"It Don't Come Easy"

It was the early 1970's and not too long after the Beatles broke up. War was ravaging in what was then called East Pakistan now Bangladesh. On top of the war there was a terrible cyclone that killed and displaced millions of primarily poor in the region. George Harrison, himself becoming a devotee of Hinduism and Hari Krishna tried to get his old band mates to appear together, it was working out until Ringo said OK, but no Yoko. Paul not be outdone just said no commenting on the yet to be put aside squabbling over the breakup a year earlier. So in the end, George got Ringo, Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, and many big stars to play together for the two concerts in one day at Madison Square Garden in NYC in August of 1971.  It was the first such large event ever staged to benefit a cause, taking in nearly $245,000 (just a small pittance compared to our Mega Millions jackpot huh?) When George sings "My Sweet Lord" in video two, see if you notice the Hindu chanting and his hat tipping to Hindu gods and Lords.
I was looking for a good title for my message of today, and Ringo's "It Don't Come Easy" struck a chord with me. I love Ringo with all of the hair and beard, and this version of the song is famous for showing the real guy he is as he forgets a lyric or two... Ringo (Richard Starkey) wrote this song with uncredited help from George. 
So here I sit enjoying a new toxic soup for the first time, and since 7 1/2 months of transplant remission. I have to tell you- it's not that bad! Nice color, mild oak notes, and a finish like only Fess Parker could do in his Chardonnay. Actually, to pay my dues I am promising to be truthful in every communication I make, the truth is: CHEMO SUCKS! A lot of the downside is the lead up to getting the drug. They drill a small hole in your upper chest, insert a long catheter, it bleeds a lot and hurts until about three days later. Then you shower in a small dungeon like room covering your catheter site very carefully so you don't get an infection. There is a lot of fluid intake to get your kidney's and liver ready for the drugs- lots of trips to the john. You are tethered to an I.V. pole for a long time, then finally the two hours of chemo infusion happens. A few days later you feel nauseated and fatigued. I am hoping this new drug is lite on those side effects. If it works and stops the leukemic cells from multiplying at high rates- or even if it doesn't work...it is all worth it. You want to live, I want to live. I would do anything to continue to be able to see my family and the smiling faces of Sadie and everyone else I encounter. My battle is like so many others that occur every day to beat back what might seem as unfair. I see it as very personal and blameless.      That doesn't change the fact that I hate cancer- I want to blow it up good, real good.     Time to get off my stump for now, I will show some pictures tomorrow of the pre and post chemo me...it should be worth a laugh. Live Happy and please be kind to someone when given the chance.     Greg