Alright everybody - -
What would you prefer,
a captivatingly beautiful piano performance by me.....
or
an update on the anguish and misery that I'm enduring in rehab.
The votes are in! It's unanimous!
You want anguish and misery.
Well, I'm not in the mood for verbosity or details. I'll be brief. Sort of.
The big storm arrived on time with snow on Friday and Saturday. Not much snow here in town. A lot more way out in the boonies where I live.
I'm still on a massive amount of meds. I think the extremely strong antibiotic will be removed this week. The onslaught of lasix continues - - which makes me pee every half hour.
It's so joyful to keep filling urinals and calling the nurses to empty them.
Yesterday two nurses shaved me (my face/beard). No one has ever shaved me in my entire life. Weird.
When I was in Cookeville I was on a very strict diet. They hardly let me eat anything. Now I'm on a regular diet with "low" sodium. Yesterday I had bacon, a cheese omelette, and regular coffee (no decaf) for breakfast. I think they're trying to kill me.
I'm really not in the mood to get into complicated details. It's all setbacks, anguish, massive unpleasantness.
Everyone is helpful here, despite my misery.
My vital signs and bloodwork are good. The edema has lessened significantly and is under control.
My biggest fear is that I'll never walk again.
To hell with this.
Like it or not, let's get to the music.
I made this video a few years ago (?). I thought it's appropriate for our winter weather.
Of course it's "Troika" ("November" from "The Seasons") by Tchaikovsky.
video best viewed full screen
Jon
Your driver on the sleigh ride
Tchaikovsky... probably my favorite, so I thoroughly enjoyed this. Bravo Jon!!! I hope that they will keep you long enough this time to make sure you're doing well. The setbacks take a toll I surmise.
ReplyDeleteThe setbacks are extremely frustrating - - it's one unpleasant ordeal after another. But I keep pushing foreward....
DeleteTchaikovsky always sets the mood for winter. Glad you enjoyed the sleigh ride.
The video is beautiful. Felt like we really were riding on a sleigh. Slow down!
ReplyDeleteDo you think those deer ever get cold?
I should have warned you to use the seat belts. The ice can be more dangerous than the driver.....a I doubt if the deer get cold, but I've seen some of them wearing heating pads.
DeleteWhen there’s snow, a sleigh ride is the thing to do and something I haven’t done (yet). Thanks, Jon, for the musical interlude and sharing this was at least a diversion from your continuing medical issues. Hope it gives you some joy knowing others enjoyed the performance.
ReplyDeleteThe recent snow made it seem like Christmas in January. A sleigh ride would be appropriate ( that's something I haven't yet done, either). Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks, Dorothy.
DeleteBTW so far I haven't received any mail here at Signature...but it's often late.
Hope that the mail catches up, Jon.
DeleteI love how you catered to our need to know how you're doing (narrator: fair to middling), then to your own need to post a music performance! Thanks for both.
ReplyDeleteI always have a burning desire to complain about my health and balance it out with my piano videos. Glad you enjoy both, Liz!
DeleteGreat video, but I must say the last time I heard Tchaikovsky’s Troika it was used as background music on a VCR videotape of either the History of the Blue Movies or about early gay porn of the 20’s and 30’s. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen they feed you, eat the omelette and skip the rest, and drink water. Best to avoid high salt and sugary foods when you’re sick, you think a hospital would know better. Hope you get well soon :) - Rj
I can't imagine "Troika" being used as background music for a gay porn documentary - - but Tchaikovsky would be proud.
DeleteI am truly trying to cut down on salt and sugar - - but enjoying the food. I did a lot of physical therapy today, which is good.
This is one of my favorite videos ... so don't ask me to choose!
ReplyDeleteOf course, we're anxious to hear how you're doing ... and why on earth would someone want to shave your beard? I hope at least they provided warming towels like in the movies. I love how you've not lost your sense of humor!
It's wonderful to hear my complaints and music at the same time. "Troika" is one of my favorites, too. I especially like the deer/reindeer.
DeleteThey simply asked if I wanted a shave. At first I was hesitant, but then I figured I had nothing to lose. Heck I already lost my dignity....
I'm really pleased to hear about the issues that are resolving, it's a very good sign. I'm guessing that a large portion of the rehab is getting you mobile again, is that right?
ReplyDeleteAs your edema resolves, the lasix dose should lessen...they should be checking your potassium level (K) weekly, or every other week..the lasix can affect that and your sodium levels. A chem panel would be advised, I'd say weekly.
I've never been on a sleigh pulled by deer. A wagon, pulled by horses in the snow once. Decades ago, my wife and I would go out on snowshoes, the new baby in a pack, when we lived in Alaska. The moonlight on the snow and the joy of being young.
I have a birthday this week, and 80 is in sight. As Satchel Paige supposedly said "If I knew I'd live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself". Lol.
Cheers, my friend.
I'll have to ask about my potassium and sodium levels. My edema has improved significantly - my legs look normal. Today I was able to lift my right leg, which was impossible to do a few days ago. I have therapy every day.
DeleteMoonlight in the Alaska snow sounds intriguing and romantic.
Congratulations and all good wishes for your upcoming birthday!
By the way, have you ever heard of the French pianist Colette Maze (1914 - 2023). She performed until she was 109!!! Truly astonishing. You can find videos and information about her on YouTube.