Sorry I’ve been absent for a while. Been concentrating on wellness and getting back into gigging shape. Couple of chemo treatments under my belt (regimen is one infusion every three weeks, two weeks of pills and one off) and so far, minimal side effects, and my labs are all excellent. The doctors seem happy enough!

Only thing that seems an impediment to gigging is a day or so of my throat being a bit closed with cold drinks and food, but usually gone a couple of days after the infusion, so I can book around that…

Speaking of which, I took myself down to only a couple of gigs a week while I found out how the chemo was going to be, I already had nearly three months of subbing out most of my gigs (four or so a week) to friends, and didn’t want to have to keep doing that to my clients, so I cut back. But the ease of my chemo side effects is definitely persuading me to add more gigs while the season is upon us here in Florida!

But oh! The bills! Looks like I’ll be praying nothing goes wrong with my current rig (I do have a backup BK9!) because the doctors and hospitals have me by the balls for the foreseeable future! But, all in all, still a best case scenario, I feel so lucky and blessed. I sit in the chair at the cancer center along side others who have it far worse, and I feel so guilty. But we all tread the same path, no one lives forever 🥺 I’m just glad there’s still music to be made… 🎹♥️🙏

Wishing you a speedy recovery Diki to get back on the road again.

Don't give up the fight !!!!

🎼🎵🎶 Always look at the bright side of life... 🎵🎶
Best wishes for speedy recovery and for a long musical life Diki. 👍😊

Thanks, guys. There’s no giving up here..! To be honest, labs show no spread except to a few lymph nodes, no organ problems at all, and the chemo regimen for my issues seems very low impact. So I’m not worried in the slightest. I’ll let the doctors do that if needed, and they all seem very positive for a quick recovery, then periodic testing.

If I have anything I need worry about, it’s getting to the gigs through Memorial Day traffic in an area that only has one main road! 😂🎹♥️

Hang in there, guy!

Gary

Hanging a lot lower than they used to! 😂🍒

I predict that you will be around for another 46.3 years

Welcome back Diki its been quiet without you.

As always no matter how bad you are there is always somebody worse, so always look on the bright side of life. (Or watch Monty Pythons Life of Brian)

Bill

Thanks Bill. I rather wish it didn’t need me around to make it noisy! We need to reinvigorate our passion… for music AND for the technology that makes it possible to create it. Passion makes for an interesting read. Passion creates opinions that sometimes differ. Passion drives us to improve, to not stagnate, to ask for technology to help us realize the promise of the arranger. IMHO, we’ve still got a long way to go. I hope to see the results of that journey many years from now.

Who can predict what we’ll see? Only way to find out is to hang in there and wait for it to happen! In the meantime, places like this are where we can shape the future, perhaps put a little pressure on manufacturers and designers to develop stuff that only real players (not a team of engineers and software designers!) know is important. But only if we get fired up, participate, question, argue, discuss…

Next time I have to take a sabbatical, my fervent wish is that the forum members keep up the fire! 🎹♥️😱🥵

Glad that you're getting some positive results Diki. This place isn't the same without you! Set personal goals for yourself, and keep focusing on the future!

Good to hear that you are healing. Best wishes for your future.

Duane

Wishing you the best, Diki.

Thanks, everyone.

Gig on Saturday, two mixing jobs on Sunday and another gig tonight. I'm back, baby, yeah! 🎹😂👍🏼

Welcome back Diki, "Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations." You have repeatedly proved to me that there is always hope beyond what you see. not just survival but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life, doing what you love!"

I am happy for Diki and Kerry both. God bless.

Diki, I knew you would come back, there is so much inside you.

Keep in mind that coming back completes an experience --- an experience that will add to your leadership. You had knowledge, now you added experience --- that qualifies you for WISDOM. There is a good side to every story.

How did you feel after playing those jobs, both physically and mentally?

Keep going my friend, your words now come with wisdom. (smile)
John C.

Once again, thanks to all.

In fairness I kind of feel guilty bringing it up, as if it were something terrible. To be honest, I feel great, better than I have for almost a year, I’m playing and living life at 100%, no pain, no fatigue, it’s like it never happened!

Sure, slight side effects from the chemo, but minor and mild. And certainly not an impediment to working or enjoying life. And a few new interesting scars, and a port under my skin…!

So many that I know and more that I used to know have had it so much worse, at my age it’s more than I like to think about. I miss so many of them. They, and their families went through so much, I feel a bit silly going on about my little adventure. It really seems so minor. Let’s hope it stays that way! 🎹♥️👍🏼

Hey Diki, best of wishes, keep 'em flying!!!