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Thanks, guys. That was a very strange day, fulfilling in a spiritual sense but traumatic in the up-front reality department. In the last 10 years, my Dad has had 3 angioplastys, he suffered a stroke, last year he survived prostate cancer, he has arthritis so bad he's stooped all the way over at a 90-degree angle like the pope was. Now this. Through it all, he's been devout in the practice of his religion and unwavering in his kindness and generosity to us, especially to Kyle and Nick. Yesterday he suffered more than I've ever seen. He was out of his mind with the trauma of the operation and unable to get a grip. It's OK. I would have cashed in my chips 8 or 9 years ago. He is still a powerful and towering presence in our lives, and we have all felt deeply for him and prayed for his quick recovery and peaceful twilight years. The folks I work for sent him flowers and a nice note, and they were all very concerned about him. Somehow when something like this happens, it brings out the best in folks and restores a lot of faith in human goodness. Thanks again, WC1

Update: I talked to Dad a little while ago and he feels great! No pain, no problems...he can move his leg around, he's ready to walk on it...he doesn't remember anything at all about me being with him or any of yesterday, actually, but I told him man, you had it goin' on! He apologized to me for not remembering...that's my Dad for ya...anyway, his prognosis is EXCELLENT and he is looking forward to rehabbing that hip and getting moving again! Will miracles never cease? WC1

great news

That is great news WC

Great news WC!!!

That's great Cat!

Glad your dad pulled through great, Cat. bp

Thanks, folks. The aftermath of such a major operation has finally come back on him, though. Debby called me today from the hospital, he's been having some stuggles. But he is focused on a full recovery...

The Pee Wee Bowen Band only had one gig this weekend, last night we played a private party at the Haak Winery down in Santa Fe. We only did 2 sets; the party was from 7:30-10...it got real humid and my guitar went out of tune (I'm still learning the ins and outs of that guitar...it goes "sharp" instead of "flat"...strange, but true...anyway, they danced but they danced all the way over on the other side of the pavilion...only one couple got up in front of us, and they were a joy to behold...she was a very fine-looking lady in her late 30s, maybe early 40s, and she didn't mind showing off her moves for us, and she had some surprisingly smooth moves...it was a fun gig. However, I found out from Pee Wee that Herby, our trombone player who got sick in San Antone back on Labor Day when we played there, was told Thursday that his bone marrow biopsy came back positive for leukemia, it's in an advanced stage, and he was given 2 to 3 weeks to live. I'm going to visit him tomorrow while I'm down there to see my Dad. He told Pee Wee he wants to see each one of us before he checks out and he wants us to throw a party at his funeral...he's going to be cremated...and he wants his trombone, mic stand and stool to be set up with the band. The song he requested is "Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. He was the featured soloist when we did that song. He absolutely demanded that no one gets upset...he's ready for this, he expected it, and he's completely at peace with his decision not to fight his illnesses anymore. So we'll play the song and throw a party for Herby. Life is good. WC1

Sorry to hear about Herby, Cat. bp