"You'll Find This Dance Is Cool to Do/C'mon, Baby Gonna Teach It To You"

[BY PETER]

Anyone who has enjoyed or suffered my rants about 60's music knows that I relate strongly to song lyrics, factoids about the singer or songwriter, and other way-back information. In my perfect world, we'd all converse in early 60's song lyrics.

 

When I learned that I'd be spending a lot of time in Philadelphia, it was easy to recall my first associations with that city's music. The first records I bought and listened to around 1961 were on the Philly-based Cameo-Parkway label. Their artists were young performers and groups who specialized in dance songs: Chubby Checker (the Twist, the Fly, the Limbo), the Orlons (the Wahtusi), the Dovells (the Bristol Stomp, the Hully Gully), Bobby Rydell (the Cha Cha), and Dee Dee Sharp (the Mashed Potato, the Pony). I still have all the albums from 50+ years ago (!), including 6 Chubby Checker albums. The title of this posting is from Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time."

 

A couple of years ago Susan and I were eating lunch at Elmo's on 9th Street, I ordered my usual  meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The unsuspecting waitress asked innocently, "Would you like gravy with your mashed potatoes?" I answered excitedly, "Yes, because there was a record around 1962 called 'Give Me Gravy With My Mashed Potatoes.' The Gravy was a new dance and it was Dee Dee Sharp's follow-up to her earlier hit!" Susan started to roll her eyes and the poor server started to ease away from our table, likely wondering how much time she had left in her shift, whether she should call Security, or hang in there in the hopes of getting a big tip. She chose the last option, and every one was happy, I think.

 

In the 70's and 80's, I enjoyed other Philly groups like the O'Jays and Delphonics. But the authorities tell me that I've exceeded the limit on music trivia, so on to hospital matters.

 

I'm writing at the hospital, where I'm about to receive my 15th out of 20 radiation treatments. Any one who has been hospitalized for a while knows that there are occasional "indignities" that are part of the process. They may be absolutely necessary, e.g., getting constantly pricked for blood samples or IV hookups, but they feel intrusive after a while. I'm currently an outpatient, but the worst part of sessions is having to wear the gowns required for radiation. Before your name is called, you take off your clothes above the belt. Then you put on this long, cotton gown, with the open side to the back. Over that, you then put another gown with the open side in front. 

Because my Main Advisor for All Things In Life--Susan--isn't present to direct my arms, I struggle to find a way to tie loose ends. While walking back to the radiation room, I grab a handful of robe above and below the belt in a usually successful effort to prevent the whole mess from slipping off. My lurching past other patients bears a resemblance to a zombie in the movie "Night of the Living Dead." 

 

 

Don't forget the Murphey School Radio Show on Saturday, March 1 
(www.murpheyschoolradio.net) ! 

  A little (bald) boy, aged 4 or so, just rang the bell. Now he's posing for photos with his grandparents. Yay for him and his family and all the good folks who have treated him.

 

--Peter K

Waiting To Ring The Bell

[FROM PETER!]

This morning I walked through 8 inches of snow to get to the U. of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, where I'm about to get my 14th out of 20 daily outpatient radiation sessions. If all goes according to plan, I'll head home, after the 20th, on Friday, 2/21. The docs say you can make up missed sessions, but that would delay a return to NC. I appreciated the staff who came to work under bad weather conditions so that patients like me could be seen.

When I started getting the treatments two weeks ago, I had to remove a necklace with a "charm" on it. The charm says "STAX" with the logo of a hand in the finger-snapping position. STAX was the Memphis record company and home of Booker T and the MG's, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Johnny Taylor, the Staples Singers, Rufus and Carla Thomas, et. al. I attended the Durham Blues Festival about four years ago and was able to stand within 30 feet of Booker T and the MG's. Usually I'm not starstruck in the presence of famous people, but this time was different. Guitarist Steve Cropper was the co-writer of "Knock On Wood", "In The Midnight Hour", "Sitting On the Dock of the Bay", et. al., and the proximity to him was almost overwhelming. I look forward to putting the necklace back on for the indefinite future.

Another thing I look forward to is ringing the bell in the large waiting room of the radiology clinic. It's a custom here for a patient to ring the ship's bell loudly upon finishing the last scheduled session. Everyone applauds loudly, happy for and envious of the ringer. I've seen this done at UNC-Hospital, where a large gong is rung.

For people new to the blog....the reason I'm here is that my cancer was re-detected 4 months ago. Duke, where I'd been treated for the past two years, was unable to offer me much besides chemotherapy. Proton beam radiation, a specialized approach, is available at only ten sites or so around the country, and the hospital here is close to several family mermbers where I'm staying.

This space provides a good opportunity to publicly thank a lot of people. Susan continues to be there for me in all her roles: organizer of my medicine supply; reminder-er that I need to drink a lot of water; communicator with hospital persoonel; sender of warm clothes (I would never buy or wear fleece-lined pants on my own); keeper of our farm. Re: the latter, yesterday Susan, who is alone at the farm, put the blade on the tractor, fed 7 dogs and cats, tried in vain to to get Cledus the Mule out of the snow and into a shed, brought loads of firewood into the house, etc. Many friends are standing by to help, especially if there's a bad ice storm.

  Art Axelbank, M.D., my family doctor in Hillsborough, has been a superb diagnostician and caregiver. Two years ago he referred me to specialists who confirmed his suspicion of cancer and recently he made the right call about pneumonia. He demonstrates the  best qualities you'd want in a doctor--a smart, caring, kind doc. I'll mention other folks in subsequent messages.

Don't forget to attend the Murphey School Radio Show on Saturday, March 1. The seventh in a series of shows over the past three years,it's a comedy/musical/theatrical production in the format of a live radio show. Along with core cast members--singers Jennifer Evans and Stella, musicians Robert Griffith, Rick Keena, Lesley Land (and me), and various actors, the event will have initial appearances by a bunch of talented writers and musicians. 

Beneficiaries of the occasion are Meals On Wheels (Durham) and Farmers Foodshare. Go to www.murpheyschoolradio.net for ticket information. Every show, in the beautifully-restored auditorium has ended with a long standing ovation by the audience.

Love and clear blue skies to all----Peter K

So far so good

[BY SUSAN]

Peter's journey has been interesting because after two weeks of treatment (halfway there!) he feels better than he did when he started, and that's not the trajectory that radiation usually takes.  The reason, of course, is that he started treatment just on the heels of having been hospitalized with pneumonia.  So the pneumonia has resolved and the radiation sickness hasn't kicked in.  Here's hoping it just won't.

High on the list of what is helping Peter feel good is the exquisite care he is getting from cousins Lori and Joel.  Lori teaches M-Th at Penn State, so a lot of the weekly care has fallen to Joel who is such a good cook that I wonder if Peter will really want to come home.  Joel has anticipated many of Peter's needs, and has become a good friend as well as cousin-in-law.  Joel and Lori have done double-duty since they also looked after their niece and nephew in their home across-town while Lori's sister Janet and her husband John were away.  Peter has enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Simon better, and we anticipate a summer visit to the farm from Hannah, and maybe we can entice Simon, too.

I think all the walking is doing Peter some good as well.  Most days he walks at least one way (one mile) to the hospital for his noon-time treatment.  He talked of being tired and cold some days, but wouldn't take the trolley.  I knew why...he was afraid to navigate the logistics of getting a ticket, getting on, and getting off (hopefully at the right place).  Finally the weather drove him to ride the rails.  That night I got this message:


I took the trolley both ways today. Am writing from Des Moines--PK

See?  He can still make me laugh after all these years.

My home-organizing efforts have been modest at best, and most can't be seen from a walk-through.  You have to open drawers or cabinets.  But if you do, you might find something like this:



After the successful trolley-ride Peter bought himself a train ticket to visit his mom in NY this weekend, and I am gearing up to go to Philly in about a week.  I've tried to use this time to catch up on repairs and other things here, but the extreme cold that first week took a lot of time just to manage. So far this time has been a good transition from the working-outside-the-home life.

To follow up on the last post, my sister stayed in the hospital far longer than she or anyone else expected.  She got an infection from a cat bite to her wrist that went into the facia and threatened to get into the bone, which could be deadly.  She is home and infection-free now, but tired and weak.  Here's a picture Taz ("that cat").  Once, while visiting them, Taz tried to keep me from leaving my room at night when I needed to visit the loo.  Sweet ferocity.

 

My friend Solita is doing incredible well considering the severity of the wreck and her injuries.  She is awake, talking some, and by now should be out of the ICU and starting physical therapy.  She will have a long recovery, no doubt, but so many things went right for her.  She is fortunate to have wonderful family members in town and her mother is down from CT. 

That's about it for now.  I am bracing for more "wintery mix," but so far it doesn't look too bad.  The Hotwheels Handspinners are meeting here on Sunday for a fiber swap, so if you knit or crochet or spin, come join us!  Email me for details.  Thanks again to everyone who has checked in on us or helped out in one way or another.

Peter, Sharon, and Solita

Whew.

First off to say that Peter is settling into his routine in Philadelphia and is doing quite well.  He seems to have recovered from the pneumonia, and is walking the mile (each way) to the hospital and back, so his noon appointments take up a good chunk of the middle of the day.  He is eating well and sleeping well, and actually appreciates the fleece-lined jeans I sent him for the colder days.  "They fit," he said, "and they keep me warm.  Who knew?"

Many thanks to Joel Steiker for his exquisite care and cooking this week.  

On other fronts my sister is in the hospital in Little Rock for cat-bite induced cellulitis.  The bite was from her own cat (long story), so no worries about rabies.  But the oral antibiotics weren't working, so she's getting the routine for cellulitis that Peter got last week for pneumonia.  Her husband, Gates, was admitted for a few days with bronchitis the week before that, which leaves me to wonder if I am next.  I am doing a lot of clearing out here at home, and climbing up to clean things and change light bulbs, so you can bet I am being VERY careful.

This morning I got word that my very dear friend, Solita Denard, was in a very bad weather-related car wreck yesterday and is in the Duke ICU with serious head injuries. 

Icy Auto Accident

I spent much of today tracking down information, and tonight got some very promising news.  I hope to meet up with her mother tomorrow and perhaps get to see Solita.  She and I worked together for many years, and everyone who knows her knows how special she is.  Lots of prayers and good vibes going up tonight for Solita


.

Peter hopes to get to New York next weekend (8th-9th) to see his mom, and most likely I'll go up that next week or weekend to be with him for his final run and drive him back home.  Tomorrow he will have completed 1/4 of his treatments.  That's amazing.

If you had come to the door of our house today I would have locked the door and hidden.  That's because I am clearing out cabinets, and all of the "stuff" is strewn out around the living room as I sort it out and (mostly) bag it for the trash or Thrift Shop.  It looks a little more orderly now, but that is just an illusion.  I hope, by the end of the weekend, to have a truckload hauled off.  It feels really good to do this.

That's about it from here.

Susan

Let the Snow Fall

First off, here's a link to the Proton Beam Therapy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

UPenn Proton Beam Therapy

Second, here's the news from North Carolina:

 Winter Storm Warning for North Carolina

Snow I can handle. I've got my plan to stock up on things in the morning, and then hunker down for a lovely afternoon/evening and another "snow day" on Wednesday.  The frigid temperatures following the snow are what makes it hard to care for the animals, but it looks like they won't be around too long.  I've got my systems established, so will be fine.  Already got the woodbox full.  The dog walked right in front of the downhill wood cart again tonight.  It IS like a computer game (see earlier post).

I was a little worried when freezing rain was in the forecast, because as of now, "I don't do chain saws."  I have a couple of dandy little folding saws and I LOVE to clear brush with them.  But remembering the big ice storm of 2003 (I think); it took all day to clear the driveway -- with Peter on the chain saw and Amanda and me hauling logs, limbs, and brush (heavy with ice).  I think I'll check in with the neighbors to come up with a plan just-in-case.  And I guess it is time for me to put the blade on the tractor.

Peter had a long first day of treatment today, in part because he saw Dr. Metz, which he had not expected.  Cousin Janet stayed for the long haul, and got him there and back home.  Tomorrow he tackles the trip alone.  I took cousin Lori's map and translated it into the kind of directions Peter prefers..."walk out the front door to the sidewalk and turn left.  Walk to the corner (48th Street) and turn left again..."

Once he gets his routines established I think there will be a period of "ordinary" for both of us.  I am learning what it feels like to not be working off the farm, as I have done since 2005.  Peter is adjusting to city life, and this will be the second time we've ever been apart for this length of time, the other being when he volunteered in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.

With Peter away, here are my main companions - Shady and Piper: 

Remember, if you want to write to Peter, it is c/o Ginzberg/Steiker, 4813 Beaumont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA   19143.

On to Philadelphia

[BY SUSAN]
By the time you read this Peter will have had dinner with 10 family members including his beloved uncle and aunt, David and Shirley (parents of the Lori and Janet who are helping to take care of Peter).

David is Peter's mother's brother, and before I met him I had been so warned about his sense of humor that in the photo of our meeting--at our wedding in 1981-- my face registers a very clear "I have no idea what he might do" expression.  I don't recall that he did anything (probably took pity on a Southern girl) but over the years he has made me laugh harder than most anyone except Peter.

You can see the wonderful Shirley off to the right of the picture (she had no idea what he might do, either), and Peter's mother behind David.  That's cousin Nadine in the background-and I think Janet is behind me.

Peter has had a wonderful time with Marty and Scott and was very well cared for.  And though he did tire out some (to be expected after pneumonia) he ate and rested well and I think he'll be landing in Philadelphia ready to start treatment tomorrow.  Scott drove him over from his home in Newark, DE.

Here on the farm I am SO grateful for a slight break in the weather.  Yesterday's high winds were harder for me than the previous days' low temperatures.  I couldn't keep the house warm and working outside in the "Farmstead" building was a bit like working in a wind tunnel.  I did what I had to do and gave up on being very productive yesterday.

About 3 weeks ago I went to a "Mindful Yoga" class and wrote my column about it...so sure was I that this was one place I need to be ever week.  But circumstances prevented me from going back until today.  My dear friend Gayle Dauverd went with me, and though the room was packed, I really appreciated being led through the experience by teacher Amy Gorely.  It definitely made the day go well (along with Gayle's presence).

And then, icing on the cake, daughter Amanda came out and spent almost two hours helping me shovel manure (the verb is "muck) from the small paddock behind our horse barn.  Amanda does Cross-Fit and is as strong as an ox, and having ridden through her youth, she is an experienced "mucker."  It was fun to shovel alongside her and chat.

So many of you have offered help with things and we promise that we'll call you if we need something.  Right now I am enjoying the physicality of taking care of all the animals and bringing wood into the house.  There aren't many people I'd invite to shovel manure with me, but Holli Crawford, you're on that list!  And, Amanda, thank you.  Getting the paddock cleaned out feels really great.  It is odd what can start to matter in times like this.

Peter starts treatments tomorrow at noon.  Cousin Janet is going along for the first one.  It will take longer for him to get set up for the treatment than for them to actually do it...the entire procedure being less than 30 minutes a day.  I think that the noon schedule is perfect...allowing for a leisurely morning and then not too much day left to fill with exercise, exploration, and rest. 

Beyond that, almost everything is unknown.  Will keep you posted and I hope that Peter will start writing soon...bringing Philadelphia music history and song lyrics right to your computer screen.

Thanks everyone!
Susan

LOVESTEAD

"Lovestead" is the river house owned by Peter's college buddies Scott and Laurie Loveless.  He's there with Scott and their other college roommate - Marty Ellin.  Below are a couple of pictures from an earlier trip which included another friend, Jeff Johnson.














Peter just called and reports "feeling great" and "90%." 

And here is Marty's report via email just now: 

Susan- good morning. A quick report- to me, Peter is only about 100% better than this time yesterday. Pneumonia effects fading, surely- immune system kicking in and antibiotics gaining ground. And maybe also a slight emotional lift at being with old friends. But he is lively and playful and ate well and Scott and I are exchanging happy glances. 

Knew you would want know. M

Peter always said that laughter could cure him, and Marty and Scott can surely make him laugh.  They have serious talks, too.  Peter says this is an unusual friendship, and I'd agree.  They go so far back and have been through so much together.

Just wanted to share the good news.  I am getting caught up on some of my work with my little home business, Farmstead Health Supply.  The wind is finding all the cracks in our old house, but the big black stove is belching out the heat, and hauling the wood keeps me warm, too.  Peter and Geoff Hathaway had maxed out the storage space for wood in the house and porch, so I won't need to haul a load until later today.  I do enjoy it, though.

Take care!

Susan