Thanks strat58cat.

I don't know about art, but maybe it will be of help to someone else who finds themself or a loved one facing a similiar diagnosis?

I'm still having some tingling in my fingers, but I'm looking forward to playing some children's Christmas songs this weekend. I volunteered to participate in a holiday benefit for "Kids With Cancer" which is a program c/o Dana Farber Cancer Center. I hope that it will put a few smiles on some of the kid's faces.

I will join 6 or 7 others and play for about 90 minutes and then Santa will arrive while we play "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

The setlist goes something like this -

Frosty
Jingle Bells
Sleigh Ride
Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime
Run, Rudolph, Run (thanks Doc )
Grandma Got Run Over...
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
Little Drummer Boy
Winter Wonderland
Christmastime Is Here
Blue Christmas
Wizards In Winter (The is one to rip on!)
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting..)
Please Come Home For Christmas
Greensleeves
Santa Claus is Coming to Town

It's a small thing that I want to do because I can. I'm consider myself very lucky to be alive and to be able to do this. I also thank everyone here that has supported me and got me the G-DEC 30 which has helped me to keep my chops in decent shape despite the neuropathy. THANK YOU ALL

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

The post before this is why I asked for *non-traditional* song ideas for a homemade CD compilation.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Mike,

I am going to be out of touch for the next two weeks or more. I wanted to wish you good luck next week on your final Chemo session. I wanted to pass along my families best wishes and good mojo that everything works out for you. I wanted to express our warmest regards to your wife because she has gone through this with you and we should not forget that she has a stake in this as well. Both my wife and I have lost our fathers and one of the best friends anybody could ask for to cancer. It has been a great comfort to us to watch your progress through this and knowing you have a pretty good chance for survival. It is good to see somebody you respect and "know" come out on top. Thank you very much for sharing your journey with us.

_________________
I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

Thanks Pat and Happy Holidays to you & your family!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

mike , be strong and pozitive and never lose hope ,and we are with you.

hey mike, hang on dude.
I prolly have no right to say this, because I don't really have any experiences with such disasters, and that makes that i don't know how it feels.
I can imagine it's horrible though.
Although I don't believe in god, i'll try and pray for you.
I really hope your chemotherapy sessions work well and that you are cured.
until then, carpe diem, sease the day. live your life, day by day, enjoy every moment.
btw, this isn't only an advice for you, but also for the whole world.
i believe the reason of life is to make people happy and to be happy

hang on,

an ignorant dutchman

Hey Mike,

God bless you for trying to turn your unfortunate circumstance into a reason to increase awareness. That is the mark of a strong soul.
You will be in my prayers, and I look forward to hearing from you on your progress.
Good luck, my friend, and here's to your speedy recovery!

Exactly.

We're watching the date, Mike. Nearly there!

Wow!

Cheers - C

Thanks again to all.

First of all, the gig went great yesterday. I saw a lot of happy faces on the kids as well as their parents. It was heartwarming to see.

Tomorrow will mark the start of my final round of chemo (if you only knew how good it feels to type that!)...it seems like it's been a long time coming.

Thanks again to all of you for the well wishes, mojo and positive support.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Mike, you're very welcome.

I'm glad that the gig was good, and I'm especially glad that you are about to take on the last treatment.

Once more, our thoughts are with you.

Have a good week Mike.

Take care,

Gil

_________________
Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

Wow I had never really looked at this thread before now. My prayers are with you Mike. Happy holidays!

_________________
Formally known here as The Metalhead Punk
Gear:
Standard Stratocaster HSS w/ SD SH-6 Distortion in the bridge
Ernie Ball Strings
Monster Cables
Dunlop Picks
Peavey 5150 II 120watt Head
Vader 2x12 Cab 240watt

Today started off kinda bad, but ended a bit better because I wasn't going to let anything bother me during this final round of chemotherapy.

First of all, it started snowing here last Friday and didn't stop until last night and then a quick freeze settled in. With the gusty wind, it brought in windchills in the -10 to -3F range by this morning. So we got up early this morning to get a head start on a busy day.

My wife and I both got stuck from where the plow had dumped in front of our cars, so we were out there for quite awhile until we finally got both cars free from the snow. She left for work and called me when she got there to say that she made it okay and the highways were in much better shape.

My white blood cell count was pretty low, but my oncologist said that it was within range and after discussing it with me, opted to continue without any delays. He also said that I've been a model patient (maybe he says that to all the patients?) and asked me if I'd be willing to talk with new patients that had some fear and/or concerns regarding the folfox treatments that I've been having. He said that a re-assuring veteran of the program could really calm a newer patient. Of course I told him that I'd be more than glad to speak with anyone that he wanted me to and I told him how my friend, Rob, is the main person that I, myself, had communicated a lot with when I was first diagnosed, and Rob has been a true friend throughout my whole journey and we still keep in touch via email, although we've never met.

When I went into the treatment rooms, all of the other doctors and oncology nurses were coming by to wish me Merry Christmas and congratulations on finishing up this week. They are truly a great, professional and fun group and have really made it somewhat enjoyable (if that makes any sense?) to go through chemotherapy with.

Before leaving today, my oncologist spoke with me about the follow-up again and said it would about early summer (if all goes well) when I'd be having the mediport implant removed. I'll have to be monitored closely for a short period, then every 6-8weeks I'll go in to have both mediports flushed (it's a dual catheter port). After that some PET/CT scans and my follow up scope check. My bloodcounts are expected to recover slowly, but my immune system is low and I'm still at risk for catching infections from others while in the early follow-up stages.

So, day 2, tomorrow (Tuesday)of the treatments, they'll disconnect the pump then start the IVs before re-connecting the pump for the last time and on Wednesday (in 2 days) it will be out for good!

Now it's siesta time.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I bet he doesn't say that to all the patients. Judging by the job you've done here I'd say you'd be absolutely ideal for talking newcomers through it and getting them to look positively at the whole thing.

Nearly there, Mike! Then it's the gradual recovery process from here on.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Very best wishes to you - C

I concur Mike! You're a good man!

Prayers and spiritual music for your full return to robust strength and complete healing, at the 3 PM Mass being played Christmas Eve.

"This bass player's for YOU."

At St. Daniel the Prophet Parish, Wheaton, Illinois, USA