Barry Finn in hospital (July-Aug 2005)

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 04:52 PM

Hi Barry ; Great news .You've had a tough time of .But things are sounding good .I wiil look forward to seeing you again and sharing some songs again.I still remember you singing your own song on board the Whaler in the wee hours just before dawn.I want to hear it again!
We are all rooting for you this side of the Pond as well.
               All our best wishes and prayers are with you
                            Mike and Tony [ and the Gaffer..Roy ]

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 08:28 PM

Heh...reading a few of the latest jokes, it's clear Barry's new liver ain't the only thing churnin' out bile... 8-)

Glad to hear the good news, and continued prayers and healthy thoughts!

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: radriano
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 12:18 PM

It's great to hear such wonderful news.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Ferrara
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 01:51 PM

Just a thought about something I should have realized days ago: Some of Barry's friends might like to send some healing thoughts, energy, songs, prayers or whatever feels right for Barry's liver donors and their families. The first miracle with an organ transplant is always the fact that someone was generous enough to make the organ donation. I know that even though I'm not a churchgoer I always felt comforted and grateful when anyone told me they had been praying for my donor family.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Anglo
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 01:54 PM

Well, I just heard the news, and I think it's great. Congrats Barry, Long life and happiness.
John

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Janie
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 02:14 PM

Rita,

I had similar thoughts but didn't think about suggesting it here. Thanks!

Barry and Justine--still a'prayin' and a'pullin' for you.

Janie

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 04:40 PM

Hip hip hooray for Barry's liver! I'm so glad, and join the Mudcat chorus singing songs of joy and relief. Rita, I've been thinking of the donors, too. My daughter filled out her application for a driver's license today (shudder) and checked off the "donor" box- good girl.

Blessings on you, Barry, and you, too, Justine.

Allison

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Dani
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 09:18 PM

Yes, thanks for bringing it up. Had a conversation with my daughter, who knows other folks who've had transplants, both successful and not. We talked about donors and families, and remembered to talk among each other so EVERYONE knows when you're a donor.

ALL in our prayers.

Dani

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Janie
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 06:28 PM

Any word on how he's doing?

Janie

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Col K
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 06:35 PM

Great news about the transplant and the new liver pinking up so quickly, I hope that everything keeps on improving and that Barry gets back singing soon. Music is a very good healer.
Positive thoughts are winging their way across the pond, good luck to Barry and keep yourself well Justine.
All the best
Col K (Shellbacker)

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: JudyB
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 10:08 AM

How are things going? We think of both of you often, and are sending positive energy your way.

All the best,
JudyB & Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 12:39 PM

Very encouraging news!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Ferrara
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:03 PM

It seems Barry's doing well with the new liver. They expect he'll be going home soon (five days or so if all goes well!)

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:07 PM

Ferrara-

Thanks for the update. Mudcat has been mostly down these last few days and I was not expecting to learn very much over the weekend.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: JudyB
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:09 PM

What wonderful news - thanks so much for passing it on!

JudyB

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: beardedbruce
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:11 PM

Thanks, Rita!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Janie
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:38 PM

Great to hear!

Janie

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 09:58 PM

Thank you again for all the support, wishes, and kind thoughts. Barry was taken off the respirator the day before yesterday and has done better everyday since. He immediately began singing a song from a Tom Lewis tape that was playing. It was hysterical. He is still in the ICU, but we expect good things from here on in. He is also still a little confused, but very entertaining.

Thank you all, too, for the encouragement you have sent my way. I would love to be able to tnank you individually, but there are so many. And thanks to Mario and Jacqui for the beautiful shawl. I'm not really the type of person to say this, but when it arrived and I put it on, I literally felt a warm embrace from all of Barry's Mudcat friends. Barry is very lucky to have all of you. Justine

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:54 PM

Third liver. This should give him permanent possession. (We all hope)

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:56 PM

Great news. Keep up the good work, Barry!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:05 PM

well, of COURSE he was singing the first chance he had! *grin*...when did confusion ever interfere with singing?

great news...such VERY great news!

go, Barry...

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Celtaddict
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:46 PM

I love the thought of Tom Lewis songs being belted out in the Unit! (Assuming belting because I don't think Barry has any other settings...)
Good news all round and hope it keeps up! Thanks for keeping us posted; best to you both!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: jeffp
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 08:58 AM

Absolutely amazing! You can't keep a good man down. Well Done, Barry.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 09:27 AM

FANTASTIC! And I agree with the belting - besides - most tom lewis songs require belting.

'minds me of the time I got hauled into hospital after I passed out with low blood sugar one night; and while waiting for the blood tests to come back sat there and sang two hours of renaissance faire pub songs.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 09:40 AM

Yeah!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 09:44 AM

deep sigh of relief. Welcome back, Barry

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 10:32 AM

Ditto the above. Now you can concentrate a litle more on yourself Justine. Look after yourself please.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 01:52 PM

Wonderful! Great relief. Get WEll soon.
alice

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 02:04 PM

Singing in the ICU! That is real class! It shows a strong spirit, and I hope your body is getting strong, too.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Metchosin
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 02:04 PM

Wow!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Ferrara
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 02:46 PM

Oh yes wow. Barry you're incredible.

After I got my heart AND was out of the ICU (I'm not as precocious as Barry ...) they gave me a little tube thing I was supposed to blow into and make the ball bounce in order to clear out and strengthen my lungs.

I didn't like that tube thing. I decided to sing. I didn't actually belt anything out, because I hadn't had much breath for a long time and also I wasn't sedated any longer, so was aware of the neighboring rooms. But it was wonderful to be able to sing at all after months of not having the breath for it! I tried to find songs that would take a lot of breath, fast bouncy stuff. (It was late October and I remember singing Deck the Halls and God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.) The lady came back and I blew into the tube and she said I didn't need to use it any more, my lungs were doing great. I never did use it.... This proves once again that that singing is good for one's health.

Keep singing Barry!

Rita F

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 03:05 PM

The news just keeps getting better and better. We like it!

Give the lug an extra hug from us! And one for yourself!

Cheerily
Charley Noble & JudyB

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 04:41 PM

Great news, Barry!

...and huzzah, MMario!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: JudyB
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 09:08 PM

Sounds like Mudcat may be stabilizing a bit, so I thought I'd refresh this and see if there was any more news. It sounded as if he might be coming home sometime this week, so I've got my fingers crossed!

JudyB

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Ferrara
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 09:32 PM

Well it would be grand if Barry could get home soon. If he was still in the ICU last Saturday though, it could still be a while. It varies from person to person, but they may decide to be a little extra conservative. After all, Barry's just had two bouts of major surgery, and had the extra burden of liver failure until the second liver was found.

Well I sure hope it's soon. Barry I hope you break all records for a rapid recovery now.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Pauline L
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:07 PM

Rita, you are so right about the physiological benefits of singing. I had a bad respiratory infection several years ago and I couldn't sing. (I've never been able to sing well, but that's another story.) I called my method Low Impact Aerobic Singing. I started singing something gentle, and when I could do that, I progressed to High Impact Aerobic Singing. I worked for a long time on Mary Ellen Carter, a real belt-it-out song. I learned to pace myself so that I could sing the entire song. That was hard. When I could do it, I kept doing it for a while. Then I worked on singing the same song one octave higher, which took more breath, and paced myself until I could do it. It certainly felt good to be able to do it.

I really don't mean to divert the discussion from Barry and his recovery. I just want to say that singing in the ICU is wonderful. I hope it means that his body and his spirirt are both strong.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 03:14 PM

Keep 'er to the weather!!! Continued thoughts and prayers.

g

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Pauline L
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 10:33 PM

I'm refreshing this thread because I really hope Barry continues to feel stronger and better and I really hope someone will tell us about it.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: JudyB
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 10:32 AM

Refreshing and hoping all is going well and that we'll get an update soon.

Reading the last few posts, I have a vision of Barry marching (slowly) down the hospital corridor with the requisite tubes trailing behind, singing a shanty version of "Deck the Halls" at the top of his lungs! It's an interesting image!

We're thinking of you both often, and sending energy your way.

Love to you both,
JudyB & Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 10:43 PM

Barry has continued to improve each day. He was transferred today to Spaulding Rehabilitation long term acute care facility. We have no reason to think that he will not enjoy a complete recovery. His room overlooks the Charles River, with a view of the boats going back and forth. He was a little too tired to appreciate it after the transfer, but I know he'll be enthused about it tomorrow. There is also a beautiful waterfront park that belongs to the hospital. Barry now has the complete Mudcat thread printed out, and is reading a little of it each day. He loves it, and feels very lucky to have all of you. He'll be working hard in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and possibly speech (he's a little hoarse after being intubated so long). If I know Barry, he'll be home well before the rehab predicts. So, good news all around on this front. Thanks for everything, Justine

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: KathWestra
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 10:46 PM

Praise be! Thank you so much, Justine, for taking the time to tell us this terrific news so late on a Tuesday night. Give Barry my love, and tell him there's love pouring in from all over the world to help his healing along. This is just wonderful. Huge virtual hugs.
Kathy

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:06 PM

That is such good news!

We'll look for you both at a future Shanty Sing

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: bbc
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:17 PM

Oh, Justine, thanks so much for the update! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been checking each day for news. I'm thrilled that he is progressing well. Give him our love & tell him to keep up the good fight of which we know he is capable!

love & hugs,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: RiGGy
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:33 PM

Stay outta da rivah, Barry !

Riggy

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:35 PM

Justine...his many, many friends appreciate the updates, and look forward to Barry finally getting home and updating us himself in one long paragraph with little punctuation...*grin*...we will read it with joy and tease him unmercifully.

I know this will take time after two surgeries in a row, but we are a semi-patient bunch when a good buddy is recovering! I, as well as others,REALLY hope to see him at a Getaway again....

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: curmudgeon
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 06:25 AM

Grand news indeed, Justine !    Here's hoping he progresses as you predict; we are going to need his voice at the Portsmouth Maritme Folk Festival -- Tom

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 08:05 AM

Justine-

Thanks so much for posting this update. We'll be thinking of you and Barry this weekend while we're singing with our friends.

Give the lug an extra hug from us!

Cheerily,
Charlie and Judy

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 10:27 AM

Barry - lobster boil on Saturday. Are you up for one? Justine too.
Mary

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 11:10 AM

Its always a downer to hear of a Folkie having troubles , but a REAL uplift to hear the the situation is improving !! All the best to you Barry !

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 11:10 AM

Oh yes !! and 200 !!