Friday, July 10, 2009

True Blood

Friday morning
Pandora is saving my life...listening to Debussy, Faure, Albeniz, Mompeau, Satie...
I can't deal with TV...too much... to much weird energy.

My last bag of chemo will be hung in a few minutes, and then I'll get a transfusion... true blood, and not the Japanese vamp food in handy six packs.....

This round of chemo is not nearly the hammer that the last round was.  I generally feel good, even a bit wound up because of the steroids that compliment the chemo, so sometimes it's hard to relax and fall asleep.  I've also discovered that exercise is a big help, especially when feeling a bit on the low energy side...fight the fatigue.   I use those big exercise bands, especially for upper body work, and there's a stationary bike that faces a window to the east of the hospital.  Great for evening lightning watches.  I did 25 minutes last night.  Felt great.

"The Elegance of the Hedgehog".  If you need a good book.  Finished it yesterday.  Beauty, art, and being your authentic self.  I loved this book.  The first 50 or so pages left me wondering if it was the most pretentious book I'd ever read, but after that, look out, the story turns, and the reason for reading is glorious.  The writing, sublime.

16 comments:

  1. Thinking about you this tropical mornin.

    I'm glad to hear the chemo is easier this time.Not that you would want to become experienced...but it is good to have a better understanding of what is to come and how you will feel. The whole uncertainty is so stressful.

    I have recommended The Elegance of the Hedgehog to a dear friend of mine in Denver. He is a great writer and always enjoys knowing about a good read. Thanks

    I got my Costa Rican residency yesterday. It has been lots of paperwork, money and attorneys..never a good combo...but we "got er done". Now I can pay one dollar for all the Natl Parks (there's a lot of them) and stand in the short line for senior citzens and residents!! I am offically a card carrying Tica and don't have to leave the country every 90 days. Whooo hooo!!

    Tengo buen dia mi amigo y mi prima!!

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  2. Hey guys...I'm leaving for the airport. I am going to Albuquerque for a week. My sister in law had a serious heart incident and John's brother has a hard time managing on his own. He has to do diayalisis 3 times a week.

    Got lots to be thankful for. I will be thinking of you. More later!!
    love diana

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  3. Here in New Mexico..great chance to eat some rice and beans....hmm wait a minute!!

    Thinking about you today.
    diana

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  4. Hey Lee, Sue and I are thinking of you. Hang in there my friend.

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  5. Good morning. I have been in the hospital with my sister in law for the last couple of days.I think of you often. I hope you are resting at home.

    The weather here in ABQ is similar to Denver, the air feels the same to me. The early mornings are beautiful. Today I am going to imagine you sitting outside and drinking a cup of coffee with my friend and cousin.

    diana

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  6. Today I can smell sage. It wafts thru the air and makes me imagine Indian tacos, fry bread, pinon nuts and Hatch chiles. The Indian peoples are so interesting. I like to listen to the halted cadence of their speech, almost a click. John and I have great memories of being on the reservations and pawn shops buying rugs and jewelry. The Crown Point rug auction was one of my favorite things to do.
    I will be thinking about you today. The peaches are ripe here. We don't have them in Costa Rica so my goal is to get sick of peaches!!
    love you guys-
    diana

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  7. Mr. Lee,

    We are sending all good vibes from New Hampshire! Glad to hear you're doing better with the treatments. We love you, my friend.

    JAMIE & NANCY

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  8. Dearest
    Oh, goodness. Has taken me hours to figure out how to send you a message and have written and lost 3 now. One more time. What a goof I am with this technology.

    I just recorded Elegance of the Hedgehog at work! so gorgeous. I loved it. Best book i've recorded in forever there. whaddayasay we install a musical flushing device in you place tomake you laugh lots? In the meantime, that music you're listening to is HEALING you. you're chooding those pieces for a reason.Trust that. Trust your angels, and your amazing dreams. Are you doing any Reiki? energy work of any knd?
    What can I do, lee? carol? when Ariana is not sick, I'd like to come visit you. You say when.
    If you want some happy music, and feel up tan outing at that point, come to our big Tango show. on us, of course, on 31sti and 1st. I'll sing Chiquilin just for you!

    Know I'm thinking of you all the time. Love you!!!! Gabriella

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  9. Today is a doctor appt day with my sister in law. It is always good to have a second set of ears to listen. Funny how one goes deaf when a doctor starts talking I am thinking about you and Carol today. I wish I could be there to help wash dishes, read stories, make beds, pick flowers, brew coffee and bring you fresh picked daisies and a glass of orange juice. If I coulda I woulda *)

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  10. Yo Bro...glad this round is leaving you feeling better than the last go round. And know that the music has to be healing. Flying back and forth to Beijing and on the plane they have the music on demand...14 hour flight. Listened to Ella, Bach, Mozart, Crosby Stills and Nash...all because I could. And loved it. And re-realized, how great it is to put on a pair of headphones and just go to another place for a while with great music, because you can. Know you know how to do that better than any of us. Love you, Ray

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  11. Checking in on you. Thinking about you. Kiss my cousin.

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  12. Hey Lee,
    London was wonderful, here in Lisbon, the mirror neuron presentation was a hit, and I have publication offer - first version due 11/1 Yikes! Lisbon is fantastic. We are finally finding our way around, and we have to leave tomorrow. Sigh I have another read for you: Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier. You will love it. I would send my copy, but first, I'm in Lisbon, second I'm not done with it yet, and third - - - well I may have to hold on to this one. It's just too good. Thinking of you and sending all my good thoughts. Continue to feel good. Love you lots!

    Bonnie

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  13. Getting ready to leave New Mexico and head home. I miss the jungle. When I first go back I feel my skin drinking in the moisture and my soul filling up.
    Wish I could have come to Denver, seems a shame to be so close and so far away.
    Please know I am thinking about you.
    Kiss my cousin :)

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  14. Well, it took our lame-asses so long to get on board that we're afraid the u.s.s. Stametz-beats-shitty-cancer has already sailed and you're back with chitty2bang2 by now! We are sorry... bad friends! Very bad!

    I played a run of "Quilters" in the stage theater until mid July, and I gotta tell you, if it ain't got Lee Stametz in it, it just ain't worth it for me... no one even broke any piano strings! What the hell. Seriously though, so glad to hear that you're feeling energetic... miss jamming with you, brother: any pianos in that joint? Don't forget to include a couple of cellos in your victory recital once you're all fixed and pimped!

    We're thinking of you and are here for you if we can do anything... just holler!

    All our love,

    Charles and Elle

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  15. Hey Lee,

    I've been sitting here watching an awesome sunset tonight while doing some damage control on my 3rd iPhone. Thang goodness for warranty plan!

    Glad to hear this round of chemo has been treating you much kinder.

    Exercise is good for the mind, body and spirit...Keep up the good work:)
    Thinking of you....Much Love,
    K & S

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  16. Lee...Knock their socks off tonight with Chitty!

    Abosolutely thrilled your on the stand!

    Love...Ray

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