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

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