It sucks growing old

[Slim Cognito]

[Volkonski]

Feeling old now.

When I started college in Boston in 1969 Erich Leinsdorf had just left as conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO brought in William Steinberg, then conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, part-time to replace him while they looked for a new permanent conductor.

Steinberg's health was poor so many of the BSO concerts and recordings were conducted by the young assistant conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas. Normally young assistant conductors help prepare performances but they almost never actually conduct public performances.

So MTM found himself under the microscope of the critics and BSO fans very early in his career.

Many BSO fans were not happy about that state of affairs. Some of my fellow student BSO fans took to referring to MTM as "Tinsel Tonsils".

MTM survived.

News this week-

Michael Tilson Thomas Suffers from Confusion at London Symphony Orchestra

https://theviolinchannel.com/michael-ti ... orchestra/

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas suffered from a bout of confusion during a recent performance of Mahler's Third Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) at the Barbican. The 79-year-old conductor has been facing various health struggles: in 2021, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and underwent surgery to treat it.

Since that time, Tilson Thomas has scaled back his conducting activities. Recent engagements have included four concerts with the New York Philharmonic in March 2023 and a week of concerts with the San Francisco Symphony in early 2024.

On May 12, 2024, Tilson Thomas was leading Mahler 3 with the LSO, mezzo-soprano Alice Coote, and the combined forces of the Tiffin Boys' Choir with the women of the London Symphony Chorus. As reported in The Telegraph, Tilson Thomas got up from the podium partway through and closed his score, "telling the audience cheerily they’d been listening to an extended warm-up." He appeared to think that the performance was a rehearsal.

Coote, as well as some of the players of the orchestra, then gently reminded Tilson Thomas of his surroundings, and after a short delay, Tilson Thomas regrouped and returned to conduct the work's final movement. The performance concluded with a standing ovation.

[keith]

So MTM found himself under the microscope of the critics and BSO fans very early in his career.

Um who is "MTM"? Mary Tyler Moore is all I can think of, but darned if I can figure out what she has to do with conducting.

[neonzx]

So MTM found himself under the microscope of the critics and BSO fans very early in his career.

Um who is "MTM"? Mary Tyler Moore is all I can think of, but darned if I can figure out what she has to do with conducting.

I was confused also. "MTM" means what? Maybe something about mowers.

[sugar magnolia]

Maybe he meant MTT? Michael Thomas Tilson?

[pipistrelle]

Feeling old now.

News this week-

Michael Tilson Thomas Suffers from Confusion at London Symphony Orchestra

I remember when he was a bright young conductor.

[bill_g]

I'm sure Mr V meant MMTT - Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas

[Volkonski]

Maybe he meant MTT? Michael Thomas Tilson?

Yes.

[pipistrelle]

Maybe he meant MTT? Michael Thomas Tilson?

Yes.

I knew what you meant.

[John Thomas8]

The "getting old" anthem?

Stood there boldly, sweatin' in the Sun
Felt like a million, felt like number one
The height of summer, I'd never felt that strong
Like a rock

I was 18, didn't have a care
Working for peanuts, not a dime to spare
But I was lean and solid everywhere
Like a rock

My hands were steady, my eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose, my steps were quick and light
And I held firmly to what I felt was right
Like a rock

Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin' ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock

And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams

20 40 years now, where'd they go?
20 40 years, I don't know
I sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they've gone

And sometimes late at night
Oh, when I'm bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin' a ghostly white
And I recall, I recall

Like a rock, standin' arrow straight
Like a rock, chargin' from the gate
Like a rock, carryin' the weight
Like a rock

Oh, like a rock, the sun upon my skin
Like a rock, hard against the wind
Like a rock, I see myself again
Like a rock
Oh, like a rock

[bill_g]

(chortle) Seeger was feelin it twenty years after eighteen. Wonder how he's doin now?

He was one of Mrs girl crushes. Neil Diamond too. Every note, every word, she knew all his songs. Those were definitely salad days.

[Mrich]

We moved my mother into an assisted living facility yesterday. It's a new place (maybe 5 years old; we are so fortunate that we can afford it) with a great staff and only 10 minutes from where I live. My father spent 2 months there in memory care; the plan was for her to be in assisted living at the same time but no apartment was available. We were waiting for a one bedroom (they have studios, one, and two bedrooms), and she was "next on the list" for several months, so finally we broke down and got a 2 bedroom.

There is a kitchenette with a fridge, sink, and microwave, and she can have a coffee maker, and there's lots of storage space. We put her bedroom furniture (double bed) in one bedroom and a single bed in the other; she has a nice sofa/loveseat and recliner in the living area. They provide 3 meals/day, do laundry and housekeeping, and she has one of those pendants around her neck that she can use to call staff if she has any problems or needs help.

Still lots to do - for example, when we tried to hook up the TV we discovered the power cord was missing! The TV had been in my dad's apartment and we had just put it in an unused bedroom at the house, and we can't find the darn thing! The maintenance guy said "TVs are important here! We have one we can loan you", so he saved the day!

My sister talked to her this morning and reports Mom went to breakfast and talked to some of the residents, and she seems happy. I was concerned that she seemed to be getting depressed - she and my father had been married 70 years and she doesn't have many friends still living (she's 93), so hopefully she will soon become part of their community.

Such a relief - I feel like I'm getting my life back bit by bit.

[AndyinPA]

That's wonderful news. I hope it all goes well!

[p0rtia]

Well done!

I didn't have to chance to do much for my mom, as she died too young (64). It gives me a great sense of peace to see others doing for their parents what I wish I could have done, no matter how hard. Somehow makes it okay.

[bill_g]

Mrich
Portia

[keith]

I gotta box of TV power cords. You can have em if you want, but they only fit Aussie power points.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

MRich and p0rtia

[jemcanada2]

Hi all! A little update on my recent health.

In the last six months, I’ve fallen twice trying to catch the bus to work. The first time, I was pretty scraped up but I landed mostly on the grass/mud. So after a week or two, the pain was gone. The second time, I landed on the pavement and had a much harder impact. The scrapes were worse and I had to go for x-rays for my wrist for any fractures. Nothing broken! Yay! But I can’t grasp or hold anything heavy because my wrist and thumb have gone on strike. I’ve been going to physiotherapy but my doctor wants to send me to a hand specialist.

A week after the second fall, totally unrelated, I developed a cyst/abscess/carbuncle on my back and it got infected. When I went to the clinic, the doctor whistled and said “that’s not good!” He gave me a prescription for antibiotics and advice on taking care of it. A few days later, the infection was starting to spread across my back and my back was turning red. The doctor at the clinic sent me to emergency. The doctor at emergency said “Whew! We have to do something about that right away!” They cut and drained it and removed the abscess. A nurse came and packed and dressed the wound and took some bloodwork.

I was just waiting on the information for the wound care clinic and congratulating myself on getting out of emergency in under 5 hours. Then someone approached me with an IV stand. My blood sugar was 28 (500 in US). They gave me insulin and put me on an IV drip. I told them that I need enough insulin to kill an elephant to lower my blood sugar but they only gave me 10 units. After an hour my blood sugar had only gone down to 27. Another IV and 15 units of insulin and then another 15 units of insulin my blood sugar had gone down to 25 but then it started going back up. They finally released me with referrals for a new endocrinologist and the wound care clinic. The doctor also prescribed a stronger antibiotic.

I had fevers, chills, body aches, and headache for days. I couldn’t eat or drink anything but water. I had to go to the wound clinic every other day. The wound was so painful and it’s on the worst place on my back. I can’t sit or lie on my back. I’m not sure if I’m using the right terminology but it started to become necrosis. The middle of the wound was full of dead tissue. I had to go on another round of antibiotics after I finished the other ones because the wound was still infected. They referred me to the wound care specialist because it wasn’t getting better. She removed the dead tissue and said that I may need surgery to remove the sac. The wound became raw and sore again. The wound is 2 centimetres deep and 3 inches by 1/2 inches. (Yes. I know I’m mixing metric and imperial units here but that’s how we roll in Canada ) She had changed me to coming to the clinic every 3 days. I started having chills, body aches, and a headache again and the wound was hurting as much as it did at the beginning. When I went to the wound care clinic the next time, my back exploded when the nurse removed the bandage.

So I’m on my 4th round of antibiotics, I may need surgery on my back and wrist/thumb, and the wound is as bad and painful as it was to begin with. I’m seeing the endocrinologist again next week for a follow up appointment. She has me on new pills and a new insulin and my blood sugars are only averaging 11 (196], instead of 19 (342].

I have a lot of bossy sisters, friends, and seniors in my condo building trying to keep me following orders and eating since I have no appetite. They take good care of me and I know that it comes from a place of love.

Anyway, that’s my saga. Sorry it was so long but I guess I couldn’t call it a saga otherwise.

[p0rtia]

OMG, Jem! This is just awful. Thank you for telling us what is going on.

You sound pretty cheerful, which I guess is a result of the fussy Friends and Relations (bless them) and a sense that the docs/medicals are on the ball.

Well, jeepers, take care? I'm going to send along every positive thought in my Box of Positive Thoughts.

Please keep us posted.

And tell the Friends and Relations that we love them!

[jemcanada2]

OMG, Jem! This is just awful. Thank you for telling us what is going on.

You sound pretty cheerful, which I guess is a result of the fussy Friends and Relations (bless them) and a sense that the docs/medicals are on the ball.

Well, jeepers, take care? I'm going to send along every positive thought in my Box of Positive Thoughts.

Please keep us posted.

And tell the Friends and Relations that we love them!

Thank you!

One of them lurks here

[Volkonski]

Jem,

Hope things get better very soon!

[qbawl]

Wow! so sorry to hear this. Keep us posted and take great care of yourself.
Back at the end of July I managed to trip over a tire stop in a parking lot which set me off like a comic book character across the pavement trying to get my feet up to speed with my upper body to no avail, "missed it by that much." Broke the left humeris at the shoulder. They elected to not do surgery (probably because of the cardiac issues I have) and I've been in an immobilizing sling for the last month. I should start therapy this week if the damn thing has healed enough. Back in 2015 I broke the right one but they did a hell of a job on that one with between the shoulder and elbow 23 screws and 2 plates holding it together. The only range of motion I lost there was across my body front and rear, but they've made it clear I won't have that much range of motion this time.
Good luck, we're all pulling for you! As Red Green would say, "We're all in this together!"

[MsDaisy 2]

Poor baby!

[Uninformed]

I know the title of this thread is pretty accurate but if I had any hair it would be standing on end after reading your saga

Hope the professionals get a handle on the issues and have as speedy a recovery as possible.

[jemcanada2]

Qbawl

Hope therapy goes well and you’re feeling better soon!