BS: Rick's health Update

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 May 03 - 11:34 AM

What can I say but keep on folkin'

Keeping your pecker up is more British but not realy apt given what they have been doing to you...;-)

Good luck and cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: GUEST,Mr Red (grateful for his excellent health)
Date: 29 May 03 - 10:28 AM

Good to see you have been looking-up old friends.

Apart from that ............ ?

Keep smiling and keep fighting. The power of positive thought.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: RichM
Date: 29 May 03 - 10:13 AM

Hope you have a good summer, Rick.
Many years ago, I had radiation treatment, and 3 years of chemotherapy at 6 week intervals. Wasn't much fun, but life was, and is still sweet.

Take care of yourself, and Heather too.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: kendall
Date: 29 May 03 - 10:11 AM

If you let the hypocrites keep you out of church, they will also keep you out of heaven. (Mrs. Lester Savage)

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:48 AM

Well shit Rick, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. However you seem to have the right attitude about it and I think that can make a whole deal of difference in these situations. Keep your chin up pal surround yourself with friends, laugh and eat lots of the green stuff. Den

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:34 AM

Thanks guys and gals1

And Escamillo....great to hear from you. The rest of the folks are my familiar Mudcat buddies but I don't see your name around much. Hope things are going as well as they can wayyyyy down South.

Hi Jerry....I've got nothing against God, just his wealthy TV Scamsmen and his prominent Political icons who always manage to do the wrong thing. Had Billy Graham marched with King almost half a century ago, instead of feeding info to J. Edgar Hoover, I might have been a Church-goer myself now, rather than a cynic, ha ha!

*******************************************************************

Another reason for keeping mum on quite a few details was simply the business I'm in. Word spreads fast to agents and you don't want them to think you're unreliable.
BUTTTT... the fact is...I've had to cancel a whole British tour (Put together in many ways by Roy Harris, Bill Sables, and harvey Andrews, as well as Heather) and numerous American gigs. I simply have had to be near Toronto for my treatments. If I get through this, boy, am I gonna have one gala tour!

*********************************************************************

I've figured out that thanks to the Canadian Health system I've recieved well over 250 thousand bucks worth of treatment including specialists, medicines, and big expensive machines. As anyone here knows, it's far from perfect (there can be long waits) and it may be on it's last legs as we're forced into an American economy. By the way, if I lived in the States, it would have been game over very early. Income-wise, we'd be close to the bottom of the barrel, and once the house was sold to pay for the initial kidney operation, we'd be completely up shit creek.

******************************************************************

Anyway, I'm in no pain, I'll find out at the end of August whether the chemo has actually done any good, and in the mean time, I've been lucky enough to be around for another great summer sittin' out back in the garden (which Heather is busy workin' on....should be in great shape in another two weeks) playin' banjo, and sayin' 'hello' to whoever drops by that day. It could be worse!

Mudcatter support means a lot.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: GUEST,Sorcha
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:30 AM

Thanks for the update and don't let the bastards get you down!

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Áine
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:04 AM

Hey Sweet Thang!!

Glad to hear that you're fighting back. I think of you every day, and I'm holding a good thought for you and herself.

Big hogs and snugs to the both of ya'll, Áine

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Alba
Date: 29 May 03 - 07:50 AM

More Power to you Rick and to Heather as well.

Best Wishes.
A

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 03 - 06:06 AM

Thoughts and prayers. Hang tough.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 29 May 03 - 06:00 AM

Rick, hang in there mate! Thoughts and prayers from Elaine and me. ROY

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 May 03 - 04:41 AM

Well now, isn't that strange... I was only thinking yesterday afternoon that I'd not seen you about so much..... and wondering how you were, and here you are today!.

So. Not a lot we can really say is there.....

Take care dear, your circle has expanded to include half the western world, all hoping you keep your end up and defy medical science.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 May 03 - 04:06 AM

You won't want any jokes about proctologists looking up old friends so I'll just say I'll be thinking of you and Heather, cyberbuddy, and projecting positive thoughts. I miss your musical seminars on the Mudcat, even though I don't understand a damn word of them - at least I pick up the odd phrase to throw into the conversation when meeting musicians!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Micca
Date: 29 May 03 - 03:49 AM

Rick, best wishes from us (catsPHiddle and me) here in London too, you were so exactly like I expected when I met you( and so few people are), kindly, erudite, funny and one of the only people in the Universe that could keep me(a non-instrument player) interested for 2 hours in a seminar on "styles of picking"!!!!! Get well(even if its only to confound the medics), you can count on the support and love of Many friends We are all pulling for you and sending such energy or prayers, or whatever, to you and Heather

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: alanabit
Date: 29 May 03 - 03:46 AM

Look forward to seing you here more often in the near future. Sending positive thoughts from Cologne, Germany. Alan.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: kendall
Date: 29 May 03 - 01:49 AM

Rick, I'm absolutely convinced that the prayers and good thoughts of the Mudcatters helped me get through my ordeal. I see prayer as nothing more than positive energy. Positive energy heals, just as negative energy has the opposite effect.
You may also call me collect anytime my friend, and, I expect to see you at the Getaway.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Escamillo
Date: 29 May 03 - 01:48 AM

My thoughts are with you too, Rick. We expect a complete recovery very soon. I have been silent for a long time, since I lost my beloved wife to cancer on December 6. My life is gone, but I'm still here for my sons and I wish I could do something for my friends too.

When you read these lines from the Mudcat people, you'll find a lot of affection, but when you read Paw's comments, you'l find a lot of affection and a good laugh, which is the best medicine.

Un abrazo,
Andrés (in Buenos Aires)

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: karen k
Date: 29 May 03 - 12:31 AM

Rick,
Think about you alot. Understand a long haul like you're going through. Hope you'll be well enough to make the trek down to the Getaway in Oct. My best for a full recovery. Music and friends got me through.

love ya,
k

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 May 03 - 12:07 AM

Ah, Rick, as I have said, you just reverse the charges any time you might want to talk. It does seem that many of us are on similar but different roads. (Lately, I wish I had a perma-cath.) ;-) Since being diagnosed they tell me all I need do is get a P.S.A. blood test every six months. Just watch the situation close.

You know you've got my best wishes for a complete turnaround.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Night Owl
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:36 PM

Rick......thanks for letting us know what's happening there.

As sorry as I am to read this....I think your "Know yer body" approach
is important cuz your the ONLY one that really does.

Passing on some wisdom from a friend in Maine:
      
      "Any day I'm able to look at the leaves instead of the roots is a GOOD day."

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:33 PM

Rick I feel the need to add a few comments to your post. In case your mind is caved totally as well, my comments are the ones in italics.


Well, if it's true that what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, then I should be ready to bench press about five thousand pounds! Uh, yeah, well, don't count on it. In case your estimate is a bit off you could wind up with a double hernia on top of everything else

It's been an absolutely hell of a year health-wise around here, and I'll try to briefly (typing ain't a lot of fun these day) fill you in. Wonderful! Now I can quit lying to people who write and ask me about you! Also it generally takes about 4 or 5 of us comparing notes to figure out what is really going on anyway and this is an icredible pain in the ass.....as you are Rick....As some of you know I've been fighting kidney cancer which has sort of bounced around since my kidney-removal operation last year. This is the first time I recall hearing cancer compared to Flubber I'm currently on chemo-therapy and have had a "Porta-Cath" installed. Since Cletus, Paw, and the Reg Boys are in the porta-pottie business, Clete wanted me to ask if there was a way they might get in on this porta-cath business as well.... It's like having a 'fire hydrant' implanted in yourself, Did they also implant a Hook and Ladder truck? when there's a fire....they just hook up the hose! I wear a belly pack with a computer-chemo-pump, and they just plug it into the 'porta cath'. Now I have this mental image of a bunch of minaturized Dave Swans running around your innards squirting at balls of Flubber, a kind of conglomeration of "Backdraft" meets "Fantastic Voyage" with Pam Swan in the Raquel Welch part.

That's just the beginning!

So far this year, I've been:

irrigated four times (don't ask) I won't except to inquire whether you planted corn or soybeans.

Probed up both wazoos by those dreaded steel rods with cameras!! But aren't you happy that technology has kept pace? Otherwise it would be a Brownie Hawkeye on the end of wrought iron railing.

Endured successful bladder cancer surgery. Have you noticed that the surgery is the easiest part of these things?

Three bone scans I have only ONE bone I want scanned, Frankly this ain't nothin' but a good pickup line...."Hey Nurse.....Could you scan my bone for me?"

Four MRIs Manly Ruminant Insertions? Listen Rick, there ain't nothin' manly about shagging sheep regardless of what Kendall says. The Llahma ain't too manly either........

Four Ultra sounds Geeziz Keyriced!!!....You had to sit through four Ted Nugent concerts as well? Well hell, I dunno'......I suppose you needed something to do while shaggin' the sheep.

Two re-hydrations Actually I'm surprised it wasn't four what with the Nugent concerts and nailing the sheep and all.....

****************************************************************

I'm pretty much of a loner when it comes to dealing with sickness yeah, but how are you with perversions? (I absolutely HATE talking about ailments) so lots of good friends have had to deal with a minimum of information, No shit? Do ya' think? See the section above about your friends comparing notes....geeziz.....and for that I apologize, but we all have our ways of coping. Next time try a saw Some pray, some employ alternative healing techniques, and others go back to age-old remedies. I deal with a kind of "know yer body" approach and after you learned your body you were completely disgusted weren't you?, combined with LOTS of laughter and jokes (too many for some!! It's not the quantity Rick, it's the quality) and I'll probably get through this although it is no sure-thing, believe me. I should hope not!!! Otherwise our entire betting pool is thrown into a cocked hat and I'm pretty heavily invested..... Whatever happens, I'm dealing with it as best I can. Yeah right...As far as I can tell your treatment seems to consist of tiny El Swannos hosing Flubber while you bang sheep at Ted Nugent concerts. I dunno'.....it may work out for you!! I may not be on Mudcat as much as before but I'll probably still give a look in every couple of days until this chemo is over (September) Okay Rick, here's the deal....If you're feeling great, post ONE dozen times a week; if you're feeling poorly, post TWO dozen times a week; if you're dead, post THREE dozen times a week....hopefully then I'll get back to my favourite hobby on a regular basis.   Say what? Hobby? You're already bangin' the sheep ferchrissakes...

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:27 PM

Hey, Rick, sounds like what you need is a couple of weeks on the beach...

You're one of the treasures of this strange community, my friend. (There, how's that for a backhanded compliment?) Keep on keepin' on.
Aloha,
Mark

So this guy jumps off the Empire State Building. As he hurtles past the 49th floor, somebody standing by the window hears him say, "So far, so good!"

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:15 PM

Hi Rick, you going through all this I'd bet Heather has gone through the same if not more (at least that's what happened in our house). I hope you're both well. Rick, sometimes I'm asked "how are you" & often I reply "any day I'm on my feet is a good day" & it's true, you & I could be elsewhere. Rick, you're a very lucky man & I hope that lucky streak lasts you at least another live time. Best to you both, Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: CarolC
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:04 PM

I hope you know that my thoughts are with you Rick, as you deal with all of this, and also with Heather.

I was thinking about you a LOT this past week. I've been hanging out with a bunch of fine musicians and songwriters at the Kerrville Folk Festival, some of whom you know. JtS and I were sitting around the campfire at the Crow's Nest jam a couple of nights ago with Trevor Mills and Aengus Finnan (and several other very talented and funny people). I kept thinking about you and wishing you and Heather had been sitting there with us.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 03 - 11:02 PM

Rick,

I hope this doesn't mean that you'll quit cooking! We've had such wonderful discussions around your culinary practice sessions. Please tell us what you can and can't eat (for example, my mother was sorry she had to give up broccoli and other cruciferous veggies when she was on chemo) so we can send along good wholesome recipes to tempt you.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 May 03 - 10:51 PM

Rick,

Keep on Keepin on. Hopefully you'll be up to check out our new deck this summer.

Steve & Karen

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 May 03 - 09:56 PM

Yikes! I wondered what was going on with you, Rick. Well, I am sending you my good thoughts. Keep on keepin' on, brother. We love you.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 May 03 - 09:47 PM

God Bless you, my friend... even if you don't believe in Him, God bless you and Heather, anyway.... The last Mracle wasn't when Moses parted the Red Sea. They're happening every day. Some folks just prefer to say that they are unexplained. In that case, may you be overcome with unexplained healings!

Love,

and prayers

Jerry and Ruth

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 28 May 03 - 09:45 PM

Man bought his girlfriend a mood ring instead of a diamond. It turned green when she was in a good mood and made a big fucking red mark on his forehead when she wasn't. He should have bought a diamond.

Get Well Rick. Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Mudlark
Date: 28 May 03 - 09:02 PM

Rick...I sympathise with not liking to talk about ailments--I hate it too. But you are dealing so valiantly, and I'm sure triumphantly, with such a heavy load, I'm glad you let us in on how it is and has been for you. You will be in my thoughts daily, and especially when I'm in dispair over worsening macular and hip joint degeneration. Seems very minor compared to what you are dealing with. Keep laughing...it is good medicine.

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 28 May 03 - 08:47 PM

Someone once told me that cancer was the best thing that happened to them. Made them smell the roses etc. Me? I think I could have learned about the gift of life some other way, thank you very much. If folks want to smell something, I'll gladly let them have a whiff of my urine after a chemo treatment. Roses, yeh, that's what it reminds me of (@;->)!

From one who has BTDT and continues to DT, to one who has also BTDT and continues to DT, all my very best!

W.E.

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Gareth
Date: 28 May 03 - 07:16 PM

Rick

As I say when people ask me how I am - "I'll survive, and confound the B******d's"

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 May 03 - 07:15 PM

Be well, be safe, be kind, be strong
For the times will test us sore
And to gladden our hearts, our bodies, our souls
Be here when we gather once more
Oh, be here when we gather once more...

Some genius wrote that, Rick; pay attention, ya hear?

{{Hugssssss}}

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Giac
Date: 28 May 03 - 07:01 PM

Arghhhhhh!

Thinking of you, and Heather, Mudcat friend. Just keep looking past September to a time when it will be better.

Love ya,
Mary and mutts

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 03 - 06:37 PM

It hasn't got him, yet, amergin!

Phew, glad you've made a clean breast of it, Rick.:-) You know where I stand, or sit, or well...whatever.

You've got our best and then some, darlin'...

luvyakat & Rog

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 28 May 03 - 06:33 PM

jesus christ, rick...

I sincerely hope everything goes great for you....and you do get better...will keep you in my thoughts...as I listen to your wonderful music...

why is it that cancer seems to get the best people?

Subject: RE: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 May 03 - 06:21 PM

Woof. My pesky little reaction to the endoscopy has just been put into perspective! Thanks, Rick, and keep your pecker up, as the Brits say!

Subject: BS: Rick's health Update
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 May 03 - 06:18 PM

Whew!

Well, if it's true that what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, then I should be ready to bench press about five thousand pounds!

It's been an absolutely hell of a year health-wise around here, and I'll try to briefly (typing ain't a lot of fun these day) fill you in. As some of you know I've been fighting kidney cancer which has sort of bounced around since my kidney-removal operation last year. I'm currently on chemo-therapy and have had a "Porta-Cath" installed. It's like having a 'fire hydrant' implanted in yourself, when there's a fire....they just hook up the hose! I wear a belly pack with a computer-chemo-pump, and they just plug it into the 'porta cath'.

That's just the beginning!

So far this year, I've been:

irrigated four times (don't ask)

Probed up both wazoos by those dreaded steel rods with cameras!!

Endured successful bladder cancer surgery.

Three bone scans

Four MRIs

Four Ultra sounds

Two re-hydrations

****************************************************************

I'm pretty much of a loner when it comes to dealing with sickness (I absolutely HATE talking about ailments) so lots of good friends have had to deal with a minimum of information, and for that I apologize, but we all have our ways of coping. Some pray, some employ alternative healing techniques, and others go back to age-old remedies. I deal with a kind of "know yer body" approach, combined with LOTS of laughter and jokes (too many for some!!) and I'll probably get through this although it is no sure-thing, believe me. Whatever happens, I'm dealing with it as best I can. I may not be on Mudcat as much as before but I'll probably still give a look in every couple of days until this chemo is over (September)....hopefully then I'll get back to my favourite hobby on a regular basis.

Cheers and thanks

Rick