“i am a liver!–the concert” to benefit fellow zebra

Lindsey Miller and I share something in common. We are both “zebras”–what they call those of us with Neuroendocrine (NET) / Carcinoid cancers.

Lindsey’s cancer started in her pancreas. Mine started in my ileum (intestines).

Many of the treatments and diagnostics for our rarely-diagnosed disease are not funded by insurance, nor are they offered in the United States. Most of us are unable to afford the costs of getting the medical attention that is available in Europe.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, or know others who are, come on out and listen to some great music and support this fundraiser! And please help by sharing the information.

WHAT: “i am a liver! the concert” is a fundraiser benefit show to raise money for cancer treatment. 100% of the ticket sales go to treatment.

FOR WHOM: Lindsey Miller, a 27-year-old pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer patient, who at the age of 25 was diagnosed with stage IV disease.

WHEN: June 9, 2013, music starts at 9 p.m.

WHERE: La Cita, located at 336 S. Hill St in Downtown Los Angeles, CA, (213) 687-7111 (http://lacitabar.com). Must be 21 with ID.

THE ARTISTS:

• Jenny O. (http://jennyo.com) –Los Angeles singer, musician, and songwriter whose new album, “Automechanic,” was released earlier this year.
• Band Meets World (http://www.facebook.com/BandMeetsWorld?ref=stream)–Three guys–Jeff, Jake, and Brian–who call themselves, “LA’s phattest ’90s tribute acoustic trio!”
• Karmina (http://karmina.com)–A sister duo; they have played with artists such as Sheryl Crow and Hanson, and whose single, “The Kiss,” rose to the Top 25 in the Billboard charts.

TICKETS: $10 each. 100% of ticket sales go to benefit Lindsey.

• To purchase tickets: http://iamaliverconcert.wordpress.com/

To learn more about Lindsey and her journey with neuroendocrine cancer, follow her blog at: http://iamaliver.wordpress.com .

Thank you, in advance, for helping to raise money and awareness for Neuroendocrine/Carcinoid Cancer.

For more information about Carcinoid/Neuroendocrine cancer, visit the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation website at: http://www.carcinoid.org/ .

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Did you know??

(From Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Network website — http://www.carcinoidawareness.org )

•  Over 90% of all Carcinoid/ NET patients are incorrectly diagnosed and treated for the wrong disease.
• Average time from initial onset of symptoms to proper diagnosis exceeds five years.
• Majority of specialists are not aware of current diagnostic and treatment options.
• Physicians still believe Carcinoid tumors are benign, slow growing and do not metastasize. Countless surgeons trust removal of the tumor will cure the patient and no follow–up is necessary.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s are the two most common misdiagnoses for patients with midgut Carcinoid.
• Most prevalent Carcinoid / NET symptoms are diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, wheezing, flushing, heart palpitations, and blood pressure fluctuations.
• There are a few simple tests to aid with the diagnosis including a 24 hour urine test for 5-HIAA levels. Blood tests include Serum Serotonin, (NSE), Chromogranin-A, Pancreatic peptide, substance P, Gastrin, Neurokin-A.
• Other Diagnostics include: CT Scans, MRIs, Octreotide Scans, MIBG Scans, and a special pet scan.
• Current studies suggest that Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine tumors are not as rare once thought. Over 11,000 new patients are diagnosed each year and as many as 125,000 patients are living in the US today–AND the number of diagnoses is increasing by more than 5% annually.

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Original article written and published by author at:  http://www.bubblews.com/news/755773-i-am-a-liver-the-concert-feat-jenny-o-band-meets-world-and-karmina

Copyright © 2013 Coral Levang

SMILE! A 21-day Challenge

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”– Thich Nhat Hanh

Life deals us some pretty nasty blows sometimes that it seems almost impossible to find something about which to smile.

But have you noticed that, even in the midst of the darkest of days, the infectious laughter of a small child can make your heart sing?

Or you watch a kitten take on Intruder Cat in Mohammed Ali fashion, pummeling  its reflective archenemy while being stunned by blows dealt back before hissing and backing away.  Before you realize it, your giggles turn into guffaws, unsympathetic to the plight of the feline scrapper.

As you walk down the street, a total stranger smiles at you and you find yourself smiling back at the kindness shown in her eyes and the softness of her smile.

For some, music is the answer. No, I’m not referring to the cry-in-your-beer-because-your-wife-ran-off-with-an-armadillo kind of songs, although that image just made me grin.

In each of these moments, all of life’s challenges and sorrows can disappear for a little while, giving  you respite from  your pain and disappointment.

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” — Joseph Addison

If you were to adopt a practice of smiling at one other person each day before they smiled first, could it make a difference in your disposition?

If you were to make a choice to listen to a particular song that made you want to dance every time you heard it, would it give you relief, even for a few minutes?

My challenge to you is to find something every day for 21  days (beginning Wednesday, May 15th) that makes you smile. Keep a smile journal.

I will report each day on the Challenge Results Page one thing that made me smile.  Please join me by sharing  your results for the day, as well.

Let’s see how many we can get to take this challenge!  It’s time to…

SMILE!

(Music video by Kirk Franklin performing I Smile. (C) 2011 Verity Gospel Music Group, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment)

 (To share with the readers what made you smile each day of the 21-Day Challenge, please go to the Results Page by clicking here or  the tab at the top of the page.  I will start tomorrow by making the first comment, and then feel free to follow suit! 🙂 )

M is for Music: A story from my life

Anyone who knows me well might have guessed that the letter M would have been the prompt for a post on music. For those who do not know me, music has always been an integral part of my life.  It’s part of my story, a family legacy which goes way back in time.

I am the eldest of five children.  Both of my parents were musical, so I never can remember music not being a part of my life.

Mom sang and had worked as a young  woman in a group called the “Blue Bonnet Girls,” here in the Pacific Northwest.  I learned how to harmonize by singing along with my Mom when she sang songs to us as kids.  “Mairzy Doats (Mares Eat Oats),” “You Are My Sunshine,” and “Three Little Fishies (Itty Bitty Pool)” were among many of the songs that she taught all of us, and are still being taught to her great-grandchildren.

I grew up watching my father on the Lawrence Welk Show and was on several years during the Christmas programs.  I thought that many of those memories had been long forgotten until I received a link from a friend reminding me of those days.

I would also go to the studios where he was a studio guitar player for many artists and their recordings.  You can imagine how difficult it was for me to keep quiet and still sitting in the studios where they recorded live, without the advantage of the technology today to create perfection.

I always dreamed of a career on stage either as a singer or actress.  I never really wanted to be the “star,” but would have been perfectly happy as a back-up singer, or a member of an ensemble singing harmony.   I spent much of my childhood in choirs, musical groups, and in several musical plays.

I was not encouraged to pursue an entertainment career.  In fact, there was such active discouragement to the point of hearing messages of “never being able to make it,” and “not being good enough.”

In 1981, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to audition for and was accepted to the Navy’s Music Program as a vocalist.  After attending the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia for theory, ear training, etc., my first assignment as a musician was with the Navy Steel Drum Band, where I became the first non-instrumentalist to learn how to play steel drums.  Of all my tours as a Navy musician, it was my favorite and it made me a better musician.

Playing the cello pans with the Navy Steel Band in Summer 1983. (Photo taken by Navy journalist, name unknown)

In addition to the Steel Band, I have had many experiences as a singer and musician:  Ceremonial and marching bands, playing bass drum, cymbals and orchestra bells; concert band adding more of the auxiliary percussion instruments, such as chimes and other “toys.”

I sang the National Anthem for ceremonies, as well as professional sporting events.  I sang lead and backup with a variety of small groups and show bands–country, rock, pop and jazz.  I have sung in English, Spanish and German.  I’ve performed in front of audiences ranging in size from a handful of people to many tens of thousands, to people of all ages.  My favorite gigs were singing old jazz standards with a trio in an intimate setting, second only to singing the Anthem.

Since leaving military and musical career in November 1989, I performed many times over the years, working with some small bands; offering my services to sing the National Anthem for various military and civilian functions, and auditioning for plays and musicals, where I’ve been fortunate enough to be cast in a variety of parts, including the Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina (Nunsense).  For the most part, however, I gave up performance.

Music is what is in my heart and soul, even though I’ve not pursued it much in recent years. I miss my days of performing, especially where music is concerned.

Singing “Come Rain or Come Shine” for an Awards Show/Fundraiser at Lakewood Playhouse in March 2013.

And although I have been known to meet with friends for an occasional song or two at a karaoke bar, I yearn for the day when I can work  regularly with a guitar or piano player, and upright bassist and get back to my “roots” singing a few standards from yesteryear.