FINGERS CROSSED

Hi, it's the wife.

Going into the hospital this morning I caught the Nurse Practitioner sitting at a work station typing away.

I asked her if these latest events are hopeful; food, no stomach pain, no cramps, and not gushing output, were all the good signs we were looking for.  She looked at me, smiled and nodded affirmatively.

When I questioned her about Boone's color, I said it looks to me like he's less yellow.  She pulled up his test numbers and said that the bilirubin levels are down, so yes, he would be not quite so yellow.

Then I asked if the GVHD was maybe calming down.  She sighed and said we don't know yet.

In Boone's room the long awaited breakfast arrived.

Never thought scrambled eggs could be so exciting.  Eggs, toast with margarine and mixed fruit jelly, Corn Flakes, and decaf.   This was a big day, everyone in the ward was talking about how Boone was getting to eat.  Even Rose and Deschel from Housekeeping came by to congratulate him on eating.

Rose wanted her pic taken with "Mr. Gregory", so here it is.

These ladies are the best.  They do a great housekeeping job, but more importantly they keep you laughing.

Dr. S and entourage came in.  He was smiling; a great big smile.  He said the same thing he always says;  gonna try this and see how it works.  He examined Boone, made him promise not to withhold pain or cramping from them.  When he turned to leave Boone's bedside, he cocked his head a bit, looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled really big.  I think he thinks Boone is getting better.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

After I started the clear diet yesterday my ostomy output picked up to where the bag was filling up really fast, sometimes sneaking up on me to the point of danger so they switched it out to an ileostomy bag, the difference being that the latter is for use  with the small intestine whereas the ostomy bag is for connections to the large intestine.  An ileostomy bag is connected to tube leading to a larger bag so it doesn't have to me drained as often but it is more difficult for walking around.  During the change Nurse S. noted the sore area around the stoma.  I think the problem was caused by a power that is supposed to prevent such things.  I highly recommend that you avoid the stuff if they will let you.  The blue wafers are much better for preventing and clearing any infection or sore areas.  For my money nothing is the best.  The area seems to be pretty self healing.
Had my clear diet breakfast this morning then a nap and Dr. S. came in for rounds at about 10.  Nothing new on the medical front except that he started me on solid (i.e. real) food for lunch. HURRAY!!!   I didn't think that was going to start for another day or two.  As I believe I told you they are going to look for any negative reaction such as upset stomach or pain rather than just the amount and texture of the output.  So for lunch I had what seemed like a banquet of plane breast of chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, peaches and angle food cake. Sooooooooo good.  I managed to eat about 75% of it and was stuffed. Nurse T came in and ran the photopheresis procedure.  White cell count was up so it was a bit faster, maybe 4 minutes less.
It crossed my mind to wonder if the hopefully thicker stool would have any issues with the small tube and valve used with the ileostomy bag.  The answer is yes it does. Once the thicker stool came into the small bag around the stoma it clogged the valve that drains to the larger bag below.  And of course it backed up quickly.  Since the valve wouldn't drain we had to cut the bottom of the rapidly filling bag to drain the fluid and then change it all back to the ostomy system.  I took the opportunity to take a photo of the stoma and the sore area around it to show the wound nurse tomorrow but I have a feeling she is going to want to see it in real time anyway so I guess we'll change it for the third day in a row.  A new record for me.  I'll spare you the picture.
........
Supper just arrived so I paused for turnkey and gravy with rice, dinner roll, jello and a coke.  Passed on the overgrown over cooked asparagus.  Ate most of the rest.  The portions aren't that big, I'm just not used to eating so I get full.  Most of it is coming back but so far no pain or heartburn issues so lets hope it keeps up that way.  It's certainly the best things have gone in, well, since I've been here this time.  I'm making no assumptions but it gives me some hope.  And tomorrow morning should be bacon and eggs and coffee, decaf but coffee none the less.  Can't wait.
Hope you had a good day especially my fellow travelers on this highway thru hell.

Boone

WEEKEND NEWS

Its the weekend so things are kinda slow but there is news.  Dr. S. has decided to start me back on the clear diet and probably give more solid food a shot in a couple of days if we can.  This time they are going to look more at how the food effects me as far as stomach cramping and indigestion rather that just the output of the GI system.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  Solid food would be marvelous.
More news as it comes in but that's it for now.  Remember, Sunday is a day of rest so please join me in being lazy tomorrow.

Boone

READER REQUEST

OK so Donor Girl, after the last post, asked about concerts I’ve been too.  We talked about this a bit during her visit last week.  So my list is below.  I have most of the tickets framed in a collage at home but you can’t see the dates on them.  I’ll take a shot at it when I can but my dates may be way off.  Kathi can correct me late if need be.  Other details may need to be corrected as well for, shall we say, environmental reasons.

This post really begs to be interactive so please give us your list in the comment section.  And I know I’m probably getting on some of your nerves with this plea, but we would love to hear a response from someone overseas.  Thanks.  Oh yeah, its 3AM and I am alone (not lonely) but I’ll post another report after my photopheresis tomorrow.  Platelets are a 17 right now so I’m getting blood and platelets tonight to try and get up to at least 25.

FIRST CONCERT

THREE DOG NIGHT, Nashville, Municipal Auditorium, 1970          

              Was in love with the band at the time.  Still love them but have long since discovered better versions of some of their songs.  Went with my best friend, no dates.  Burned incense in the car on the way home.  Wore a purple shirt with puffy sleeves and frilly cuffs.  We we’re really cool, LOL.

BEST SHOWS

PINK FLOYD, Dark Side of the Moon, Atlanta, Braves Stadium, 1973

           Dark Side of the Moon straight through in quadrophonic sound, center seats, the rocket that crashed on stage went right over our heads. What more can I say.

ALICE COOPER, multiple times in the ‘70’s.  Mostly in Knoxville.

Welcome To My Nightmare Tour was probably the best show.  Killer would have been except that it was an all-day festival one summer and the sun was still for the performance.

LEON RUSSELL, Middle Tennessee State University, 1975?

           Opened with a gospel group in all white and a white grand piano on stage.  During their second or third number Russell walked out on top of the grand piano also in all white top hat and tails playing a white Stratocaster. The tour was recorded live and that album was on my list of best album with good reason.

THE WHO, Middle Tennessee State University, 1976?

            Not the early Who with Keith Moon but still The Who.

DAVID BOWIE, Ziggy Stardust Tour, Nashville, War Memorial Auditorium, 1972

            The auditorium seats about 3000 people and we were towards the front near the center.  Opened with a giant strobe light that from our angle perfectly framed the drummers head.  Fantastic show.  I vividly remember Bowie climbing the speaker stack because I kept expecting him to fall.

 

PROCOL HARUM with THE EAGLES as the front band,

 Nashville, War Memorial Auditorium, 1972

Again the small venue made for a great show.  It was just after The Eagles came out with their first album.  They played the entire album. By the time they got to the third encore they had run out of original material so they played “Oh Carol”.  Then you put a Procol Harum show on top of that and you have a hell of an evening for, I believe, a ticket price of $6.  May have been eight.

GREEN DAY, American Idiot Tour, Nashville, Bridgestone Arena, 2005

            Great album. Great show.  It wasn’t a sell out so we got moved down to mezzanine level.  They pulled a kid out of the audience to play Billy Joe’s guitar part on one song and the kid made Nashville proud, didn’t show off just followed Trey Cool and nailed it.  I’m sure they did the same bit in other cities but I wonder how many places it worked that well, After all this is Nashville, you are required by law to at least own a guitar and have it in your home.

PRINCE, Musically Tour, Nashville, Bridgestone Arena, 2005

            Just a plain great show.  If you ever have a chance to see him please go.

 

WEIRDEST SHOW

 

HAWKWIND, Nashville, Mothers Music Emporium, 1970

            You likely don’t know the band.  Space rock kind of guys.  The band name and date were hand written on the ticket.  Very small venue.  No tables or chairs.Lead singer and saxophone player wore a full lizard head mask for almost the entire night.

           

THE REST

BAREFOOT JERRY, Nashville, Exit Inn, 1970

            At the Exit Inn back when it was a quite small listening room.  Group of local studio musicians got together and did four albums.  Some great stuff there.

PRINCE, Las Vegas, Studio 54,

           Would be a best show but our place we stood had sight line issues at times.  On the other hand he kept coming back to the sound board which was very close to us so he passed close by a number of times.

Its 5 am now.  I think I’ll finish this in the later am.

ELTON JOHN….. three times

ZZ TOP…..Great show in Knoxville

BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE…..Knoxville

KISS…..Nashville, Municipal Auditorium

 Loudest concert I’ve been to

RANDY NEWMAN / MAC MACANALLY…..Knoxville

JIMMY BUFFETT…..Knoxville with his one man “all Puerto Rican band” back-up for $6, 1973.  Nashville years later

 

ROD STEWART…..Nashville Municipal Auditorium

STING…..Nashville, Starwood Amphitheatre

STEVIE RAY VAUGHN…..Nashville, Starwood Amphitheatre

JOE COCKER…..Nashville, Starwood Amphitheatre

JIMMY HALL…Nashville, Exit Inn (enlarged with pews), New Years Eve 2001.

                         Sat next to his sister.

GREG ALMAN…..Knoxville

ROLLING STONES…..Vanderbilt Stadium

PINK FLOYD…..Division Bell Tour, Vanderbilt Stadium

BIG AND RICH / BROOKS AND DUNN, Nashville, Bridgestone Arena

            Big and rich was the front band and excellent.

            Brooks and Dunn sucked.  Keith Brooks counted down the last 10 seconds of the   year on stage by himself like he was bored to tears and walked off stage. That was the entire celebration.

EDGAR WINTER…..Vanderbilt Memorial Gym

JOAN BAEZ…..Vanderbilt Memorial Gym

JOHN PRINE…..Vanderbilt Auditorium

BONNIE RAITT…..Vanderbilt Auditorium

THE CLASH…..Vanderbilt Memorial Gym

ROBERT PALMER…..Vanderbilt Memorial Gym

MARSHALL CHAPMAN.....Vanderbilt Auditorium

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND…..Nashville and Knoxville

THE FIFTH DIMENSION……Nashville Municipal Auditorium

YES….. Nashville Municipal Auditorium

SLADE…..Knoxville. Did all the songs first that Motley Crew did later.

STEPHENWOLF….. Nashville Municipal Auditorium. 1971.  The police cut the power at 10 o’clock curfew and almost caused a riot.  Made for “Born To Be Wild” to be a great finale

MULTIPLE FESTIVALS

            Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

            Focus

            Blue Oyster Cult

            Los Straight Jackets

Many others but the names are on the framed tickets and I don’t have access to   them.  At the all-day affair at Riverside Raceway in Nashville they played Dark Side of the Moon at full volume in the evening and the album got a standing ovation.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few but my memory is now close to what it used to be.  Perhaps your list will remind me of them and I’ll post them in the comment section.

Your turn.

 

Boone

 

A CHANGE OF PACE, HOPE YOU DON'T MIND

This post is different.  I’m writing it in advance for a slow day or a day where I just don’t feel like writing.  Today is more the former.  Medical wise we are in a standoff between the GVHD and the steroids. We're hoping the GVHD blinks first but so far it's standing it's ground.  We'll see.  I'm quite good at stare downs. I've never lost to a dog yet and Crater was hard to beat.

Kathi has mentioned that I am a major music lover and audiophile.  I love rock n roll and like at least some music in every genera except opera.  I appreciate the art of opera and hard core punk and rap but just can’t get into it. My collection of music contains everything from The Beatles to Jay-Z to Wagner to Doc Watson to Sigor Ros to Body Count to the soundtrack to Mary Poppins.  Fairly eclectic don’t you think?

Some of the nurses here have been talking music and I’ve been turned on to some new stuff my favorites being Bronze River Return, Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Amos Lee.  When I visit someone in their home I always seek out their music and book collection to see what they have.  While I confess to sometimes judging them by what I see my intent is to find out what we have in common and if there are things in common what do they have that I don’t know of so I can discover new artists and authors.  I find it makes for great conversation especially if they are a major music or literature fan.  Same goes for movies as well but I’ll confine this one to music.

For some reason I have the urge to point out and in part defend the fact that I have some music that many of you would find offensive and some songs that I have some difficulty with.  Most prominent of those would be “Cop Killer” by Ice T’s heavy metal band Body Count.  First of I was amazed when rapper Ice T started a heavy, very heavy, band.  Secondly practically every character he’s played as an actor has been a cop.  I do like the song in question.  It is great for exercise and it suffers in public perception for the same reason that does Pink Floyd’s “We Don’t Need No Education”, there is an introductory portion that is never played with the song.  In this case the introduction discusses the cops in question and, agree or not, it does make a case.  I still don’t agree with killing any cop, or anybody else but I also like Wagner and I’m not a Nazi.

The other song that comes to mind is Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”; “I got 99 problems but a bitch ain’t one”’ I know much of hip-hop and rap is misogynistic but I always wonder what Beyoncé thinks about that song.

With that as a background I’d like to give you my list of top albums.  The list started out to be the top 20 but wound up being 44.  They are in an order of sorts but that order should be considered somewhat fluid.  I find it difficult to compare bands/albums because they can be so diverse..   For instance 1 and 2 are Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and 2 is The Beatles “Abby Road”.  I can’t really put one above the other.  Both are nearly perfect IMHO.  Also the perfect album, or just about anything you consider, depends on your mood at the time. So without further ado………………..

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON ………Pink Floyd

            Best served over headphones with the cocktail of your choice.

ABBY ROAD……….The Beatles

            By law, mine, side two must be listened to as one.  It cannot be split up.

WHO’S NEXT……….The Who

            Best straight up rock band and album ever.  When I had it on (eight track) in the car my Dad claimed that he could hear me coming from a quarter mile away.  That’s probably not an exaggeration.

TARKIO ROAD……….Brewer and Shipley

            You probably know “One Toke Over The Line”.  The rest of the album is much better.

RUBBER SOUL……….The Beatles

            Get collection of songs you know just not where you know them from.

THE WHITE ALBUM……….The Beatles

            It’s the White Album for god’s sake.  You should have a copy.

AMERICAN IDIOT / 21^ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN……….Green Day

            I list them together because they are similar albums and both instant classics.  Love, love, love them both.

FLAG……….James Taylor

            No longer sweet baby James.  Mature songs.  Please give it a listen.

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY……….It’s A Beautiful Day

            It’s a beautiful album.  (Sorry.  Couldn’t resist.)

APOSTOPHE……….Frank Zappa

            An excellent album to begin your Zappa collection with and everyone should have a Zappa collection

KILLER / SCHOOLS OUT……….Alice Cooper

            Classic Alice.  The west side story section if marvelously done.

THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS……….David Bowie

            Again this album should be in your collection if your are any sort of rock n roll fan.

EXILE ON MAINSTREAM……….Matchbox 20

            Uncommonly good collection of pop songs.

QUEEN II……….Queen

            Another law of music, mine.  The opening sequence of the album must be played at the maximum volume that you and your equipment can tolerate.  In my case ear spliiting.

MAC MACANALLY……….Mac MacAnally

            He plays with Jimmy Buffet now. Check out some of his stuff, escpcially the early albums.

MACHINE HEAD……….Deep Purple

            Classic.  Just plain classic.

LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS……….Derek and the Dominos

            Great album.  Should be in your collection just for “Bell Bottom Blues”.  “Layla” is a bonus.

LOVE OVER GOLD……….Dire Straits

            Worth if “Telegraph Road” alone.

ELDORADO……….The Electric Light Orchestra

            Marvelous orchestral opening into a excellent sequence of songs.

TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION………..Elton John

            Fabulous start to a fabulous career, inspired by Leon Russel.

CLOSER TO HOME……….Grand Funk Railroad

            My personal favorite bu pretty much any GFR album would fit well on the list.

ROCKIN’ THE FILMORE……….Humble Pie

            Excellent live performance of great songs and jamming.

THICK AS A BRICK……….Jethro Tull

            With an honorable mention to HEAVY HORSES a very much unappreciated album.

ROCK ‘N ROLL JESUS……….Kid Rock

Proves the kid can write great songs.

LED ZEPPELIN……….Led Zeppelin IV

My favorite from one of the best bands of all time.

LEON LIVE……….Leon Russell

            Best live album of all time period.

LOGGINS & MESSINA……….Loggins & Messina

            Music with a message delivered in a most pleasant package.

WISH YOU WERE HERE……….Pink Floyd

            Gilmore takes over and the music soars.

MUSICOLOGY……….Prince

            Got it free at the concert.  Never miss an opportunity to see him live.

GRAFFITI BRIDGE……….Prince

            Could be DIAMONDS AND PEARLS. Both great albums from a master craftsman.

EPIC FOREST / SOMEBODY’S WATCHING……….Rare Bird

            You probably don’t know them.  You should.

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED Water……….Simon and Garfunkel

            This one can still make me tear up.

GRACELAND……….Paul Simon

            Another instant classic.  Check out Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s other albums as well. MASTER HITS……….The Fifth Dimension

MASTER HITS……….The Fifth Dimension

 

LIVE……….Steppenwolf

            One of my favorite bands of all time. I picked “Live” just because it was the first one I had.  If you are a rock n roll fan you should at least try a greatest hits album.  You know most of the songs already. My favorites are the things less played on the radio.  If you like the band then try some of John Kay’s solo work.  It leans more toward a country sound but there are some great songs, especially on his last solo endeavor.

COUNTDOWN TO ECSTACY……….Steely Dan

            For me the best of another great band.

SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE………..Stevie Wonder

            What can you say.  It’s on everybody’s list of greatest album and with good reason.  You know all the songs.

CRIME OF THE CENTURY……….Supertramp

            You know many of the songs but might not remember who did them.

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND……….The Allman Brothers Band

            Southern rock’s best at their best.

THE CRANE WIFE……….The Decemberists

            Another band you may not have heard of.  Eclectic group.  Check them out.

PICKIN’ ON NASHVILLE……….The Kentucky Headhunters

            A toe tapping good time.  Got my copy from a guy that worked on the album or I wouldn’t even know about it.  Just another good reason to live in Nashville.

TRES HOMBRES……….ZZ Top

            Great album worth inclusion here if only for the slide transition into “Jesus Done Left Chicago”

HYMNS TO THE SILENCE……….Van Morrison

            Two discs of fantastic music from the fantastic voice full of soul and feeling.

THE LAST WALTZ……….The Band.  The last tour.  What else need be said.  Could be considered a greatest hits album but just doesn’t have that feel about it to me.

OK the rest are greatest hits collections so I can’t in good conscious call them a greatest album but you should still check them out.

GREATEST HITS……….Sly and the Family Stone

GLORY ROAD……….Neil Diamond

MASTER HITS……….The Fifth Dimension

 

So that’s my list.  If I did it again in a month or year I’m sure there would be differences.  I’d love to hear what your favorites are.  I love music and always love learning about new bands or old bands that I missed so please let me know some of your favorites. I’d especially like to hear from some of you overseas as I know you are exposed to bands that are not common in the states.

 

Boone

NOTHING NEW

Another pretty slow day. I woke up about 5AM for blood work and wound up staying up for a couple of hours. Thus I was still lying in bed when Dr. S came by on rounds.  Nothing new.  We are both doing everything we can do but I'm still in bad shape.  But he has seen people worse off than me get better.  From my point if view I have no choice, exercise and attitude.  I confess that I'm not doing so well on either count lately but I did get one lap in today and I'm doing more with the rubber bands.
Not doing as well on the staying positive front.  I'm still hopeful about the photopheresis. Had a treatment this afternoon and another scheduled Wednesday afternoon.  If its going to work it should be showing up soon but so far that hasn't happened. If this doesn't work then I not sure what we try next.  But we'll try something, no point in giving up.

Boone

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY

The bloody Sunday would be in the British slang since, not the literal since as in the U2 title.  It's a really slow day.  My back is aching.  I tried to get up and walk but couldn't pull it off.  Maybe I can pull off some rubber band  exercises later this afternoon.  Also it seems that I have insulted or hurt the feelings of one of the nurses so I've got some apologizing to do next time I see them.  It appears that sometimes I say things that are hurtful  that I in no way meant them to be.  If I have said something with which you took offense please know that, at least in all likelihood, I meant no insult.  I may disagree with you but I try not to be offense about it.  It seems I am often not successful in that endeavor so I'll try and do better.
A couple of friends just left. They just happened to arrive at the same time which was good because one comes by fairly often and the other was just figuring out the lay of the land.  Kathi found the book I have been asking if she had run across so I think I'll start on it and see if it's as good as it sounds.  Its a murder mystery by Steven Saylor.  Its set in 80 B.C. Rome and features Gordianus the Finder.  Anybody read it?

Boone