Sports and Music

What a week!

The World Cup has begun and the first round is over. USA did not show up - sad consdering they were ranked 5th in the world - I guess they spent too much time reading their press clippings instead of reading the grass clippings on the pitch.

However, the bravo performace of the Miami Heat and the Carolina Hurricane made up for the wimpy US soccer.

Many Americans poo-poo soccer but for those of us who have developed a bit of a passion for the sport, the USA team performance is downright sad. Oh well, we have two more weeks to enjoy the other battles for the World Cup.

The big news is that we were able to see String Cheese Incident and Ratdog at the Pozo Saloon this weekend. These bands are beginning their summer tour together - each doing a 2 hour set - and I guess they went to Pozo to kick it off and get some of the kinks worked out before a live audience. The kinks were minor (Billy forgot the third verse of Tom Thumb Blues). The venue was dusty but the music was clean. The experience was reminescent of the day when the corporations were not in charge, music was played in a pasture (Max Yasgar's farm) and there was no need for police other than to give directions and help park the cars.

This weekend we head to High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy - something we have been doing for the past 12 years or so, for more music. Beth, Bill, Marlee and Grace are staying with us in Graeagle so I hope to get some nice pix to post.

Healthwise, things are fine and the summer is progessing as planned.

Stay tuned.

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Medical Update

Today is a 'medical day'. I went to the Dentist and had a root canal completed and although not necessarily painful, keeping your mouth fully open for an hour is not an easy task. (If you want the name of a great Fresno/Madera dentist - email me).

I also saw my oncologist. My Prostate markers (PSA, PAP) went down from

March -> April

, and made a jump from

April -> May

. I find out my 'numbers' one month after they are drawn - so today we saw the May numbers. The oncologist thought it was time to go to UCSF for a consult and perhaps some advanced treatment not available in Fresno; but we decided to wait after I got this mornings numbers and they are plateaued and one is tending down. So, I am holding my own and not to worry for a while - time to go play, etc.

Stay tuned.

Wedding

This weekend (June 9-12) we flew to St Paul MN to attend the wedding of my second cousin Rob and Emily. Although the main purpose of the trip was to be there to witness the covenent, it was also a chance to celebrate with my wonderful family.

Good fortune had it that my sons and their family could made the trip and we had a great family time. It was really nice that baby Emily (Steve and Jen's miracle) could make the trip.

A slide show of some of the peole can be seen by clicking below.



A picture of the Ward Collection



St Paul is one of America's great cities and I would recommend it to anyone who has a chance, get there.

I see the Doctor and Dentist next week - oh well...
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Madonna

Today was a sad day when I heard that Billy Preston died. I saw him not too long ago when he was touring with Eric Clapton. He had such a diverse musical career he is hard to type: from gospel to rock. He was, in my mind, a 5th Beatle.

Anyway we had tix to see Madonna's Confessions show at the Save Mart tonight. I have seen a lot of shows but this was clearly the pinnacle - she had two hundred tons of equipment, more than 20 semis to haul it and a road crew of 150.

For me, she is hot in every sense of the word. From the start she demanded no one sit and everyone dance, and at times, jump. The crowd was in a frenzy most of the time.

Her music was focused in some part on her new album - great disco but the show also covered a sampling of her career: she variouisly vamped, played a stripper, played a hard rocker, had a midddle eastern theme set, and several visual themes including her singing while pinned to a steel cross.

She also had a set to make a political statement - she displayed many unpleaseant images of war and images of bad guys - Sadaam, Hitler, Idi Amin, interspested with pictures of George Bush; the Democratic Party could not have done it better. Main difference between Geo Bush and the 'bad guys' is that the bad guys were try dictators and tyrants and Mr. Bush is mostly the spokesperson and photo op for the White House and the real policy makers lie in secret (Cheney, Rumsfield, Rove etc).

Two hours plus - non-stop dancing singing and carrying on. Maybe it IS the Red String!

In other matters, I am feeling fine and ready to fly to Minneapolis for a wedding this weekend - should be a wonderful time.

Carole's last day as Director of the Emergency Department was last Friday - she is now working to help the new boss transition and in 2 months it will be Saturday every day.

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Strawberry Music Festival

Well, after all these years we finally made it to Strawberry Music Festival (SMF).
It was a family affair with Peter, Steve and Beth and their families all going. Steve and his family and Carole and I stayed in the Evergreen Lodge - a mile from the Fest - luxury in the mountains. We were particularly glad we did it when it turned cold and snowed.



Despite the frigid weather, we had a grand and great time. The kids seems to enjoy each other and there was plenty of activity for all interests and all ages.

Steve dealt with the cold with a warm blanket.

Perhaps the nicest thing about SMF is that it is less than three hours from Fresno, below 5000 feet, 40 minutes to Yosemite Valley.

Healthwise, everything seems fine.

Next weekend is rest.... then off to Minnesota for a wedding and a chnace to hook up with many of my favorite relatives.

Cheers.

Oh yes, there was a child-big-love moment courtesy of Grace Ann and an unsuspecting Rod.





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Big Weekend

Another big weekend.

We drove to Southern California on Friday and stayed with Steve and Jen.


Saturday Beth and the kids came to SB and the 'men' went to Rancho San Marcos Golf Club to play golf;


it was a glorious day and lots of fun. That night we dined an an electic wonderful restuarant in Montecito called Cava; if you need a place to park in Santa Barbara where the food and drink is extraordinary - try Cava.

Sunday we drove to Ventura to attend the wedding of Kathy Pierce's lovely daughter, Rachel. It was a great reception with fantastic food, then the drive back to Fresno.


Next week is Strawberry Music Festival and we are all getting excited.

Stay tuned.


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Check-Up

Well, some good news. With my current therapy, my PSA has fallen 20% - nothing to get excited about but it is going in the right direction and I do not have another check up for a month!

Although I am not on traditional chemo, I still am tired all the time and have poor exercise tolerance - so that is my excuse to watch the NBA playoffs. There are residuals of the chemo --> aches and pains --> but not bad enough for medical chronic.

This weekend we are going to a Wedding in Ventura; the following weekend it is Strawberry Music Festival and then after a brief rest, to another wedding in Minneapolis (or is it St Paul) and a chance to shoppe at the Mall of America.

Carole is retiring no later than September, and then it is probably cruise time - perhaps Alaska or Mexico.

On Friday, we reflect on what happened nine (9) years ago - we were reduced to war refugees! For a nice Powerpoint Photo Show Click Here!

It was a struggle at first, but now we can relax and enjoy the fruit of our labours.

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Time to Remember

Last weekend was clearly a whirlwind time. Carole and me, as well as her sister Anice and the Hazelton’s (Beth, Bill, Marlee, and Grace) flew back to Sharon Penna to attend a memorial service for Carole’s mother at the First Presbyterian Church in Sharon.







It was a fitting tribute to a life well lived and hopefully will bring some closure to all that loved her.










While in Sharon we traveled to New Wilmington and Volant – the heartland of the Western Pennsylvania Amish. Initially one is struck with the simplicity of the buggies and dress and the bucolic vistas of the Amish farms. However, it is enchanting, and has a tranquility that transcends all the hoy paloy of current affairs in America.





We also had a chance to visit Jig Warren, one of my lifelong friends who has his hands full trying to develop franchises for his Quaker Steak and Lube restaurants. We had a chance to meet this wonderful children – Margot and Meredith. Jig had a big influence on me growing up, as well as his parents George and Mary. If you ever get near a QS & L, do drop n for the best Wings USA.

The grandkids are clearly travelers – they enjoyed every minute.






We were also happy to be able to spend time with my brother Steve and his wife Jean and my nephew Steve Jr. Nothing but fun. I really would like to spend more time there as I love where I was raised in Western Pennsylvania.

Health wise, nothing to report. My hair seems to be on a bit of a growth spurt and I actually had to save after a 3 month hiatus.

We have a chance to relax for the next few weeks before going out of town – next rip is to Rob Godsall-Meyers marriage in Minneapolis in June.

Stay in touch.
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Easter Week Fun

Marlee had the week after Easter off from kindergarden; so I took a train to LA on Tuesday and drove to Fresno with Beth and the children on Wednesday evening. What a great time! Both girls enjoyed see the Wiggles and Grace had a lot of fun. Grace loves eggs and is a great eater (thats is what the photo represents).

Click here to see more photos.

We drove to LA on Saturday morning (2 cars) and went to the House of Blues in West Hollywood Sat night to see Yonder Mountain String Band. The place was packed and the crowd was lit up in many way to the extent it suprised the band. Peter and Nichole, Paul and Helen, Rob, Rod and shannon, Steve R. also made it - what a great time.

Home on Sunday. Next weekend we are going to Sharon PA to celebrate the wonderful life of Carole's Mom at a memorial service.

Take care.

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Game Plan

The photo was taken in Yosemite a couple of weeks ago while we were watching the Final Four at the Mountain Bar.

My oncoloy status is unchanged; I am going to stay on the current treatment (a daily handful of pills and an occasional IV) to see what happens when my androgens are supersupressed. More than likely, I will look into further treatment (vaccine, new oncologic, Haitian Voodoo), but at present things are steady.

Beth and the kids will be up next week to the see the Wiggles and that should be fun.

The following week we will be travelling to Sharon in Western Pennsylvania to have an interment service for Carole's mother.

Hope Easter was special for everyone.

BTW, Click here to visit an interesting blog site of a man I admire.

Cheers.

Guests

Great weekend for guests. Beth, Bill, Marlee and Grace Ann came to visit; it was especially fun since the Cawdreys came down from Montanta to visit.

Steve and Nancy Cawdrey founded and ran a school in Montana based upon a log cabin - wilderness experience model, believing that kids need to be in a envirnment that focuses on internal issues (emotional literacy). Most students came from the paralyzing influence of wealth to an Abe Lincoln experience. The individuality and toughness that you see in my chidren was forged at their School - Spring Creek.

Steve is retired and Nancy artistic magic has bloomed as a Western Artist whose material draws on her wordwilde experiences. Her website is worth a look!

Carole is doing very well grieving her Mom's death and has things in hand to celebrate her life at a church service in Sharon Pa in late April.

Since I have not seen a doctor for 3 weeks and have had not lab or x-ray, there is no bad news. However, I have an appointment at the end of the week.

For the past 20 years, I have tried to listen Bach's St Matthew Passion each Good Friday. Even if you do not uderstand German, it will reach your spirit/soul - try it.

Finally, I put up some pics of the weekend. Click and check it out

.

We are closing with a picture of the Cawdreys

The Beauty of It

One of the reasons I live in Fresno is to be close to the Sierras - especially Yosemite. When I first came to the Left Coast in 1968 I was unprepared for the grandness of Yosemite. As I visited the park more and more I fell in love with it. This weekend, Carole and I spent a lovely 3 days in the park. The day after we arrived, it snowed and it was breath taking. We were able to have dinner and brunch at the Awahnee Hotel - surely one of the seven wonders of the USA. To see some pictures, click here.

Otherwise we seem fine, except a lot of things are up in the air - my disabilty status, Carole's retirement plan, High Sierra. However, all things are headed in the right direction!

I would especially like to thank Ken V. - my friend - and long time Yosemite employee, for setting up our dinner and brunch at the 'Queens' table.

Lots of guests this upcoming weekend and we are excited. Stay tuned.

Peace and Health,

Bill

A Sad Time

It is a sad and reflective time at our house.

Carole's Mom, Gunelda Hall, passed away in her sleep at the age of 92 yesterday afternoon at her residence at Sunrise. There are probably not a nicer and more honest couple on this planet than Gunelda Hall and Sherman Hall. The qualities we all admire in Carole came from somewhere, or as they say, the acorn does not fall far from the tree. Gunelda has a burial plot next to her husband in Sharon PA, and after the spring thaw were will have a grave-side interment service for her. When Mrs. Hall first come to Fresno she lived quite independently at a Retirement Community but as her age advanced, she moved to Sunrise Center where had very caring staff and friends. She had a full and rewarding life and left three wonderful children. It was my lucky day to have Gunelda as my mother-in-law.

Next weekend we will be travelling to Yosemite for a meeting - 3 days - it is especially beautiful this time of year with the big water and snow. Good time for pictures.

Healthwise, Carole and I are fine - being off chemo for awhile is kind of nice since I have been it continuously for 1 1/2 year and forgot what 'normal' is like.

My resolution of my disability insurance is in good hands and hopefully it will be resolved soon so I do not have to depend on Carole for an 'allowance'.

Anyway, remember Gunelda Hall is your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and Health.

Up and Down

Within the last couple of weeks, my PSA has decided to leave the plateau; my oncologist has concluded that it is time again to change the game plan. The good news is I will be off the heavy chemo so my hair will come back and perhaps some energy. Instead we are going to do "secondary hormone manipulation" which means more pills and less shots. The good news is I feel fine and the blood test is just that. I do not have a followup for a month, so we will wait and see.

We spent a great weekend in Southern California and got to see some good basketball, all the grandkids and a fine Ruth's Chris dinner.

Partial retirement suits me well - can get enough rest and enjoy the slower pace.

In two weeks we go to Yosemite for a few days to attend a medical meeting. Hopefully the roads will be clear.

Carole has tentatively set early September for her retirement as Emergency Department Director - may a cruise afterward.

Stay tuned.

Insurance Companies &%#@aghhhh

In 1992 I downsized my medical practice to take a postiion with the CA Department of Voc Rehab and in 1995 joined in forming Northwest Medical Group. Therefore 1/2 of my income comes from medical practice and 1/2 from the position with the State. To protect our income at Northwest, the doctors have a policy that provides partial income if they are unable to practice at Northwest due to injury or illness. I stopped working in October and applied for disability payments but today my claim was rejected. Amazing. Even though my income has dropped in 1/2 since October due to cancer treatments, the Insurance company says I make too much money working part time with the State of California and refuses to give me a penny. Go figure; but then it has been my experiences that insurance companies try as hard as they can to NOT take care of you when you need it in order to show profit to the shareholders. I am sure this will be worked out but going to the matresses with the insurance company is not in my peace and harmony plan.

Two days ago I received my 4th chemotherapy treatment with Taxatiere and now today I feel like I a hit a wall - amazing - it comes on in about 1/2 hour and you head for bed - should last a couple of days then bounce back. When last checked my counts look OK but I will not know the definitive counts for three weeks - so why worry at this point.

I try each day to find graditude and acceptance but today it was a little difficult to be grateful for Standard Insurance, but I am sure they are full of good people there in Portland.

Last weekend Peter and Nichole came up - it was wonderful. Peter shot an 80 at the country club - two great meals and just a a wonderful time.

Anyway, I am planning to start to swing a golf club to keep up my conditioning and hopefully can get enjoying the Fresno Sunshine.

One Love

Liam

BTW - the pic is me nailing a shot at Wailea

A Warm Weekend in Southern California in February

The nice thing about having Chemo every 21 days insead of weekly is that the week before the next dose, you feel pretty good. We ventured to LA (West Hills) and Santa Barbara. We were able to see Galactic at the House of Blues in West Hollywood and they did not disappoint with two great sets (10:45 - 1:15) encoring with 'a song about New Orleans' ---> When The Levy Breaks by Led Zep.

Sunday we went to SB - the weather was just perfect and we had a great day at the beach and wharf.

With three grand children, I have plenty of joy and right now things seem to going the right way, especially since the Steelers won the SuperBowl.

We are all going to Strawberry Music Festival Memorial Day and that should be a great time for family fun.

To see pictures of the weekend, click here.

Cruisin' On Chemo

The new chemo formula seems to be working in that my "bad" numbers have fallen 25%; however, some of my "good" numbers dropped (white blood count) and are now back to normal. The third treatment cycle will begin in three days.

My son Steve and I managed to score some 'epic' tickets to the Denver Bronco v. New England Patriot game a week ago and we had a marvelous weekend in Denver, including some adventures in the LoDo.



I have applied for disability from my clinical practice as I am not able to work at the pace the doctors at Northwest demand, due mostly to my chemotherapy. I have no problem with my Medical Consultant position at the Calif Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation and plan to stay there indefinitely. I could do a limited practice in a more flexible and compassionate Medical Group and have been approached about this, but my oncology physician has recommended against it. I have not worked at Northwest since October 18 and find that I am 'healthier' both mentally and physically, and getting the rest I need.

Actually Carole is more stressed than me with the total revamping at Saint Agnes that has followed Sister Ruth's departure.

There will be no Burning House Fest this Spring - we are going to Strawberry Music Festival and to a wedding in early June in Minnesota and our efforts will be directed there.

Keep in touch.

Year End 2005

(Thats Emily Elizabeth Kennedy!)

One of my favorite poems is Carl Sandburg's FOG - and it seems that fog comes in and out of my life "on little cat feet". Christmas started well but soon the Baptist Flu* took over and variously affected all my children, 66 % of my grandchildren, Carole and me and my son-in-law. And now, the fog has traveled on. In the meantime, I had to cancel my trip with Fresno State football to Memphis - I was looking forward to some football bowl style, but I couldn't get out of bed for three days.

Having chemo once every three weeks is so different - so I hope this stabilizes things for a while, so I can enjoy more "drug free" days.

Going back to medical practice is probably not feasible in the near future, so I am at least looking at some other options and will have to make a decision in the next week or two.

So, for today, things are good. Tommorrow is another year. Happy New Year.



*The 'flu' seemed to have come home with my grand-daughter Marlee from the Baptist private school she attends, hence "Baptist" flu.

Getting Ready For Christmas

Its like night and day - getting chemo with five drugs every 3 weeks out of four, to now only one drug every three weeks. Sooo, at least for the time bieng my life is not being dictated by my chemo schedule, although it still is being limited by some side effects of the chemo (Will I have to undergo hair loss agin?)

The holidays are approaching and with all the enlarging family (three grandchildren) it is becoming more family oreinted rather than Mum's Champagne and hanging out.

Anyway, the vibe is good.

Bill

Been A Long Time

No posts since October - no news is good new they say.

A week ago we returned from 9 days in Hawai'i. We spend Thanksgiving and the week thereafter at Wailea. Wailea is sort of a Disneyland for people who make too much money or have a large credit card line. Anyway, during our vacation each day there are only four decisions: when do we go to the beach; when do we play golf, when do we shop; and where do we eat tonight. Its a pretty simple and low stress life. I was in Hawai'i during the recent losses of the Fresno State football team and although the games were braodcast nationally, I was playing golf - so I had to read about it in the Maui newspaper.

The FMLA (medical leave of absence from Clinical Practice) has been restoring and has given me enough time to get things done at the pace my illness allows.

As to my illness and treatment: good news and bad news. First the bad news - my PSA has been creeping up and not plateauing as we would have liked, so we are going to undergo a new treatment plan - single drug once every three weeks. The good news: I feel quite healthy; the new therapy does not have the toxicity of the olde therapy, the new therapy is more effective than the old therapy according to recent studies and has to be administered only one day per every three weeks. Oh yes - more hair loss but I have an abundance of hats to wear.

Whats up next - Christmas in Woodland Hills and New Years in Memphis at the wonderous Peabody Hotel (Fresno State is in the Liberty Bowl NYE).

I Made a 25 slide PowerPoint file - but I can figure out how to display it.

See you soon.

Peace and Health