Amos is ill (January 2019)

Subject: BS: Amos is ill
From: Deda
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 10:24 AM

I am Amos' sister, Rebecca, in Belfast, Maine. Amos is in the hospital and is in a pretty bad way. Last summer he had surgery for bladder cancer (and finally quit smoking), and we thought he was out of the woods, but the cancer metastasized and moved into his lungs (which is not the same as lung cancer). He was in a clinical trial at UNC hospital Chapel Hill (where he is now), but he didn't respond, apparently. Amos took a serious fall, had a concussion and some fractured bones in his face, and went back to the hospital. That was maybe five days ago, and I talked to him that night. He was irascible and in pain, but sounded recognizable, not too bad. As soon as the next day Daly told me that his ability to form recognizable speech had deteriorated so much that she can't understand what he's saying. I suggested bringing in a pad and paper or even a keyboard, but apparently he does not have control of his hands any more than of his speech. Perhaps he's had a stroke. He's had MRIs and CT scans. Daly has a friend there with a lot of experience in the medical system who will come in with her to the hospital and try to talk with the doctors. I asked Daly if I should come down there but she hasn't suggested it yet. I'm very rarely on mudcat but you can email me at [e-mail]. It goes without saying that mudcat has been a very precious resource to Amos for many years, and he has derived great joy from his many deep friends here.

Subject: RE: BS: Amos is ill
From: DMcG
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 10:33 AM

Sorry to hear all that. Amos has been a precious resource to Mudcat as well. I believe he is on the Mudcat CDs that were made?

By convention, these are not BS topics: would someone kindly move it?

Subject: RE: BS: Amos is ill
From: Morticia
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 10:43 AM

I'm so sorry to hear this, Rebecca and will be directing my good wishes toward America in the hopes he gets better soon.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 10:48 AM

That's sad news - my very best to him and all good wishes.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 10:49 AM

I enjoyed meeting him a few years ago up here, and at Getaways. I hope for the best for him. (Although he did kind of bend the rules of betting in order to get out of buying me a bottle of singe malt) Comfort and healing.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 11:00 AM

DMcG beat me to it, but it bears repeating: Amos has been a precious resource to Mudcat as well.

I am so SO sorry to read this (been writing that far too much lately). He was always enormously helpful to me - us - with our Apple woes, and I also hugely enjoyed his other posts.

Deda, thanks so much for telling us, sorrowful as the news is. If Amos is in any position to hear it, please let him know how valued he is here, and that we are all pulling for him. And do keep us informed!

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Elmore
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 11:01 AM

Very sad. I wish Amos and his family the best.

b

h

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 11:05 AM

Lovely guy, sort of a musical jukebox, he can play and sing so many songs Enjoyed meeting up with him at a Getaway, and I was his Secret Santa one year. Wishing him well.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 11:50 AM

Sorry to hear about Amos...I miss his big long words and big heart...A

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 12:03 PM

Sorry to hear this too. Let him know we are thinking of him and best wishes.

Mick

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 12:21 PM

Oh, danr. I've been very concerned, but then it sounded like things were going well for him and he had the cancer licked. Amos, old friend, my thoughts are with you.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Amos is ill
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 12:22 PM

There was a set of CDs produced by various Mudcat members in 2002, the Blue Plate Special had five disks. I just glanced at them and see Amos at least once, probably more. He's on YouTube, and he has poetry out there. A few years ago he asked me to retrieve some of the poems he posted in the Mother of all BS thread because he wanted to publish them; I hope he did. I think the poems were deleted in the thread (they can be restored, but that's a really huge job).

My point here, Amos has made a big mark at Mudcat. I hope he understands that a whole bunch of people have appreciated his work for a long time and wish him well. Keep him comfortable.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 01:49 PM

I think Amos produced at least one of the Mudcat CD sets, maybe all of them.
His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/amosjess...lots of Mudcatters, but he doesn't have many videos of himself.
Here's a link that will lead you to more: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=amos+jessup&sp=mAEB

I'm wishing he'll be back on stage soon.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 02:01 PM

Amos has always been one of the good guys, I hope the rest of his time with us is easy.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Helen
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 02:53 PM

Hi Rebecca,

There are times when I seriously wish I was living closer to most of the Mudcatters. Amos is one of the Mudcatters whose posts I have always enjoyed reading because he is funny, witty, clever, talented, knowledgeable, and an all round nice guy, as far as I can tell from his writing. I am sad to say that I have never met him in person, but I have met very few Mudcatters in person over the 20 years that I have been coming to Mudcat.

I am also very sad to hear that he is unwell. I am sending all my thoughts and prayers, hoping that he pulls through.

Meanwhile, here is a search list of all of the posts by Amos. Be warned, there are 64,975 so it might take a while to read them all.

Mudcat posts by Amos since November 1999

Helen, in Australia

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 03:13 PM

Those are only the ones that still exist - there was a loss of posts a few years ago (when we lost several thousand in the Mother of all BS thread) or his count might be a couple hundred higher. And he has 340 guest posts (plus many more as made-up characters in the MOAB, I suspect.)

He also has a novel for sale at Amazon called Beyond the Cascade. I didn't find his book of poems yet, but here is a recent radio interview on WHUP.

The song that starts six minutes into the radio interview is particularly timely right now. "He's dreaming."

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: vectis
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 03:22 PM

So sorry to hear this news Rebecca. Like many others I never met Amos in person but valued his input here on the Cat. Give him my best wishes and I will pray for him.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 03:33 PM

Coming home from the early obsequies for Tim Lyons to find this news is .... something of a downer, to put it kildly.

Regards

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 03:54 PM

Amos was Music Coordinator of the Blue Plate Special series, the first of two wonderful collaborations of Mudcat members. I wish him all the best!

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 04:01 PM

Deda, thank you. My sympathies are with you deeply.

I echo what Bonnie said above if you can convey that to Daly. Please tell them I'd send a new magic box if I knew what they need right now.

All the best to all the Jessups and to those closest to them,

~Susan (aka wysiwyg, Praise, The Sugar Dog) and Greg Hinton

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 04:04 PM

Sending much love and big hugs. <3

Michelle

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: rich-joy
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 05:52 PM

So sad to hear of this.
Never met him of course (I'm down under), but have sure enjoyed Amos' posts and humour over the years.
Go well, Mate.
R-J

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 07:30 PM

Once you start down that slippery slope....

whatever...five hours or five years...

I know of no Mudcatter to return.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle


Bon Yoeage Amos... send us a tune from the other side.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 07:55 PM

Amos was my Santa some years ago & sent me a CD which I've just located in a mess of 100+ Mudcatter CDS (gotta sort it one day) & I'm now listening to his lovely voice. I'll check out his Youtube channel later.

sending best wishes to Amos & his family & friends

sandra

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: JennieG
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 12:12 AM

More love and good wishes from Oz......although many Mudcatters have never met in person we feel we have come to know many in this community of ours.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 03:04 AM

Very, very sorry to hear this. Although we never met face to face we corresponded vi e-mails and I always enjoyed his contributions here and the clips of his music. Best wishes to him and his family at this difficult time.
RtS

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 09:20 AM

Amos has always been one of the attendees at Getaway that I was most pleased to meet up (and play music ) with . As with the others
I can only hope for a good outcome

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 09:32 AM

Trust that you are in good hands.

Best wishes.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: skarpi
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 11:22 AM

Amos I sorry to hear this .
all the best thought´s and best recovery to you Amos .
all the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 12:15 PM

Damn! I've never met Amos in 3D, but I've valued his on-line friendship immensely.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 12:26 PM

Sending best wishes and kind thoughts to Amos.
Eliza

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,ex-member
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 12:42 PM

I'm pulling for you, Amos. Safe to say we all are.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Max
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 12:44 PM

Oh Amos, I love you man. Gutted. Sending all my thoughts, love, prayers and powers to ease your pain and get you right. You're such a wonderful man.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 01:04 PM

Oh Amos, what will rappeire do?

Without out the cream you so generously provided for his bitter coffee on many a cold and bitter morn?

He'll pull thru somehow I'm sure, but can't u see him on his knees weeping?

How could you treat your old nemesis so cruel?

I must say I remember one day when a brit-wank stumbled thought and suggested you were our MGM lion.

Oh the nerve comparing you to that venerable old Cambridge Don (the British can be rather clueless most times can't they).

Anyway, cream rises to the top while others scratch and claw.

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.

paperback^

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 01:56 PM

If Amos is good enough for Max,
he's good enough for any or all of us.

Not the same without you. You are missed.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 02:36 PM

Deda, please pass on this message from me to Amos when you can. Tell him, "Stop it, you're making everyone upset. Besides, we miss you on MOAB."

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 08:03 PM

Dear Rebecca,

So sad to hear this news. Somehow, I had believed that Amos would be able to beat this nasty beast. In my first encounter with him in 2009, I suggested that he must have a doctorate in something esoteric as I could not understand something he posted; still did not understand after he kindly tried to explain it in "words of one syllable"... But I certainly appreciated his effort.

We have had friends in common and even a visit in person when my partner and I visited San Diego. He has a special spot in my heart and I would wish only the very best for him. His Caring Bridge posts have been generally upbeat and full of hope for a future.

So, my heart is also with you as you prepare for what seems the inevitable loss of a brother. He has made a valiant effort to stay with us. Is it, possibly, time to give him permission to let go? Perhaps the greatest gift we can give at this point. With all our love and caring attending him. As well as the music he loves the best.

Sadly, with love.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 08:11 PM

Hopefully speaking for lots of people on Mudcat who had no direct connection with Amos but who always appreciated his posts, all good wishes to Amos and all his nearest and dearest. Cyber-love is a very odd thing but be assured that it definitely exists! Cheers from Steve

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: meself
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 08:20 PM

Sad news; wish him all the best. I never met the man, but have always respected him on the basis of his knowledgeable and thoughtful posts.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: leeneia
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 12:46 AM

I will miss Amos. He was a good man.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Amergin
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:29 AM

Dammit, Amos...get better find other healthier ways to get attention!

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,Bev Praver
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:48 AM

So sorry to hear about this Rebecca. Amos and Jerry had many exchanges here on mudcat. I vividly remember the time Anos and Daly came to visit us before they moved east.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:08 AM

Amos has always been a giant among us—a true gentleman, a scholar, and a man of both great wit and great heart.
Despite his health challenges, during my road trip last summer Amos opened his home to me, my son and my sister for a sweet evening of jamming. It was truly an honor. I was touched beyond words.
When he leaves us, soon or late, he will leave a great void, and I will miss him terribly.

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Genie
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:25 AM

Really sad to hear of such turns to the worse, Rebecca. I’ve been following what Amos has posted on Facebook about his struggle with bladder cancer but not the follow up on CaringBridge, so I really appreciate your bringing us up to date, as terrible as this news is.
Amos was one of my first contacts and mentors and friends on Mudcat and the first one I met in person who was not from Portland. From the fall of 2001, when I met Amos and Daly in San Diego, through Camp Runamok in Ellensburg,WA in 2002, through jamming with Amos in Balboa Park many times and recording songs with him in his garage office/studio, having him include one of my songs on the Blue Plate Special CD, his writing a 60th birthday song for me, his recording my sister Tammy and me on another song for the This Is Us CDs and recording a duet with me,and backing me and Tammy up at San Diego open mics and also jamming with him at Getaway several years and at Portland FolkMusic Society’s Singtime Frolics - plus lots of informative and entertaining exchanges here at Mudcat, Amos has been a treasured folkie friend and inspiration .
I am praying for a much better outcome than seems likely and sending love and honor for our dear friend, your brother Amos. I wish I could do more.
Thanks so much and please send my sincere caring thoughts and wishes to Daly and Tucker.
Genie

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: GUEST,Flip Breskin
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:40 AM

I am SO sorry for your trouble!

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: David Ingerson
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 03:03 AM

I love you, Amos! You've always been an inspiration and a delightful devil's advocate. Your singing has always been powerful, your presence deeply authentic, your arguments incisive yet understanding. You are generous to a fault, not only with your talents, your voice, your powerful interpretations of songs but also with your thoughts and feelings. Take it easy, Amos, but take it!

Thanks, Rebecca, for the sad news.

David

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Monique
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:36 AM

So sorry to hear that. Hold on Amos!

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: C-flat
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:45 AM

So sorry to read this.
Good thoughts and best wishes are all we can offer.
C-flat

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:56 AM

So vey sorry to hear that Amos has been going through this terrible struggle. He is a gentle man with a lovely soul, sending positive thoughts to him and his family x

Subject: RE: Amos is ill (January 2019)
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:27 AM

A bit of an update regarding Amos. He did not have a stroke. His cerebellum got rattled pretty fiercely when he fell. The cerebellum is in charge of motor skills, hence the difficulties with speech and control of his arms and hands. Cognitively, he is as astute as ever. His handsome face ain't so handsome right now, but he will be back to full gorgeousness once the bruising and swelling are gone.

It is not unusual for some symptoms of concussion to develop a day or so post concussion, and that is apparently what happened with his speech and arms.

When I saw him on Thursday I could understand almost nothing he said. 2 days later I could understand most of what he said, so he is already showing improvement, even before starting speech or physical therapy.

While it is way too early for a prognosis for full recovery of motor skills to be made, or to predict how rapidly improvement will occur, there is every reason, at this point in time, to expect significant recovery as the brain heals. Due to the motor difficulties with speech and arms, it may be awhile before he is able to manage phone or keyboard, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from him directly. We anticipate he will be discharged to a rehab center this week, where recovery therapies can begin in earnest.

I will be seeing him today and will pass along good wishes for his recovery.