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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491 |
John, Truly wonderful news! You must be really Happy. Regards, Joe G.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
Fantastic news John! Congratulations!!!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,637
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,637 |
Hey John, That's stunning news. I have a great deal of respect for your resilience - the phrase "tough cookie" springs to mind  I've been reading your posts for a long time now and I've got to say that I'm in awe of the way in which you've traveled your journey with such a positive outlook and such an incredibly amazing sense of humor. To my way of thinking, you've entered the realm of " absolutely awesome role model"! Best wishes, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Thanks to all above. When I met with the team of people who were to care for me, 5 specialist doctors, their primary nurses, dietitian, a 'spiritual consular' (because I put Deist on my 'form'), the head of oncology told me that the treatment they were proposing was the most difficult intervention that is used, surpassing many of the burn therapy treatments. He told me the team would work together so that I could contribute by remaining positive. The pain specialist told me that his job was to ensure that any pain level, no matter how small was to be dealt with, and that I was to get to the clinic any day and priority would be given to solving pain problems.
As this is public healthcare, they concentrated all the resources in one place. Most of the top docs from there teach at the local university subjects related to medical oncology. During the 12 weeks of treatmeI nt I saw 2 docs a week.
I will admit the low point, with 10 days in the hospital, 4 of which I missed because I never really woke up, even when they took me to radiation. I made peace with the eventual outcomes the day I arrived, but one day, with 6 bags hanging from the IV pole, a tube stuck into my guts 2 inches above my belly button for feeding and a catheter in me, I was sure I was at the end. 100 pounds gone, dehydrated and emaciated. Alarms kept ringing, my blood pressure and O2 levels were too low. Then they made a tent and I got O2 and humidity and went into the deepest sleep, I saw glowing lights and heard for the first time what is now my constant companion, a high F, the top one on the piano.
I'm 60 in a few months. I counted on retirement as a 'lark'. A doctor I worked with in my final days at the Fire Department doing Carbon Monoxide testing for a week, was a specialist in Health and Safety in the Workplace and the coroner. On the second day he asked me if I would mind if the got a list of my medications and took my blood pressure and watched me for the rest of the week. At the end of the week he told me that based on my health, weight, blood pressure and work situation, that I would probably not live until 60. I was 53. We had an early retirement package on the table for about 3 months, and after consideration I took it, leaving a job that paid 100k a year and getting 20k less in pension that had I stayed. But the math worked, I could leave without the need to work and I did it.
I was fortunate, as most guys on the Fire Department never rose to my level, I was a Captain or above for the last 15 years, and 2nd from the top in the pay scale for the last 3, which influenced my pension.
My advice to those who are under 50. Go the places you want to go. Do the things you want to do. Retirement is more of a period where you try and keep going, and have enough energy to make the doctors visits. You can no longer dance like you did, stay up late, be crazy and have fun. Fun becomes a morning coffee in a housecoat, often with no ambition at all.
Join a group that is active. Doesn't matter what it is. I know thousands of people as a Shriner. NOT ONE GUY I know from that group, and most are older than me, has had Dementia of any kind. It's the constant activity, going places, parades, and fun. You might get that through Kiwanis or some other club, but I'm convinced that is the key. They made a huge support group. Each of my groups called me every week, and gave an update to the rest. I got hundreds of cards and letters, and I had at least 50 offers of rides to doctors etc.
So I'm back from the dead. Now to deal with my voice and hearing issues. I spent money on a home theatre system yesterday, I was having real issues hearing the TV.
I hope I can figure out next year in a way that I can take some music courses at the University. I should have done that years ago, instead I have the requisite courses for some degree but in that 2/3 are Fire Science and add to that Theology, Philosophy,Early English Lit, Ancient Greek, Poly Sci, Sociology, History, French Lit, and Humanities (The last 5 were at a French University), none of the aforementioned can match my desire to take music. Yet they formed a basis for my desire to push forward.
Thanks to my PG support group, who supported me in their own way.
My Mom who's 83 said, on hearing the news..."I prayed and God healed you."
I asked, "then is should have just not taken those terrible treatments where they burned every inch of me from my nose to my chest, open seeping wounds and all and just let God do it Mom?"
"No she said, you have the treatments and God does the rest."
My answer when she pushed me was.."God gave me a brain, and when they offered the treatment that was the worst thing you can go through, but has a high rate of success, I used that brain and said OK."
I just never felt God going through and picking off cancer cells. LOL...
Now its' one day at a time, and find a way to make each day a great one.
I want to be able to say when asked "how are you doing?"
Me.."not great, no better than that, I'm fantastic!"
So much for that, if anyone needs advice on oncology I know quite a bit now......I wish they could have cured my understanding of duple time....
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,180
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,180 |
Great news on the health John, "So I'm back from the dead. Now to deal with my voice and hearing issues. I spent money on a home theatre system yesterday, I was having real issues hearing the TV" if still having problems a cheap set of wireless headphone might be the answer. You can hook the transmitter up to the socket of the tv, and signal is loud and clear in headphone. You can even hear tv away from the room
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
John, I haven't been around for a while, haven't been following your progress, although the few times I stopped in I saw you had posted something, so it meant you were still alive. Personally, I figured you were too ornery to give into the stuff, and you had way too much left to do just to roll over and die. Obviously, I must have been right.  I am VERY pleased to hear that you are doing so well. Congrats! Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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