"It's ALWAYS something"! (thank you Roseanne Roseannadanna!)

July 21/11.

A little tribute to the late great Gilda Radner.

Remember her as Roseanne Roseannadanna? (then you must be my age!!) She was simply fantastic.

Gilda apparently wrote that line when she was 12 after her Dad developed a brain tumour. Within days he was bedridden and unable to communicate, and remained in that condition until his death two years later.

Gilda herself died in May, 1989 of ovarian cancer. I always adored her. Right from the time we first saw her in Godspell at the Bayview Playhouse, (along with Martin Short, who I featured in the blog about a week or so ago).

Is this picture not the CUTEST?? Taken in 1973 during the Godspell run.
Left to right, - Avril Chown, Victor Garber, Gilda, Gerry Salsberg, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Rudy Webb, - and in front, Valda Aviks. Unforgettable cast. Can't even TELL you how many times I saw Godspell!

Today, I could relate to "It's Always Something!" Rough morning, but with about two hours work, I can clean up real good. Woke up at 4:40 a.m. (following about 2 and a half hours of fitful sleep), - close your eyes if you don't like to hear about this stuff - but that's what this blog is actually about....breast cancer. - At any rate, skin turning pink and starting to burn, right arm more numb and tingly than ever, pain shooting everywhere all thru the arm and underneath, where the node was cut out and nerves damaged, felt I was going to pass out. (Other than that, just fine).

More than anything else, the whole thing made me SO DAMN MAD, since I want to be the person with NO symptoms or side effects and to BREEZE through everything. Pretty much HAVE been since recovering from the actual surgery. But now, I know, I'm only human I guess.

#8? YOU ARE SOOOOOOO OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - (cue windstorm!)

Radiation photo pic #8, kindly snapped by a young man standing outside the hospital who happens to work at Mount Sinai. (strangely, had to wait for him to finish smoking a cigarette, before he could take the shot. Weird, eh?? - Does the word CANCER mean anything??)

Today's radiation treatment Muzak? Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like A Woman"! (know THAT feeling Babe), followed by her tune, "When You Kiss Me." - "When you’re with me, the world just goes away." (Likin' THAT lyric!)

And today's "lack-of-stylist" moment? Max's Jason Mraz hat in the change room. (and ya, brought back the red belt. I mean, really. There is just NO point to a medical gown pic without a belt!) Gimme a break gang...I TRY to have fun, even if I feel like crap.

Later, went to my second session with the therapist. Yep, cried in her office, about Mum, the loss of the Hidey Hole, the inheritance, (which was great, but emphasized the point that I don't have HER), my constant feeling of intensity and on and on. She still thinks I need to douse Intensity Entity with anti-psychotic medication. But I'm not prepared to do that. - I.E. and I have an, (lol - "intense") relationship! - and have been together since the surgery ended. Whatever "it" is, seems to be playing a big role in Being Alive! - (Oh no, am I actually going to repeat this song? Apparently, I am. Take it Raúl Esparza, with Sondheim's Being Alive!!)



The GOOD news is, the radiation Doc (who was more sympathetic towards me than the therapist), told me I'm doing great, gave me some sample cream to use on the burning, told me to come over and visit anytime I like to have someone check me out if I'm feeling strange, shaky or stressed, and encouraged me to just get through the next 8 sessions. The nurse, was even kinder, talking to me about the emotional upheaval of cancer and giving me some very useful tips on surviving the treatments. She listened to my tale of woe about Mum, the selling, closing and goodbye to the house, the closure I don't want, the cancer crap and on and on, and told me, "Stop thinking about others and put YOURSELF first". She said no matter HOW hard it is, I HAVE to look after MYSELF and do things that make ME happy. OK then, bring it on! #9 tomorrow! Cancer, you are SO goin' down!!

Tightest hugs everyone!

Fabulous show!

July 10/11.

What an incredible evening Kate & I had at the Rexall Centre for The Very Very Best of Broadway show! It was almost like some kind of fantastic dream.

Many weeks ago, Sam bought us a pair of tickets online. We were all amazed when they turned out to be front row centre seats! (How'd THAT happen??) SOOOO expensive, that we decided they had to represent birthday and anniversary gifts for the next TWO years! I like to think of the tickets as a celebratory gift for surviving cancer surgery, especially since, the "Broadway royalty" star of the show, Raúl Esparza, (of Sondheim's COMPANY), performed his greatest song, Being ALIVE!!!!!!!!!


Kate & I first saw Raúl on the 2007 Tony awards telecast when he was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He sang Being Alive and blew us away. We were astounded when he lost to David Hyde Pierce for Curtains! (so was everyone else). We adore David, - ("Niles" of Frasier fame), but Raúl clearly should have won that night! Check out his performance (from the PBS version of the show) if you don't believe me! - Wow. Just wow. From the moment we saw Raúl on the Tonys, we wanted to see him perform live, and now, we have, - just five feet in front of us, and he was every bit as great as we could have imagined!

Took me an hour to drive to the venue. I got lost twice on the way, (despite maps given to me by Carrie and by Sam). I am absolutely hopeless at getting anywhere outside of the main downtown city streets. (My fondest wish is to be able to hire a chauffeur if ever I have to go farther than about Yonge & Finch!) - but somehow, got there, in enough time (left at 6 o'clock for an 8 p.m. showtime), for Kate & I to grab a hotdog for dinner!

Isn't she a beauty?

It was pretty cool to be holding front row centre tickets!

The last time I was this excited about a show, it was Robin Williams. My heart was just racing here! Half of it was knowing we were about to see Raúl and Martin Short. The other half, was knowing my sister is sharing the bill! I am so proud of her. (How she EVER learned all the music in the midst of the hidey hole moving madness, I'll never know).

Carrie came out to visit with us during intermission and we grabbed this shot against the stage. (I didn't even get the memo to dress in black! It just happened!) "Carrie's chorus" - SOOOOOOOO good. - And ya, you bet, I kept thinking how much Mum would have loved it.

On rehearsal day, Carrie was on the phone with me, yakking about nothing much, when suddenly, Raúl passed her by, hot off the stage after performing Soliloquy from Carousel. He still had the earpiece in! She put the cell phone down and I could hear her speaking to him, complimenting him on the song, (which was about the best version ever!) and asking for a pic. He obliged. Big time. What a shot! Sigh.

Martin Short did SO many funny bits. Have watched him in action for decades and always loved him. He joked with the crowd that he's 61 now, but still hoofing it up there, doing any crazy thing required. My kinda man. I was so happy with this shot of Marty! (also got to speak to him during intermission and he remembered me from the good old Global days and all those interviews).

Marty in action! Always the showman!

Raúl jumped on top of the piano and let loose on Defying Gravity (from Wicked). SO good! - Shot on Kate's iPhone.

The finale was "Give My Regards to Broadway" featuring (left to right):
Jane Krakowski (of "30 Rock"), Martin Short, Raúl Esparza, Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell. - Musical director extraordinaire, Marvin Hamlisch, can be seen on far right, conducting!

At one point, Raúl cracked everyone up by suddenly falling to the floor!

After the show, still more to come. Carrie had her backstage pass, and due to the kindness of one security guard who let her "sneak by", she was able to take Kate to the dressing room area, where they spotted Audra and Brian.

Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell (who first starred together years ago in the Toronto production of Ragtime. Together again for The Very Very Best of Broadway!)

And - drum roll please, caught up with Raúl, one of Kate's idols. I was SOOOOOOOOO happy Kate was able to meet him. (there was only one person allowed backstage with Carrie, but I watched from a distance and loved every second!)

Four years after "discovery and infatuation", Kate meets Raúl! Carrie & Kate got to spend about 10 minutes talking with him and they both report he was extremely attentive and nice! - Memorable evening!

Meanwhile, Sam & Max had a blast at the Frampton Comes Alive! 35 concert.
(The 35th anniversary of his multiplatinum selling live album, "Frampton Comes Alive!)- Sam & Max bought a CD copy of what was recorded at the show, just half an hour after the concert wrapped up. Technology rules!

So. Overall? What a night! - For EVERYONE!

New chapter

July 9/11.

A new kind of world is opening up today after closing the chapter on the hidey hole and Mum's house. The deal has gone through after a few glitches and snags and everything looks good.

I found "the day after" to be pretty tough, emotionally. I am drained.

Meanwhile, my radiation treatments will start on Tuesday afternoon.

Carrie and I both had very different things to do today. No more cleaning and packing. I decided to attend my son, Max's first summer show at rock camp and it was a blast!

First, Max played drums in a band called Obscure Reference.

Next, he acted as M.C. to introduce another band.

Max's good friend, Emmett (his bandmate in Basement Scene) played in a band too, - but I didn't even realize it was him, due to the wild mask he was wearing! (far right) This band? - Vertex and the Vertices.

I was surprised to see that both Max and Emmett made it to the front cover of the program for this week's rock camp shows! - Love this shot!
(left to right) - Layla, Emmett, Max, Adam, Elijah

Later, Max appeared in another band called Sean Connery's Polish Slapshot.

All the kids did an amazing job at the show, entertaining parents and friends. Max's drum teacher, Chris Lesso, is one of the teachers at the camp. He's a great guy, and I suddenly realized after five years, I don't have a single picture of him with Max. Now, I do!

Max & his drum teacher, Chris Lesso

After the show, had to get a picture with Max and his good pal Emmett (unmasked!) They are both such great kids!

Loved watching ALL the band members in action. Thanks to CityArts Rock Camp for the show!

While I was at rock camp, Carrie was also involved in a musical event! She's performing as a chorus member in The Very Very Best of Broadway show at the Black Creek Festival on Saturday night. Sam bought tickets for Kate & I to attend! The show features a host of stars including Martin Short. Our family has adored Marty since we first saw him in Godspell at the Bayview Playhouse many many years ago!

Marty and Carrie! Both SO cute!! - Kate & I will see you tonight at the show, from front row centre!! - Can't wait!

The musical director is Marvin Hamlisch.

Carrie is having an incredible experience working with Martin and Marvin, as well as the other stars, Raúl Esparza, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jane Krakowski. - You can always count on Marty to "give good photo!" - (click to enlarge).

Thought about the hidey hole several times throughout the day. Broke down a couple of times at home because it seems where EVER I look, there are piles of paperwork and other items either all about Mum or all about cancer. Didn't really want to think about either today, but can't seem to avoid them. At least Carrie and I both had distractions today.
Moving on!