Update from Janis

[janisian]

Okay. Now that my sister-in-law's spilled the beans...
For those of you concerned about my doing too much, too soon, I definitely learned my lesson. Instead of trying to drive myself anywhere, I've enlisted my friend Cyndi.
On Monday, she drove me down to Tour Supply, where I discussed what I'd need in the way of flight cases with Lance and Harry. We ran a few other errands, ate sushi, and I went home and took a big giant nap.
John the webmaster has been kind enough to allow me to store a bunch of my equipment at his place, and this morning I walked over there and went through the "big case." Then John loaded what I picked out in the way of cables and pedals into my living room, so I didn't have to lift anything. Then Cyndi came over, loaded it into her van, and drove me back to Tour Supply, where Lance and Harry et al will neatly cut foam for all of it into the Pelikan cases I picked on Monday. That way, my new tour manager and I will have all the gear in two cases, each under 50 lbs, for flights and travel.
Cyndi and I also went to our new Whole Foods Store, where we ate lunch and shmoozed with whoever we could find... and we went to Kinko's, where I had the second draft of my autobiography printed and bound for editing. AND to Starbucks, where I treated myself to a latte.
Cyndi will also pick me up at 6.50 tomorrow morning, so I can see my neurosurgeon (and ask him why the hell my neck keeps spasming, making my head look like a rocking chair) and get Xrays (which will hopefully say that the fusion is progressing beautifully.)
So. I have to tell you, it's extremely frustrating to be where I am right now. I thought I'd catch up on my reading, but I can't find a comfortable position to read in - sitting at my desk with books propped up to eye level isn't much fun. I'd like to be moving around, but the only movement I'm allowed is walking, and that gets old after an hour. I wanted to catch up on listening to the three stacks of CD's sitting in my office, but I don't seem to be able to concentrate more than a minute at a time.
My friend Mary said to me before the surgery "Have you figured out how you're going to get through the convalescence? You're a very energetic person, you know..." I'm trying to be smart, really I am. It's just that my brain keeps working, and my body won't agree!
But I'm being good. Really I am. After all, I don't want to have to repeat this surgery! I played a bit of piano day before yesterday. Went through my guitar strings yesterday. Will look at starting to play guitar again in a week or two. And try to remind myself that every surgery I've ever had takes whatever time it takes...
In the meanwhile, I find that I have more than enough to worry about. Is there life on stage after Philip? How am I going to tour without a sound person, after 25 years of touring with one? Do I really want to do a folk festival in South Korea? Why are my dogs black and white? and will my autobiography be interesting to anyone else, since at this point it's really boring to me?!
Seriously. Thank you all for your concern. I'm going to take it easy for another 3 weeks at least, so you won't be hearing much from me. Don't let it bother you!

[Rickster]

Janis, Good to hear from you! It sounds like you are on the right path. Just have patience! Time will heal. God bless!

[Amy in Vermont]

Janis

I understand your frustration. As much as I complain about nto wanting to get up and needing a vacation, I do not do "nothing" well at all. I often describe myself as a lazy workaholic.

I also know that doing too much too soon bites one in the proverbial butt every time. My body bears testament to many soft tissue injuries that never really got a chance to heal right ( after all, NO ONE could take care of the horses as well as I could...). I;m paying for alot of it now.

So rest up! We need you in one magnificient piece!

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Thank you for checking in Janis.... best to you, Pat and the Black & White dogs...

I for one will miss Philip on your tour... Hopefully you will get someone as good as he is...

Just so you know we are looking forward to seeing you in January... It might not be another Pittsburgh but then it just might :)

Be well

Best

R. from Pa

[hoops]

Janis,
i pray that you get well really soon, that you are able to do all you want to do more quickly than expected. cause i know how it sucks not to be able to be yourself.

peace
Noel

[Judy]

Appreciate you using some of your energy to check in with us, Janis. Sounds like you're pacing yourself just fine now. I tell ya, that neurosurgery makes for some complicated healing...as an adult, our daughter has had 2 brain surgeries and experienced such misery with spasms at the base of the skull.
I know you can handle it -- I'm just sorry you have to.
Best to you,
Judy

[Kath of the Guitar]

Hi Janis, Whole Foods store, now thats the place to hang out...I LOVE that store... great food! Try the lobster bisque!.....as for the worry.....somehow it always falls into place....Is there life on stage after Phil??? He was a great sound person......But my dear,YOU are the sound! ;)
Keep up the good work, and don't worry,you need all the positive energy you can get.
{HUGS} KTG :)

[dragonlady]

Just surfacing long enough to say hi and see how Janis is faring after surgery....seems to be having similar experiences to others and myself after anesthesia and on pain meds...restless and no concentration...but getting better slowly but surely. Glad to see you posting for yourself finally Janis. Looking forward to seeing you in January.

howdy to the rest of you as well. Work is killing me...I can't believe how many hours it takes to print a book especially when you have technical problems with each one. :mad: I only have 3 more classes till I have my Masters then I'll be able to come back here more often. I'm scheduled to finish my last class on May 5th. I check in when I can just don't have time to post. I actually forgot my password it's been so long...:o Not going to let that happen again.

Miss you all and hope Janis continues to feel better as each day goes by,

dragonlady di

welcome back gisli ;)

[Agnes]

Thanks for checking in, Janis. I'm really glad you're pacing yourself, but I can relate to the fact that it's Very Hard! Keep on taking good care of yourself. You deserve that. :) Oh, and don't fret about the autobiography; you've got a bunch of fans waiting anxiously for it to be available!

[stardust]

Janis, what a funny thing to say - "will my autobiography be interesting to anyone else, since at this point it's really boring to me?!" You know those of us who haunt this MB would find anything you have written, down to your grocery list, interesting to read! Personally, I cannot wait.

[DaveM]

If a book has not become completely and utterly boring to its author, it isn't finished yet.

You be good to yourself, now. I sure that Pat and the dogs will cater to your every whim. Use that sympathy while you can!

[Mimi]

In the meanwhile, I find that I have more than enough to worry about. (...) Why are my dogs black and white? and will my autobiography be interesting to anyone else, since at this point it's really boring to me?!
Seriously. Thank you all for your concern. I'm going to take it easy for another 3 weeks at least, so you won't be hearing much from me. Don't let it bother you!


Janis, I really love your sense of humour! - It was why I fell in love with your music and became a Rudie.

And please do not worry: There is nothing as boring as a book you have written yourself! - I remember that having finally finished my PhD thesis I found everything I had written so banal that I wondered why other people wanted to read it...

So take it easy and take your time to heal. RUDIE VIBES keep on coming your way from beyond the pond!

MIMI

[Eva]

Thank you for letting us know how you are Janis.
Take care.

Eva

[Anna from Dublin]

Thanks Janis for the update. Hope all goes well with your doc today and that everything is on track.

I know how much you love to read and it must be a bummer that when you have the time, you can't indulge that love for any length of time. Hopefully that will change soon.

Maybe some complimentary therapies might help augment the healing process? Aromatherapy massages or reflexology or something like that might help. I am generally not a fan of alternative medicine but sometimes therapies that involve touch can be quite effective. Even a hand massage can be extremely soothing or a head or facial massage. Anyway, it may not be your cup of tea - but at least consider it - Nashville has to have a slew of services like that, preferably that would come to your home.

And the book will sell - biographies are one of the most commercially successful form of literature - at least in the UK. It will be fine.

Remember "slow and easy, goes far".

Love and warm wishes to you.

[Darlene]

Janis, It is so good to hear that you are at least "trying" to behave yourself.

Don't worry about your book being boring to anyone. There are way too many of us rudies out here drooling, anxiously awaiting the realise of that secret filled autobiography of yours.

Peace, Darlene

[Dee]

Good to see you posting, Janis. All the best on your checkup today.

[Jan de Vries]

Take care Janis, thanks for the update.
And I can't wait to read your autobiography!


Jan

[Ginny]

Janis, it's good to hear from you. :) I'm glad to see that you are enlisting the help of your friends in your recovery. Please take care. - Gin

[Mike UK]

So glad you're well enough to even consider posting, Janis, let alone giving us a lengthy and high-spirited update. Keep on moving on.

You're probably right about The Bibliography. Not many people will really be interested. Of course, hundreds of us will insist we are, but then we always try and humour you, even when you're down. Best to bin the manuscript and take up tenpin bowling, starting tonight. Ideal neck and back therapy.

Mike ;)

[gisli]

Be safe and do everything not to get "white lips".

Best as always.

[Mimi]

White lips as a sypmtom of fatigue - that's something I have i common with Janis. Sometimes a look into the mirror tells me to slow down...

But please, Janis: Avoid getting white lips again! Take care!

MIMI

[SongDragon]

Thanks for saying 'hi,' Janis!

Good to hear from you.

Okay, we'll stop worrying now, and leave that to the experts.

~Song

[aabram]

'Another 3 weeks' she says....Didn't it say on the box that you need alot longer than THAT????? Take it easier still, Janis. ONLY YOU will know when you are ready to start working back into your usual routine gradually. Don't forget we all really care about you and DON'T want you back in pieces :D

Annabel

[KarenSews2]

I hope it is a good report today, too. The most important thing is to do exactly what the docs tell you.

I sympathize with the inability to concentrate. After my hip surgery (the 1st surgery I'd ever had), I wanted to read, watch movies, do hand sewing... and I couldn't focus on anything long enough. Very frustrating. But knowing that everything will be better in the end makes it all worth it.

Hugs,
Karen

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

Awww.....Janis, please take care.....we'll keep a special thought for ya' !! ;)

[mixtymotions]

I'd suggest indulging yourself in one of the most relaxing aspects of Southern living - sitting on the porch and watching the world pass by. Mint Juleps or good old fashioned sweet iced tea could be replaced with hot chocolate or spiced cider, considering the time of year.

[DaveM]

You have an idea there, Mike....everytime I think of Janis, the first thing that pops into my head is: "gosh, she'd make a great professional bowler".

[marjan]

Thanks for the update Janis, take your recovery moment by moment
You're the only one who can feel how much you can do

[Roady]

Thanks for stopping by to say hello Janis-even though you're probably not suppose to be on the computer! Hope your visit with the Neurosurgeon went well.

You might be sick of walking but I bet it would be a lot easier to swallow on a beautiful beach, with warm breezes, the sound of the surf, great food and Pat!

Hang in there girl!

[david uk]

what Marjan said.

[kiwi mike]

....it's getting better ...(etc ...the Beatles..)
Hi there, Janis...........everbody has said so much, just take care, my dear!

Miwi Mike

[Bat]

Janis, It's so good to see you online, in person, telling it like it is. We worry and miss you more than any of us want you to know...thanks for writing to us and we know your book is going to be a great read! I think it will sell very well, as soon as everyone knows it's going to be out there. Publicity is a lot of success, but word of mouth is better...be sure and send a copy or two to Oprah!
Hugs, get better every day...or so.
Bat;)

[DaveM]

Hey....I want to see Janis on Oprah. That'd be an afternoon's entertainment to remember!

[Marcia Drummergal]

Great to see you posting Janis....ya didn't have to but we love ya for it!

Focusing in on the sound thing....Kath said, "You ARE the sound." While that's true, we all know that you're only as good as your sound person...a bad one can make ANYBODY sound like garbage. Having said that and knowing what happened with Philip and Greg.....In all of Nashville there just HAS to be at least one outstanding sound person. I know you have connections. Call the studios. He or she IS out there. You don't want to have to do your own sound or rely on whomever is at the venue.

This has been a musical rant. Carry on all!

Marcia ;)

[Beth]

Catching up on the MB this evening...

Wow, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be held back physically when the rest of you wants to be on the go.

Wishing you a thorough healing.