It was wonderful to get away last week, even for just a few days. We got to see Peggy’s daughter Winter in New Paltz and then went on to Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The weather at the coast has been cold and rainy for the last two months, but the two days we were at Oak Bluffs the sun was out for most of the day. It was wonderful. Eating on the road is a real adventure but it seems that I can find some soft food almost anywhere we go, in fact the seafood pastas { scallops, shrimp etc. } were really nice and I even had a hint of the taste of the seafood. Now that is something to be thankful for! Even though we did not get the news we had hoped for with the petscan last week, we are thankful that things are slowly moving on and in a few more months when we do another scan hopefully my throat will be in better shape so the scan can be more conclusive! For now I am not letting it cross my mind and am just enjoying being able to get out and enjoy all that summer has to offer !!! We saw a wonderful t shirt that we both really loved but unfortunately the store was closed and we were taking the first ferry off the island when we saw it. It said “Skinny men are sexy !!!”, so I hope to make that my motto as I am trying to put some weight back on !
I am really excited about the week ahead. Tomorrow we go to Potsdam where I will be playing with the Susquehanna String band. On Tuesday night we play for the CYM music camp and on Wednesday and Thursday night its concerts with the Symphony of Northern NY, Wednesday in Potsdam and Thursday at the Clayton opera house. I am absolutely thrilled that I am able to do these dates, even though I will need to conserve my energy. In March during treatments I had no idea if I would even be able to consider these concert dates and now that it looks like a reality I could not be more thankful. I know how much work it will be in my current shape, but I am more than up for the challenge. The power of making wonderful music has always been my heart beat and as I start to come around from all of this I can appreciate it even more than ever. I hope we do get to see some of you in our travels this summer. Once again we are so thankful for all your support and encouragement. Have a wonderful week and a great July 4th holiday. And if you think about it take some time to be thankful for all that you have been blessed with, we are all truly blessed ! I’ll look for you at 7:00.
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI am rooting for you! I see you every Columbus Day weekend at Sagamore. I wanted to write and ask you if you have seen a speech pathologist at all. That's what I do for a living and there may be some exercises you can do that will help with the swallowing. I know that's a very difficult and discouraging problem.
Melissa Johnson
Happy Music Making! Summer really exisits - we're so happy you can revel in it.
ReplyDeleteLisa and Klaus
Dan and Peggy,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a lovely trip, and that you are starting to be able to taste your food. That's a great sign!
I am also glad that you are starting to play again. I think it will help you heal because playing feeds your soul. I am sure it will be great for all of your fans to see you as well.
Maria
Great to hear you are out and about, and doing it eagerly! "On the Road Again!" You both continue to be in prayer, and I can't wait to see you guys along the trail somewhere this summer! Love and Hugs, Donna and John
ReplyDeleteI love the way the glass is always half full for you and Peggy! A taste of seafood, a breeze on the Cape, the energy and opportunity to make music together. Congratulations! Life is good and worth fighting for.
ReplyDeletelots of love,
Cara
Dan (and Peggy),
ReplyDeleteMy sister Kelly came upon the unfortunate news of your illness today while trying to track down your performance for this year at Allegany State Park. We (the Brockport and Allegany Dan Duggan Fan Club families)are all heartsick, but as I read your blog, I can see that you have made much progress and that your spirits are high. I have to believe that you are on life's most difficult journey and we all wish you well. We will send out our best sticky, ticky, tacky S'Mores coated vibes at 7:00 each evening for you! Incidently, the Mault extended family has walked in the Rochester area American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event for 13 years, primarily in memory of our mother, Sylvia and in honor of her sister, Eunice. We walked on June 5th in fact, in Spencerport. Sadly, the number of luminarias we purchase for famiy members and friends have increased steadily. We will continue to walk for HOPE and a CURE though each year and now, in your honor also. I can see the rainbow shining brightly as you complete your healing! Truly, I did see a rainbow today through all that rain... My best to you always, Dan and extra prayers will be telecommunicated for your complete recovery. Fondly, Tammy
Dan & Peggy:
ReplyDeleteYou continue to amaze me. I don't pray, but I think good thoughts and send them on their way to you.
Terry Manion
Hey! Skinny guys ARE sexy!!! Don't let anyone tell you differently. (-:
ReplyDeleteSo, Bob and I send our good thoughts and prayers from Flaming Gorge (Rock Springs), Wyoming today. We're traveling the west for a few weeks but want to check in with you when we can get a computer connection. These beautiful and rugged mountains don't always have those modern conveniences.
Oh how I wish we could be at your concerts. It's such a great thing that you are now able to perform and be so fulfilled by the good energy music brings you. I play your CD "Jamcrackers" so often - very energizing. You're living your song "Simple Faith".......
God bless you both with a warm, happy, and musical summer. Keep that positive attitude! Will check in again from Colorado or Utah in a week or so.
Our love and prayers - Karen & Bob McCurdy
Hey Sexy Skiny Guy and Sexy Girl,
ReplyDeleteMartha's Vineyard is one of my very favorite places - I was there with you in my mind and plotting how and when to go again. I haven't been there in years but have delicious memories of the way the light lays on the houses, on the water, on the bright colors of houses and sails, and the moonlight at night on the beach. And music...all part of the magical spiral of healing.
I have had interesting discussions about spirals recently - the spirals of DNA and how they come apart in illness and how they re-configure in healing, on how the mind can control and negotiate that healing in truly remarkable ways and how music can reach deep inside the mind and body, like a spiral, all part of the healing process. Yeats called the invisible interplay of the unknown between the spirit world and the waking world as controlled by "communicators,"; and Merrill, the poet, and Yeats, talked about the communicators transporting one through time in the guise of DNA spirals that moved back and forth, allowing us limitless possibility for being - and, taking it one step forward - healing.
Then I awoke from a dream in which I was walking down a staircase, focused with intention on the marble inset inside a newel post. Just upon waking I found myself in a fast downward spiral through the marble inset - like the children's story of traveling small into mitochodria - first confined in darkness and small spaces which opened out into light and beautiful vertical landscapes. I could slow down at will and visit any of these spaces, all of which contained cities, forests, water, and bright sunshine. What a fabulous journey into a healing place one could scribe within this vertical spiraling space. Like traveling through a seashell. If you picked one up in Martha's Vineyard, hold it, look at it, imagine yourself so small that you can travel inside it and then write music describing this journey.
We love you,
Wanda and Ron
Delaney and I have had such fun times camping on Martha's Vineyard. While you were in Oak Bluffs, I hope you sampled the homemade ice cream shops and the merry-go-round! I can just see you and Peggy strolling on the beach - hopefully catching a sunset or moonrise. We send you hugs for all the good news so far and the good news yet to come.
ReplyDeletelove - Deborah & Delaney
Dan, Love the blog. It seems you and I have alot in common. You're about 1 month ahead of me in your treatment. It is a difficult journey for sure but your positive attitude is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a speedy recovery for everyone!
Brian Elam
bke2000@yahoo.com