Checkup and Schedule

Wed., May 30. 4:06 pm. Just got back from Dr. Bermans checkup. All the WBC counts are up. Hemoglobin has a little more to climb, but no transfusions today. Lookin' good. Next appointment next Wed. Final (hopefully!!) Chemo round will be middle of July. I will need a ride next Wed. at 8 am. Give me a call if you can help. So then Carol and I ran over to the Metropolitan Museum to check out the Greek and Roman Galleries, then the Roof/Stella exhibit, then Modern and other Stella room. Cool. Now to get playing some bass, tbone, artwork etc. Tonight SwingTown. Fri. work on SummerMusic stuff. See ya soon. JIM

Home, Sweet Home

Sun., May 27th, 10:15 am. Well the numbers are up enough to let me home, but first I have to take some Platelets, which means Benadryl, which means High as a kite. OK. Carol will be here about 2, then I should be on my way by 4pm (we can't wait!!). I hope to go hear/see the parade tomorrow. Last year Rebekah, Ben and Maayan were here to walk in the parade, we had a ball. Hope you all are enjoying the BarbQs, picnics, ball games, beach etc. I'm catching up to you. See y'all soon. I'm outta here.Thanks Katrina, Mariah, Clarissa, Lucy, Nan, Connie, Jeaneau, Michelle and all the other nurses and assistants. JIMBO

New Numbers

Sat., May 26, 2007, 5:10pm. Well the numbers finally started to climb today. The Docs say if my Neutrophils can maintain .5 for 2 days I can go; then a young Doc came in around 11 am with the good news, my Neutrophils came in at 1.2, the WBCs are at 2.4. So, I figure if I have good numbers tomorrow morning I will get out of here tomorrow afternoon. I'd love to get home for Monday. Meantime Carol and Debra are here, and I haven't needed any blood or platelets yet today, but I'm just finishing my 3rd bag of anti-biotics this afternoon. So, I have protection. I'm looking forward to getting back to the diner and maybe catching some live music. Finished a few more pastels. Gotta go order dinner, but I hope to see y'all soon. Thanks for your support. JIMBO

Memorial Day Weekend

Friday, May 25, 1:45 pm. Well, things are still a challenge. The WBCs are up to 1.4 today, but the neutraphils are still at 0. I needed blood yesterday, platelets Wed. and today 1 of each. The trouble is I had a bad reaction to the platelets last time, needing Benadryl and Cortisone. Hopefully we'll go slower today and avoid a reaction. I felt really good after blood yesterday, but the numbers are down again today. Had a nice visit again today from Bahati. Also the volunteer Ms. Ponti who dropped by last week returned, she's a painter and has shared some perspectives on my drawings. We had a nice talk. Last night a balladeer came to the room and sang his own love song. He's good, sounds a bit like one of the Beatles. Carol and I enjoyed the visit. I've been working on Jazz changes on my guitar, Bahati and I sang and played Bluesette today. Little by little. During this time of healing it's great to have some artistic challenges I can muster some energy for. Guitar and pastels seem to be working. I'm getting, naturally , impatient to go home. Each day, and loooong night becomes tougher. But, the Doc's feel I need protection. Yesterday Mariah asked me not to go to the 15th floor, but stay close to the room. She doesn't want me to catch anything. So, it's a challenge, but we'll deal. Carol will be here around 4. Spoke to Maayani today. Sweet. Ben is off to a camp for the weekend. Gotta go. JIMBO

Holding Steady

Tues. 9:30 am. Feeling good. Had 3 visitors yesterday. Thanks Bob, Vivian, Debra. Concert of Choral Music last night. Very good. Mariah is back today. Yahoo!! Just heard from Rabbi Jon Kligler, just checking in. He was concerned that I was back in the hospital, but assured him I'm doing fine. Happy Shavuot everybody. So Dr. Berman was very happy with the nose today. It took 5 days last time around as well, plus another 5 days for the numbers to come in. So, I'm hoping I can go home Friday if not before. Meantime I'm titling and organizing my drawings and doing more upstairs. Practicing guitar as well. Bob and I jammed yesterday. It's great to be able to challenge the mind while convalescing here. I've asked for street clothes, I'm tired of the gowns and pajamas. Finally slept through last night with a bit of Ambien as help. Feel better as a result. Keep enjoying this beautiful spring. Practice your changes. Hang by your thumbs. JIMBO

Me and the Docs

Dr. Berman has been on the floor this week. I am well cared for. These pics are from a few weeks ago when Brad and I were roomates. Thats the nurse Coco with the us. JIMBO

Sunday

Sun., May 19, 1:45 pm. Beautiful outside, and today is Mayfest, wish I was there. So last night Platelets transfusion. I had to take Benadryl so naturally I wasn't very good company for Carol. Today I need 2 pints of Blood sometime about 3 pm. Mariah wants to put in a new heplock, but keep the old one for Anti-biotics. I'll be double barrelled!! Roomate just left, he's ok. So, now I can practice guitar aloud w/o bothering anyone. Went up to 15th floor yesterday and today to finish more Pastels and get them sprayed (fixer). Fun. I've now completed more than 75 drawings in the hospital. Some I intend to add figures to. I've been invited to frame some and include them in next Spring's Art Show here at MSKCC. That will be fun. Today there is a wonderful review of Michael Brecker's new album which he completed before last January. Gotta get that. Yesterday heard a recital at 3-4 pm. Piatigorsky's Grandson played his Strad cello, the "Beaudeaut" cello. Amazing to be in the presence of that instrument. He performed Brahms Sonata in E minor; Melody in F (in the key of D) by Rubinstein; and finally the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto. Good program. What luck to have this stuff here. He runs the Piatigorsky Foundation sending Artists to perform throughout the Community. Cool!!!
So I see all these Summer of Love reunions, or events mentioned in the papers and TV. Shit man, we've been keeping the Summer of Love alive in Woodstock for the past 30 years man. And we will this summer. Rockin' and Rollin' on Zena Highwoods Road!! Hah!! Can't wait to get back there and start painting again. I have that Planet Earth TV show on in the background. What footage. That's the best yet. Gotta get a copy of this someday. Beautiful. Hip.
So, if you're in town this week drop up to the 12th floor, we'll chat. You no longer have to wear a mask.
Gotta go,JIMBO

Rock & Run Info, June 10th

Found a postcard here with all the details. I imagine run registration should be done in advance. at
www.mskcc.org/rockandrun . This will be a 5K run/walk, post race brunch, kids zone, live music and health and fitness activities.
Date: June 10, 2007. Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 46 (across from Charles Street). Time: Run, 9am; Walk, 9:30 am.
Post race celebration 10am-2pm..

Proceeds to benefit MSKCC's Cancer Survivorship Program. For more inf0 call 646-227-3885.
e mail: rockandrun@mskcc.org.
So if you'd like to join us celebrating and supporting Cancer survivors, and have a great time, c'mon by. JIMBO

Back in the Chicken Shack

Thurs. 5/17 at 6:20 pm. I'm back on the 12th floor. Carol didn't like the nose after this mornings shower. Doctors agreed once they read the blood culture reports. My neutophils are way down (as supposed to be post Chemo) so, they are protecting me with intravenous anti-biotics. A cocktail of them. The 1st one gave me an allergic reaction and I had to take oral Benadryl. That knocked me out for a sleep. Now things are ok. Carol has a meeting for HNA tonight so I'll keep myself busy with this keyboard and a book. TV too. I already miss playing my basses and guitars. At least I got to the diner 1x before landing back in here, thanks Larry. Also thanks to John and Bud for trips tp the hospital. Last night I conducted SWINGTOWN with a mask on my face; we're having fun with alot of new tunes for the vocalists and the band both. Fun. Enjoy this beautiful spring folks. Our backyard was like a jungle with lots of songbirds. A bit of heaven. Glorious. JIMBO

1st checkup

Mon. May 14, 8pm. Blood test was good. Still have WBCs and Hemoglobin numbers, no transfusions today, maybe tomorrow. Got my neulasta shot to encourage the Bone Marrow to make WBCs, neutrophils etc. Tomorrow apptmnt with another Doc.
I Feel good. The anti -biotics play havoc with your digestive system a bit so that's a bit uncomfortable. But, really, it's nothing compared to the disease which right now feels more and more in remission. I hope and pray. The eyes are still a little uncomfortable from the Chemo but that will go away soon. Just keep tears around. Gotta go. Love to all. Thanks for your support. JIM

Last Bag

Sat., 5/12/07. 6:15am. Just hung the last bag of Chemo-3 hours drip. Then eye drops, DexaMethasone (Sp?) which are given each 6 hours since before the 1st bag. Prevents burning up the eyeballs. The AraC is pretty strong stuff. I turn red, flushed looking. It hasn't fortunately effected any other organs to my knowledge, so far feel ok, but it gives the Bone Marrow quite a hit knocking out everything over the next couple of days. It interferes with the enzymes cancer cells need to develop, taking out my immune system with it. But, they cover us guys with antibiotics (Levequain etc) and blood and platelet transfusions. That's why I'll be returning to the hospital Mon (thanks Bud) and Tues. (thanks John) for checkups, see what backups I need. Now is the time to prevent infections colds etc. Thats what put my ass back here for 10 days extra last round. Same with my past 3 or 4 roomates, post Chemo infections. It can be a dangerous time. Meantime, I'm feeling ok enough to groove a bit. At 4 am the roomate called for help, that woke me up, so I putup the MacBook and listen to Bach Partitas (Gidon Kramer and his Guarneri), then Joni Mitchell with Jaco, Pat, Michael, Lyle, Don Alias and the Persuasions, Shadows and Light. Thanks Scotty. I've dug that 2 times this week. Also 5 other DVDs (all in 1 sleepless night) and many new CDs. Fun. Can't wait to get home to my basses and guitars today. And of course Carols loving arms. This is a lonely week for both of us. But, we're dealing what we got dealt. It's OK. Opens up new worlds of understanding and challenge, not without rewards. The people we've met; the support we've felt. The roomate needed the heat turned down, I was already cold, so I wrapped myself in my healing blanket (thanks Peggy and Barbara) and got comfy. Its funny, I get up at 5 to get a cup o Joe with my hat and the blanket, I look like some healer Ghuru!. Hah!! Sometimes I wish the food/snacks were available at night; gotta work that out for next time. Maybe a jar of peanut butter and some Motzah, just a bit to take off the edge now and then. Gotta watch the sugar levels. The steroids given before Chemo for anti-nausea etc. drive me up over 300 sometimes. Oi ve is mere!!! Up the insulin. Really, except for that, I've mostly been in a good range. Well, they're coming to take blood labwork to get ready to send me home. Chemo ends 9:30 or so. Then when we get the bloodwork report we'll see what support I need before I leave. In the past I needed a transfusion or 2, but hopefully not today, let's just get outta town. Carol will be here 2 pm or so and I hope to be comfortably at home for dinner. Thanks for your support guys. Thanks Katrina, Mariah, Alicia, Nicole, Nan, all the staff. Best to Brad, Peter, and all my Chemo Sabbes (that's Michaels little joke). Love you all. Peace. JIMBO

MSK Run, June 10th

MSKCC "ROCK AND RUN ON THE RIVER"

Sloan Kettering is having an event on June 10 to raise money for their programs for cancer survivors. There is a 5K walk/run along the Hudson River followed by food, music, activities, etc. at Hudson River Park's Pier 46. Even if you don't want to walk or run, you can buy tickets for "Brunch on the River" for $15 and show your support the old fashioned way -- by eating. For information on how to register, or if you just want to drop by on the day and show your support or make a donation, copy/paste: .

SLEEP arrived again Wed. night. Thurs. another busy day: 6 am, bag of Chemo, 10, visit Peter;10:30 Pastels workshop, Noon eat;
3:00 Rock/Country Guitarist performed on a Kramer (see New Yorker mag this week) with an effect which has his voice singing harmonies in real time; then a snack; then CB arrives; 4:30 Yoga session with Drew (Namaste), Yankees loose (Ouch that hurts), Supper, then a Classical Guitarist visits my room to play some Villa-Lobos on an amazing Classical guitar he just bought in Australia. He played an encore for Carol as well. Beautiful. Sleep came better Thurs again, until my roomates beeping pump went off 3x at 2 am, so that's why I'm writing now (2:30 am). Will checkout a few new CDs until I can sleep again. Last bags of the hot stuff star Fri night and Sat am, then home Sat. afternoon. We continue to hear individual stories of patients dealing here. It's an awfully tough grind for most everybody. So far I consider myself extremely fortunate. My body seems to be responding to the therapy w/o damage to my other organs,; your support has been amazing; Carol's support is amazing, all my family. I'm seeing a different part of the world, no not Costa Rica or China, both of which we had to cancel, but an incredible Medical world. The real deal. NYC and its brains. I'm lucky to be here. Peace and Thanks. JIMBO

Day 3

Wed. May ?, 11:48 am. So, last night not a wink of sleep. Probably 'cause of drugs. I was alert all night. I tried ordering some Ambien at 3 am but they don't give it to you after 2 am. So, I ordered some for tonight, but I'll probably collapse tonight. I did enjoy many nice DVDs and music on the iMusic and CDs. Great machine I got here. Thanks Riv and Carol. Met a rock guitar player here, Peter, nice guy, good talks about our diseases and music. Been using the pastels again. Carol has been invited to a caregivers workshop/support group this afternoon at 4 pm with our wonderful Social Worker Donna. Donna is very supportive here. As are all the nurses, Docs etc. I'm well situated here. Saw Bob yesterday, then CB, then the Rabbi, Dr. Berman dropped by as well. Busy day. Got to sit outside up on the 15th floor. Hope to go up there later for pastel stuff. Ordered a massage for later today or tomorrow. That might help me sleep here at MSKCC (MSK Country Club!!). Food is still OK. So guys, I'm doing fine. I'll be a little under after I leave here and the anemia sets in. Next Mon. I come back for a checkup. Last week Becky and Greg told me they are running in the Leukemia/Lymphoma Race next Sept. in Va. GREAT!! Then yesterday I found out about an MSK race/Sunday Brunch in early June. I'll get you the info in my next blog so you can signup if you want. Should be alot fun.
Peace. Love to all. Keep up the good work. Hang by your thumbs. JIMBO

Round 4

Mon. May 7, 2007. 8:05 pm. What a busy day. Early call to the H, had to be here 9 am. Setup in the room by 10:30, then Bloodtests, EKG, wheelchair to X ray, 2 doctors checkups/interviews; later the team showed up to meet me. Then the social worker (always a joy to visit ), the Music therapist (more fun with the guitars), then Ellen, the diabetes nurse. Good talk. Again, like a therapist. CB was with me until 6 pm when Deb came by and CB went home. Spent some time drawing as well. So we're busy here. No roomate yet, but did meet another musician, Peter, guitarist. Carol and I are thinking about Brad. He's downstairs, we want to go see him or throw kisses and hugs, but we probably shouldn't visit yet. Maybe in a few days. I'll try to call him tomorrow. So, as the docs say, boring is good. We're hoping for a boring round here. Had a great visit with Rebekah, Greg and the kids over the weekend. Fun. Beautiful. Azeleas were out in full bloom. NYC is also very beautiful this week. I feel so good its a drag to have to come back into the hospital, but that's the routine. Gotta do it. Bustup those cancer cells. So, I have a few magazines, cds, dvds, art supplies, guitar, diary, and time. We'll make due. SummerMusic and MapleWoodstock plans are on their way. Susan wrote a nice article in Matters. I tried to visit with some folks between Chemos, but there's less time than you think. So I still look forward to seeing many of you in person when I can. We had a great lunch and visit with Susan and Ken last week. 2 weeks ago Steve and Barbara were by to see us. Saw a number of musicians and community friends on the gigs last week. Played tbone 4's on Friday. Went with Ron to checkout basses. Took a guitar lesson with Courtney and went to hear him perform. Gas!! So considering this disease, we're trying to maintain some sanity/regularity. Thanks again for your prayers, blood donations, calls and cards. All are very welcome. Carol is amazing handling all of this. Thanks for supporting her as well. Peace. Love, JIM