Cinnamon Girl

April 2011 hike with Sadie and Andrew

I had a dream the other night, Neil Young and "Cinnamon Girl" were part of the dream.   As usual, there are a few degrees of separation from Neil Young, and in this case The Beatles and Paul McCartney.   Neil's iconic 1970 rock classic is rumored to be about a few women, the most probable real life muse was a woman who is Paul McCartney's current guitarist (Brian Ray)'s sister,  Jean Ray.   Jean infatuated a young Neil in the way she played finger cymbals and sang in a folk duo in 1960's California.   Neil might have taken some of the lyrics from other women he had encountered,  in the end he wrote a song about love at first sight.   Here is the simple but profound opening line: "I want to live with a Cinnamon Girl   I could be happy the rest of my life with a Cinnamon Girl."   Neil is a dreamer, and he often expressed dreams in his lyrics.   The attached video is of 53 year old Susanna Hoffs (80's group The Bangles) and Matthew Sweet covering Cinnamon Girl.

My dream was partly about my wife Yvonne and all she has done in for me since we were married in 1982.   To add to the routine,  since my diagnosis in October 2009 Yvonne has taken over all of the difficult household duties. She does that while also adding the role of care giver, continuing to work part-time as a Physical Therapist Assistant, gardener, dog sitter, athlete, confidant and friend.   As an example, we spent all day at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center yesterday, Yvonne kept me on schedule, she asked the right questions when I forgot something, and shared the good with the bad with me.   We were hopeful that Dr. Flowers and the experts at the long term follow up Unit would offer us a good alternative to my current no-mans-land feeling.   That didn't happen, I was probably a little depressed as one of the tumors continues to grow and change shape on my stomach and the best we got was "Don't give up."   "While you fight maybe medical science will find something for you."   If I didn't feel pretty good I would probably be a head case.   I needed someone- Yvonne was there.   I know I take a lot for granted including Yvonne- thank God I still have time to make a change. 

I will go into more detail about some more good things Yvonne and I are up to soon, as we look forward to the weekend of the Big Climb and visiting with my donor Edie, ECC and cousin Arlene.   

My dream continued... about 31 years ago I saw my Cinnamon Girl sitting at a table waiting for someone to ask her to dance.  She said yes, and about a year later I married her. The dream meandered forward to the future, we were at a wedding or a party and re-lived a similar situation but we were a bit older maybe in our 60's.   I have hope, mainly because I know Yvonne will say yes if I ask her to dance. 

A Simple Song

Charlie Lustman/Greg

Hello and Happy almost St. Patrick's Day!   Yvonne and I would be looking forward to running in what used to be our annual tune up to the Spring and Summer season at the Seattle St. Patty's Day Dash (tomorrow) but this year like last, a few things got in the way.    We had an interesting week dominated by attending the all day Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference at the beautiful University of Puget Sound on Tuesday.   We learned a little about a lot and were able to take in the keynote speaker Charlie Lustman at the end.   Charlie is a cancer survivor who now sings and entertains with a super positive air.   Charlie now lives on the north shore of Maui, yes I am jealous.   His speech was more of a concert performing most of his album with titles like "Chemo Brain" and "Made Me Nuclear."   Please check out the attached video for more.    The dose of positive came at a good time as I am still plugging along with less than a plan.   We have been reaching out to the Fred Hutch, and finally made an appointment to see the long term follow up folks next week.   I am hopeful that they can work with Dr. Senecal to develop a plan so I can move forward...   We have also been busy preparing for the Big Climb, and a visit from my bone marrow donor Edie and some of her family.    My cousin Arlene is also coming out for the visit, we asked them to bring Boston weather with them.   Our climb team, a visit from Edie, and the interesting life saving case might be part of a documentary film being produced by a local cinematographer, more on that later.    Stay safe today and tomorrow, that green beer or drink could be dangerous!  

Shilo

Humor me please! Bellevue 197Something

Neil Diamond began his career writing songs in 1962.   He went to NYU having grown up in Brooklyn with his Polish and Russian Jewish parents whose families immigrated here.   Before becoming a songwriter Neil was an accomplished Fencing athlete, even a member of the 1960 NCAA Men's champions.   He didn't find success in is early songwriting career.   He kept at it-   eventually finding huge success when Jay And The Americans recorded "Sunday and Me."  The Monkees recorded "I'm A Believer" and "A little Bit Me, A little Bit You" in 1966 and Neil hit the big time.   He continued writing and several big name groups covered his songs.   Neil wrote his first introspective song; "Shilo" in 1967.   The song was a turning point for Neil  which caused him to change recording contracts since his management wanted more "I'm A Believer" types of songs.    Neil persisted and eventually prevailed as Sweet Caroline, Cherry, Cherry, and countless other hits came out after his freedom was gained.   Amy MacDonald, a Scottish singer-songwriter does an interesting interpretation on Neil's classic "Shilo."   The story of Neil Diamond is one of persistence, self realization, and stick-to-it tenacity.   We could all learn from his success.    By the way, he was not contracted by The Monkees, their management found "I'm A Believer" and the group covered the song just as others have always covered songwriters compositions.    Since we lost Davy Jones this past week, I'd also like to include that the degree of separation issue continues...   The Beatles liked The Monkees, especially the humor and the fact that the Monkees learned to play the instruments so many thought that they couldn't.   The lads hosted the Monkees when the Monkees first toured the U.K.   Individual members of both groups became friends and had several contacts during the late 60's and into recent times.   I love The Monkees,  the members of the Monkees did in fact have some musical talent.   Of course Hollywood had to screw with the lineup-   Davy Jones could play drums (Micky played rums on the show) Peter Tork could play guitar (bass on the show) and Mike Nesmith was actually better on Bass (Guitar on the show.)  Micky was the singer for most of the hits, his musical talent had to be developed bu the producers like to show Davy Jones singing with tambourine.   They did play live, at times with a backing band.   Here's to Davy, at 67 he was taken way too early.

Without getting too technical, I do have good news on the cancer front.   I received my results on the PET scan this past Thursday.   I have three distinct lesions growing in my mid section (one I can see and feel) but no other cancer growth.   I feared that there would be much more new growth since I have been out of treatment for over a month and am still technically in relapse.   As an aside, my level of disease is so low that if I were to be able to get a spot in the clinical trials from Houston I would not qualify because of my close proximity to remission.   What a roller coaster.   I am also of course feeling better and although knocking on wood whenever possible- I even started swimming again this past week.   Of course with every up we seem to have I find a way to find a down.   Last night- falling down the stairs and ripping open skin on my right arm.   Now I will have to heal that for a few weeks before I can swim again...  I am not quite done with the good news!   My bone marrow donor is coming to Seattle during the weekend of the Big Climb.   Edie, her husband Kevin, sister Christine, and probably my Cousin Arlene will be here in two weeks.   We were planning a trip to Beantown after the Climb- so I called Edie yesterday, asking about good dates.   I blew the surprise and she had to let me know they had already bought airfare for Seattle.   I can't wait to finally meet my savior and some of her family.   We won't have a lot of time, but Saturday and hopefully most of Sunday we will show some Seattle sights and Northwest hospitality to the ECC!    I am having people tell me I look good, I feel good, heck maybe I need to go back to work?   (That would take a lot of pushing.)   

Ridin' The Storm Out

I am borrowing the REO Speedwagon song and album title for today as it conveys exactly what is going on.   REO began in 1971 with their self titled first album.   The group changed to lead vocalist Kevin Cronin on their next album, R.E.O./T.W.O.    They had a few hard rock hits from the album, and then Cronin left the band for four plus years (REO lost the spark.)   When Cronin returned in 1976 REO took off again, in 1977 they released the live album;  Live: You Get What You Play For.

The live album catapulted REO to arena rock star status.   1977- What a year!   I graduated from High School, bought my first really cool car (1968 Chevy Malibu 327 V-8 4-speed.) and continued my educational journey at Portland State University...   I was fortunate enough to see REO with Ted Nugent at the Portland Memorial Coliseum...  The Portland Trailblazers won the NBA championship after losing the first two games then winning four in a row...  The Seattle Mariners played so-so in their first season in the American League... Leaded gas cost about .65 cents a gallon...   The USA gave the Panama Canal back to Panama...   The Apple II computer came out...   Star Wars...   The Trans-Alaska Pipeline finally pumped the first oil to port...   Seattle Slew becomes the tenth Triple Crown winner in Horse-racing...   I don't know which was sadder, Elvis dying or Jimmy Carter being elected President...    I could go on and on about one of my favorite years.   REO Speedwagon wasn't at the top of any list, but they changed the way I looked at music for at least a few years.   

Yvonne and I are  still in awe at the generosity and support we received prior to traveling to Houston for what we thought would be a long trip.   We were disappointed but I was able to get some tests done that I finally have the final results of.   All good news.   My bone marrow was normal, probably the first time since my initial diagnosis when that has occurred.   It doesn't mean I am cancer free just yet, I will discover that with a PET scan tomorrow.   I am pretty sure I have some lymphoma lesions including lumps in my stomach area.   Still, coupled with feeling better, I even went swimming for the first time in months today.   I might be able to climb that Columbia Building after all!   Dad is doing much better after his bypass, we are both trending up.   Ridin' The Storm Out is about hunkering down while a big storm blows by in the mountains.   To me there are similarities to our Northwest weather, but I am also riding out this darn cancer as I continue to look for a cure.   Live Happy, keep your head down if you must- don't be hesitant to get some support.   If you are under 45 years old you might think the band wears wigs, they do not.