My thoughts are with you.

Getting old sux. However, I believe that medicine in general is way better than even 20 years ago. Generally docs know how to control pain and give proper time to rehab. I know as I was just moments away from death just a few years back. I believe that it took over 50 doctors to think about all systems to figure out game plan to save my life. I too am putting off surgeries, which is never good. Sending positive thoughts your way for a speedy recovery.

My brother had to have major back surgery a few years back. Took surgeon 12+ hours to finish. My brother was in a horrible car accident in 1981. As a result, a cyst grew and attached itself to the spine. The doctor had to delicately cut the cyst out without leaving him paralyzed. When I met with him afterwards you could see how swollen his hands were. He was in his early 30's. The reason it took so long is, he had to take breaks to rest his hands and to eat. I told him, "I know you are ready for more advanced robotic surgery." He responded yes.

So I am with you this week and all the way through rehab. Get well out brother!

G

I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from everyone. Thank you. The best sleep ever? far out, I hope and pray that it goes just like that. So many good thoughts, so many...thanks again for all your reassurances, I needed that.

Good luck buddy.

Vampire Weekend - one of my kids is a fan, he saw them play about a month ago, with Mike Gordon’s band opening, who he said were pretty good. We try to introduce “our” music to one another, but honestly, VW was a swing and a miss for me. Meh.
Oro - Fantastic idea about donating collections to charity. My kids show little interest in inheriting my modest collection, including music books, etc, so why not get it out to a true fan. I don’t want my 30 Trips box to just end up with someone “mildly interested”, for example. Collections are mana for the devoted.
PT - I wish you the best on Thursday. Operations can be reason for apprehension, but they are also THE best sleep you’ll ever have. As they say in Gaelic, “ Sláinte!!!” (Good health)
Artwork - I think the artwork on the new box pretty neat, almost in the style of Jean Basquiat, and a nice change from the overuse of the regular cartoon skeletons of previous boxes. I still think the Pacific NW Box was the gold standard for graphics and art, pretty hard to beat. But it’s not about the outside, always about what’s inside that matters.

…

45 years ago I was up at the Oakland Auditorium for the first time (but certainly not the last ) for a rocking evening with the Good old Grateful Dead. What a blast! The first time Garcia played his Tiger Guitar, the first time the Dead played Althea, Lost Sailor/Saint of Circumstance. The good old days. P.T. Barnum, good luck on your surgery, I'm sure you will be fine. I've had a few, next thing you know you wake up and its all over, just seems like seconds.

....tis but a fleshwound.
Vampire Weekend is a really interesting cool sounding band.
I'm going in.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery buddy!

Thanks for the deciphering the "GEMS" acronym for me. I always wondered what that meant. According to wikipedia, it's "a graphical programming language for real-time audio processing." Hmmm. . . seems to work pretty well in the hands of Miller, Tobin, Waddell, et al. Still a sorta mystery to me, but not as much now. Thanks!, "Geff"

I'm usually apprehensive about surgeries, but am always reassured by the professionalism of the medical team, amazing 21st century technology, pain meds, nubile nurses, etc. Hospital food even seems to have gotten better. All the best on Thursday. As you can tell, everyone here's pulling for you! Onward.