The Word, Finally
November 5th, 1998
I got the word yesterday from Susan at Dr. David's office that my surgery is going to be this coming Monday November 9th at 12 noon EST. I will have to go in tomorrow morning for 3 or 4 hours for pre-op tutorial and possibly some tests, who knows. I'm just glad the waiting is over. I know now that as of Monday, I am out of commission for a while.
I spent most of yesterday afternoon in a sort of daze. Wandering around the office, cleaning up my desk and other outstanding matters. All of a sudden I had a whole pile of urgent stuff to get done. Well I got most of it done and the rest can wait. Ha!
On my way home, I picked up a new Digital Camera (mostly to use for promotional purposes at work) but also for Dory to use. I really want her to take a shot of me when I get out of the ICU with all the tubes and wires coming out of me. I can blow it up real big and scare all my friends!!!
I also got a portable stereo speaker unit that's all one piece, and folds up really small to use in the hospital with my discman (as I listen to my Nanci Griffith and other favorite CD's. They sound pretty good for their size and that way I don't have to wear uncomfortable head phones. So that's exciting. (Oh yeah, right.)
One of my favorite songwriters is a woman from Texas named Nanci Griffith. She has released about fifteen albums to date and I perform a great many of her original songs in my shows whenever possible.
I subscribe to an Internet discussion group called the Nanci Net where fans of Nanci Griffith's music can discuss all sorts of things about her music, tours, other songwriters, favorite CD's, etc. The premise though, is that whatever you post to the Nanci Net should have at least a hint of "Nanci content". Over the two year period of subscribing to the Nanci Net, I've only written in just once about the fact that I was going to take a bunch of Nanci CD's with me to the hospital. Despite these people being complete strangers, I've received many heartfelt e-mails from them. (Note the "NN" in the "subject"). Last night I was up until the wee hours, converting this journal to HTML (Internet format), and creating the web pages. Its tedious work, but once the format is set the rest of the pages are easier. Not really being a trained programmer, I probably do things the hard way and miss out on shortcuts that are available and that I'm unaware of.
Here are some more touching e-mails I received from complete strangers and some good friends this morning:
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 08:26:11 EST
Subject: NN: The Bum Ticker
Dear Steve,
Best of luck in your surgery--I will be praying for your strength and the doctor's skill. Thanks for posting the URL for your journal; I shall be very interested in following it.
Thoughts & prayers with you,
Cate, "this heart hears the telephone ringing" in Atlanta
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 9:36:20 +0100 (BST) Subject: Re: NN: The Bum Ticker
Dear Steve,
According to my friends in Toronto you've got mighty fine healthcare facilities over there so you're going to be in good hands I reckon...good luck, the whole of the NanciNet will be with you humming NG soothingly in the ether... and wishing you a speedy recovery,
Best wishes, Robert (Pugsley)
Subject: RE: The Bum Ticker Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 07:22:42 -0500
What serendipity! I woke up this morning thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. I will mark the event on my calendar, keep you in my thoughts and light a candle for you on the 9th (with your permission of course). Do you know how long your expected hospital stay is?
Debbie
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 09:29:18 -0500
Hey Stevie Wonder!
I do believe that journaling is very therapeutic. I love the honesty in your feelings as you go along.
One thing Doug and I do every year...is set our goals. I believe that it would be good for you to write or type what you want the outcome to be. No harm done! We have seen excellent results with this stuff. (Stuff is the technical term!) Usually our goals supercede themselves in ways we never dreamed of...please give it some thought and maybe a shot.
We are still praying for you and will be right through to the sewing of you back up and till you're chasing Dorothy around the house(s) again!
Have fun this weekend!!!
Love, Darlene and Doug
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998 22:12:33 -0500
Subject: Uncanny!
Steve: I hope that your surgery goes well.
I visited your home page as you are the first Nanci Netter that I have seen who is located in Toronto. The only other person I know who has even heard of Nanci Griffith is a friend of mine who just came back from working for two years in Texas. I don't bother to even mention her to
others as all I ever get is blank stares. I rely on Nancinet to make me think that I am just one of many.
None of this would be of any interest if were not for the fact that you are booked to play the Angel Inn in Niagara on the Lake. My closest friend used to live in an apartment directly across the street from the
Angel Inn and my wife and I have stayed there and listened to the ghost stories of the owner. I remember it as a tiny little Inn and wonder how much room you have to play. It must be cozy.
Regardless, over the vastness of the internet I find it amazing that our paths have crossed in this way. Maybe if we band together we can get someone to book Nanci into town. After all, if Lucinda Williams can come and play the Phoenix Nanci should be able to play Massey Hall.
Best Regards, Doug
Subject: Re: The Bum Ticker
Steve,
Just a quick note to tell you this is great! I'll get back to reading
the whole thing later today.
Thanks!- The Negative Guy in Southern Vermont
"Thou Shalt Not Do Distance" �
This email means alot to me as Peter's own web journal is my inspiration for this document. Thanks again, Peter. http://www.sover.net/~contours/ValentinesDay.html
It's funny you know. A few people have read this thing and said, " Geeze, I never realized you went through all that." The truth is, that in retrospect, it really is not that big a deal. Millions of people all over the world are lining up daily to go through uncomfortable and painful medical tests and treatments. It's all relative. Some are worse than others. Its not that easy when it's happening to you. But the main thing is that medicine has advanced so far (and continues to do so) that we are so lucky to have the chance for survival despite such life threatening illnesses and traumas. Short term pain for long term gain. In Canada, although we may have to wait a while, we are also lucky that when you get sick, you don't have to worry about how much it is going to cost to get well. Access to medical attention is easy. The hospital restructuring we are now going through in Ontario, I believe will have a dramatic, positive effect on the efficiency and quality of care we'll get in the future. Again short term pain for long term gain. But then, what the hell do I know?
Here's a poem from my pal Herb
things that rhyme with ife
Back to home /
Part 9 - Pre-admission
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