Back home

Mon. June 25, 6:30 pm. We're back home. Spent Fri with Grands riding Amtrak etc., then Shabbot dinner at Riv's, then over to Annapolis for the weekend. Stayed in historic section, BnB 2-0-1 on Prince Georges Street. Beautiful homes and Gardens. Toured Naval Academy, Sunset sailed a Schooner (Woodwind), other tours of historic Homes and Gardens. Great scenery to sketch/photo/paint. Rest. Loving. Food!!! Walking alot. Irish Festival Sun. afternoon, good bands. Now to teach a bit, rehearse and practice a bit, and draw and paint too. Back into hospital after MapleWoodstock (see MapleWoodstock.com for both this years and last years event). The usual routine, but hopefully (with Gods help and your prayers) I'll be in remission and on the mend after this time. Feeling good. Gaining strength daily. Peace. Thanks for your support. JIMBO

Medical Update

Thurs. 6/21. 10 am. Saw Dr. Berman yesterday at MSKCC. All bloodwork looks good. Postponed Bone Marrow Biopsy until July 9th, then back in H July 16th for final consolidation Chemo. I'm a little bit Anemic, the Hemoglobin numbers are still in the 10s, not yet in the 12s, but that usually is the slowest to come back as multiple Chemos add up. No transfusion needed. I asked what to expect come the Fall. The Doctor says she continues to monitor me monthly for at least a year. Then we'll see where I stand. That's fine. We got in and out of the H and the city easily yesterday. The Grandchildren stayed with Millie and Randi doing artwork. Last night Carol had a meeting during our Swing Band Concert, so the kids sat next to Millie good as Gold for the outdoor concert. They played a bit with other kids. Spent yesterday afternoon at an amusement park perfect for this age child...Bowcraft. Tomorrow I take the kids home on Amtrak. Ben's a transportation freak and digs all modes of travel. He can't wait. Maayan is interested and going along for the ride; she's more casual about it. Hah! Next week back to the practicing and artwork. I'll still need blood and platelets again soon so please get up to MSKCC and give if you can. Thanks, JIM

Post Father's Day

Good weekend watching Subway series. Then Sat. went to Open Gardens in Bergen County (see NYT 2 weeks ago Sun.). While traveling spotted a used Prius for sale in a driveway. Bought it!! Sun. met Rebekah, Rabbi Greg and the Grands at Franklin Institute in Philadelphia for a Fathers Day funfest at a Science Museum. IMAX theater etc. Kids are now with us until Fri. Tomorrow down to Seaside Park Beach with Jane. Wed. SWINGTOWN Concert at the Library park. Thursday Hilton Neighborhood Assn. meeting. Fri, Sat. Sun to Annapolis for a BnB weekend before going back into H in July. Still have a few details to do before SummerMusic.
So, I feel as strong and normal as ever right now. I'm not running etc., but I am walking the track. Numbers seem to be holding. Gotta go. Grands need help. JIMBO

Weekend report

Tues. June 12, 2007. 12:22 pm. Rebekah and the kids came Fri. We had dinner with Harvey and Eva at Winchester Gardens. Then Carol cooked, I went over to checkout Jerrys band at Heres 2 the Arts. Kids arrived later. We had a quiet Sat. Maayan gardened w Grandma, Ben zoomed around the house with many buses etc.Boo ran 6 miles/training. Maayan and Beck visited with Ruby and Diane. We walked over to 1978 for Art opening. Sat night Jeanette and Vanessa went with friends. Randi and Glenn and Dylan joined us for dinner. Ben loves Dylan. Early to bed so we were ready for MSKCC Rock and Run Sun am. EZ into the city, parked on the pier. Setup at Pier 46. Very well done. I wore this shirt celebrating our 12th floor nurses. Saw Donna there. 3000 people in all. Carol and I stayed with the kids while Rebekah, Jeanette and Vanessa did the 5 K walk/run. Kids games, woman on stilts, juggler, balloon artists etc. Fun. Brunch. Then we came home early. But 2 of Brad's friends recognized me from the shirt. They figured I was the hat guy who was Brads roomate. Hah!! Fun. Nice people. I made a TV tape "Survivors Statement". After the kids went home and the Yankees won Carol and I went to movies to see Gracie, since it was filmed here in Maplewood. Entertaining. Mon morn pancake house with fellow retired teachers. Then walk in the park. Our backyard is beautiful, we sit out with Mom. Today I have a guitar lesson with Courtney. Carol and I walked the park. Then I snoozed. Moderately gaining in strength and endurance. My body has been through alot so I don't push. We're easing into a normal routine. Thanks for your caring thoughts and prayers. JIMBO

New Doo

Wed. 5:00+. New hair/beard cut and shirt help us feel like Spring is here and "Summer Is a 'Cummin In" (the title of a Madrigal we used to love to sing in music school). SummerMusic is not far behind. JIMBO

Good Report

Wed., June 6, 5:00 pm. Went to MSKCC today (thanks Ron N.) for Blood test. Good numbers, no transfusions needed. Hurray!! Next checkup on June 20th (probably a Bone Marrow Biopsy as well). Went with Ron to play some basses at Gages shop. Interesting, Fun. Tonight I'll go to play and conduct at the Maplewoood Community Band rehearsal. It's been too long since I could get there. It will be great to see those wonderful musicians. Only 2 days until the Grands showup. We're getting ready. Meantime, I try to see, think, feel life as normal routine. Try not to focus on the disease/hospital scene. Making music, creating art, living here with Carol and Mom makes all that possible. We focus on living life, seeing peolpe, playing the instruments etc. You know. Feels good that way. Peace. Thanks for your prayers, thoughts, blood, support. JIMBO

Good Weekend

Well we've had a good 1st weekend out of the H. Fri I played Tbone Quartets for an hour. We have another rehearsal and a recital this week.Then Sat. took some time to pickup some art supplies; then to hear a Jazz concert outside at Drew U in Madison. Beautiful Evening. Sun am walked the track 3 times. Then Artists Studio Tour 11-2 (saw 2 Galleries w many artists, plus two home/studios in Maplewood). Fine. Kim called to tell me about those fine articles about Christine Ebersole in yesterdays NY Times. Cool. Spoke to Brother Bruce as well, he recently gave me blood, but now he has a cold. Drag.
After a nice lunch/dinner we went to Maplewood Town Hall to celebrate the refurbished Murals about our towns history. The paintings and Town Hall meeting room are featured in "Gracie", the new Elizabeth Shue movie. Most of it was filmed here, about her life growing up here. Then this morning I substituted for another bass player at a Big Band rehearsal in Paterson. I tell you, that exhausted me. I still need to develop some stamina. With activity etc. I'll get stronger. After all, my body has been through alot recently.
Next weekend the Grandchildren are here and we'll celebrate at the MSKCC Rock"nRun. Peace everybody. Thanks for all your notes and good wishes. We're hanging in. Can't get to see and hear everything yet, we're still recovering, but I'll see you soon. JIMBO