Just diagnosed and waiting, trying not to stress out

Positive2strong

Dear Grannie,

Happy you are well. Yes, I meant you might get sick of me posting so much.

I think I am fine, not depressed. I just worried about that propel drug.

My strips are still on and it seems a long time to heal.

Positive

ChiSandy

Linda, have a wonderful trip back East. Where will you be going?

My strips stayed on for nearly three weeks, so your timetable is quite normal. Hang in there. I remember the first thing I did that made me forget my cancer for a little while: 2 weeks post-op I drove out to Rockford (90 mi. each way) to play a concert with my singing partner (based in Madison, WI—Rockford is “splitting the distance,” LOL). Two weeks later I drove out to Iowa City to attend a music conference. I waited too long (had no idea what my adjuvant treatments would be) to get any more than a single 10-minute performance slot at the conference, but we actually had a paid gig downtown on the Sat. night of the conference. I felt alive and back in the swim of things again. I had to drop out of the Chicago Bar Assn.’s annual Dec. satirical musical theater revue (“The Bar Show,” which has been a tradition since 1922, and I’d been in it since 2002) because by the time casting decisions were to be announced I still didn’t know if I’d need chemo or longer radiation, nor how much stamina I’d have. So they let me write a sketch.

This year, I’m off to Iowa City again this Wed. for the same conference. But this time I have a showcase booked every night, will be entertaining at a senior center (coordinated by a certified music therapist), and am honored (flabbergasted is more like it) to have been one of only three artists selected to open for our keynote speaker (Anne Hills, my folk music mentor) at a major venue downtown Sun. afternoon. And I’m back in the Bar Show too. (In deference to my age—I’m the oldest woman in the cast—they’re being mercifully gentle with my choreography. But the six-part choral harmonies are murder, especially for a mezzo, in songs based on “Hamilton.” Oy). And in a week and a half, I will finally have normal vision (except reading) for the first time since I was in first grade—I get my other cataract surgery done!

grainne

chisandy, respect!

Positive2strong

thanks Vicki,

I was so happy the hospital was clean, calm, and cheerful.

I am impatient about my breast being swollen. I am doing a lot and sometimes I think I overwork my arm.

How are you

Linda

Positive2strong

Dear ChiSandy,

We will be going to East Providence, not sure if we will go for a day to zNYC.

My husband's family is there and we will spend Halloween with the little nieces and nephews. My grandson was just in Chicago for a hockey tournament. Your singing sounds fun and keeps you very busy.

Positive Linda

Positive2strong

chiSandy,

I do admire all your talents and activities. We go to many music events and know many musicians but I don't sing. My husband plays piano and accordin. We are good friends with Harry con nicks head sax player and are always their guests when they are in town. Harry had visited my husband at his business and then we became friends with the band. The funny story is we were invited to see them at the Hollywood Bowl. My husband said if they ask if your seats were good just say yes, because we are usually in the front seats but at the bowl there are season boxes upfront and we had to be behind them. So when I say sax player Jerry he asked if we liked the show and how were our seats, I was nervous to say something wrong so I said where's your old sax, and with that he said You don't like it neither does Harry. Well, after that the old sax was gone and if you watch the Harry Tv show you will notice Jerry has his old sax. So the point of this story is I am not a trained Musician but observant. And I Have not learned how to say nothing

I also admire you for all the surgeries you are conguering. I did get somewhat frustrated with my different and frequent doctors appointments. I guess it is that control thing again and so many people telling when and where to be.

Wish I was in Iowa city to see you perform

Love and thanks for all the support

Positive2strong

Dear All,

I am on my return from Rhode Island to LA. It was funny flying out to RI, I thought of you all. IT was the first trip after my surgery. and I so wondered if I was different. I felt you were all with me. I think of you all often and hope you are all in good spirits and I offer you my support as you have given me strength.

👻 Linda