Barry Finn in hospital (July-Aug 2005)

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: 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: Metchosin
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 02:04 PM

Wow!

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: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 01:52 PM

Wonderful! Great relief. Get WEll soon.
alice

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: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 09:44 AM

deep sigh of relief. Welcome back, Barry

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: CarolC
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:56 PM

Great news. Keep up the good work, Barry!

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: 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: Janie
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:38 PM

Great to hear!

Janie

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

Thanks, Rita!

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: 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: 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: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 12:39 PM

Very encouraging news!

Chanteyranger

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: 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: Janie
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 06:28 PM

Any word on how he's doing?

Janie

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: radriano
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 12:18 PM

It's great to hear such wonderful news.

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: 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: GUEST,Hollowfox at a different computer at work
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 04:17 PM

I just saw this thread the other day, and didn't get a chance to post. You *do* know, darlin', that you've got a steady drip feed of good thoughts coming from here, as well as a gen-u-ine purebred Midwestern @$%!-reduction candle (when I'm at home, of course). Take care, Mary

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Lorraine
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 02:00 PM

Wonderful news. In a world with so much disturbing news it is so great to hear Barry is doing so very well. Joy joy jyo to you both. Lorraine

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 01:23 PM

Having recently been "In the Pink on the Road to Wellville" I am delighted to pass on that good energy to keep your new liver "in the pink" as well...what say you, good folk? Pink undies day, again, in honour of Barry and his new liver?

What wonderful news. Thanks so much, Justine!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Susan A-R
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 12:26 PM

What Kath Westra Said. I am so glad that all is going well. Thinking of you a lot and so relieved!!

Much love to you also Justine. What a rough, roller coaster time.

Susan

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Jed
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:59 AM

Ooops - that was from me!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:58 AM

Great news! All the best for a quick and complete recovery!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: KathWestra
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:58 AM

The messages last week were so somber, and then Mudcat was down every time I checked this weekend. What a tremendous relief to finally get onto the site this morning and read such wonderful, wonderful news. Thank you Justine for sharing it with all of us. And thank you Barry, for being somebody who inspires so many people to care so much. Lots of love to you, and prayers for a speedy and complete recovery. Whew!
Kathy

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:03 AM

Hopefully, third time is the charm.
Wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: lamarca
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 10:59 AM

Blessings on you, Justine, for keeping all of us FOB (Friends of Barry) informed on his progress. Barry, I'm bellowing Essiquibo River for you (in my mind - folks here in the laboratory would really be alarmed if I did it for real...)

Essiquibo Barry is the King of Singers all
Buddy ta na na, he is somebody-o
Singin' from the heart, like an f***in' miracle,
Buddy ta na na, he is somebody-o...

Be strong, be well.

Mary

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 10:58 AM

yes, Micca! I had forgotten that you and Barry were both there that night at the Royal Mile....here is a pic I took of Barry that night, (along with Ferrara and Joe Offer.....Sure hope to see that cheerful face again soon....and hear the voice.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Just another Dave
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 10:39 AM

Great News!!

Looking forward to sharing more songs soon.


Dave De Angelis

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Lynn Noel
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 09:31 AM

Barry, you know how much I love your singing of Juliana, and it didn't seem right that our first of a new chantey sing series lacked your voice, spirit, and energy. You were hard at work starting a regular sing when I first came back to Boston seven years ago, even if it meant driving home from the North End to Portsmouth after bar time! We might not have had a Chanteyboat at the Boston Folk Festival at all if you hadn't shared your harbor cruise set with me that first year, and the audience quote is still on the front page of my website: knowing that it belongs to you as much, if not more, than to me.

"" I was expecting to get a nice little cruise around the harbor to see the sights, but hearing your voices I had attention for nothing else." (Boston Folk Festival)"

I feel the same way every time I hear you sing. I can't count the times we've sung together, from Mystic to Old Songs to the Little Red Lighthouse to the Press Room, but I treasure every one and look forward to the next. You're going to get through this and come sing with us at MIT on the Charles, because I know that having a regular chantey sing in Boston is as much your dream as mine. You are in my thoughts and prayers: with a separate prayer thread for you and the children, Justine! The Finn Family is precious to us all.

Please let us know when it's OK to have visitors, and I'll be there in a flash (packet). When you're up to it, we'll mount a Chantey Raid on Mass General, see if we don't! Yesterday we headed over to the MIT Museum and sang for the clipper ship paintings, and I know you would have loved every minute of it. We needed you, kid: you still have to teach me the Flying Cloud!

Love and prayers to all,

Lynn

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Micca
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 01:29 AM

Barry, you were one of the very first singers I heard on my First trip to the Getaway in 2001 ( it was at the Royal Mile on the Thursday evening) and I was very impressed with what I heard, so Get well and your singing can do so again, Much best and healing thoughts from London (UK), Micca

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Pauline L
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 12:06 AM

I am so glad that Barry and his new liver are doing well. Barry, may you continue to heal and gain strength. I'm hoping for the very best for you.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 10 Jul 05 - 11:53 PM

Just wonderful news!!!!

Art

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: Nancy King
Date: 10 Jul 05 - 11:47 PM

What a great relief! I've been SO worried, and now I'm SO glad to hear things are on the upswing again. Obviously there's a lot of healing still to come -- how fantastic to have the chance to do it!

Barry, you're in my thoughts -- may you come through this with flying colors, and may we all get more chances to sing with you!

Justine, thanks so much for keeping us up-to-date. Be sure to take care of yourself, get some sleep, and don't forget to eat!

Love to you both,
Nancy

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jul 05 - 11:01 PM

I hope all is well with you and yours. Justine

That you would be thinking of us as well-- you take my breath away, Justine. Bless you both, and thanks for taking a moment to update us. We will not stop praying!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Barry Finn in hospital
From: JennyO
Date: 10 Jul 05 - 10:41 PM

His new liver "pinked up" right away

Wow, I knew there had to be a reason why I picked the big pink candle to light. I believe a lot of those and all the positive energy really did make a difference. Still burning the candle and sending the energy until he is out of the woods, and visualising that liver staying "pinked up".

Love to both of you, Jenny