Just got back from shopping for a wheelchair for a little guy who washes dishes at one of my house jobs. He has diabetes, and doesn't watch his diet. We've warned him constantly. Sunday, he was rushed to the hospital and they removed his right foot about half-way to his knee.

My friend George, who died last year hadn't been able to put any weight on his feet for a few years and was trying to avoid losing both feet, which his doctors said was eminent. His daughter is in the same shape right now.Our long-time music associate, Willis Clark, had lost a foot to the disease several years ago. It never healed properly before his death.

This little guy has no family, no health insurance and no savings. He lives alone. Luckily, all employees of this little restaurant are splitting the time and going to take care of him. I found him a walker and wheelchair today. His apartment is on the third floor and it is not wheelchair accessible.

Diabetes is SERIUOUS stuff! Please take care of yourselves so we can live to pick on each other in the future.

Russ

Russ....I never thought I'd be lauding a non-musical posting, but I have to say you did a good deed in posting this. Diabetes has to be the #1 deceptive and underrated disease. Relatively easy to get and quite prevalent in different stages in the general population.

"This little guy has no family, no health insurance and no savings. He lives alone."

That alone is a problem, but the bigger dilemma is having the disease itself and it's drain on your organs, not to mention your lifestyle.

Sometimes I think I have problems now, but they would pale to a diabetes condition.

I'm not sure how I got hooked on this "diabetes" issue...it's been going on for the last year or so with me. No....I don't have it, but I've learned enough about it, and how it creeps up on you to watch my sugar intake carefully. Also, I get regular blood tests done to keep tabs on my glucose and cholesterol at the same time.

You are quite correct. This can be devastating. I also urge everyone to learn more about diabetes and how to keep from getting it. I think we all want to continue playing without any health conditions affecting us…especially those that can be avoided.

MC

I'm guessing this thread received your "Imprimatur" because the words "Pray for" did not precede Diabetics.....

You need your own forum where you can rule the day Lucky.

I hate reading about disease....This is a Keyboard Forum not WEBMED...PLEASE MOVE THIS POST TO THE "BAR"..........not.

Captain....Great information and sad. I will pray for him and those who are helping him.




[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 12-31-2008).]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Russ. This problem could strike any of us so it is good to be aware of it.

Kingfrog.....I feel very sorry for you. You sound like a very unhappy person who has nothing better to do with his time than hang around trying to rip other people apart.

Have a little more class and DON'T do it in
a room where the subject of a potentially debilitating disease like Diabates has been brought up.

I responded to this the way I think the OP felt about it. If something like that hits you hard, you can say goodbye to your music career.

Some of us are still playing and there are other things to think about in addition to scales, arpeggio's, triads, and a few dotted quarter notes.

Lucky

So the Middle East is NOT a topic for discussion, but diabetes is, on an arranger forum...?

Lucky, you got to post some rules somewhere to help us through this minefield... Lord knows, I don't want to upset you any further discussing things YOU don't want to hear about!

Hey Nigel, there's a new Sherriff in town... you can take that vacation now, knowing things are being moderated by Lucky so ably

Diki.....come off it! We both know why Russ brought up the subject in the first place. It's music-related! You don't watch yourself at this age, you leave the door open for Diabetes. You get Diabetes and the problems are really going to start. You don't think that will affect your ability to continue playing?

Now....I ask you...what on Earth does a war in the Middle East have to do with music?

Lucky

P.S. You spelled Sheriff wrong. You need to slow down your typing. That's one of my rules!!

Lets not forget the "forum Deputy's" own wayward wandering off into his own non Arranger thread with the

"The Safe Zone: where you can drop off your thoughts safely".


Starting with the permissive disclaimer:
"I’m hoping Nigel doesn’t mind me trying this idea out.

every forum has a wannabe moderator. You know. The ones who are shouting use the search function and whining about off topic discussion yet it's ok for them to do so and judge which off topic subjects are deemed OK.

Amazing gall of some people.

Yet your first line "Russ....I never thought I'd be lauding a non-musical posting, but" Doesn;t sound like you believe yourself it was music related until now!! Dude relax let people be who they are and share what they need to. You did with the "safe Zone"

No Lucky.... Actually it's in the exact SAME vein as the Mid East thread.

Someone has great EMPATHY for someone else's situation and the human condition and is asking for support and warning others of the pain of an infliction and situation.

I really don't see much difference in intent to help the afflicted except the word "pray" wasn't involved which if it were I am sure you would not have dropped rose petals on the thread along with your "distinct approval.".

Every forum has a self appointed deputy who's dream it is to moderate. I found this ones early.



[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 01-02-2009).]

Yet your first line "Russ....I never thought I'd be lauding a NON-MUSICAL posting, but"

Doesn't read like you believe your own words!! Dude relax let people be who they are and share what they need to. You did with the "safe Zone"

No Lucky.... Actually it's in the exact SAME vein as the Mid East thread.

Someone has great EMPATHY for someone else's situation and the human condition and is asking for support and warning others of the pain of an infliction and situation.

I really don't see much difference in intent to help the afflicted except the word "pray" wasn't involved which if it were I am sure you would not have dropped rose petals on the thread along with your "distinct approval." despite your admission it was indeed NOT music related...but ok with you nevertheless.

Every forum has a self appointed deputy who's dream it is to moderate. I found this ones early.




[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 01-02-2009).]

King....I'm being honest when I tell you I didn't even read your postings (or you'd find another rebuttal here). I really prefer to spend my time being a musician and not an orator or debater.

I'll say it again...you're probably basically a very nice guy when the dust settles but you really need to get off this "nit-picking" kick.

Try putting your energy into making music. Isn't that what we're all here for?

Lucky

Actually, there was a strong music related connection. I know three old time horn players in Lexington who are missing a foot or toes due to this disease. And I know of 7 from the area who have died from complications.

R.

I would check the water....

My little friend is now out of the hospital and living with a friend who also works at the restaurant. He has no doctor, doesn't know how to clean the wound from the amputation, has no means to get a prothesis, has no access to physical and occuupational theraphy.

On top of that, when we contacted his family in Mexico (he wants to just get on a bus and go home)his 4 kids and wife, say they don't want him to come home...just keep sending money.

How very, very sad. Let's all cherish thoase close to us.


R.

G'day Captain Russ,
What a sad story, You obviously have a great deal of empathy for your fellow man, and I like to think I have the same.
My Mother had her second leg amputated at a similar position to your friend at the age of 83 yrs. ( we nicknamed her Lurch) and I understand completely why you are concerned for his wellbeing.
Don't tell me you do not have at least some basic health cover in your country for everyone. If not, that is a dsgrace that should be addressed immediately, if you are to consider The U.S.A. an example for the Democratic World to follow.
I swore I would not get into world politics on this Forum as I beleive it is not the place, and there are other topics outside of "Obama Wins".( 101 posts is ridiculous)This is a music based forum and should stay that way, but I took the chance here because the subject touched me deeply.
I think there is a case for a section outside the music threshhold to be added if enough posters wish for it, on other topics. Or is that what The Bar is ???
This is not personal Russ,You are obviously too caring a person to be the victim of my tirade, and I wish your friend all the good fortune in the world. I am nearly crying now, so I will get out of here now.
Ray

------------------
Ray The Saint

Thanks, Ray. Sadly, there is no national health coverage in the US. On top of that, medical care is less efficient and more expensive here than in many places in the world. That's a national trajedy.


On top of that, this fellow doesn't speak English and is not a citizen of the US.

Your observations are on the mark and appreciated.

Russ

Man, what a sad education! Im cleaning my friends open wound every 4 hours. His blood sugar is so high (over 300) that there's not much chance it will heal. He has no money, no family in this country, and can't get it together enough to even eat right or take his medicine when he should. He is in major pain. He fell after the surgury and broke all the stitches open. The only fix is a graft. His mother lost both legs-same thing-in Mexico.

His children say they don't want him to come home. At 37, he thinks his life is over.

Luckily, there is an organization affiliated with a local University that provides fee based care. They show respect for their clients. I don't know what people like this would do without this kind of service. I'm taking him to daily appointments, and they're doing what they can, but they are a family health practice, and this is way more serious than what they usually handle.

Please, please take care of yourselves !


Russ

Diabetes is for real, and quite scary.

Diabetes is for real, and quite scary.

Diabetes is for real, and quite scary.