Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 31 May 14 - 12:10 AM

It's the wee hours of Saturday morning EDT. Has anyone heard anything about his condition?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 May 14 - 12:40 PM

Thinking of Dan...

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 30 May 14 - 07:41 AM

Dan is the man. Aces in my books. Kind, generous, caring... could not know finer. When I saw his email box was full when I got failure notices, I was concerned. More so now. Dan... ya just gotta get better again. Thoughts, prayers and love to you, buddy.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 May 14 - 04:51 AM

sending love & hugs to the wonderful Old Dude.

A few friends have had that surgery so I know it takes quite a while to feel better.

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 May 14 - 10:11 PM

Can't turn around no more without Spaw or Old Dude or somebody being sick or surgeried or...wait, I was surgeried a little bit back a ways.

You two just STOP being sick and surgeried or I'm gonna come out there and know the reason why!!! You hear me? I said, DO YOU HEAR ME?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 29 May 14 - 09:00 PM

My good thoughts are aimed straight at Spaw and Old Dude--and lots of others, too!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 29 May 14 - 08:44 PM

UP Spaw! Haven't uncrossed any appendages or the eyes yet. Do they know yet how the counts look?

Holding our darlin' Dan close in my thoughts.

For all....A little help from my friends

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 29 May 14 - 07:44 PM

Sins, I am so gladdened for you! And also for your son. Beaming good thoughts his way and all hope for his journey on the seas of recovery.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 29 May 14 - 07:42 PM

Dan is one of the best, and one of those whom I've been fortunate to meet in person a couple of years ago.

Sins, that is so good to hear.

And "Up Spaw", and Up all the crew.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 May 14 - 07:24 PM

WOW......First to Wendy with my thanks for such a wonderful post.

AND SINS!!!!! Simply unbelievable is all I can say but I do have some inkling of how you feel. May the feeling hold and get even better.

Bottom dropped out for me the day after I posted but we're coming back. Not sure where the problem is, whether I lost the balance or the daccogen has some strange twists to it.....Whatever it is I got a couple of pints and and we're going along fine.

NEED GOOD AND GOODER THOUGHTs FOR OLD DUDE !!!!

Dan is going in Friday for a single bypass surgery. I would have hoped the Robotic surgeries would have been everywhere by now but they will be cracking his chest which takes some recovery time. Stint doesn't do it so....Let's all send some good vibes to St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania for our old friend. I love this guy a lot and I know you do too.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 14 - 10:29 AM

New thread... Liz the Squeak is back on Mudcat! The thread is 'Hello chaps...'.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 28 May 14 - 08:55 PM

That's wonderful, SINSULL!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 May 14 - 07:08 PM

amazing & encouraging posts from Wendy, Bassen, ChaneyLass & Sins - not that I'm surprised to read such lovely thoughts & inspiring posts (YAH!, Sins) - not that I'm unaccustomed to shedding a tear ...

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 14 - 01:00 PM

My post did not post. Drat! It was for Wendy, Bassen, Nigel and others and all it really said was "Thanks."

SINS... that is great news!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 May 14 - 12:44 PM

Came in to say Hi to Spaw.
And to share some amazing news - my son is in a rehab where they emphasize self discovery. Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, relaxation etc as well as traditional 12 steps. He is a new person. Calls and writes me twice a week. Leaves early morning messages on my cell phone and asks for nothing. For the first time in almost 20 years I think he will be OK.
What a joy to laugh and talk and share with him.
SINS

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 May 14 - 09:07 PM

Bassen, I am not a performer, but after reading your post I think that sometimes one audience member is all that is needed--if it's the right audience member.

One of the best folk music concerts I ever went to was several years ago at the folk music coffeehouse I go to most often. It was the last performance taking place before Christmas, and it was pouring outside. Only about five audience members showed up in addition to the volunteers. The performer asked us to move up to the front. Then she had the sound system turned off. Now that's acoustic! She sang songs with choruses for us to sing along on, and sing we did.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: bassen
Date: 27 May 14 - 09:18 AM

My choir performed in the old Norwegian mining town Røros last Saturday. That's a five hour drive one way from where I live. The turn out was okay and Røros itself is always worth a visit. On our way home we held a concert in Hov church at Sunndalsøra. We had bitched about this because we would rather have held two concerts in Røros, but our director had arranged the concert and that was that. The turn out was miserable and we felt that, once again, we were putting a lot of effort into something almost nobody appreciates. But there was one young woman who came in just before the concert started; she sat through the first segment with Haydn Missa Brevis and Mozart Laudate Dominum with her eyes closed. The second segment with soloist and piano the same. When the choir started again, we sang movements IV and V from Brahms' Requiem; her tears started to flow. For those unfamiliar with it, the Requiem was composed as a work of comfort and reconciliation. These two movements are the most lyrical and melodious parts. I'm convinced she came to our concert for the comfort the music could give her. I felt ashamed for our thoughts about not more people showing up. We sang for her that afternoon, all else was immaterial.

And Spaw, I've been around the Cat almost as long as you. I was never much of an active contributor, but it felt like home to me too. I miss the good old days they say never happened. You're one of the reasons I've stuck around as long as I have. If I can echo your wit, good writing and raucous humor back at you in any that helps you now, consider it done.

Bassen

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 26 May 14 - 08:01 PM

Thank you, Wendy, for your post.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 26 May 14 - 06:10 PM

Thank you Wendy. You spelled it out with such non-judgemental clarity.

Up Spaw.

Up All.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 26 May 14 - 06:06 PM

Hi Rainbow crew,

I put this on my facebook today, thought I would share here because I know you are the most caring and supportive people I know, please feel free to send or share this with anyone who needs help looking after a loved one with Dementia.

Last week the media was full of reports about Dementia, since my father died three years ago Billy and I have been looking after my lovely mum, she came to live with us and, as family and friends know, her dementia has progressed in stages. In November she had a fall which she has in her body recovered remarkably well, but her Dementia has become such a liability that she needs 24 hour , one on one care. This is not a rant from me, I am very lucky that we have wonderful private carers that sit with mum when I am at work and by her bed every night. I also have a wonderful daughter, son and stepson so BB and I can escape to their homes for a day or weekend. I am hoping you will read this because I am very aware of carers who have no such support, who carry on day by day looking after a loved one and are almost prisoners in their own home. They may not have been told about Admiral nurses ( I have my wonderful Admiral Nurse Sam who I can phone or meet for coffee and ask for advice) They may have family and friends who are unaware of the loneliness of spending your life caring for someone who really is no longer the person they know.I remember at my father's funeral my mother's friends promising to see her every week and take her out to lunch and, yes you guessed we haven't seen them since. Lots of good intentions that I am sure were heartfelt at the time.If you know someone who is looking after a loved one with Dementia just think on this......... call by to spend one hour for a cup of tea and tell them to soak in a lovely bath, or have time to weed their garden, or nip upstairs to hoover the bedrooms or clean the bath. All these simple things are impossible to do when you need to be alert to a vunerable relative who must not be left alone for a minute. I am lucky, we have friends who understand that we can no longer go out in the evenings as we used to, they call by for a cup of tea or just for a good old gossip. One lovely friend brings the dinner party to our house ( we do do the washing up ) So please on this bank holiday take a minute to phone a friend and arrange to give them an hour of your time and make them know that care. Have a lovely day xxx

Hope you did not mind me posting this? But sending love to anyone who is in the same place as me and may not have the love and support I have.

Wendy xxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 26 May 14 - 04:59 AM

Nigel has a gift of putting into words everything we are wishing and thinking.

UP SPAW

sending love and sunny days

sailing on in calm waters

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 May 14 - 04:34 AM

beautifully said, Nigel

UP, spaw - hugs & kisses to you & Karen

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 25 May 14 - 05:56 AM

My Dear Spaw...that's one helluva post...I've got everything crossed I can cross without falling over! Your determination & fortitude in the face of such adversity marks you out as a Man of unfailing courage. I can but sit here in awe...thinking...wishing...hoping for every scrap of positive change. Drink deep from the Water of Life. Turn your face to the sun...feel the breeze as it ruffles your hair...hold Karen close & remember, there are many here who love you. Many here who would rush to your side & stand shoulder to shoulder...up, up UP on the barricades, fighting your battles with you.
             My Dear Friend, you are in my thoughts constantly, each & every day,
                                                   With Love,
                                                                  Nigel
                                                                  xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 May 14 - 09:07 PM

Yes, UP, SPAW! Stay focused, and stay UP on our ship's highest yard!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 24 May 14 - 12:42 PM

"This is serious progress." UP SPAW!

BTW... I know how it is with Cat scratchin. That's been my problem too.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 May 14 - 09:46 AM

So...............Whatever you can cross, keep crossed.

This is the end of another chemo week and that has always been my lowest point. Made changes in daily meds and diet to better work the balance between the CHF, Intestinal thickening, COD, and the MDS. Today (and this week) I feel better than I have in a couple of years.....and even before the MDS. I look better, have a lot more energy, less O2 demand..went out and ran around yesterday PM and didn't even pack any along....Hard to tell what happens next.

We'll see what the numbers do over the next couple of weeks and know more then. Balancing this crap is a hell of a juggling act and about half of it I know as much about what to do as the Docs. We upped the Lasix but with the water being the best source for stool softeners and the thickening of the intestinal walls, the added Lasix took that water away as well. So I modified my diet. Then I modified the Lasix dosage (okayed by the my cardio guy) to some alternate day dosage levels and things are moving, so to speak.LOL Better yet, there seems to be no fluid at all around my heart....This is serious progress.

Then add that the current chemo has a strong fatigue factor and so is then accompanied by a steroid has obviously helped. I really wanna' see the numbers now....Keep 'em all crossed Folks.

I know, and you should too so there's no confusion, MDS is not curable but I going to buy all the time with Karen I can. While this past year has been great together, there has been far too many 10 day periods of chemo misery and many days spent low in numbers before I can get blood. Nobody my age beats this. Not Nora Ephrom, not Carl Sagan, and not me. But June the 8th is my birthday and my wish is for one more year and especially one where I feel like I do now. Next year I'll repeat that and see how long we can do it!

Sorry, I'm still pissed over the 'Cat but that's just because I do really miss what it once was. Time passes, things change, and as Tom Wolfe wrote, you can't go home again. I'll get over it.......

Hugs once again for the crew here and follow Nigel's good advice: Set the sails...splice the mainbrace...plot a course for the sun.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 24 May 14 - 05:41 AM

So glad you're back, Spaw. We need you here. I echo your sentiments: "But I can't leave this place alone for what it means and the reasons for this thread". It's been a frustrating time with the Cat's performance, but today, everything seems hunky-dory.
ChanteyLass, I couldn't agree more with your comments about Janie's post.
Janie, I reckon Social Work must be one of the most challenging callings. Impossible not to 'take some of your clients issues home', no matter how hard you try. The caring doesn't stop when you leave to go back to the office or finish for the day & despite your best efforts, 'the system' falls short...that's tough...really tough...on so many levels.
         Sending Love, Hugs & Kisses to you All,
                      Set the sails...splice the mainbrace...plot a course for the sun,
                                                                                                                  Nigel
                                                                                                                  xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 23 May 14 - 05:08 PM

Up Spaw

xxxxx

Wendy

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 May 14 - 05:48 AM

The Cat has been frustratingly sloooooooooooooooow - but it is always worth getting here.

Max has ordered a new server - see thread "This page can't be displayed"

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 22 May 14 - 08:27 PM

Janie, I think your post is appropriate. This thread seems to me to be about caring, and while most of us post about caring for ourselves or people close to us, I'm glad there are people like you who care enough to be upset when people you are not close to need care you cannot provide despite all your efforts. That must be incredibly frustrating.

Spaw, stick around! I'll be happy to read your posts when you can manage them, but if they don't "take," come back some other day. Don't keep trying and letting frustration build. (At least, that's how it works for me!)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 May 14 - 04:18 PM

I feel terrible about not being here more often but 3d got pretty tough for awhile. I couldn't take all the slowness of the 'Cat and I've thought about just saying goodbye to the fine old girl as I the darlin' cat is but a shadow of what once was. But thinking about it kept making me want to come back just for this thread which I have been reading but on the several posting occasions I had to wait and wait and it dropped my messages.

But I can't leave this place alone for what it means and the reasons for this thread. So I promise you all I will be here and post at least twice a week. I'll let you know what's going on here and maybe just offer up some still pretty good SpawHugs.

I love you all.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 22 May 14 - 02:18 PM

we have a lot to do with SW,s ,as foster carers, and they all seem to be under pressure with more cases than they can cope with in a normal working week. they are often piggy in the middle, trying to get resources and finance from ever tightening purse strings. then there is the blame game, where either they should of taken a child into care, or if they do, they are too heavy handed. not the most straightforward of jobs.
blessings...and wisdom!       pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 May 14 - 04:42 AM

sending hugs to you & good wishes for your clients

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 21 May 14 - 11:20 PM

Not particularly appropriate to this thread, which is more of a personal nature....I'm a social worker, 40+ years. Very tough day, but not nearly as tough for me as for the family in need of support on a number of levels that simply are not available.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 May 14 - 09:20 PM

Rise up singing!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 20 May 14 - 06:06 AM

Nice posts! Bless all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 19 May 14 - 02:26 PM

that must have been special for you, wendy.
blessings all    pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 18 May 14 - 02:13 PM

Nigel, guess what, there are people in the sea!! Crazy or what? We were at the hut Thursday, all day yesterday and this afternoon. Billy took Bunny and Pru " shrimping" no catch but pebbles! But we enjoyed a lovely family lunch in the sun. Walton doesn't change when you are on the beach, still see fathers and uncles braving the cold North sea. The town is a little run down but still has memories of lovely summers for me.

It is three years today that my dear father passed away so we took mum to the cemetery to put flowers on his place of rest. Amazing ,she knew where we were and why!! We all shed a few tears, but later she sat in the garden and her beautiful smile shone through. ( pics on my FB page, please feel free to find me, I still cannot blue clicky, so Rainbow crew I am Wendy Ann Simon on FB)

We are sitting in the garden enjoying the evening sunshine with roast lamb smell wafting from the kitchen.
Life is good!!

sailing on

much love

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 May 14 - 11:11 AM

Nigel, I enjoyed reading about your pleasant memories. I could visualize everything.

Janie, about that video--I wish I could do that!

Frogprince, I too have seen April and I think she did sing, play fiddle, and dance simultaneously, but only briefly. This was further complicated by the fact that she needed a cord attached to her fiddle because for some reason whatever she uses to transmit her fiddle sound cordlessly wasn't working that night. She had to do all three things without tripping over the cord.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,gnu w/o cookie
Date: 18 May 14 - 10:31 AM

Having a hard time to get to the thread and, even then, to get pages to load properly so I can see the posting box. Soooo, if I don't post much, it's Mudcat's fault. I hope seas are calm for all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 17 May 14 - 09:13 PM

We saw April live a few years ago in a house concert. She danced and fiddled at the same time. She also fiddled and sang at the same time. I kept expecting her to dance, fiddle, and sing at the same time, but if she ever does that she didn't that night. : )

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 17 May 14 - 06:15 PM

did they tap into a ginger baker drum solo maybe...

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 16 May 14 - 09:42 PM

Hope you enjoy!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 16 May 14 - 09:32 PM

Lovely vision. Trust it was a lovely day.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 16 May 14 - 10:27 AM

I'm visualising Wendy & Billy, down at the beach hut. The sea would be far too cold in which to swim, but I think I could be persuaded to get my toes wet. I'm reminded too, of family holidays, spent at Walton (Just down the coast from Frinton)...beach cricket...woollen bathing costumes...sand in the sandwiches...candy-floss...our old, very unreliable car...my Father rushing headlong down the beach & performing a spectacular 'racing dive' (I was always impressed, no matter how many times he 'encored')...my Mother sitting in a deck chair, suitably unimpressed by my Father's antics...simple pleasures from a simpler time...memories I dearly treasure.
                         With Love,
                                        Nigel
                                        xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 May 14 - 09:54 PM

Mmm. Wine. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 15 May 14 - 07:12 AM

Beautiful day in Frinton, finished work for the day, mother is at the day centre so Billy and I are going to take our lunch down to the beach hut and enjoy the sound of the sea.May even have a glass of wine?

Hope you all have a peaceful and healthy day,

Love to all the crew

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 May 14 - 11:41 PM

Back up!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 May 14 - 06:34 AM

Beautifully put, Janie. I too have experienced the frustration of 'the Cat stuck in the Mud'. I have zero understanding of the technical complexities with which Max has to contend & would feel churlish if I complained. I don't contribute to the running costs as often as I should; something I intend to rectify. I get out more than I put in...that imbalance tweaks my conscience & needs to be sorted, pdq!
          Greetings, Love & Hugs to you all from sunny London,
                                     Nigel (Ann's in NC with her daughter) xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 13 May 14 - 11:37 AM

so well expressed, Janie.
blessings all    pete.