill and have felt much worse, hastening a Dr. visit to today instead of waiting until Thursday.   Since I'm doing a lot of laying down I do have time to learn.   One of my many topics has been the Bible.   There is so much to learn about, how does someone like me who has limited time left prioritize and get the most I can?   That being said, I took the 23rd Psalm which has to be one if the most quoted Bible verses and researched the heck out of it.   Instead of the typical history lesson, I became interested in how the Psalm had been incorporated into art and music.  Most of the funerals I have attended include the 23rd Psalm, several musical groups have used some or all of the powerful Psalm, and some groups have alluded to the meaning of the Psalm.   At the same time a commenter suggested "Ripple" from the Grateful Dead as a song to post.   It might be a strong coincidence but Ripple written by longtime GD collaborator/lyricist Robert Hunter (look up his history!) does have quite a few references to the 23rd Psalm incorporated into the tune.  


Once I discovered that longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter used some 23rd Psalm references in the song, I thought a lot more about the Psalm.   The Psalm is so simple and easy to understand.    In the Latin, the cup reference is translated:   You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup, which inebriates me, how brilliant it is!   It gives the Psalm a bit of different take. There are many interpretations and translations of the 23rd Psalm, here is the standard often used version:

A Psalm of David
1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters
3. He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou annointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever


See if you can pick up the 23rd Psalm in the Grateful Dead and Ripple.  If not, you can always hear a direct quote in many a Gospel song or Pink Floyd's Sheep.   My cup which inebriates me is still bright, kept alive by good thoughts and prayers from so many kind people.    I hope your cup overflows as well.   Live Happy, Greg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVdTQ3OPtGY&feature=player_embedded 

"Can't Buy Me Love"

Hey All!  First I have a shameless plug...For the next several blog posts I will be adding the Big Climb information as I am hoping to encourage some extra team members to join and of course any donations we can get.   The last two years our team was a top ten fundraising team among 6000 participants and several hundred teams.   We would like to make it a top five or even the top team this year.   There is still time to join, get ready if you have never climbed 69 floors before (it's doable for just about everyone one step at a time), and raise funds.   If you sign up and are not sure whether to join as a racer or climber, I suggest racer- that way if you want a "time" you can get it, and if you want to change to being an un-timed climber you can do that at the event without any issues.   To change from climber to racer is much more difficult... So far our team captain has raised over $500 setting the early pace.   I will join as soon as I am sure my leg is OK.



Team Name is: The Long and Winding Road
Team Captain: Yvonne Dymerski
Date: Sunday March 25


Here is the link:  The Big Climb


If you want to sign up you will need to find the team by name, the password to join is dolphin8 the discount code is: 076420911189 which will save you $5 at checkout.


Now to why I chose "Can't Buy Me Love."   The Beatles had just become all the rage in Great Britain, performing all over the country and in select European locales.   Paul and company were in Paris in January of 1964, according to many published reports Paul wanted to create a bluesy song that as is very obvious- demonstrated material possessions are not as important as finding love. "Can't Buy Me Love" was the sixth Beatles single, it went to number 1 quickly and for awhile it was #1 with four other Beatles songs #2-5 at one time- no other group has ever had the top five in Billboard's top 100 at the same time.   The attached video is from the British TV show Ready Steady Go and shows John singing a lot.  On record Paul was really the only singer, John and George sang some back-up during the chorus.  The song was also featured in the movie A Hard Day's Night in two scenes.   I like the message of course, it's true in so many applications.   In my situation money can't buy me remission.  But, I am close.   If the snow hadn't cancelled radiation today, I feel like my leg would be free of tumors today. Radiation will resume Thursday I hope, the femur tumors should be gone by Friday.   I am scheduled for four days of a new chemo (Clofarabine) next week Monday-Thursday that should give me the best chance at getting to remission one more time.   By the way, give me an email or call if you'd like to visit as I will be in Federal Way at St. Francis Hospital in the Medical building each day from 8:00 to probably 1:00 or longer.    My improvement I am sure is due to prayers, motivation, support, and help from you all.   Our daughter Natalie is coming to visit for the weekend from Hawaii, so everything is set up for a great week next week.   We are attending a Big Climb team captain social on Friday, we should have more information after that as well.    Enjoy the early Beatles!

"Rocky Racoon"

Most people (in 1968) thought Rocky Raccoon was Paul writing a country and western tune about the wild west and some of the typical stereotypes. Paul was actually spoofing folk songs of the time.   What the song really means only Paul knows.    It is a sad song about a love triangle, Rocky might even die at the end.   The attached homemade video is really well done, I tip my cap to the video producers.   



Relaxing with Michelle's "Pats" blanket, John D in the background



Trevor, Rochelle, baby Tristan and a big climb donation!

It's been a long week with a lot of news.   On Tuesday I had en early morning Dr. Senecal Appointment.   He called Thursday night and confirmed I indeed did break my pubic raymus (pelvic bone in the front)   then the really bad news-   the MRI found cancer in the front of the femur, and in other areas around the knee and leg.    Dr. Senecal hit me with being close to the end, and radiation or chemo are my only options.   So, radiation started the next day.   My Friday radiation was a good time, knowing it might be the only tool left to stop the proverbial bleeding.  I will go in M-Th next week for the remaining treatments, and then do some chemo based on what happens with radiation.   Back to hospice...  

My Doctor and many in the medical community tell me the cancer is progressing fast, changing and morphing to the point where there are not any treatments left.   Like Rocky Raccoon, I am in the corner with a few band-aids but gosh darn it I AM NOT QUITTING!   I am stopping the bleeding and as hopeful as a man can be.   I do believe in miracles.   

"He Aint Heavy... He's My Brother"

The beginning to "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"  It might be eerily similar to the title of my blog...

"The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother"

January 10, 2012 let it be said that yours truly ventured more into "the realm" than ever before.   I was talking to my Dad on the phone, he in sunny Southern California me in the cloudy Pacific Northwest.    Again, like so many times before one of the things on mind was a song dealing with emotion.   I knew that Yvonne and I were seeing Dr. Senecal today to map out our near and long term future.   I am currently experiencing some significant pain in my right hip and leg and a general downhill feeling all around.   The Hollies version of the classic "He Ain't Heavy" came out in 1969.  Surprisingly it never made it past number 7 in the USA and number 3 in England.   The song was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell.   Russell was dying of Lymphoma when the song was recorded by The Hollies, and eventually died of the blood cancer in 1970.  Most lyricists believe  the title came from the motto for Boys Town, a community formed in 1917 by a Catholic priest named Father Edward Flanagan.   Located in Omaha, Nebraska, it was a place where troubled or homeless boys could come for help.   In 1941, Father Flanagan was looking at a magazine called The Messenger when he came across a drawing of a boy carrying a younger boy on his back, with the caption, "He ain't heavy Mr., he's my brother." Father Flanagan thought the image and phrase captured the spirit of Boys Town, so he got permission and commissioned a statue of the drawing with the inscription, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother."    The statue and phrase became the logo for Boys Town.   In 1979, girls were allowed and the name was eventually changed to Girls And Boys Town.   The logo was updated with a drawing of a girl carrying a younger girl added.   The recording by the Hollies included then session musician Elton "Reg" John on piano, and Graham Nash had recently departed to be part of the super-group CSN and later CSNY.

We had an interesting meeting with Dr. Senecal, he is working on finding me some Chlofarabine to give it one last shot at somehow finding my way back to remission.   He also wanted to prepare us for palliative care (just prior to hospice) in case I can't reach remission. The odds, they are stacked against me but there is no quit in me.   I love this song and it goes out to everyone who can provide some help to others. Also to those who need the help, take it and don't complain!   Live Happy like it might be your last day.

One more thing for 2012!    BIG CLIMB information- as we have a team once again for the March 25 event.   (The Long and Winding Road)

 Here is the link:   The Big Climb

If you want to sign up you will need to find the team by name, the password to join is dolphin8 the discount code is: 076420911189 which will save you $5.

*I'm Only Sleeping* UPDATED BIG CLIMB INFO

Well hello 2012!    About half way down I updated the Big Climb sign up information including how to save $5 off of the entry fee. Our team deserves the break considering how much money we have and will raise for the society!

How many of us are still writing 2011 on things, probably not checks 'cause who uses those anymore... I am very hopeful that the new year is bringing peace and joy to the masses.   Sadie, Yvonne, Mikhael and I are making the best of this chance for renewal and although I am not privy to their New Years resolution's I will share mine.    I resolve to get rid of quite a nasty temper that seems to have crept into my daily living.   I usually resolve to shed a few pounds, get in better shape, do some fix-ups, etc.   I chose my title and blog theme today based solely on the 1966 mainly John Lennon song- and he meant it;   I'm Only Sleeping.   It was released in the US on the Yesterday and Today album, in the UK and everywhere else it was included on the Revolver album.   I don't know why Capitol and EMI did those early Beatles mix ups for the US.   John was interviewed by a reporter in 1966 and Ms. Cleave gave him the moniker- Laziest man in England.   She was his friend!   The tune is hauntingly almost hazy due to some George Harrison backwards guitar loops during some key parts of the song.   The wizardry conveyed at the time the best technology available to seem sleepy.  

I have been sleeping during the day lately, not quite the laziest man in America just yet- I can't sleep a night through for some reason.   I might have to resort to some help from Dr. Robert- I will give it a few more nights first.   On New Year's eve I took a nasty fall, thought I might have broken my hip or femur.   I am still waiting for the X-ray return, but now I think it is just a bad groin pull.   It was my fault- Sadie walked in front of me to sniff a new dog- I didn't anticipate... and many a kind sole witnessed and offered me help.   Yvonne and Sadie ran a couple of miles to home, got the car and saved me one more time!   Since then I have also been in the middle of this newer Chemo protocol called MOAD.   I finish the first round  next Monday and Tuesday.   My blood levels are down, white's are at 1.5; platelets in the 50's if they stay there I should be good to go.   

One more thing for 2012!    BIG CLIMB information- as we have a team once again for the March 25 event.   (The Long and Winding Road)

 Here is the link:   The Big Climb

If you want to sign up you will need to find the team by name, the password to join is dolphin8 the discount code is: 076420911189 which will save you $5.
and you are good to go. Contributing doesn't require a password. To join, click on the link; click Big Climb; then register; then join team; type in the first three words, (The Long And) and towards the bottom you will see the team highlighted. Click on the red join button on the right side and follow the rest of the prompts.

You can sign up to climb on our team; or you can donate to Yvonne or Mikhael Dymerski as they have signed up already.    There is a discount available on Pyramid beer six packs, I will find it and post that too.   Any help or new team members are welcome, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the good fund raisers, they help people with financial support and spend a lot of money towards research.   Please enjoy the video, imagine yourself in 1966 as a multimillionaire who is bored when not touring or writing songs, lays down on the couch and snoozes off into the day or night.   I resolve to live more happy!