Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 10:22 AM

He called me a week ago and among other things, he said he was suicidal. Then he told me about the call to Afghanistan...I should have known he was about to get me again. Will I ever learn?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:28 AM

Thanks for the link. He sounds amazing knowing what he is going through, right now. So very kind and considerate, too, as well as slyly funny. I wish him the very best outcome and soon!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: gnu
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 01:52 PM

I'll third that about the link. Excellent!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 04:04 PM

Mark, thanks a lot for that link, good job.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 07:43 PM

Do we dare to hope that a new heart will allow him to go performing again?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 07:49 PM

It sure might! As I well know. Takes some luck and some determination, but it can change everything.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 12:34 PM

Utah updated his podcast last nigth and the news is not as happy.

Apparently the heart transplant will not be an option. Check out the link above and hear Utah in his own words.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 12:40 PM

Dammit. Not good news.

Hang in there, Utah. You are loved.

P.S. He is incredible in his outlook and honesty.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 12:52 PM

Damn! One cannot help but be selfish. I want Utah to have that transplant because I feel there is much to be had from this great organizer, singer of songs and teller of tales!

We are moving on the Michigan benefit concert. Some very solid folks are already onboard including Mudcatter Matt Watroba, host of the "Folks Like Us" radio show in Detroit. We are in the initial planning stages, and are committed to raising significant funds for this hero of working folks everywhere.

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 01:20 PM

Not good! This makes me so sad. I loved the time we have spent with Utah - he really is quite special.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:31 PM

It's too much. Too damned much.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:46 PM

With the computer and dial-up I'm using these days I cannot download the podcast. Please tell what is happening there with my old friend Bruce!!??

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:50 PM

He is not going to be able to receive the heart transplant.   The option that remains is that they will try drugs and at-home care, but as he says in the podcast he will not live as long as he would if were able to receive the transplant.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 03:37 PM

Hell! We're going to miss him. But remember, the man has survived what would have killed us lesser mortals long ago. Bet you dollars to donuts he will surprise the hell out of us. And I am looking forward to reading the book.



Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 08:38 PM

Mark and others who called today, thank you for that.

Art

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 08:59 PM

This is very sad news indeed. I've made some inquiries about a benefit in the Philly area - I have a good line on a space we can probably use, though that's unofficial at this point. It would be good, though (no pun intended, though Utah would appreciate it) if I were able to sacre up some bigger name folks. I just don't have the contacts in Philly - most of my folkie friends are in DC, New England, or scattered throughout the country.

I'll continue cogitating.

Dan

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 09:19 PM

Utah & Kendall made a day to remember on 8 April 2006 (our wedding day). Wish we could have been there to share your day and you could have been with us to share our day! Cheers chaps!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: GUEST,bflat
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 10:48 PM

I can remember when local Folk radio hosts encouraged listeners to write to Utah, years ago, when his health was compromised. He needs to know his voice is deeply valued. Where is that ground swell now?

Utah, be well; we love your musianship, take gentle care and get well.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 12:14 PM

He doesn't go near computers, but our friend, Mark Ross, keeps him abreast of what is going on here.

Jay Peterson is organizing a benefit for Utah in April here in Blue Hill.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 12:27 PM

The ground swell is still there Ellen. It has been going on through his network of friends and admirers for the last few months when this current health crisis became known. Spread the word, he needs our love.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 09:26 AM

Utah's son Duncan is posting blogs at;

www.utahphillips.blogspot.com
Messages can be sent and news of Utah's condition is posted on a regular basis.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: gnu
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 11:13 AM

Thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: reggie miles
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 09:39 PM

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the link.

I'd like to do something, I'm just not sure what I can do. I've been putting my feelers out hoping to discover where I might be of service. So far, nothing's in stone.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: astro
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 09:48 PM

So glad to hear that Utah is doing better. We sure enjoyed him last
July in northern California at the Kate Wolf memorial festival. He was full of vim and vigor and the story telling was wonderful. I remember seeing him walking the grounds of the festival talking a mile a minute...

We wish him well and tell him that we are waiting for him to come tell us more about that wrestling match and those "special" wrestling holds that made us roar with laughter....

Astro in Los Angeles...

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 12:06 AM

I've been closing shows for twenty or so years with his tune "Hymn Song". It's become a bit more poignant since hearing about his health problems. Let's hope that he continues to improve.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: BK Lick
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 12:40 AM

Here's a link to his lovely 1973 songbook which contains "Hymn Song":
Starlight on the Rails and other songs: by U. Utah Phillips

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: BK Lick
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 01:07 AM

Here's the link I should have cited:
Utah's Page

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 08:04 PM

There is a lovely and poignant podcast by his wife, Joanna, from Sunday last on his website. Let's keep sending them all good thoughts, folks. They surely deserve them and need them.

Subject: BS: Utah Phillips is in Hospital in SF
From: GUEST,Coyote Breath (without cookie)
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 09:47 AM

This is from an email from my sister Margie Little in Nevada City, CA.

I hope you all will do as she suggests re: prayers.


"I thought I would pass along to you that Utah is in the hospital in SF. He went down thinking he might have a heart transplant - to realize that he would not survive one, nor a pump implant.
He had a chest port installed Monday and is having difficulty with that. The doctors are trying to stabilize him.
His wife Joanna and son Duncan are there with him at the California Pacific Hospital - Utah has been there for two weeks now. Joanna is exhausted and as she says numb.

So please keep them in your prayers and thoughts.

Margaret

PS Joanna does not know when they will be able to bring Utah home.
He plans on writing a book when he gets home with Joanna taking dictation and doing the editing."

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 10:56 AM

As I told my doctor yesterday, "One of the most wonderful things in life is to be shot at and missed." If he can endure long enough, there is always the possibility that medicine can find a way to help him live longer. He is already past his predicted demise.
Hang in there, man.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Andrez
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 03:48 PM

This is one of the few situations when I actually get even remotely religious. My prayers, love and thoughts are with you Utah. I hope you pull through and dont manage to catch that last freight train.

Andrez

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 04:43 AM

Allright, folk. If you've read Duncan's blog lateley then you've read Utah's entry therein.

   I've no doubt that he needed a crowbar to pry his tongue out of his cheek after that one, but still... I mean, a gold watch is kind of a cool idea. Anyone up for trying to do something about it?

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 07:11 AM

Stephen, I'm in. I would love to see a lovely old watch, with the cover suitably inscribed from his friends and admirers at The Mudcat Cafe.

HEY MARK ROSS!!

Waddya say? Anyone else already on this?

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 09:16 AM

A watch engraved with the names of his Mudcat friends? It would have to be the size of the tower that holds Big Ben!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 09:38 AM

Ever since Utah told me about the DTI watch(some 35 years ago or so), I have been looking for one. Now I love old pocket watches and own a couple of them, but in all that time I've never seen one, and believe me, I've been looking. I've looked at Ball, Elgin, Hamilton, et al, and I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be a fig newton of Utah's imagination. Nevertheless, if someone can find one I can contribute a small amount towards its purchase and delivery to the Old Man. In fact Iam going to be in Nevada City with the rest of the Rose Tattoo at the end of May to honor UUP, TGVGSW at athe Oddfellows Hall(which is appropriate). So if we can find one by then, I guarantee to deliver same to said intended redipient.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 09:39 AM

I'm in.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 10:20 AM

Yikes, four years ago, No. 87 on THIS PAGE sold for $1500. There are four pictures which seem to back up Utah's story.:-) I'll keep looking for others.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Amos
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 11:41 AM

Here's a Hamilton Railway Special in Boston from Craig's List. I don't know if the DTI was a generic Hamilton Railway Special, or if it had special markings on it.


A

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 01:50 PM

If you look at the link from katlaughing the DTI does have special markings. Also what Utah is asking for is a watch with what is called a hunter case, i.e., a closed cover. RR watches didn't have a cover usually, but the man knows what he asks for. If you check e-bay, there are a number of Hamilton RR specials offered.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 01:58 PM

Yeah, I saw a lot of generic Hamilton RR ones at ebay. That one is as Mark says...it's got the DTI on it. Maybe we should start a separate blog to find one? Ya never know what might turn up!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 02:07 PM

*sigh*...in 1952, my father, who was a Western Union Lineman, left a genuine Hamilton Railway Special under his pillow in a motel in N. Mexico. We had left the motel only 30 minutes before, so he stopped and called them...

"Why, no...the maid says she didn't find anything like that."

Dad never got over it. He'd had that watch for 20 years.

I hope one can be found for Utah...perhaps in a pawn shop in N. Mexico?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 02:49 PM

Look for a 992B, the best RR watch that Hamilton ever made.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 04:05 PM

I'm in but we want the real thing, not the Micky Mouse version.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 04:18 PM

Mark, there are a bunch of that model listed on Ebay. There's even one made for two time zones!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 05:01 PM

How about we buy it in pieces and ship the parts for hie amusement?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 08:24 PM

SINS - That is SERIOUS rehab - Putting a watch together from the individual parts !

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 08:30 PM

If this thread ever gets back to medical updates, would someone please let me know so I can bounce it back around to the prayer chain?

Thanks,

~Susan

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 08:37 PM

I'm in.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 02:20 PM

Cool. I'm in.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips Medical Update (2008)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 02:28 PM

Looks OK to me too ! oh , by the way , 100