Thank You for the Rain

Posted by on Mar 13, 2017

Thank You for the Rain

Well, it has been a month of ups and downs.
Since I last wrote, there have been more tests, steps backwards, and steps forward. Some days it feels like we’re treading water. I imagine we all feel that way sometimes. In the midst of it all, we have settled into a little house near the beach and it is wonderful to have a sense of home.

 

At Ikea, buying all kinds of stuff we left in a Chicago basement. S&K along for therapy.

At Ikea, buying all kinds of stuff we left in a Chicago basement. S&K along for therapy.

Much calmer after a walk on the beach.

Much calmer after a walk on the beach and a good answer to the question “Why Ireland?”

ENGLAND
In the haze of announcing my breast cancer diagnosis, we really didn’t get a chance to touch on our time in England. We had visits with long time friends, and while I had the flu in Stourbridge, forcing us to cancel our one and only gig, Randy was able to volunteer with a great group of people at Black Country Food Bank:

foodbank

Happily, we will get a chance to try again soon when we hit the road with the Sweet Sorrows Wednesday for a couple weeks.

SWEET SORROWS TOUR

Wednesday, we will travel with the Sweet Sorrows for two weeks from Dundalk, Ireland and on through Scotland and England. The dates have all been updated on our site, so please take a look and help us get the word out. If you live close enough to come to one of the concerts, we’d be so grateful to see you, and if you know anyone in the UK (or near to Dundalk, Ireland), please share our music/story with them and send them our way.

Due to my treatment schedule, Randy and I will be unable to be at the South Wales concerts on April 1 and 4, but the Sweet Sorrows will be playing in Neath and Swansea on those nights.

THANK YOU

We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and notes. Since we got the news of my cancer diagnosis, they have kept us going while we take on the work of treatment, housing, transportation, and the general administrative workload that comes with moving to a new country. I will attempt to give a concise update and answer some of the big questions here.

TREATMENT

I am scheduled for surgery on April 3 in Dublin. My surgeon believes that this, followed by 4-6 weeks of rest, and 4-6 weeks of radiation, and 5 years of drugs, which I have already started, will cure me. During the surgery, one more biopsy will need to be taken to make sure nothing has spread. This is the one hurdle we’re a little nervous about. We really want that lymph node biopsy to be clear! If it is, we’ll begin booking a US tour. If not, we’ll have to talk about further treatment options.

Our friend Florence lives not far from the hospital and lets us stay with her before early appointments. :)

Our friend Florence lives not far from the hospital and lets us stay with her before early appointments. 🙂 She herself is a cancer survivor!

MONEY

Many of you have asked about coverage and finance–if we’re ok. Thank you for asking. I am never sure what to say about these things, so I’ll just be honest. We’re ok for this moment, but we’re nervous. We want to be working, but we are having to wait.

In Ireland, medical expenses are much lower compared to the US; however, they are not free, and moving to a new country is expensive, (Side note: especially the driving part. Sigh.) Since Randy has to do a lot of driving to and from the hospital in Dublin, and I am not able to do as much planning/booking, we’re essentially out of paid work, and recording a new project is now delayed while we focus on treatment.

Thank God for Christmas money! Randy found his this-side-of-the-ocean guitar. Appropriately, the brand is Faith.

Thank God for Christmas money! Randy found his this-side-of-the-ocean guitar. Appropriately, the brand is Faith.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
NEW MUSIC: THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN

Of course, we’d rather work than not! And, in the spirit of that, we have a pre-release version of “Thank You for the Rain,” a song which will be on the upcoming CD, ready for you.

TYFTR

https://bekihemingway.bandcamp.com/

This pre-release version features Jeff Elbel (Ping) on bass and Smiley Barnard (the Alarm) on drums. Randy has worked very hard to get this ready for everyone, and we are releasing it as PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT.

Please DOWNLOAD it today!!

SHARE with all your friends and introduce them to our music. If they like it, maybe they’ll want to download more at cdbaby.com Every little bit helps us right now.

BLAST it in your car with the windows down!

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Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bekihemingwaymusic
See more pics on Instagram: @bekihemingway

Introduce a friend to our music by sharing our free 5-song sampler. http://noisetrade.com/bekihemingwaymusic/free-sampler

HOW ABOUT… including us on a playlist and share it on Facebook, Spotify, AppleMusic???
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1 Comment

  1. Sounds like you and Randy are having the time of your life. You continue to do what others only dream about. Living the dream! Sending positive thoughts and prayers.

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