Movin' forward

Wed. 2/28/07, 10 am. We're off to the Berkshires for a few days, Lenox. Will stop by Woodstock house to checkin. Thanks to Millies relatives for covering so we can leave.
Then into MSK on Monday-Fri or Sat. Played Blues last Fri with John H, Steve, Courtney and Larry. Fun. Also played with the guitars etc. on Sun with Dylan and Glenn. More fun. I feel and look normal healthy this week with a new haircut etc., but as Katrina said, "we'll fix that for you!!". Until next week, thanks for your support, blood, platelets, phone calls , visits etc. JIMBO

Next Round Coming Up

Wed. 2/21 at 8 pm. Just got back from MSK checkup. 9:30 am Dr. Berman likes how things are going. Next round is set for Mon. March 5th, back onto 12th floor for 5 or 6 days of Chemo etc. I'll probably be needing some more blood and platelets for that round. Today at 10:30 she did a bone marrow biopsy. We'll get 2 reports on that, one in 2 days , another in 10 days or so. See how the blasts are. Then Carol and I met Travis for a nice lunch off Times Square where Travis works in publishing. So, delicious pie at John's Pizza. We've eaten there before and always have fun. Today was a little hectic due to matinees. OK. Then back to MSK at 4:00 to see Dr. Farooki for a Diabetes consult. I have some issues. We're working on them. Gotta see Joe Loeffler about a Cholesterol blood test and Pharmacist and eye doctor about other issues.
While we were in H a team of men began installing central air in our house. The job will be done tomorrow, then I'll need some carpentry work done upstairs. We left Millie to supervise the men. It seems like it's going fine. So, hopefully Friday we'll get some playing in. Right now the left hip is a little "Achy , Breaky". Last weekend we had a great time with the Grandchildren, who have a nice new AuPair named Jeanette. We also had a chance to catchup with Gregs family, especially little Adam and meet his Au Pair. Fine Shabbot dinner. Sunday a fine party in Matawan for Laura. Great to see my Wogisch cousins and their extended families. Sun. night Gary was on Emeril talking about food "Off the Vine" from Terhune Orchards. Monday I recuperated from weekend, which included a fall on the ice for both me and Benjamin. I'm ok, just a sore neck muscles. Ben hurt a bit, but he's ok. We hope to get away alone for a few days before the next round. This weekend Rotary Affair, next weekend Kim A's engagement party. Peace. JIMBO

One more thing!

Wed. Feb 14th, 8:30 am. I should have added yesterday that when I went to Sam Ash to buy music supplies the young man at the counter said, "Are you Jim Buchanan?? Do you know who I am??". Once I heard his voice I recognized him immediately. "Are you Philip??" Yes, it is my cousin Tom's son Phil. He's a musician, guitar and bass, and goes to school and works full time. Of course he's a man now, and I last saw him as a boy playing baseball. So it was so wonderful to catchup with each other. We hope to play music together. Then I heard from my nephew David today. He's also a young musician studying at Wm. Patterson on trumpet/composition and he also plays a mean guitar and bass. Talented young people in our family. I'm hoping to soon have a Blues/Rock/Jazz jam here at the house for my nephews/cousins. Great fun. I think David C plays guitar too. I'll check that out. In any case, enjoy the snowday. We have scheduled 2 Valentines Day events here for the Senior Citizens, but it is so bad out I suspect we'll have to postpone. Drag. We all look forward to those events. JIMBO

Post Retirement Party

Tues., Feb 13th; 4:30 pm. I'm feeling "normal" now. As if I never had a problem. I don't have stamina yet, or endurance, but I do have energy and enthusiasm. Today was my first day on my own going shopping (for Valentines Day presents for my very deserving bride). Feels good. On Sunday friends threw a nice retirement party for me at the Maplewood/DeHart Recreation/Community Center. (Thanks Susan and Ben and all MCM folks) Fun. Lotsa food, lotsa friends. Many relatives. Bruce and his family, and even brother Kim and Jane got here from Tampa. Becky and Greg and the kids. Carols family. Wow!! Then alot of musicians Jammed. I had a chance to sitin on drums, then bass. And then a few speeches, ending with a Proclamation from the Maplewood Township Committee honoring me by naming the Community Room for me. It is now the Jim Buchanan Community Room. Hah!! Isn't that awesome?? I'm overwhelmed. I stayed close to home recovering Monday. Today I got to Barnes and Noble, Macys, and Sam Ash (to spend a gift certificate from my buddies). I was about to go to Michael Breckers Memorial Service now at Town Hall in NYC, but the weather is getting too funky for me to handle walking around NYC. Carol and I have decided it's better for me to stay home tonight. I've been pushing all day. Gotta rest now. I see Michael won a Grammy Sunday night. Best Jazz Solo. He's been an amazing jazz voice, and just as nice a person as you can find on this earth. I miss him very much. I wish we had more time together. We'll be going to Bethesda Thursday night through Sunday evening. We'll be back Mon-Tues. Then Wed. more doctors apptments. Checkup etc. at MSKCC. Until then, Peace, and thanks for your support. The blood and platelet donations are very much appreciated. JIMBO

MidWeek Hello

So Mondays trip to Memorial Sloane K was easy. Dr. Berman says my counts are all high. A little bit of an overpeak right now. It'll settle. The cough is easing, gotta see my cardiologist about a new blood pressure therapy. So I feel now like a normal person, w/o disease. A trip to the diner does that!! Carol is enjoying this too. We now have no more trips to the H for 2 weeks. So, Concert Band tonight. Jazz Weekend here in Maplewood Fri and Sat. Sun a little party to go to. Hope to get a blues session in here again soon. Jazz too. Tbone and Tuba are still a bit of a push for me. I will try to ease back in. But studying classical guitar alot this week. Fun!! (Wed., 9:30 am)

Super Bowl Sunday

Sun. 10 am. Today is the second day of feeling real normal and not like a patient. Fri. morn I went to World of Music w John to hang and Carol called the docs about my cough. So at 1 pm back to the H for a checkup; Lung X ray, swab nostrils etc, and after bloodwork I needed a transfusion. So 8 hours later we trek home. A long day sitting in hospital beds and chairs. But Carol was right, I needed blood. But the cough is still a mystery. I'm easing up on Lisinopril which can cause this kind of reaction.
Yesterday John and Jerry came by and we went to the diner. Great hang. So much fun. Then a quiet afternoon playing guitar, watching tv. Then last night CB and I went to Centanni to dig Vic Juris and Greg Rivkin and have some pasta. Good. Today brunch with Kappy, then meet Susan , then play duos with Bob, then the game (or Bdway Classics on WLIW). So I'm hoping at tomorrows checkup I find that I finally will not need bloodwork and that I'm somewhat in remission. I feel like it today. In March I'll be having another Bone Marrow Biopsy or aspiration to see how things are going and start the next round of Chemo. Meantime press on to feel better, visit the Grands and catch up with you all. JIMBO