A New Week

Tues. 3:45 pm. Just got back from visiting Carol at Westfield Library. She wanted me to come by and say hello to her colleaques, all of whom have been very nice to both us through this scene. Yesterday Dr. Berman ok'd me for getting out a bit more. My WBCs are up, the platelets were ok, but she ordered another blood transfusion because the reds were still down. It, as usual, exhausted me. I slept in the chair, and slept in the car home, and slept at home afterwards. I think it's mainly the 25 mgs of Benadryl they give me before the transfusion that gets to me. In any case, today I'm feeling more like a normal person. Got a slight cough still, so they are checking my lungs etc. for any possible fungus. X ray yesterday was clear; Thurs. we're back for a Cat scan. Then next Mon. the next checkup. Also the good news is that she's allowing me until mid March to gain strength etc. before going back into the hospital. So now, if this is the pace of Consolidation Chemo I'll be continuing into late summer, early Fall. Whatever the docs say!! So this means I'll be able to play some music probably starting next week. After I gain a little more steam. Thanks for your notes and for keeping up. Have a good week. Love, JIMBO

Ready for Weekend

Fri. Jan 26th at 9 pm.
It's been a difficult day. Thursday was very quiet. Lots of sleep and listening to music. Today John picked me up at 7:15 am so we could get to my 8:45 am apptmt. in the hospital for bloodwork and decisions. They gave me more platelets. John donated more platelets at 11:00. Thanks John. So we met up again at 12:30 to come home. At 1:30, I went right to sleep. Beat. It didn't turnaround until after supper. Now seem to have some energy and strength. Hopefully the weekend will be better. Still missing parties, gigs, concerts etc. Maybe next week. So, thanks to John, Carol had a day home with Mom and took care of some home stuff. She's been so busy with my apptmnts this was a nice day for her. Carol prefers to go with me when we see the doctors, so she knows what's going on. Today however I didn't see any doctors, just did what the bloodtest said needed to be done (all setup by Docs on Wed.). Next apptmnt. is Monday at 8:15 am. Hopefully I'll be making my own WBCs by then.Have a good weekend. JIMBO

Carols Birthday

Wed. 9:15, watching Mozart on PBS, Magic Flute. Lou and Claudias son Bennett is in the production. Carol had a rather difficult birthday. She's decided to move her birthday back a week (to next Wed) in hopes we'll have a better day. We had to be at the hospital at 8:25 am. A real schlep!! So after exam Doc ordered a blood transfusion, but this takes time. After getting poked and slapped (to find a vein) a number of times we got started, but it hurt, so we had to slow it down. Took almost 2 hours. Got home and fell asleep around 3:30. I was hoping for no transfusions and then go to lunch with my bride for her Bday. No luck. Just exhaustion. So sleep, then Steve came by to p/u the tuba for tonight's rehearsal, so we checked out some New Orleans music. More sleep. dinner, TV. That's it for today. Next apptmt. Fri at 9 am and Monday at around noon. Oi!! Hopefully I will soon be immune enough to host visits and get up to the diner for breakfast. Have several parties, gigs to go listen to soon. I hate to miss all this wonderful music in town. Holli and String of Pearls sat. Bill and Devin also. Oh well, as soon as I can I'll get out. Bernie was released from the hospital and is home doing well. Azswan got home today also for a break. It seems his schedule for Chemo is about the same as mine, but he's 6 years old!! More over the weekend. Thanks for the blood and platelets. I keep using them. JIM

Being alone

Tues. noon. I guess a real advantage to being isolated etc. is an opportunity to lay back and pickup on some things I never took time for. Right now I'm digging a DVD of Dave Matthews Band; earlier today dug Norah Jones and her Very Handsome Band live in NO. Energy in opposite directions but wonderful playing in each case. I love to hear how the bassists and guitarists approach the different lines. It inspires me to pickup an instrument and try something out. Have to checkout a bunch of wonderful Jazz sax stuff Steve layed on me. Gas!! Bob took them and dug them while I was in the hospital. He gave a great review. As soon as I'm able I hope to get back playing some. Right now the body can't sustain 10 minutes worth of groovin'. But, in time that will come back. Couple of days. Meantime we're digging what all these wonderful players in the world have to say. Checkout todays Times reviews etc. Some days the page can be so compelling. Lots a good stuff happening in town. Dance. Chamber Music, piano recitals. Can't wait to get back to it all. Same here in Maplewood, lotsa friends playing around. Next week I'll try to catchup. Peace everybody. Take it easy. JIMBO

Update, Mon. Jan. 22.

Mon, 5:45 pm. Just got back from checkup. Needed more Platelets (Thanks again John S!!). Same as Fri. Friday Rich E. took me to H. It was cool traveling through his old stampin grounds. Alot has changed in recent years. We left here 12:45 pm and didn't get home until almost 8 pm. Alot of waiting for platelets, then it takes and hour or more to take them. All my cells are down (as planned) and I'm on another anti biotic or anti-viral for mouth sores etc. Doc says I'm real vulnerable now and have to get back in the H if any fever or chills/ So far OK. So, the Chemo is doing it's job, even though this is 1 week since I left the H. I have another week to be careful, then things should improve. Wed. we have an 8:45 am appt. So, I won't be hanging out much this week. Got a chance to get up to see Deanne on Sat., then over to 1978 to see their new exhibit. Sun. got to Barnes and Noble and ate a steak at Charlie Browns, but now have to really stay close to home. Feel a slight sore throat. Enjoyed both games yesterday. Carol drove me in today. Keep in touch by phone, but no visitors yet. If you can give blood and/or platelets please call Memorial Sloane and give; in NYC only. Thanks, Peace. JIMBO

Followup

Wed. Jan17. 6 pm.
Went back to MSK today to see Dr. Berman for checkup and see how the Chemo just finished is working. So far all ok. Counts are sinking. Put me on anti-biotics; warned about potential fevers/infections. Will return Fri. for another checkup and possible blood transfusion and/or platelets if needed. Have 2 weeks here to be careful. Feel better than I thought from the original descriptions. Am comfortable, calm, energetic. Practicing guitar and bass a touch. Diabetes seems more calm now. Under control. Had some amazing food from John; chicken and stuffed cabbage. John calls or shows up everyday to support us. He's on a gig in Charleston now but such a supportive friend. Thanks, man. Carol handles an amazing amount of details. I'll skip the HNA dinner tomorrow. Have to kinda isolate myself for a while. Rebekah took the train up Mon. to see us in the hospital and help me come home. Felt so good to have her here. Spoke to Maayani today. What a sweetie. Saw Randi and Dylan today on their way to see Bernie in Englewood Hospital. He's doing good.
Digging more music DVDs. Michael Brecker with John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine and Marc Johnson live at the Vanguard; Bela and Victor etc. Steve was here to digit too.
Well, here's to a calm few days ahead. Looking forward to when I can go out and drive again, play a session etc. Hopefully in 2 weeks. Tonight the Big Band is playing at the Veterans Hospital.
Peace. JIMBO

Mon. Jan. 15, 2007. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

SING ON IN HEAVEN CHEMO-SABBE.
Thanks Michael . You were so kind and gentle and encouraging. We all love you and your music.
JIMBO "The Sloan Rangers"

And so that love note sits on my wall here next to Michael Brecker's Obituary. He's left us a great Legacy in music, and in caring about this disease, encouraging all to sign up to be a blood marrow donor. Get on the International list. You can find out more details on his website. He was so kind to me in the hospital and over e mail. And always with a bright sense of humor. I'm sad we didn't have more time together here, but the short time remains precious in my heart.

Riv is coming up from DC on the train. CB from home. I expect to be released early. The Chemo finishes at 10 am. What with inspections, instructions etc. I suspect I'll be on the way between 2 and 3 pm. It's been busy here, they seem to need the rooms. Past 2 nights have been brutal for sleep as 2 older gentlemen in very sick conditions come in for emergency treatment at 2:30 am as I'm asleep in the same room. I can manage, no big deal, but it's a very difficult scene for the private and hospital nurses communicating, helping and aiding such disabled patients. But, thank God we have this hospital here to help. What a place.
One of my finest nurses, Mariah, a blond beauty who Carol and I respect very much, told us that she joined the Guard after 9/11, and she's been to Iraq for 14 months, as a Captain, and is expecting to be redeployed in Summer. She, like so many here, seem to dedicate their lives to trying to make the world a better place, and to help people in need. Amazing.
Breakfast is here. Gotta go. Peace and Love. JIMBO

Sat. 12 noon.
Nursery Rhymes from a bored musician/cancer patient..

Baa Baa Black Sheep have you any Chemo??
Yes sir, Yes sir, 6 bags full.
One for your evening, one for your morn,
Two for your third day same as befor'n

Now we have just 2 more full,
How shall we fix them up for you??

On the rocks with a twist please! And make it quick, I miss the home squeeze.

Are you sleeping, are you peeing, Brother Jim?, Brother Jim?,
If you don't produce much, we will fix you up such,
Lasik's here, Lasik's here!!

On top of old Sloaney....
On the 12th floor you know...
There sits an old croany,
With a corn on his toe...

He awaits his next Chemo...
without too much fear,
but what's up with his insides,
we all wait to hear.

Will he belch, squeeze and fa..hrt???
Or vomit and puke??
Or will he simply lie down,
And snore like a Duke??

On top of old Sloaney...
All quiet and slow,
I'd rather be ho-ome,
and waiting for snow.

Well, that's enough for now. I'll try to be more informative and interesting next time. Love to all. Thanks for your notes of support. JIMBO

Consolidation

Friday, 9am. Sent a post last night that never got on. Oh well, try to catchup now. Been here since Wed. Checked in, bloodwork, X rays, dinner, 7 pm 1st Chemo, 7am Thurs 2nd bag. Now no bags until tonight 7 and tomorrow 7 am. So far so good. Visits are still ok. Probably reactions will be moderate and from home next week. Deb and Carol last night. Bob's coming over today if he can. I've been seeing Dr. Berman daily since this is her week for rounds. All very clear and encouraging. 1st day nurse was Mariah, and I see Katrina. Yesterday and today Bob is my nurse; he's very experienced and confident/competent as all the staff is. Food is still good. I'm in my original room, 1221A. New curtains and new Vitals station. Some folks have been here since before the holidays. Oi!! I'm glad I got home for that time. Enjoying gifts of music CDs and DVDs. Thanks. Cool. Also thanks for all that blood and platelets guys. Cards, prayers, the works. Enjoyed playing some music before coming back in. Had a session at Bob's . Fun. So far so good. Carol is amazing with all she deals with, bills, running in and out of town here. Thanks Baby. Riv calls me everyday on her lunch hour. Beautiful. Thanks for all your support and prayers. See you soon. Should be home sometime Monday barring any problems. JIMBO

Thurs. at 8:30 pm. Just got our internet connection back. Thanks Carol and Larry. 1st 2 bags of Chemo are done, no problemo Chemo Sabbe!! (Ode to Mike). This is Consolidation Chemo, so it appears I will not be as troubled as last time. I thank all of you giving blood, platelets etc. It all helps me and others who are in need. Tonight a Balladeer came by, sang a tune about a painter. Turns out it was autobiographical and the painter is his girlfriend. Another patient asked him "Did you Marry this girl??" Hah!!
So, I'm able to see folks if you want to come by. No appointment necessary, I'll be here at least until Mon morning barring any complications. It's been amazing seeing the wonderful nurses again, Mariah, Katrina, all of them. What a team. Docs too. The room and bed I'm in is the exact one I first came to Nov.13th. 1221A. Weird!! New curtains and vitals machines, but other than that the same. Thanks to friends I'm surrounded by wonderful CDs and DVDs to dig on my MacBook. Fun. So, I gotta pee, into that little bottle. They count every ounce!! Love and Peace and Thanks. JIMBO

Debra tells me the proper Zip Code for cards to Azwan is 10032.

Sat. Jan 6th, 7 pm. So Doc called to pull me into H on Wed. for 5-6 days. Before that we're heading to Brandywine. Saw Steve, Judy and Mary and Brent today. John and Phyllis; Len , Bob and Ian; Suzy and Austin, who changed the bass strings. Bel Canto. Warm. Busy day. Please send Get Well cards to my nephew in C/P Childrens Hosp. Razwan Ahmad, Morgan Stanley Pavilion, 3959 Broadway, Rm. 510, New York, NY 10001(??) not sure about the zip. He's dealing with ALL. Speak to you again from the H. JIMBO

Wed., Jan 3rd. 6 pm. Just got back from MSKCC. Checkup was excellent, no real problems, so, Dr. Berman wants me back in hospital asap to do new Chemo, next Thursday, Jan.11th. 5 days Chemo, then home for 5 or so weeks, checkups 2 or 3 days a week back to MSK. We will need help during those times transporting me. This round is 5 times as strong of ARC (1st round 500 units per day, this round 2500-3000 units per day) 1st, 3rd and 5th day. Complications could result in kidney function problems, or Cerebellum problems (balance etc.) either (probably) temporary or permanent. Docs have to warn you of all possible problems. I don't expect any of these problems. So, CB and I will get away Sun-Tues., probably to Brandywine area (Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Brandywine River Museum etc. Either a BnB or a hip hotel room with amenities.)
Also, a prelim search for possible Bone Marrow Donors cameup with more than 20!! A high number to begin with. We may not need this, but we might, so Docs are starting the process, and we'll try to move to a position of strength in possibilities. We're really a long way off from this. Probably a year, but wise to get started now. I just saw my bill from the 1st round, over $120,000. So...get your health insurance in place, you never know when something hits. This past week our family found out about a 6 year old (Bruce and Judys grandchild Raswan) who also has Leukemia. 2 in the same family within months of each other. He's in Col/Pres Childrens Hospital and needs our prayers. I'll get his address so we can send cars and games for him.

So, I'm trying to enjoy my strength and freedom. Driving to Big Band rehearsal tonight. John H, Gerry C and I played Blues for an hour this am. Hot!! Then tomorrow we got NYPhil rehearsal with Johnny S and Jerry T, then over to MSKCC for a conference with diet doctor (probably to read me the riot act).
Gotta go eat. Later. JIMBO