Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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My DH developed shingles within a year of his cancer dx. It was on his face, near the eye and they put him on acyclovir right away but also gave him the shingles vaccine (he'd had the original one; then got the newer one). He was in full shingles when they did the vaccine…odd ..??
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wallycat, I think because he was on acyclovir (anti-viral) and where the lesions were located. Shingles near the eye can cause blindness. The old vaccine was not as good as the current one, but given when it was introduced, it was better than nothing. Questions, did he receive the old vaccine before he developed cancer and did he receive chemo as treatment for his cancer?
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carole, using an instant pot to cook corned beef uses less water for cooking and could account for why your corned beef was saltier. I always boil mine and you can soak and rinse it several times prior to cooking to further reduce the salt content. I love corned beef and while we usually don't have it more than twice a year (St. Patrick's being the biggie), I don't think I have ever found it to be salty. Hate to say it, but combine it with any alcoholic beverage and you have 2 causes for water retention.
Dinner last night was good and we have enough left over for another meal for us. DD and DSIL loved it and cleaned up the dishes for me. Said they would come anytime I offered them a home cooked meal, lol. Potatoes did not brown as much as I like, but it may be because I used convection roast setting rather than just roast. I won't do that again. Normally they get very crispy exteriors and soft interiors. We will have leftovers for dinner for the next 3 nights since I have leftover cottage pie, orange chicken and now the pork roast.
Got a light dusting of snow overnight so the driveway is again coated. With temperatures in the low 30's but a chill factor in the high teens, DH has to wait to take his car down to the front now. We have had to shovel more in the last 3 weeks than we have in the last year or more.
Linen closet is on the radar for today, since DH has other projects to focus on. Again, I will do one shelf at a time and then decide to do more if I still have time. I need to sort through things, and keep or donate since there is little in there that would require trashing. I want to use bins where I can and label them with contents. I need to get the label maker out and make sure the batteries are okay.
DDIL had requested a membership to the local Y for herself and DGD for Christmas. I told her we would gift her a 3 month membership based on the new membership fee and monthly fee. She sent me an email today to say they waived the membership fee if you join now, and have a promotional fee for the month of January, which is only $26. So I will sent her a check to cover for February, March and April. I offered to also pay for January, but she declined. They like to swim and use the track, plus DGD horned in so he can play basketball. She got the family package, so he's included as a plus one.
They will have a judging competition for the string bands at a later, as yet unannounced, date. Winds were so strong yesterday morning that 5 people were sent to the hospital for injuries incurred when they were trying to save the large display panels they erect behind the bands. The panels, themselves. also sustained damages. They usually serve to support the theme each band has chosen for the year and can be quite elaborate in detail, scope and size, which is why they have "marshalls", who are the guys erecting these and carrying them for blocks, after the judging area display. If you are interested, they do have Youtube videos of some past parades.
Guess that's about it for now, hope everyone has a great day. Waving "hi" to everyone. Stay warm and safe.
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Betrayal, he was in his 60s when he got the first vaccine (we were still living in Wisconsin). Cancer at 79. No chemo yet. Yes, that was my concern with the location—blindness, blah, blah…they gave him the shot even before we left to pick up the antiviral. Seems like eons ago. Sigh. Started the antivirals and 2 weeks later, got his updated second shot.
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wallycat, cancer is an immunosuppressant. Some cancers are more serious than others as far as being immunosuppressants, but the bottom line is an aberrant cell is the causation of any form of cancer. So the decision to give your DH the vaccine was based on that, and warranted. The other concern with head involvement is the potential for invading sinuses and the brain.
I can remember a cancer patient, who was on chemo, developing chicken pox again since his immune system was literally wiped out. He had been exposed by his young daughter. He had the worse case of chicken pox (not shingles) I have ever seen. Shingles follows nerve paths in dermatomes, whereas chicken pox is unchecked and covers entire body. He was one miserable human being and on heavy pain meds to help.
We also had a guy, in his 40's, who developed a severe sunburn (no sunscreen use) and then developed shingles on his face, neck and left arm. He was in agony. Unfortunately for him this was many years before they developed the vaccine.
I finished the linen closet and have a large pile of donations for a charity. I was just going to do another shelf, but decided to start the next one after and that led to why not finish. I wiped down the small storage containers, changed what was stored in them, and then cleaned the floor before putting anything back. I'll do another sweep in 6 months to see what hasn't been used or needed and then another purge if indicated. It looks so organized. I did use some bins. I found two wooden blinds I plan to have DB install in the guest room windows. I have them in the other 2 bedrooms. I just need to find mounting brackets so he can install them. We get so much more sun in the summer now that we had to remove some large trees that were a potential danger to the house. I close the blinds to keep the house cooler. Also the neighbors behind us have outside lights that they leave on all night that are quite bright. Our houses are not that close, so for them to light up a room in my house means they are piercing.
Time to get dinner started.
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Thanks so much for the information on shingles, Betrayal. My brother told me he developed the rash after he got home. He's only in his early 60's but he has a stressful job. He said the pain is so severe that he is taking a pain med the doctor prescribed.
The string bands sound really interesting. I'll look up a UTube performance.
Wally, I'm shaking my head over your dh's having had shingles, considering all that he has been going through the last few years. And is going through at the present.
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Humor is something that thrives between man's aspirations and his limitations. There is more logic in humor than in anything else. Because, you see, humor is truth.
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My guests came home to my house last evening. They stayed at the beach for the sunset. The grand niece took off as soon as we came in, to stay overnight at our neighbors. The older she is the less I see her. LOL
Today was 74 and full sun, so off to the pool we all went. Beautiful, restful, and surprisingly not crowded. I think a lot of guests have already left for home.
Tonight we’re headed out soon for an early dinner. It’s the restaurant where the car died last visit. I’m taking the newer car today. Going early because we need to be up early to take them to the airport tomorrow morning - leaving here at 5:30 AM. They’ll be back home in NY before 11 AM. I hope I’m back to sleep before 6:45 AM! It will be dark out when we drop them off.
Nothing special planned for tomorrow. Laundry and stripping the bed. Maybe put presents away. Watch some football, and eat leftovers.
Enjoy the weekend!
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I’m up with the chickens…
Dinner last night was delicious! We all had something different. A crab stuffed ravioli with shrimp in a carbonara; crab stuffed chicken breast; chicken parm for me; spaghetti and meatballs with no sauce, just butter & cheese for my grandniece.
The moon was spectacular as we drove home from the restaurant.
Alarm set for 5:10 AM. A lot of rain last night, we need it desperately, so this morning the moon is hidden behind fog & clouds. Sun coming up now.
I’ve got laundry going, and I want to set off the robot vacuum too. I’ll strip the bedroom and bathroom at some point today. Right now I’m not sure if I’m going back to sleep, or will nap later.
Lots of football on today. Enjoy your Sunday!
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Almost all wars, perhaps all, are trade wars connected with some material interest. They are always disguised as sacred wars, made in the name of God, or civilization or progress. But all of them, or almost all of the wars, have been trade wars.
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Spent the morning working on some new genealogical leads. Yesterday my cousin called to thank me for the card I wrote to him after I found out both of his sisters died in 2025. I was researching the one after her Christmas card was returned to me, and discovered her sister's obituary which listed her as deceased. No one thought to let me know the cousin I had kept in loose touch with had died in February. Her older sister died in December 2025 and I had not heard from her in many years. We spent nearly an hour on the phone and initially, he was very choked up about his sisters deaths as was I. Then we got talking about family memories we shared, given he was the oldest of my cousins, and the sister I was closest to was the youngest. So I explored the leads he provided and spent the day chasing bright, shiny objects. Still, sometimes they reveal new leads, so I don't always consider them a waste of time.
After I quit, I took a quick shower and DH and I went through his dresser drawers culling, discarding and donating excess clothing items. The man has a fixation with socks (I will not list all the categories he has) and we just bought 2-8 packs which he really did not need. He ended up with a drawer he can use for summer shorts, organized socks in just one drawer and his over the door shoe hanger which he uses for yardwork socks (don't ask) is now half empty. We went through outdoor shorts and tee shirts he uses for yard work, summer pj's, and the summer dress shorts mentioned above and rehomed to a drawer. We still have dress summer shirts to sort through, but that was enough for today. He is also donating all the extra plastic hangers we have left over.
The plumber was supposed to come today. He called yesterday and asked if he could some later in the day providing a tentative time. He texted later to let me know the one job was running over, and did I still want him to come? Of course, it was okay for me and he showed after 5 PM. He used his industrial snake and was able to unblock the toilet! Yeah! So now the primary bathroom is available again. His rate was a bit more than I expected, but I willing paid it to have a functional toilet and he cleaned up after himself. He was highly rated on Nextdoor by other users and I have to agree with how professional he was, he was also personable, and had to walk up my driveway (carrying the heavy snake) because I had warned him one section was still icy. He thanked me for the warning and decided not to try to drive his pickup up. He asked if the sink and tub were draining and I told him there was not issue with them. I did give him a thumbs up on Nextdoor as well.
DH has a large box of donation items almost ready to go. He has some socks to wash and then they can go in the box as well. I have a large bag of items from the linen closet that can go as well. I still have the closet in my DD's old room to go through. I think I'll call the Vietnam Vets when we are done because they will pickup at the house. The linen closet looks so good.
I now need to run the vacuum and dust in the rooms we have worked in because they have been somewhat neglected. The guest room was piled in clothes on the bed while the closet was being repaired and then organized. DH had used DD's room as a satellite storage, too. I'll start in the guest room, and once I am done in DD's room, will do that one, too. DH can dust and vacuum his room. We'll start to put the Christmas decorations away after the 6th.
It has been bitter cold, so I have been more or less hibernating. I do have 2 doctor's appointments this week, so I am hoping for some warmer days. It's been gray as well and that's a downer.
I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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A belated Happy New Year.
Betrayal, loved the info about the mummers. A fun tradition here at the Fiesta Bowl Parade is the participation of the "play it again, band." People from all over the state sign up and the music is sent ahead. After one afternoon of practice, they go and play the whole route. DH learned to play the trumpet after he retired and participated for several years. It got to be too hard. After all the marching, he had to get back to his car. But the crowds always gave them great support even though they weren't nearly as good as the college bands. There is probably a tee shirt or two sitting somewhere.
We've had both the old and the new shingles shots. I remember how miserable my mother was when she got them.
Carole, can you share more about the "black eyed peas" tradition. We were talking about it just the other day but we are definitely northerners. I know I can look it up on Wikipedia but would appreciate your interpretation.
My folks always made Cornish hens on New Year's Day and DS has continued the tradition but we haven't. We went to the party at our club but left early. The last time we made it to midnight was 2000. Do you remember we unplugged stuff, stored water, and got extra cash?
Rain over New Year's but lovely this weekend. Usually in the high 60's/low 70's when I golf. Now listening to the local newsperson saying more rain and cooler temps by mid-week.
I'm collecting pictures from family members for my Story project. My nephew sent me one of my parents at a beach in a very sexy pose. Loved it! I don't remember ever seeing it.
Have a good week, everyone. Extra hugs for those who are hurting.
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Taco, New Year's Day fare in this area features cabbage and black-eyed peas. All the supermarkets will have big bins of cabbage and displays of Camellia brand dry black-eyed peas. Also canned black-eyed peas. This meal is for health and prosperity. My father made his own interpretation. Cabbage was for paper money and black-eyed peas for coins. He wasn't a fan of black-eyed peas so my mother usually cooked cabbage. All vegetables my mother cooked included a seasoning meat, like bacon, ham, sausage, smoked ham hocks. She kept bacon fat for seasoning. My father had heart disease but she had low cholesterol and triglycerides. Genes.
I know that some southern states have greens, like collard greens, at New Year's. One popular black-eyed peas dish is Hoppin' John. The peas and rice and a seasoning meat are cooked together. I think this dish is popular in the Carolinas. One of our cooks on the What's For Dinner? thread makes Hoppin' John.
Your winter temperatures sound ideal for golf.
Betrayal, dh and I sometimes watch the PBS show where celebrities learn about their ancestors. DH had a relative who did ancestor research and sent everyone in the family information and copies of photos. I have all that in a file.
It's in the 50's outside. I just heard a meteorologist on tv say the rest of our week will be warm and humid. This weekend there will be a threat of storms. This time of year we have a lot of fog.
Happy Monday.
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Whenever people are confronted by a prediction for the future that they simply cannot or will not believe, they always say, 'It will never happen in my lifetime.' If the prediction is something they deplore and fear, they say it with calculated bravado, often adding a smug, snorty hhrrummph.
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I have been wearing a splint on my left hand day and night. I was just about convinced that I didn't need surgery on it. Several people suggested that I try to sew something, since that was what triggered my having surgery on my right hand. So, I did, and paid the price. Just got back from Dr. appt. Scheduled for Feb 22. My grandson's birthday.
I may have some big news by the weekend.
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Chris - sorry to hear that another hand surgery is required but hopefully this will allow better use of your hands.
Betrayal - I love hearing about your genealogy - you are quite the detective and clearly have a mind for details.
Interesting comments regarding shingles. I had the Shingrix vaccine (2 dose) in 2019. I realize that it does not offer 100% immunity but after seeing a co-worker and my brother deal with the agony I am willing to do whatever I can to lessen my risk.
Good to hear from you Taco and Carole. I woke up to low 40’s and sun which is practically spring like weather for January in my area. We headed to a park for a hike. Only saw 2-3 other folks which was a little surprising however, school resumed today and I imagine most folks have gone back to work after the holidays. Expecting quite a bit of rain/freezing drizzle or snow (depending on temperatures) later this week.
Wishing all a good week.
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When I got to the gym yesterday about 11 am, I knew it was January. All those New Year's resolutions kicking in. The parking lot offered no parking where I usually find a place with a short walk to the entrance. Also, school must still be out because there were teenagers around. I skipped the senior exercise class and did a workout on the weight machines and 15 minutes on the upright bike. I plan to do that regularly because the class doesn't provide enough exercise with weights. I had a cramp in my upper inner thigh during the night last night that told me that muscle had gotten some exercise. I also had a full hour of deep sleep.
Chris, you have my curiosity aroused. That's a technique of a good writer to drop a "hook" at the end of a chapter. Good luck with your hand surgery. Hands are so important.
Today I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed, and does it ever need a trim. I missed my appointment a couple of weeks ago. I saw a woman at the gym yesterday with a hairstyle I liked. She has gray hair but her hair isn't as thick as mine and seems to be straight. The style probably wouldn't work for me.
Today will be sunny and warm. No sweaters or jackets needed.
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Good morning. I have been up in NC. The first day I was there it dropped to 17 degrees, but my little cabin was nice and warm. I am still dealing with the crawl space issue. I got a couple other estimates, but they are $1500 higher than the guy I have attempted to go with. I am not sure if I wrote about the plumbing disaster. The guys broke the main water line as they were ripping out the old insulation. Then the owner told me he sold the company. I met the new owner and got a quote from him. He also said he would deduct the cost of the plumber from my bill. I am on community water, so it caused problems for the entire area. I am just not sure what to do.
Down in Florida the new tile is going in. I love the color. The lots on both sides have been cleared. Only one has a permit box up. I am going to get some shades I saw at Home Depot to block my view of the vacant lot and into the neighbor's house.
Today, I am working on year end stuff.
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Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.
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Carole , we record Finding your Roots on PBS. We enjoy the stories of people’s past and how far they’ve come. I also need a hair cut. Not sure by who or when!
Chris, we need our hands to move without lingering pain. Sorry you’re facing more surgery.
Taco, I haven’t had a Cornish hen in a long time. My exMIL always made them. And yes, I remember Y2K! We were ready haha. As for photos, my sister is in charge. She received our mom’s cedar chest full of old photos.Harley, I attempted a walk today and returned home quickly, to peel off wet shorts & top, to throw on a night shirt and turn on ceiling fans. It was 79 with full sun. My own fault, I should have been out earlier. Glad you were able to enjoy your outing.
Petite, oh so glad you were kept warm inside with 17 degree temps outside! Water issues, I think you’ll figure out what needs doing. Back in FL it’s sad you’re dealing with 2 cleared lots, one on each side of you. Definitely invest in the blinds. I’ve been ordering online from some custom blind company.
Betrayal, as always you’re busier than a bee.Yesterday I went to the oral surgeon to see if I qualify for an implant. I brought my CT scan from the endodontist, and my panoramic X-ray from the NY oral surgeon. This saved me money! The visit cost me nothing. I’m scheduled for the surgery on 1/28. I’m hopeful she can do the abutment at the same time as the screw - or I’ll need another appointment for that, and an additional $250. Max out of pocket should be $3,200 which I’m ok with.
For the crown that goes on the abutment, I’ll see my dentist in NY. I was going to try and get it while I’m still down here (FL) but figured I’d be doing it in a rush. Back in NY if I have any issues with my bite, the dentist is around the corner. And any delays, I won’t be forced to stay here vs go home.Tonight we have a birthday dinner to attend. A neighbor & her husband share the same birthday. It should be fun.
Another couple we hang with booked 4 tickets for next week for us to see “Some Like it Hot.”
We also looked at the spring training schedule and picked which ones we’ll try to get tickets to. The box office at the stadium opens on Friday. So we’re ready! Fingers crossed.That’s it! I hope you all have a great week.
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Happy New Year! Sorry I've been remiss checking in, but between the holidays and now the Bar Show rehearsals heating back up on 1/2, I've been crazy-busy.
Had s rough patch when, because I was starting to lose weight again, my endocrinologist wanted me to titrate my Zepbound back down to 5mg weekly, I had 3 vials of 7.5 and 2 of 5mg remaining. She suggested I space the 7.5s out to every 10 days rather than weekly until they were gone, then back to 5mg a week later.
Day 10 rolled around, I took the shot of 7.5; and about four hours later I awoke with midepigastric (upper ab) pain that—but for the absence of GI effluvia at either end—felt just like when I had norovirus in 2014. (The kind of bug that makes you feel so awful you're not afraid you're gonna die, but rather afraid you're NOT gonna die). It was so intense that Bob suggested I hit Urgent Care once it opened, but I was in too much pain to drive and he was late for work. It was only by patience and Gas-X I was finally able to burp & fart the pain away. But I was chilled despite the room thermometer reading 70F (my core temp was 96.1) and my teeth were chattering). I was also anorexic, which brought on hypoglycemia. I forced myself to eat some chicken soup as well as miso. But I didn't realize that the seaweed I'd added was kombu and not wakame, so I got bloated again. Took a couple of days before my body normalized again—courtesy of pushing water, protein (soft-boiled eggs & all the roast beef & turkey in the house). I called my endo and she agreed that the main culprit (pre-kombu) was the fact that since Zepbound's half-life is 5 days, waiting 10 days between doses of 7.5mg is like starting out at 5mg rather than 2.5mg. That's rough on the gut and the metabolism. So it's back to weekly 5mg, and watching my calories & protein like a hawk to "stoke the furnace" without going into either calorie deficit or surplus.
Of course, that sleepless night was on a rehearsal day. A couple of days later I overdid it at bedtime: a couple of biscotti, a hunk of fruitcake, and two chocolate truffles. I had forgotten what too much sugar at bedtime does to me…and I was awakened about 5am with a L calf cramp and R shin cramp. OWWW!!! Had to get up, grab a cane (for balance) and walk around the second floor and stretch before the muscles quieted down. Went back to bed, rolled over onto my L side…and this time my R leg got both a calf and shin cramp! The type of stretch that loosens one kind of cramp aggravates the other, So another near-all-nighter.
Of course, that one was the morning of the "sitzprobe" for the Bar Show (the first rehearsal with the band), in a conference room because we didn't have the theater yet. I needed several cups of coffee and a protein bar to get through it, but I made it.
We moved to the theater on Monday, to settle into the dressing rooms and do a tech run. Tuesday was tech/dress (costumes, wigs, but not makeup) with mics so the sound guy could get levels for each of us (and each number we were in). For the first time, none of us had to share a mic pac because we have only 32 cast members (in years past we'd had as many as 60). There were enough mics for everyone, which gives us a little breathing room between numbers because there was no traffic jam at the mic table nor anxiety as to whether the person from whom we were to get our mic would take it off and turn it in on time.
But by now 1/4 of the cast is out with the flu, so there was a lot of shuffling people like a deck of cards. I had to understudy a couple of roles I'd wished I'd gotten, but memorized my lines as fast as I could. I knocked it out of the park. The challenge was, as always, insanely fast costume changes—and this time with entrances from opposite wings. Of course, the person for whom I'd subbed is due back today (taking off her mask to sing); I'm glad she's feeling better, but a bit disappointed that I won't get to do those songs for a paying audience: tonight is our "open" dress rehearsal (audience gets a reduced ticket price in return for having to see how the sausage gets made). We're off Thursday (that's when NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" gets the theater). We officially open Friday, have a Saturday matinee, and close Saturday night. (When I first did the show, we had 6 performances, which dwindled down to 5). I have people coming every night except tonight.
BangBang is nagging me to go up into bed—and I'd better obey lest she knock stuff off surfaces and threaten an anger bite. (She reminds me of Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction:" "I will not be ignoooooored!").
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The Lord gave us two ends - one to sit on and the other to think with. Success depends on which one we use the most.
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I'm using the end to sit on far more as I get older.
Sandy, hope you get your weight control med adjusted properly. I now have a sister and a niece (her daughter) taking one of the meds. Use of them is becoming very common as the cost becomes more affordable. I'm still a little leery because they're so new. I hope they prove to be more positive than harmful with SEs. I will continue to struggle on my own, for now, anyway. My BMI is 28, overweight but not obese.
Petite, good luck with repairs on your NC home. On the FL home, maybe you will end up with some great new neighbors. If the new homes are upscale, it will be good for your home value.
My haircut was good. I discussed with my stylist not liking that the sides and top of my hair is silver while the back is a mingled gray. Next appointment she will do low lights to make back and sides and top match. If I don't like the change, I can just let it grow out.
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Weather is above 32 today, so I biked downtown. First stop was the library, where I printed directions for felted mittens. Then the pharmacy, where I gave them my insurance cards for updating. Then the beauty shop for a bang trim (I will grow it out to brushing the shoulders). Then the bank for some cash. I took Tippy out for a walk before I left. I got back, and he was telling me "snow. walk. potty. snow. snow" He likes to play in the snow. Even "cold" means something good. Rolling eyes. I am getting ready to knit some mittens which I will then felt down to my size. Hopefully I will get them done by Feb 22.
I was sure you wouldn't make it back until after the barshow, Sandy. Hopefuly the cast will be well enough to be able to do it well. Sounds like that too much Zeppy made you pretty sick.
Petite, hopefully when all is done you will be able to get used to the changes around your property in Florida. Otherwise you can sell it for a good price and live at your NC retreat.
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Carole - thanks for the info on the New Year's traditions. I knew people made black eyed peas but never heard of the cabbage.
Moving to AZ where almost everyone in our senior community is from somewhere else has really made me aware of small regional variations. My Indiana friends make a pie I never heard of and now can't remember the name and the Michigan and Minn. folks play Ochre which we never did in Illinois. They tried to teach me but I was a miserable failure at it because I play so much bridge and couldn't make the transition.
We never did luminaries in the snow but many here light them Christmas Eve. Especially when we first moved here, one of the service clubs made a lot of money selling bags of sand and a small candle. For years, my DD talked about assembling the kits. Now they are frequently electric.
Chris - sorry that sewing is irritating your other hand. I would think the knitting would too. I had to give up doing needlepoint because of my carpet tunnel. I can't imagine Mutz enjoying the snow. He hates the rain.
Petite - sounds like your plate is still overflowing. Take care of yourself.
January seems to contain a lot of "things delayed." We both have doctors and dentists appointments and my car goes in next week, hopefully only for an oil change but it's passed the 40,000 mile mark so who knows.
Book club read "My Friends" by Frederick Backman. I highly recommend it. I seldom find a book that both makes me laugh and cry.
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The higher dose of Zepbound (7.5) wasn't what made me sick—it did make me start losing weight again which my doc didn't want me to do. What made me sick was spacing it out to 10 days rather than 7—causing my levels of it to diminish low enough in the interim to make that dose feel as if I'd just de novo "jumped into the pool" of GLP-1s at a dose higher than the 2.5 starter.
Ironically, I managed to get down to goal minus 5lbs on 2.5mg, and maintained for several months before cravings kicked in necessitating titrating up, first to 5mg and then 7.5. The standard protocol is to do 2.5 for only the first month, then titrating up to the next dose every month or two till maxing out at 15mg, That standard protocol is what they used for the clinical trials—it never occurred to them to see what happens if one doesn't titrate up beyonfd 2.5mg. Only in retrospect are they finding that some folks are "super responders" who rarely if ever need to titrate up.
What did me in as I recovered from the dose delay was the miso soup—not the miso or tofu but the seaweed, I always used wakame, which "blooms" instantly in hot water. But this time all Whole Foods had was nori (sushi wrapper sheets) and kombu. The latter turned out to be very tough & chewy, I didn't know it's just meant to be steeped and discarded after making broth with it, rather than eating it. It expands to >2X its size. Only once I got crampy & bloated (and consulted Dr. Google) did I learn that you're not supposed to actually eat it. That was my fault, not Zep's.
Tonight was open dress rehearsal (the whole 9 yards) in front of a paying audience, We were astonished to find we'd sold over half the house! It was a great opportunity to see what did & didn't work—precious little of the latter—and gauge where the laughs are so we could time our delivery. (Something impossible to do in a conference room with only people totally familiar with—and a bit jaded by—the script). We warned the audience we might have to stop & fix things, but that never happened, (There were some missed cues, late video starts, and sound issues but we barreled through them). The cast members out with the flu yesterday were out again tonight, so I got to understudy those parts again, this time with an audience who ate it up. We're off Thursday, and all indications are that the absent cast members will return by Friday, It'll be a little awkward, because I played one of the characters much more effectivelly than the person assigned to it; but I will be a good sport about handing the reins back if necessary. (Besides, I do miss singing with her in another number in which we're part of a tenor, 2 sopranos and mezzo quartet). It was disconcerting to have to barrel solo through an entire verse which was written to divvy-up, but I reahearsed my butt off in the car as I drove down Lake Shore Drive and pulled it off without a hitch, . Still, it felt awkward to not hear her voice next to my ear on what are normally the harmony & unison lines.
In years past, there were no understudies—lines were cut, choreo rearranged, and even entire musicsl numbers cut if the leads were out sick (or one year, due to a brutal snowstorm, when said leads were stuck on their commuter trains. The bandleader didn't even make it, so the choral director had to step in).
The performances were videotaped starting tonight, and will be available online (likely YouTube) after the run of the show. That includes the paying dress rehearsal—-hope my numbers are included,
Our run of unseasonably mild & dry weather is coming to an end: soaking rains on the way (on our day off), followed by nasty weather Fri. night (after closing curtain) and then the "weather-wheels" falling off Saturday: rain into mix into wind-driven snow by final curtain-up. Could be worse: last year and the year before were subzero Sat. temps. Of course, the Bears play at evening curtain time. At least we get to do it indoors.
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No, taco. With my right hand relatively pain-free, I can do those things with less than half the pain I had before. It is tolerable. Knitting uses the right hand much more than the left. Doable, but not pain-free.
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There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
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