Thursday afternoon. Just heard from the doctors office. Blasts are around or under 2%. So at this point I'm considered in remission. Next apptmnt is next Wed and we'll see how things are progressing. This is good news. I'm feeling good but taking it easy today. Started walking around the block now and will start to buildup to brisk walk soon. Gotta build strength. Starting to practice with more intensity and energy. Conducted briefly last night at Concert Band, feels good. Mom now has Bronchitis so on to a stronger anti-biotic. Carol is trying to keep us at opposite ends of the house since bronchitis has been one of my problems in the past. So far so good. Peace and Happy New Year to all. JIM

Post Christmas day

Tues., Dec 26th, 2006. 3:00 pm. Well today is our 42nd wedding anniversary. Just had a wonderful lunch at Verjus with friends. Yesterday we all traveled to Brenda and Rudys for gifting and eating and all around good time. It is so lovely to see our Grandchildren playing with their cousins. David and Rudy gave me figures to add to the train table, so little by little the train set gets more and more interesting. Matt added once again to my guitar book collection, an amazing volume "Acoustic Guitars" by Dave Hunter. Then the Grands went home to Bethesda, they'll be back next weekend. Ben has a Yoga class this week. Maayan seems interested in violin. Ben is soon to pursue dance. Glenn made a CD of our Army big band from the 70's; great fun to hear 30 years later. Can't wait to share it with others. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get a reading on last weeks biopsy/aspiration. We're planning to get away to a spa or something for a few days after Monday and Tuesdays apptmnts at MSKCC. I'm starting to feel strong enough now to start playing, gotta put together a session or 2. I have a new acoustic/electric bass here I'm anxious to work with. Want to eventually experiment with some of the smaller uprights, there has been such improvements recently. Today's is my first day with shoes; soon sneakers and walking/exercise.
Also want to get out of the house now to visit some friends. Peace to all, Happy New Year. Thanks for your prayers, cards, support in many ways. Peace. JIMBO

Friday, Dec 22, 1 pm. Well the Grandchildren are on the way and I'm ecstatic!! Today I wore socks 1st time (1/2 day only), so edema is getting under control. Last night the most extraordinary thing happened, 25 friends from the Two Towns in Harmony chorus, and some of our rocker buddies, showed up to sing Christmas Carols to me. What a scene, I laughed with joy, and cried, and sang along a bit (my voice is still very challenged). Vicki and Helene wrote a song about me to "Frosty the Snowman" called "Jimbo the Bassman". Hah!! It was amazing. Reminding me a bit of what Billy sang on the other blog. Extraordinary. Fun.
The gig Wed night was fine. Band sounded great; good crowd, and Chris and Centanni provide extraordinary ambience and food, and wine!! Gas. Love to see the swing dancers out there.
Carol is over to Zaydas buying the Kosher food for the long weekend. Picking up a few gifts here and there. Several friends are visiting, we love to dig the music together. I'm trying to keep all the guitars tuned and working on my changes. Bass too now. Well somebodys here, gotta go. Peace and a good holiday all. JIMBO

Wed., Dec 20, 2 pm

Well,for some reason I'm having trouble uploading pix. Next time. Meantime, I just heard from the Doctors office that I need to wait another week or so to get results of Mondays bone marrow test. Meantime I'm feeling great. Diabetes seems to be under control, strength is growing. Tonight SwingTown, my 20 piece big band is playing at Centanni in Maplewood; so it's my first Gig since the hospital/chemo scene. I'm not playing, just conducting but I'm sure it'll feel great to be back in the saddle a bit. I played the valve tbone today a bit to get the chops and ears working a bit, and finally just bowed the upright through a few scales. Man, gotta rebuild the chops. The fingers got a little weak and soft, no callouses at all left. Little by little I'll rebuild. Have had nice visits with Bayou (who went through a bad hospitalization at the same time I did), Scott, Larry, Bob, Roger, Bruce and Laurie, and Steve was by yesterday as well. Great to see everyone. To the diner today with Susan and Ben. Got most of the New Years cards out yesterday. Really enjoy hearing from folks. Millie did alot of the work, stuffing, sealing, stamping. God bless her. She is incredibly efficient. No wonder they loved her at the NY Public Library (which she worked at until 91 plus years of age!!!
Got the tree and lights up, and a lovely new Chanukah table cloth for the season. Am working on the trains for when the kids arrive. Have a good week. JIM

Saturday, 4 pm. Alex and Tom came by today for a nice visit. And Laurie and Bruce dropped by Thurs night. Got to the Parkwood Diner for breakfast at 8 am so Carol could go to aerobics. Then I spent more time on the Christmas tree and lights.
Mildred keeps me on my toes, she usually cleans up my plate about 2 seconds after the last morsel is gone!!. Digging my videos of musicians. It's a good time in my life to lay back, dig some sounds and get inspiration. Feeling stronger each day. Today is the first day w/o pain in the feet/legs due to Edema. Things are better. Sugar too.
Happy Chanukah everybody. Don't the candles look beautiful?? Our favorite Menorah is a group of Klezmer musicians, shiny brass. Love'em. Peace and Love. JIMBO

Thursday, Dec. 14, 7:30 am. This is Bill Tally dropping off a wonderful meal. Thanks Peggy. And there's Ian Kenselaar showing me his new Victor Bailey acoustic/electric bass guitar. What a beautiful instrument.Congrats kiddo.
Well the trips to the hospital the past 2 days were exhausting, but very productive. Tues. the ENT docs gave me an OK on my throat; it should heal on it's own in a while. What a relief, I was worried the Chemo etc. did some permenant damage, but they think I'll be fine. Then yesterday my session with my Chief Dr., Dr. Ellin Berman, at 10 :30 or so. All signs are good. She was happy, and rescheduled another review with Bone Marrow Biopsy for next Monday. Soon we'll be doing our "Consolidation Chemo", which will be 5 days in MSKCC followed by several weeks of clinical evaluations from home, and that will happen 4 times. So, I expect to be into Spring with those Chemos. My brothers Bruce and Kim are not possible donors to me if I eventually need a Bone Marrow Transplant, but that is all a bit of a while away, maybe a year away.So then I had a long session with Dr. Farooki's office. A brilliant wonderful young staff, Carolyn the nurse, and Doc. Diabetic reevaluation. He changed my numbers, made adjustments, and already I feel more confident I'm controlling the sugar better. It's been an awful challenge with all the events of the past month, but we seem to have it better under control now. Today I'm home, and feeling good. Changed the strings on my Acoustic/electric bass guitar yesterday, enjoying that axe. Earlier this week John Straus came to hang and played some nice piano blues, letting me jam on guitar ala blues. This was my first time taking my blues guitar playing out of the closet/practice room. Lookout Keb Mo!!! With my screwed up voice box I got a real blues growl!! So, thanks to all for your love, prayers, dinners, support for Carol (today is the 1st day she has been able to sleep in, getting much needed rest. God Bless my beautiful wife. What a strong woman.
Peace and love to all, have a great weekend. I gotta setup my Christmas tree now, then my trains for the Grandchildren.
Peace and Love. Happy Holidaze. JIMBO

Its Tuesday

That's Bahati who came to hangout and dig some tunes last night. Well I have to thank all our friends for the delicious food. Last night Phyllis's Chicken Caciatore, Sunday Brians Orzo salad and chicken, Brendas amazing healing Chicken soup, Jon's Chili and Chicken, this week Billy brings by some crockpot healing food, I loved Suzy's Lasgna, fab. So thanks all. Yesterday morning was a gas at the Pancake house with the JCHS retirees. My legs (Edema/burns) and sugar are still the big problems, but were dealin'. Ellin, the Diabetic Educator at MSKCC called me and spent 1/2 hour over the phone going over the numbers, the diet etc. Such care. Today we have a 2 pm with ENT at MSKCC. Tomorrow 2 apptmnts. Hope to get a new Christmas tree today, the old one has had it. Can't wait to digout the pld Christmas balls and lights. Lotta memories. See you all soon. JIMBO

It's Sunday, noon.As you can see I'm wearing normal clothes!!! Been home since Thurs night, adjusting.Great to hear a real sound system, wear pov clothes, eat at a dinner table, go to the diner for breakfast, have guests come dig music together, sleep in our own bed, shower in my own shower!! Yesterday my buddy Bob Kenselaar came by and setup my MacBook with wireless internet so I can sit here on my couch, or anywhere in the house (hey, the next blog might be from the head!!) and write/communicate. While he was here Carol determined my legs were in a terrible condition with rashes and burns so at 5 pm we drove back to the emergency room at MSKCC and got an evaluation. No fever, all vital signs ok, but the nurses and doctor where also horrified by my legs. So after a full bloodwork, they determined my WBC was high as if I was fighting an infection, so Doc consulted with Ellin Berman and they determined to give me an oral anti-biotic which I had not previously had, so as to help fight infection. They did not dress the wounds, but said it would be ok for me to bath them. So, we got back home 9 pm, Sat night, had dinner, and tried to have a quiet night with my feet in the air. Slept good. But I still gotta get up at 5 or 6 am. I know the papers and coffee are ready. Well this afternoon Youth Orchestras of Essex have dedicated their concert to me, but my feet are too messed up to go; I hope to get an extra copy of the program. So it's great to be home. I'm organizing my get well cards, there are hundreds; THANKS everybody for your support, prayers, well wishes. I go back to MSKCC for apptmts. on Tues and Wed (another Bone Marrow Biopsy, ugh!!) to evaluate things. Hopefully we can hold off beginning the new Chemotherapy until after New Years, but I'll do whatever they say. It's been the best care. JIMBO

It' 2:15 pm on Thursday. I'm going home now. Just gotta finish 1 more bag a shit and I'm outta here!!! CB is on her way with my buddy Larry Hardie to helpout. I got the OK about an hour ago. I was expecting to sleep here tonight, but I'll count sheep in Maplewood thank you. No more peeing in graduated urinals!!! Yes I did make a BM today. Loose I'm sorry to say.See you guys at the Diner. I'm outta here.
JIMBO

1:15 am Thurs morn. 1 night to go in hospital. Tricia Woods dropped by between gigs. Also Rich Berggren , Bob and Colleen Helmacy, so a nice day of visits. For uplifting joyous music been enjoying the Beatles, Max Morath, and Henry Fillmore etc. Uplifting. Food has been sensational, both a veggie Quesadilla and a Mandarin Chicken Salad to die for!! Diabetes educator is working on a new routine for me. All drugs seem to have stopped (mostly) and just flowing water to clear me out. Down to 1 line!! Gotta nasty rash from the drugs we're trying to clear. The ENT doc shoved something through my nose into my pharynx to check it all out, again we think without all the drugs I'll heal ok. Well I was a little Anemic yesterday so they gave me another Blood transfusion, knocks me on my ass for a while. Poor Carol, by the time she arrived yesterday I was a Zombie again. But had a good meal and a walk. Now out of single room into a double room for my last 2 nights; "A Room with a View of the Bridge" again. OK.I'm short!! Not to complain. Followup next Wed. 12/13 with Dr. Ellin Berman; she'll do a bone marrow biopsy and we'll see where we stand with this disease. Followup/mopup Chemo begins some short time thereafter, 4 rounds 5 bags, less real physical problems associated with that "Consolidation Chemotherapy". Probably bring me into Spring anyway. We're a dealin'!!!
So, all questions were answered, it looks like I'm in ok shape, expect to be tired naturally, but ok. Can't wait to hear real music again on my sound system. Can't wait to have Millie remind me to put my car away!!. Play my basses. Hug my wife without a mask on. Really, maybe I will keep the masks and rubber gloves around for old times sakes. A little kinky, No???
JIMBO

Emily came to see me and sing a delightful tune to me on Monday.
Tues am,8:30. Doctors just left rounds, they told me I've made 4600 WBC!!!! I'm making cells; I collapsed in the doctors arms with JOY!!! So, they say they are reducing my intake of antibiotics, need to buildup my phosphorous, 1 more anti Fungicidal today, and then, they are getting ready to release me before the weekend. The prayers, support, good vibes from all over have helped me tremendously. My poor wife, what alot of work, but she's there daily for me, Carol's the Daily Show!!! Well, I'm ecstatic, but hungry, gotta go eat.JIMBO

Sun, Dec,3 at 10;45 AM. Sunny, cool. Yesterday I enjoyed listening to Band music with Vivian and Jim. Then Ben W and Sue Dillon came by to report on M4K and hang. Nice. CB came by around dinner time and we had a quiet night digging the Dog shows on the tube. Am trying to make WBC's!!!Balancing an occasionally tempermental Digestive track (think BRILLO!) with my desire to eat normal amounts of food. Taking Lozenges for me throat, rough.
Rivka is on the train from DC to Penn Sta., and CB will join us fo a violil/double bass recital at 2 pm on the 15th floor Rec Ctr. We're all looking forward to it. I started watercolor, have my teachers (Evelyn Graves) chart with me and am painting my bed scene to start. Gotta go save energy for later. Love, JIMBO

It's 1 am Sat Dec 2.Recent relative good hours all related to no fever.I've had again simple appetite, thoughts, plans and goals, because no fever. And my lover was here to support me, Carol helps me out immensely, and puts up with my abuse. I had a long interesting meditation with an arts professional today. I can get deeper with a professional taking me. I'm a yoga/arty kinda guy, very willing to go there. The long session went many places, but resulted in my working throughsome papercut expression w cuttings, origami, shaping. Ahhhhhhhh...........Oooooommmmmmmmmmm..........
Finally I'm getting Lozenges for my damaged voice. Relief. The Maalox procedure is helping the "Brillo intestines"....I finally rec'd permission to walk outside my room today, good for my lungs!! and legs. Which btw are a ton of Edema today, probably carrying extra 10 lbs on my ankles. OI Vey!!! Carol used cold compress to offer relief. They still pump me with alot of antibiotics, antiinflamatories, anti Virals, , anti Funguses etc. etc.. All to keep me alive until I (Please God, soon!) start to make my own goood cells again.
Well have a good weekend guys, SCYO Concert, M4K etc.
I love you all.JIMBO

Its Thurs am,1:15. My counts are all so low I keep getting transfusions, 2 more platelets, and 2 more blood. Was too busy today dealing with the blood stuff and sugar stuff. It's getting sorted. My cousin Peggy paid me a visit around 1:30, she lives down the street, and brought to me a beautiful healing shawl. When Peggy was dealing with some health issues her sister Barbara was creating hand knitted healing blankets/shawls with a church group. She's healed. Today she gave to me her healing blanket, I huggged her tightly and felt the power again of our family. I love my cousins, Barbara, Pam, and Peggy are all from Dads side. Bless them,
So tonight my nurse was very concerned about my constant heaving to get word out. She hooked my up with Oxygen, Wahlah, comfort, I'm more relaxed. Probably should have done this weeks ago!!
Listening to new Ray Charles/Count Basie gift from Susan, gas!! Carol came back in to support me tonight after work. Great to have her support. We watched that amazing JT show on 13; then Renee Fleming and Trevor Pinnock from Mainz,,,,,Such beauty in music. Well I'm still only just beginning to eat somme, I love the Consomme with a touch of Peppr. It takes me a 1/2 hour or more to eat a bananna!!! I ain't goin anywhere. After 64 years of running my ass in the ground excited about too much, I 'll now take the time to heal. I'm pooped!!I'm gonna watch the Aruba video, Carol and my 40th Anniv. trip. The honeymoon we never took!!! PEACE. Carols asleep next to me. JIMBO

11:15pm, Tues.

This morning after my shower Carol said I looked better so I took a pic. It's a hellish journey since Thursday night when the Chemo ended and my body shut down, but I have a huge team of doctors/nurses etc. all brewing up a cocktail of anti- biotics, inti-virals,, anti-fungals, blood transfusions, platelet transfusins,anti-nausea meds etc....We had a quieter day today. The sugar has been problematic and I can't stomach pills, so I was a mess.3 days on diapers, today I got rid of that. I'm now learning to use diabetic pen systems, working good, new system, wait till I tell Leon in the office. Ellen, the Diabetic Eduucator spent agood session with me yesterday, suggesting a BRATT diet, Bananas (yum), Rice (chicken soup with rice is nice), Apple (sauce, like mom used to give me), Toast and Tea (again, what Mary Buchanan gave us as kids home from elementary school with a cold, digging Martin Bloch or William B. Willams and the Make Believe Ballroom). So, through those awful days, Thurs-Mon., my fevers were multiple, and a big drag. Tylenols ( we finally remembered liquid tylenol the last night!!) One night the nurse changed the bed and me 2x!!, the second time she gave me a heavenly body wash, what relief!!. But next time I try to sleep up popped a spike. So, Cat scans of intestines and x rays of lungs,some colitis, eventually we got it under control, no fevers today, which is why I can write. Tonight I played Vivaldi's String symphonies and imagined going back to Luzerne, Mt. Riggi (YOEC 2000), swimming in Gerry and Dawns lake (next spring guys, I'll be there, Freddie too, and Bruce and Judys too). Clear free floating in a mountain lake. Thats what I'm aiming for. I miss you all. I love you all. Thanks for the cards and e mails, and support for Carol, she's been here with me the past 2 nights and more and she can tell you how little sleep we get. They tell me I may up for another night of Blood transfusion and platelets tonight, we'll see. I can sleep throgh that. Peace. JIMBO

Update

This is Jim's daughter Rebekah writing for him. Dad is too sick to write or talk to anyone today. He will get back to you when all this lifts. Thanks for your support and love and prayers.

Chemo ends

It's12:40 am Fri. Last bag finished about 7 pm. Then the body started giving me hassles. Bloated, needing Lax. Chilled a bit, needing blankets. Nurses and Docs are all right here checking vitals etc. but I'm in a an uncomfortable time. We're dealin'.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! Riv and Greg werehere most of the day, as were Elfin, Debra and Matt. Carol has a cold but should be ok tomorrow. Katrina will be happy my daughter decluttered the room a bit. Looks and feels better.
Of course we had a good Turkey dinner here at Hotel/MSK!! Took a few walks. Opened some wonderful mail. Thanks everybody.
I'm getting alot of rest now, no roomate and it's been quiet here. Poor Katrina is running like crazy, I assume there is a reduced staff. In any case thanks for the calls, cards, greetings. Before you come up call me or Carol 1st to check my ability to have visitors.More tomorrow.

5th and last day of Chemo

Caroline is hooking up my last blast. Our numbers are way down, everything is working, and I'm feeling good. Especially since my delicious Sole Filet. Glenn, Jerry Tedesco and Gary Shippy were in to see me. All great loving men. Carol has a cold and is on antibiotics so she can't come, maybe later tomorrow, we'll check with Dr. Nicole LaManna in the am rounds.
Thanks Jerry and Dawn for the wonderful concert video. Joy. Tonight I'm going to try to do some video messaging with Kim and Justin in Fla.Tomorrow with Bruce and his gang in Jersey. I'll let you all know how we do, then we can all do it. Alex is setup also in Millburn. I'm sure Austin is setup too, so, time to communicate.

Just got back from X Ray on 2nd Floor. Riccardo brought me back. Such a nice man. He's been an EMT, worked across the street at NY Hospital where Benjamin was bornCarolyn is my nurse today. Rounds are on the way. Since it's a teaching hospital, and a well organized place, they have teams of doctors and students on rounnds, just like TV!!!

Carolyn, like all my nurses, is trying to control the sugar with finger stick to gather numbers before a meal, here breakfast (it was high, 300 plus!). Then they use the new Pen to shoot me with insulin. 4 nurses so far said I was their 1st Pen patient. Carolyn explains she's experienced and handled everything with confidence.

I'm gonna lay down and put my feet up. That relieves the Edema bigtime.
Peace guys. Happy Thanksgiving. Carol and I will enjoy it here at MSKCC, that is Mem. Sloan Kettering Country Club!! I still haven't found the golf course or the steam room!!

He Got Me!!!!

Its 4:20 am Wed.. Instead of moving me down to check the line, they move a portable X ray machine up to my room. I'm sure all is ok, just extra precautions.Systems. This place is amazing.
Gotta go to sleep. Later.

So it's 2:45 am. Been flushing myself out of Chemo. Urinating into bottles which are measured. 1/2 hour ago I got up to go in the dark and lost my balance, falling backwards straining my port. Frightened, but not hurt. Moshe called the nurses. ,Doc. I may have torn 1 stitch Call for a temporary into my right hand to keep the Chemo going, turn off the fluids. They are loading me up on a gurney or wheelchair for a trip down to x ray this port to be sure it's ok.Doc was practical, "Mr. B, please turn on the light when you get up at night." They just put a RED wristband on me."This tells us you fell once, so we watch you". They watch all of us anyway. I'm branded now. Not so bad. Hey Jon, I'm RED. Can I go on the next RED tour with you and Bono??
(That's Jen, called to put in the temporary to keep the Chemo going.).
I had a busy day. Dealing with high sugar,insulin. Good food, gaining weight. Edema set in, Debra visited and comforted. Brian came up to see me, and Travis too, what joy. But I was told officially I'm now in a very vulnerable state with no defense, no immune system, just antibiotics pumping in. So, any colds, sniffles, coughs, anywhere in your family, don't come to see me.
The edema was starting, but Katrina told me to put pillows under my legs. Debra stuffed 3 under me. It worked. I'm much relieved. I rested good until the mishap. Feel fine. They pump me with anti nausea meds before the introduction of Chemo and I've had no problems eating, shitting etc. Lucky me. Well I'll stop here waiting for gurney, and get my legs back up.

These quotes from some e mails to Fran in Cal.

So far it's been a relaxing bump in the road Fran. You know how hard I work, creating too many things to do all the time. Well here I'm resting, being pampered. No effects yet. The shit will hit the fan soon, but so far I have not been resistant, angry,or too sad. I am motivated to get back to my regular life with an adjustment I should have made years ago, and that I can thank the disease for. It brings a certain clarity to lifes path. For sure it has brought forward all the love in the world toward me. And a self appreciation as well. Strange isn't it, being forced to take stock?
I have never evidenced the incredible medical system like this before. What deep knowledge, skills,inventions,tools,coordination. Amazing.
I'm doing fine so far. No pain, no discomfort. Can't tell I'm sick, which is scary, cause my body is fuckedup. If I hadn't gotten that bloodtest Franny I probably would have gotten one of my many Bronchitses and into pneumonia and out of here. So I'm again a fortunate guy. Fell into being a musician (meek little Jimmy Buchanan falling into his brothers footsteps) and
I keep hitting the bar and sending messages in the middle! Hah!
Anyway, I have to thank the disease for shutting down everything, giving me a much needed rest and offering me time to evaluate my life. I'm OK. I'm not angry, or scared really. I'm missing alot of good things outside the hospital, like Benjamins 6th birthday bash yesterday, but, I had alot of nice talks with people here today, visitors. My meeting and spending time with Michael Brecker has become a highlight in my life. That encounter may not have happened anywhere else. We both have the same disease, and talk on that issue, and such. But it's so comfortable because hes a musician. He says we're "Chemosabbies" and the "Sloane rangers" Hah!!
Oh well, hit it again.
Great to talk to Geoff the other day. I love you guys very much, you know that. I recently watched the video of us all in Woodstock. I'll checkout Karas stuff on Google. I spoke to John Sepe this week, and Jerry Tedesco has called many times and has showered me withh love. Feelin Good Baby.
Peace. Again soon. Keep talkin to me. I'm probably going to copy these messages into my blog. I guess its your therapist skills which brought so much out of me 4 am in a NYC hospital.
JIMBO

Playin a morning Blues on my classical axe. No roomate today. Frank went home yesterday, so I can play guitar alot. Feels good to work on some changes.

When Jon Flower comes to visit the room changes. He's awesome. Bassists tend to do that to a space. We have energy!!Jon and Josh came to hang.

The view from my room of todays beautiful sunrise. I'm usually up for that, wherever, Cape Cod, NJ Shore, Woodstock. Love the sunsets and rises. The sun is glowing in my room at 7:08 am.Warming my soul.I'm hungry, damn if I didn't forget to save some bananas for overnight. I'm off for a cup a Joe.

Bob came by today from Maplewood.

My guests, Neice Randi and Glenn.

More caring!!



I'm glowing!!

So today is day 3 of 5 for Chemo. Lotsa good care. Still feel fine. Doc says after Chemo I'll feel low.Now with this great MacBook I dig comedy dvds and cds. Enjoyed Honeymooners last night, old Woody standup tonight.
Carol was here today so I feel well cared for. She brought the videotape of Benjamins 6th Bday prty. Fun. Delicious.
I guess this what I'll look like next week!!!
There are other guests, nurses and caretakers here to see. Enjoy, these are dedicated wonderful people. JIM

Marissa and I around the old pump tree (see what I mean about beautiful nurses. They are all so caring,professional.).

Gotta add bag a Joe to this tree

Continuing Bassman's story

2nd post.
So I'm in the second day of Chemo (Michael Brecker refers to us as "Chemosabbies and "Sloan Rangers"), but I still have energy, enthusiasm, I can't believe I'm sick. Maybe this is a cheap way for me to be on ER or something. Somebodys making footage and money off this charade!!
But I'm sure my feel good days will be moderated soon. Carol and Riv and Debra and Randi and Glenn have set me up well with MacBook, Videos, PJs, books (Thanks Rabbi Greg, you're a dream of a son-in-law; you too Travis, you're a wonderfully loving nephew) and Julie setup the blog. And everyone is helping.
Got my guitar bedside. We got 24/7 coffee (hey Katrina, just add a bag a Joe to my tree!!!) and ice water (very much needed for Chemo flush) etc. It's 4:45 am I'm going for a walk around the hood. See whassup! Who's new, who's moved out, etc.
Everybody keep sending those e mails, and check me out.
I've been wanting to do some writing for a while, so here we go.

1st Healing Blog 11.19.06

Well folks I had my 1st Chemo Sat at 5 pm. All going well. I still have color, energy, enthusiasm. My wonderful nurse Katrina (as Irish as Paddies pig my Mom used to say) said "we'll fix that". Of course as the days continue I'll tell you how it's going. Meantime, my story.

Early Oct. I asked Dr. Loeffler for a checkup, I wanted to be sure my hemerrhoids weren't masking something else. Blood work comes back low Hemoglobin, low reds and according to Dr. Condren alarmingly low whites.Redo. Worse. Go to Hematologist, do not pass go! Dr. Michael Wax in Summit Med Gp does Bone marrow biopsy. Go home and sweat it all. Carol and I had a beautiful weekend in Bev and Brians shore home. Mon Oct. 30th (mind you less than 20 days ago) diagnosis MDS(RAEB). Oi vey!!! Make apptmt.
for Chemo (Vidaza). Family screams "2nd opinion, 2nd opinion!!". Carol sends papers to Memorial Sloan Kettering. Bob Harris
(the Machatunen sp?, I don't spell Yiddish) calls doctors who get me an appt. Dr. Ellin Berman calls me personally and gives me an appt, for Mon, 10:30. She and another examine my papers, slides, new bloodwork (now showing blasts in my stream, more than Oi gevult!!!) . She sees a sore on my leg and says "Mr. Buchanan, you must be in a hospital today. You can go back to Michael Wax (who she knows and respects, like everyone else) at Overlook, or we have a bed upstair here at MSK. 5 minutes of CB and I alone, decision:stay here. Eliin does another Biopsy on right side this time. She says I have tough bones, she had to go in 4 times. Ouch!!. Not really, thank God for Novacaine.
So, this hospital environment is comfortable. The bed adjusts to my every move, as does the entire staff. (Metaphor, gotta compose a poem or tune about that). 24 hour services of all types. I bet you only have beautiful nurses waking you up in your dreams, I on the other hand....