Season’s Greetings
Dear Friends,
It has been my intention to bring you up to date on what has been going on with me long before now. Unfortunately, I’ve had a series of serious setbacks since late April when I went into the VA for a routine colonoscopy. As I mentioned in a previous message, the prep work went horribly wrong and resulted in me being placed on a vent with a trach in my neck. Though I’ve spent some time off the vent (which as of now, I’m on only during the night), I have been unable to progress far enough for my pulmonary doctor to feel comfortable removing the trach.
As a result, I was unable to attend Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in July. Fearing that I was getting ill, I had to cancel my appearance. Oddly enough on the opening day of the Games, July 6th, I was in intensive care with a severe case of pneumonia. According to my doctors I was not responding to treatment. Linda told me later, after my recovery, that when she arrived at the hospital, Dr. Lippmann, my pulmonologist, was as white as a sheet. Our friend, Terri Nowell, a physician’s assistant, had tears in her eyes. Well I pulled through, only to be hit with another bout of pneumonia a month later, on August 7th and have been admitted to the hospital two more times since then. I was very concerned about how weak I was and was told it would be two to three months before my strength would come back. Now after three months I feel stronger although my voice has deteriorated in volume and is very limited in range.
On a brighter note, the last Saturday in September, our local Highland Games here in St. Louis was held; it is only fifteen minutes from my home. Several of my musician pals were performing and I was able to spend four hours at the folk music tent. Some other friends came to visit from Minnesota, North Carolina and Tennessee. The following morning, after a good night’s rest, we had 12 over for breakfast. A good time was had by all and it was great medicine for me.
Though unable to perform these last six and a half years, I am extremely fortunate in having loving friends who sell my product at several games around the country. I am forever grateful and love them very much.
I am also grateful for the friendship of a retired Missouri State Trooper who visits me twice a week. He is a volunteer through the VA network and we have become friends. I have indoctrinated him into the joys of football (soccer). So much so that he screams at the referees for bad calls and at the players who frequently dive and feign injury. Fortunately, his language is tolerable to my virgin ears.
Ashley, my nursing student caregiver continues to be a joy to both Linda and I. She’s been working for me for 2.5 years now and living with us for the past 1.5 years. She’s smart, funny, dedicated to her craft and cares for me like I’m part of her family. It’s been a joy watching her nursing skills develop over time; she graduates in April and we don’t know what we will do without her.
Now, let’s move on to my favorite subject, SALES OF MY CD’s and DVD! Many of my CD selections are available in hard copy. My DVD features three full-length musical, historical and travelogue productions. They are hosted by yours truly with ten songs on each program. It’s around this time of year that I watch it over and over again. You too can enjoy this pleasure for yourself or a Christmas gift for a friend. All right here in the Beaton Store.
I have no idea where this shameless peddling comes from? With my mother being born in Northern Ireland, perhaps it’s the Irish patter that assists my father’s Scottish side to reel the funds in.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a new year of good health and happiness!
With love,
Alex
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