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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: 20,677
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677 |
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: 3,191
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,191 |
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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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