3rd Day

Wed. July18, 2007. 2:30 am. Carol drove me into the city Monday. At registration did vitals, IV hookup, EKG, bloodwork, then to X Ray for Chest workup, by then room not ready, go get lunch, do not pass go!! Got escorted up to room about 4:30. More paperwork etc. Dinner, eyedrops etc. Debra came by for a visit and to support us. LuAnne and a friend came by to say hello. Jeff is on the 8th floor prepping for a Bone Marrow Donation. Hes about -3 days at this point. We'll keep up with him.1st bag of Chemo was hung at 9 pm/3 hours drip. Same Tuesday am 9-12 noon. Bob K came by to visit at 12:30. We hashed glories from MapleWoodstock. What a weekend. Gas! My HS buddy Tom Gould and his wife Judy came by to check out our Band JJ Blues. Fun. Pix.Then in afternoon Vivian came by for a nice visit. Carol came up after work and brought me new comfy summer slippers. I'm wearing my new shirt "I Heart The 12th Floor Nurses". Its a big hit here. The nurses are jokingly harrassing me as to why their picture isn't on the shirt, why just Eddie? Hah!!. Made a new shirt:
" I heart the MSKCC Doctors"with my pix with Dr. Berman from last winter with masks on. Hah!! She loved the shirt when Carol showed her, so she took home an extra large! She said it'll be a nightshirt. Hah!! No Chemo Tues. night into Wed amm. Old roomate left at 4 pm. New roomate checked in at 9 pm. Watched Yankees squeeze out a win. Sleep. Up to dig Miles etc. while writing. Before MapleWoodstock we had a scare in our Maplewood Community Music family, Susan (our "Mom") got an attack of Appendicitus. Uncomfortable on a gig Thurs night. Called Ben to go to St. Barnabas 3 am. We visited her 11 am (me, Ben and Sue K) and by 12 she was rolled into OR. We went back to see her about 2pm. Done. Arthroscopic surgery. Home Sat.. I saw her at Maplewoodstock Sunday!! Sue is going easy for a few days, but we're all amazed at her stamina/recovery. Appendix out and up in 2 days!! Man that used to be a week to 10 days in the old days. Modern medicine keeps knocking me out. Well next weekend is Maplewood JazzFest. It will be a gas, but I'm forced to lay low at that point, probably will miss sitting on the field but will try to listen from the car if I can. Both Dr. LaManna and Dr. Berman visited me Tuesaday. They tell me Dr. Mark will release me Sat. So this is my last scheduled Chemo. From here we come back for the Neulasta shot and bloodwork next Mon at 11 am. Will be monitored EODay for 2 weeks or so, then Monthly the next year or 2. You have to be careful with this disease, it can rear it's ugly head in a hurry, but I expect to be in remission come Fall. Rec'd an invitation from Jerry for an Army Band Reunion in August. Hoprfully will get there. It's fun finding guys and am looking forward. Someday have to get together with the Serenaders, our 1st band in 9th grade. Coop and I are talking about it.
John comes by tomorrow after giving Platelets again. Carol later. I think Glen will be by for Lunch one day if his schedule permits. So, I'm reading, listening, practicing guitar, and will start drawing tomorrow. We do the best we can under the circumstances. Try to deal and get beyond. Looking forward to some more travel with Carol: Woodstock, New England, Carribean,Europe, what ever the Docs permit flying wise.Thanks for your support. JIMBO
ps Just got an e mail that my former student Chuck Sastre has died from a lung disease. He used to come to James Caldwell HS for lessons in the 70s. A talented man went on to piano/vocal duo stuff as well. We're very saddened to hear this. His services are this week which I will miss due to hospital stay.