Crowhugger's Mom

Subject: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Willie-O
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:47 AM

I guess I should start this...Crowhugger has not been seen on the Cat much lately, because she is down here in my neck of the woods looking after her mom, Lana, who many met at The Woods this past summer.

Lana has been hospitalized the past month or so. She has cancer and the prognosis, as they say, is poor. It's inoperable. She came home last week for a few days as a trial run, to see if it's feasible for her to be there. I visited them on Saturday, and Lana was physically weakened, but showing the dignity and strength of spirit and intellect that those who know her would expect. There is a pretty good corps of people to help her in her isolated rural home.

Val (Crowhugger) and Lana are old friends of mine. I'm sure messages of support would be welcomed. (Even though they're not the sentimental types many of us are.) Val will be home some of this week so I expect she'll be checking in here.

Val, you're doing right by your mom, we should all do as well when the crunch comes. Now get some sleep and reacquaint yourself with your husband.

Love,
Bill

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Gary T
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:57 AM

Val and Lana, I'm very sorry to hear the sad news. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

Regards, Gary

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: jeffp
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:58 AM

Val and Lana, I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. I will be praying for your strength to make it through this.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:08 AM

Of Crowhugger I would have expected no less. My thoughts are with both and any strength which can be had from this place is yours. All my best.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:18 AM

My thoughts are with you, positive and strong
love Patrish xxxx

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Troll
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:23 AM

If prayers help, know that you have mine.

with love,

troll

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:03 AM

Thanks, Bill, for letting us know.

Val, I will have you and Lana in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much it has meant to you to have the opportunity to make music with her. I am sorry you are both going through such a tough time. May you both find strength and peace and know that you are held in the Light of the love which we freely offer.

Love & Blessed Be,

kat

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: paddymac
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:14 AM

I'll remember you to the fire, and in my other world I'll lift a pint to your strength and love.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:24 AM

I'm so sorry to hear that. Val and Lana are fine people and have contributed much to our "folk" world. Hang in there folks.

Rick

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: mousethief
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 12:46 PM

Thoughts and prayers from Seattle.

Alex

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 12:54 PM

Thanks for letting us know. Holding Val and Lana in the Light.......

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:14 PM

Val, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I know you guys are really close. This must be unbelievably hard.
Your mom is such an amazing gal! She was a shining light at The Woods this summer.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Lana.


Love Bonnie

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Crowhugger
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:14 PM

Tears of appreciation are rolling freely. Thank you all. I'm too exhausted right now to say much more - she went into hospital October 24th and the long haul has just begun. I cannot bear the thought of a world where she and I never again sing together.

CH.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: CarolC
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:27 PM

Crowhugger, I'm so sorry for the difficult situation you, your mother, and your loved ones are facing. I hope all of you recieve whatever strength and comfort you need to get through the days ahead in the best way possible.

My best thoughts and wishes go out to all of you.

Carol

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Bert
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:31 PM

Crowhugger darling, lots of love to you both from Bert & Tree.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Troll
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:36 PM

Val, she will never leave you. Every time you lift your voice, she'll be singing in your heart. I sing with my father and grandfather and the music is glorious.
You WILL sing again, in spirit if not in body. Cling to that thought.
My spirit weeps for you.

troll

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Willie-O
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:33 PM

Well, she ain't singing too much, but Lana, about the spunkiest woman you'll ever meet with the possible exception of Val, is definitely still with us, so...hold that thought! Glad you're home Val, sleep sound.

Bill

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 09:44 AM

Troll is right about the singing. Nobody leaves us forever as long as we love and remember them.

My thoughts are with you, and I hope the hard days ahead for both of you are filled with love. Pain passes, but love never does.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 12:50 PM

Love and strength to you both, Crowhugger and Lana. Make music when you can, it really does help.

All my best thoughts to you, Mudcat friends.

Giac

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Morticia
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 12:54 PM

all my love and best wishes to you both of you,Val.I am so sorry.What a desperately sad time some of our beloved catters are having recently.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: black walnut
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 01:29 PM

i have such clear images of lana singing and dancing at the woods, especially in the log cabin...her enthusiasm and joy around music spreads to all around her....
sending my love,

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Crowhugger
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 01:14 AM

Things are so frightening and bleak right now, it really does help me a great deal to check back in here and re-read all the wonderful messages of love. These recent weeks are the first time I've ever wished even for a moment that Mom's place wasn't e-free. Tho' it's remote enough that there's probably no high-speed internet access, which has spoiled me for dial-up service.

~black walnut, and everyone else who contributed to the "woods" thread a while back, I feel I ought to remind everyone how public this site is...I printed off gobs of postings for LanaMum to have as a reminder of such a special time. Your words are in black and white forever, or at least until she's desperate for firestarter! BTW, ~bw, she mentioned that cabin as an impromtu singing place with special memories.

Yes indeed, a lot of 'catters are having a difficult time. I didn't post anything about my own partly because I'm lousy at asking for help (but I'm learning, just ask Willie-O who rearranged half Lana's furniture so she could come home on a long-weekend pass). But also because I still feel to be rather a newbie next to those who've been around since Mudcatters were a smaller and perhaps more intimate bunch.

You've made me feel loved and cared about despite my insecurities, even displacing them a bit.

in deepest gratitude for your gifts of healing,
CH.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Micca
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 04:09 PM

Love and Bright Blessings to you and your mum Val from the UK..my thoughts and what healing I have are with you.." we seek the comfort of singing voices..."

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Metchosin
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 12:41 AM

just popped in for a moment and was so sorry to see this thread. My warmest thoughts and best wishes to you Crowhugger and your Mom.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Crowhugger
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 05:41 PM

Thanks again for the supportive messages. I'm beginning to show signs of recovery from the excess of stress that's been my life in recent weeks. I seem to have passed out of the phase of frequent crying at any and all hours of day and night.

Being home for more than a day or two means that my friends can easily find me, so I'm starting to get the support I should've been seeking when this tribulation began. It's lightening my very supportive husband's load now that I'm reaching out to more people.

Suddenly I'm thinking about oven-baked spaghetti for dinner, and that's a good sign, when my rumbling tummy comes first!

CH.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 05:43 PM

Signs of your own healing, darlin', glad to hear it, still keeping you both in my thoughts and lean on us, anytime you feel the need....

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 05:51 PM

Thinking about you lots Val. Reaching out my not come naturally but once you get the hang of it, its amazing to discover the flow of help just waiting to pour in.

Bon

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 10:21 AM

Val and her mom have been on my mind a lot in the past few days. Anyone know how they are doing?

Val, if you see this, please know I am thinking of you,

kat

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Giac
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 10:39 AM

Strange, kat, or maybe not so strange, but I was thinking the same thing last night. Crowhugger was the first to welcome me to Mudcat and when she's not around for a bit, I wonder how things are going. Hope someone can tell us.

Thoughts and love are with you, Val.

Mary

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 10:50 AM

Me too. E-mail sent, though she may not get it if she is beyond e-land. Maybe Willie-O will stop by.

~S~

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Willie-O
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:46 AM

I'll inquire. Molly (in the health food store where she works) got a phone call from Lana a couple of weeks ago--Lana was at home then.

W-O

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:49 AM

Thanks, W-O.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Hollowfox
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:57 AM

Ah, Crowhugger, I wish I could come over and give you and your husband a couple of hours off for free time. As it is, you have my thoughts, and a candle lit for all of you tonight.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 12:04 PM

We're all behind you and your family, Crowhugger. Thoughts and prayers from Colorado to you.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:43 PM

Prayers and kind thoughts from NYC.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:54 PM

Please let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do. I've been there. I'm thinking about you too.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: balladeer
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 07:19 AM

Crowhugger's mom has a HUGE and happy voice. She is an original. She was a forceful presence at the Woods last summer.

Wherever you are today, Lana, I hope your inclnation toward cheerfulness and your unwillingness to suffer fools gladly are helping you to stay strong. God bless. Joanne

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 07:30 AM

Best thoughts from here too. We miss hearing you too CH.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 09:31 AM

What's the news, Willie-O?

~S~

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: GUEST,willie-o
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 10:36 AM

I haven't talked to her, but I hear Lana's getting around better, living at home and driving again. Details, I don't have.

w-o

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: LR Mole
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 11:13 AM

Prayers from the grey skies and the sea, which knows no time but its own, and which never stops.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Willie-O
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:37 AM

I'm refreshing this thread with some good news...I saw Lana last week at ye olde pubbe; she is doing very well, officially in remission as they say. She's not singing yet but is planning to get back to it soon.

And I met with Marion de Mudcat, newly resident in Perth (Ontario) at the same occasion. In fact she's coming over here for a guitar lesson later today, unless she's come to her senses. Marion and I each played a set at the pub, she is as you might suspect from her frequently thoughtful and inquisitive postings a fast-devleoping talent. Hey she can play a whole Christine Lavin song without a single lyric stumble--something I couldn't do on the best day of my life.

This would be a great day if it wasn't raining like an SOB and I didn't have an incredible kitchen-full of dirty dishes awaiting my attentions...

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From:
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:42 AM

Good news indeed, Willie-O, thanks.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 01 - 09:25 AM

Really glad to hear that, Willie-O. I've missed Val and have been wondering about Lana. Thanks, very much.

Don't forget to wear gloves when you wash all of those dishes...can't have you teaching with dishpan hands.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: RichM
Date: 28 May 01 - 10:08 AM

This is indeed fine news. Hopefully, Lana will be singing again, soon.
I'm a cancer survivor too- after 2 major surgeries in 1975, I remain healthy, and thankful for each new day.

Willie-o, glad to hear that Marion's guitar lessons are in your experienced hands! She will learn much from you, not the least of which is your obvious love of music.

Rich

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 May 01 - 11:41 AM

Well FAR OUT!!!! Willie, pass on a few "Hi's" from some of us around here and tell them to drop in now and then!

And I doubt your description of Marion surprises anyone....Glad to hear you've gotten together too. Best to you both and thanks for the news about Lana.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Willie-O
Date: 28 May 01 - 12:15 PM

I was probably talking out of turn there--I told M who the other guitar teacher is, a fulltime professional who knows tons more theory and composition stuff than I do, whereas I am a dyed-in-the-wool folkie who has learned by bits and pieces and plays largely by intuition--I look for things that sound right--and I just take on a student now and then. It's up to Marion to decide who is the better choice for her right now.

Val was around this past weekend too but I didn't see her.

W-O

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: Crowhugger
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 03:04 PM

Update on Mom:

About a month after the last update from Willie-O, she was going downhill, finding she couldn't really eat, or too fatigued to cook. The doc arranged for her to go to hospital (for tests or something?) and none too soon either because suddenly, within a day she couldn't breathe. Talking to her was like trying to chat during a full-out sprint. The reason: about 7/8 gal. of fluid in her lungs drained over 2-3 days.

The fluid was drained, but the cancer had roared back by the end of June. She hasn't been back home yet. She's in a convalescent room in a retirment residence in suburban Ottawa, wasting away and hoping for a miracle. Fortunately she has very little pain, treatable with plain tylenol, so she isn't all dopey from narcotics, just from anti-nauseants, which have rarely made her drowsy .

People still visit, but not as many as she becomes less able to remain awake for more than 5 to 20 minutes. She welcomes the company, though. And flowers, bi-coloured roses especially make her smile.

All in all, what I've witnessed is entirely consistent with the prognosis told to me last fall by her oncologist. We're all hoping that the universe will catch this error and fix it before it's too late, but things have been extremely discouraging in recent weeks.

Even when she's too tired to keep her eyes open, she loves to be sung to. Being read to is also good, as she is too weak to hold a book or crossword puzzle magazine for long enough to use.

In spite of all this, she has her guitar with her and her lyrics binder, and she assumes that with a bit of time, she'll be back playing and singing.

Thanks, Bill, for keeping the info up to date when I was diverted by my own health. Sorry I'm a bit behind on my visits to your MP3 site. When I can...

CH.

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: JeffM
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 04:09 PM

Sorry to hear it, CH. My last time with your mom was performing with her in the log cabin at the Woods. She was beaming. She got quite the applause.

All my best.

Jeff Morrison

Subject: RE: Crowhugger's Mom
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 05:02 PM

Crowhugger, I've been thinking of you and your mom so often. Thanks so much for posting the update. Sorry it is not better news at the moment. Your mom sounds like an incredible lady, just like you. I am giving thanks for the best possible outcome for all concerned and sending you lots of love.

luvyakat