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Just wanted to check in say hi and remind folks of how important time spent is.

Right now I'm trying to make adjustments to a whole new level of Vertigo troubles and pain I'm experiencing. 14 Days straight where I can't leave the house. Only travel is from chair to fridge to chair to bathroom. I remember when other troubles used to cause heartache or aggravation in life. Lots of total nonsense in my eyes now. We all have a tendency to find troubles at whatever stage or level or situation we are in. Well it can find us, but sometimes we can make more out of things then need be.

In other words some healthy,rich person with a beautiful healthy family is complaining right now about SOMETHING! They are having some sought of crisis even if there is no serious one at the moment, there taking it very seriously. This is just human nature.

So for one I do not get caught up in much nonsense like many friends and relatives I know do. I LAUGH at the thought of a Mid Life Crisis I'm falling down in public now for the first time in my life, do ya think I thinking about getting some tattoos a motorcycle and a 20 year 0ld girlfriend? Okay well ya know what I mean! LOL
Aside from a bit of nonsense! I have been battling two things my entire life, The music business! 30+ years And and an unknown cause of vertigo 13 years. Both of these huge obstacles has made me so much better, wiser and in tune with life in so may ways.

I recently met a man, a dear friends brother where as upon me reaching to shake his hand, shook his head an said "I can't"
He was in a wheelchair paralyzed from the neck down.
A HUGE reminder of no matter how bad your life is there is ALWAYS others worse. My heart goes out to him big time. He inspired me....

SO what am I doing?
Well besides constantly seeking help no matter how frustrating that has been.... I have been practicing alot in spurts.... I have been LEARNING, making myself a much better musician. Studying! Learning what I was never taught and bettering myself.

Using what does work somewhat, my eyes, my ears, my hands usually. I sit at an angle and practice in spurts till I'm either in too much pain or i get too dizzy and weak.
I feel that that my troubles have cost so many wasted days,months and years now of my life. I hated that even when I was healthy and running around like a maniac.

So now even if it's the ONLY one thing I do in a whole day, As long as I improved SOMETHING, learned something that day, made myself better, than is was not a complete waste of time of life.

That or helping somebody else, making someone else happy is the only thing that makes me feel any satisfaction. Nothing then was wasted.

When I hear somebody say "Man I was so pissed off waiting in the line at the".... I smile and say "man I would LOVE to wait on a line STANDING for an hour, cause that would mean I could! stand for an hour

Do what you love, do what you want, what you can!
Do not waste to much time, don't sweat the small stuff or take simple things for granted.

But one last thing, do not write another song where you say "Live Like You're Dying"

Mike
Sub

Thanks again to our own John Daubert who again is taking me to seek help. This time to The Neuro-Science Institute at JFK Medical Center. I met John HERE! and it feels like we been friends our whole life. Things like that make this place more special than anything..

Hi Mike

I complained because I had no shoes, then I met a man that had no feet.

Hi Mike !!

glad that you are not giving up ! and I hope that you have a nice day !

Thank you for sharing and caring enough to let us know these things. ; ) jm

Hello Mike,

Good luck on the medical visit and it's great that you are fighting hard to maintain a positive attitude in the face of this "unnamed" illness. Like my wife, it would be so much better if they could say: "OK, here's your diagnosis and here is how we can combat it."

Keep fighting.

Kevin

HiYa Brother Mike!

"Living Any Way Ya CAN Is the Best Revenge" I always say. You're a BIG Inspiration to Folks Like Me..so you keep on keepin'-ON, Amigo!

Maybe we Ain't Rich-or-Famous, BUT we've outlived 50% of The Beatles.

Keep Up the Good Work, Amigo!
Best Wishes/Big Guy-Hugs,
Stan

Hang in there Mike

Tom and Justice

Mike,

Great to hear from you. So sorry you are having to go through this. You are very encouraging to others in how you keep fighting.That should be an example to everyone.

Thanks for checking in and good luck. We are thinking of you.

MAB

Hi Mike
Good to see you posting. It's been a while.
Glad to see you have such an optimistic view of things and are trying to improve your skills.

I find that harder and harder to do these days.
One year ago today I held my 54 year old younger brother's hand as he took his last breath.
I no longer make long range plans. Now I figure I am just putting in my time.
I celebrated my 66th Birthday last week.
But I am going to take my road test for my Motorcycle license tomorrow morning.

Mike, a whole lotta Truth in what you say.
Some will listen and ignore, some will value what you say till something else catches their ear, and hopefully to some, it will stick like @#@$%## on a shoe and keep reminding us what is important in life in each of our lives.
Wyndham

Mike, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and my heart goes out to you. I think about you quite often. I have a bit of vertigo but nothing like what you are experiencing. I truly hope the docs get to the bottom of this soon! You have been a real trooper!

I have Scleroderma. The average life span of someone with this auto-immune disorder, once diagnosed, is between 5 and 11 years, but I hope I at least make it to my seventies. However; I'm grateful every day just for waking up. I'm overdrawn at the bank, my house faces foreclosure, my kids are a mess, I have no man in my life, my house is in dire need of repairs that I can't even begin to afford, I owe $800 to heating oil companies for last year, and here it's about to get cold again. This is all small stuff. I can get a second job and make more money. I can learn how to do repairs. I can find a way to work something out with my mortgage company. My kids will sort things out. Things will get better.

I'm grateful to be able to work. I'm grateful that for now, I can still sing. I'm grateful for my pain-in-the-ass kids. I'm grateful for my wonderful friends. I'm grateful that I have a roof over my head, electricity, food, and a deck to sit out on and gaze at the stars. I'm grateful to have a vehicle that runs. I'm grateful that my parents are still alive. I have nothing to complain about. I have a whole lot to be thankful for. Oh yeah, I'm VERY grateful that Brian founded JPF and that I get to interract with wonderful folks like YOU!

Mike,

You are an inspiration to me and are in my thoughts and prayers.

WORD.

All I can say is Ditto! = )

WE LOVE YOU TIMES 10 ZILLION
THEN ADD 10 TRILLION MORE
AND STILL THAT NUMBER SEEMS TO PALE
FOR HOW MUCH YOU'RE ADORED!

Love and prayers from one who cares,
Lynn

We're all pulling for you, Mike. If ever someone deserved a break, it's you. Hope the next Dr. can tell you something. Keep on keeping on

You're an inspiration Mike. Hope the Neuro-Science Institute can bring you some relief.

I'm reminded each weekend how lucky I am to be mobile. I visit mom at the local nursing home Saturdays.

There are several young people residing there. The one young man (usually sunning himself when weather permits) is paralyzed from the neck down. He always greets me while on my way to mom's room. It must be the ultimate torment to be young and of sound mind while only existing from the neck up.

Yes, I count my blessings daily and I'll never, ever complain about long lines.

Good luck Mike!

Best, John

Mike,

You're an inspiration to me, too... I hope they find the key to your problem...

I really appreciate your perseverance and work ethic for finishing my project despite your troubles.

Mike Siegel

\

Ah Louisssss

Then I met a man who was a foot. Mike Dunbar

Thanks Evan
Mike

Thanks Joice

You know how many times this place has helped me make it through another night? Lots! I'd guess around 6,288 times

Thanks Kev if i find any answers I'll let you know. I'm still waiting and wanting for this simple line to come out of ONE doctors mouth, just one.

"Mike I have no idea what the hell is causing this trouble, but I'm your doctor and between you and I we will get to the bottom of this once and for all"

Maybe this time I'll write it down and hand to one of them and say "read this back to me... please.

Now that made me chuckle.... as I sip some coffee from my Beatles Mug sitting under a wall with Beatle Pics,Figurines in my yellow SubMarine Studio's/ Substudio

Thanks Stan

Brian I was just thinking about you before and about how you were doing.

I have never forgotten your simple advice about... ME being the most important person in helping me. And how nobody is as concerned about helping ourselves then us....

It helps to keep this in mind ALOT!

Thanks and please take care of yourself.

Hi Tom and Justice

Thanks hope to talk with you again soon Tom, it's always a pleasure.

Mike

Thanks Marc, it never stops only various levels of bad.
I don't feel inspiring or encouraging to others unless music is involved in there somewhere. But this problem has made the battle of the "business of music" seem like nothing. My ENTIRE life music has been first! Even before health. The "thing" that mattered most to me.
Now I realize why the saying goes "you have everything if you have your health" Because even if you have nothing you have a chance to grow to live and find happiness.

Love & music is all that matters and I have had enough of both for a lifetime or two. Well almost!

Thanks, nice job helping folks round here....

I remember that Bill, so so sad. Like I was mentioning in another post, we can get a certain feel for each other by the threads and sharing emotions and thoughts. Knowing each other some without really knowing each other.

I don't feel very optimistic more frustrated than anything.
What probably helps besides praying for strength is my never say quit outlook, I'm very very very very persistent.
Aside from the health CIRCUS the music alone has been a never ending test of will.

The key this bout was once I could get up into a half normal sitting position I would go back and start to learn about music & my instruments in a way being a songwriter has deprived me of, and also being an engineer/producer. Especially one seeking a career and trying to get paid from it

Happy Birthday bro & good luck with the road test & license

Keep fighting the good fight my brother!

Whats really crazy (musically) is deciding to go back and improve on more than one thing. Like I need more challenges

For instance I play the drums, I never took a single lesson and was never a drummer in a band. But I am a professional at it.
I'm now learning the 40 drum rudiments with my newly added drum rubber practice pad.

This is how drummers learn, then eventually you play in time and to songs. I can or used to(when I can sit up) play very creatively in great time, to songs. And songs I'm hearing for the first time.

What's missing is the rudiments, and a BIG thing for me which is
"The Left Hand"
Mine was always lacking and this pad work is doing wonders for it. I wish it would do wonders for my neck & back lol
So again in spurts.... I'm up to the 17th one Double Paradiddle's

I'm recognizing these rhythms from all kinds of songs, melodies etc... Like I
I'll play a drum rudiment and recognize it's a main riff in the Odd Couple theme. Or As it picks up speed I'll here "The Lime In The Coconut" phrase lol.. and many others.

While doing this I'm working on the guitar and also the weakest of my instruments the piano. Piano is impossible for me to sit at without tipping over so it gets the least time.

BUT again the "left hand" on the keyboard is what's been killing me. SO as it gets better from the drum pad so it does with the piano and naturally the guitar.
I'm blown away by this, just the simple fact of really warming up the hand,wrist, fingers, arm.... But using one to make all of them work so much better.

I'm trying really hard, maybe one day I'll be cured and then I'll NEVER STAND STILL AGAIN! I will run a muck! Like being born again. Then I'll NEVER stay home and practice LOL better take advantage of own self.... Taking my attention away from my vertigo and forcing myself to focus on something... Music does that.

People - "The Left Hand" if your righty!

Mike you just cannot put a good man down......To get you to cease and desist you would have to be beaten to death. LOL

I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. You deserve better luck.

Mike - you are one amazing human soul.

I was stuck lying in bed all summer (thyroid) and came to some of the same conclusions-- if I can do ONE simple thing I've done something. But it was.... really hard not to let myself feel useless and just collapse into self-centeredness.

I'm happy that today I can sit in the chair. And walk without holding onto the wall. And that I'm WRITING SOMETHING. Huge improvements from a month ago!!

I hear ya.
Polly - I didn't know about your Sclerderma... ugh... not fun.
Bill - I hadn't heard about your brother. Blessings to you.
(I'm sure I missed some others)

Keep up that perseverance, Mike/Sub - you're an example to all of us. And the practicing... wow.

Someone should write your bio and make a movie about'ya.

And DO write that note for this doctor and hand it to him.

Linda

I love ya, Mike. Not that way, you know...just sayin'...but like a guy loves a guy. Well, wait...no! I mean...

Ah jeez, just watch this then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

...because I KNOW you'll dig it.

You have been in my thoughts Mike.


I am glad to see someone remind us all of the need to be happy with the little things in life that can seem so petty until we lose them, like the wonderful feeling of a nice warm shower, and being able to do it without help from a nurse, or the ability to be able to walk outside after months in the hospital and feel the air on your face again...things we all take for granted.

I look at people who are healthy as a horse, but are destroying themselves with drugs, whatever and I think how I wish I had their health and was painfree. They don't realize what they have.


I am so sorry you are yet to be diagnosed and are still having the vertigo.

Keep your head up, and your wit, your faith and continue to inspire others. As we continue to think and care about you and hope you find an answer one day and a cure.

Kimberly

Thanks man... Yeah I can't believe that I'm so much better while I'm the worst I ever been.

Hi Polly

Great post thank you....
I remember reading about your troubles. While you have more certain freedoms than I do now, you still have acloud following you
that I do not have. I don't like that deal at all either!

I love your attitude, but from all your posts the things I also admire most is your passion and energy. And yes this is a great place and I'm glad you found it.

Your in my prayers....

Mike

Thanks Mike

I hope we get to meet one day

Sam one more word "Do!"

Thanks Lynn your are too sweet

Thanks Ricki

I only feel bad for the doctor who says "why didn't you do something about this earlier" He or even she lol will find out just how much power is left in my right hand lol

Oh man forget it, I'm so lucky. What erks me is the just the getting worse with no more knowledge than the first time I explained this to someone over 13 years ago. It's incredible!

And watching this next guys careless eyes look upon me, if I treated the next song I worked on which is like the twenty thousandth by now like that I would RETIRE!!!

Thank John

Thanks Mike

Loved your CD, lots of fun. Mastering is the one thing that's the easiest physically for me these days

Thanks Bob & Big Jim

Yeah and I started with some crew up people when i started my musical journey. they have all packed it in accept ME!
everything that involves me is impossible and puts me to the test constantly

Thanks Linda

It's nice to see ya back around here. Wish Sue would stay around.

A movie, well unless I succeed to a much bigger level they would never make a movie. But if life long perseverance is an interesting subject I got a good story

Stevie is the man PERIOD!

And so are you, but ya know not like that kinda way lol

Hi Kim

yes I think about those things so much...

ONE night about two months ago, my neck & back stopped hurting and my balance was about 80% back to normal. My legs had some strength. It was late all that was open was a local big book store.
I told my wife LETS GO! I walked in that store smiling NON STOP.
I talk to everybody as it is, now I was on fire, greeting anyone bear me with a smile and make them smile comment. I told my wife I am SOOO happy right now I cant even begin to explain it.

It lasted a short while and I wish i could have done more...

That was the last time I was OUT....

Oh no wait I went out a few weeks ago and fell down for the first time, so. But I'm not letting that make me afraid anymore I went out today and almost fell 3 times so there

Hey Buddy

Ain't been around much - busy time of the year....

Glad to see you are still punching though! You're like the Energizer Bunny - well, except that you don't look like a bunny...

Did you and Johnny go on your newest "adventure" yet? If so, anything new? Any docs with freshly broken noses walking about?

Man, you are dead on with your comments. The "troubles" I have pale in comparison to the troubles that you and others face - yet it is sometimes easy to fall into the trap of thinking they are really troubles instead of nonsense...Lately I've been telling myself just to smile. Sounds sappy but it works

Glad you are still mastering. I'm putting the finishing touches on this year's project. Hope you're up for doing the mastering....

Scott

Hey Mike,
You are absolutely right! My sister sent me a text massage about how "bad" everything in her life was at that moment. She says "can it get any worse?" I replied, yes, in my car, on my cell phone, I texted her back and told her "yeah, it could definately be worse"...why??? how could I text her back, I was in my car!!! Well, I was waiting for a funeral procession to pass. I told her this, she stopped texting me.
Someone will always suffer more, have less money, more bills, be in poor health or caring for someone in poor health, and they will be our hero's. I have plenty of "issues" but they are just life to me, others might think it's so hard, but I'm used to it. A friend with a child with much more severe disabilities than mine says she thinks I have it hard, while I look at her and can't even fathom being in her shoes for a day. Everyone has something going on in their life, and for them, it is something to complain about, or live with. It takes some longer than others to come to the conclusion that they have it way better than they think they do.

I'm glad that you have met John, he sounds like one heck of a guy! We all hope things work out with the next round of exams and someone can help you. It's not even sad, it's beyond sad, that no one, in all this time, has taken the interest in helping you.

Yeah, Mike, I wish Sue would stick around too! If you see hear/hear from her please tell her I said hi.

***I*** think life-long never-say-die perseverance is a GREAT story!

Hang in there and let us know what you & Johnny find out.
So glad he's right there for you. (Thanks, John.)

When it comes right down to it, I think happiness in life regardless of circumstances is all about gratitude.

When we come to that place of being glad for what we HAVE rather than what we don't.... like being SO HAPPY you could just get out to a bookstore!! ...and focus on all those things... it makes such a difference in our outlook.

There are people walking around never had a dizzy day in their lives who just complainnnnnnnnnnn like crazy and you just wanna smack 'em silly.

Glad to be back here too. Still working on that book (aargh!!) a piece at a time, but I missed everybody

OK now I'm just yammering in your thread LOL.

Hope I get to New York sometime. Share a pizza w/you and Johnny! Yeah!

Linda

Oh I wanted to share a thought from Corrie ten Boom's book, The Hiding Place which I read this summer.

Corrie's sister Betsie, on arriving at the concentration camp quarters, said a prayer thanking God even for the fleas (which were rampant in the thousands). And Corrie just looked at her like, how can you say that??

Later on.... they figured out the guards wouldn't come IN to the quarters because of the fleas, and they were able to share around and speak freely in there because they were not as tightly guarded.

Bestie died in the concentration camp, Corrie survived and wrote books about her experiences.

I'm still humbled to know there was a sweet woman named Bestie ten Boom who could thank God for fleas.

And I try to remember to give thanks when I find "fleas" in my life. (thankfully not that literally... they stay on the cat...)

But wow.

Your determination to keep kicking inspires me too.

Linda

Hey buddy,


Thanks, yeas John and i went to the Neuroscience Institue of NONSENSE at JFK Medical Center
We should have went to KFC!!

The Neurologist gave us NOTHING zero, only opinion was to go for pain management that's big needles in the back and neck...

When questioned about the neck & back being connected to my NON STOP vertigo issues, he felt there was no way they were connected.

WOW! with no other suggestions or reasons why, how could you dismiss that so quickly. Well he's not alone so did the other last 4 Neurologists and the Orthopedic. The only good thing was he didn't think I needed surgery...

Meanwhile he had no comments whatsoever on John's question about pinch nerves or pressiing issues of my spine. Or my "Cervical Vertigo" question. He said "What's that"??

Despite x ray and MRI's When I TELL you that in studying myself day after day year after year for 13 years I notice CONNECTIONS or COINCIDENCES with my neck & neck... Your TESTS show NOTHING to connect so?????

I suggested ME, that I see the balance disorder doctor at this place then to RULE OUT or prove SOMETHING! Any Inner Ear theories one and for all.

John and i had the originally more stern woman at the desk smiling and laughing with us in a short while, and John said can MIke see that doctor today, we are both from out of state,,,

She said no, then we charmed her some more lol and i bribed here with New York Pasteries then Pizza well the Pizza got her...

She went in the back said 'Hold on cross your fingers, the doctor is free"

BUT!!! No go, they wouldn't take me, so what do they do set my appointment for January 4th FOUR months away, right out of the year. But they'll see what they can do about moving it up some LOL

All the trouble I had booking this, that wait, the traveling time of John, They bill the insurance $700.00 make me fill out 17 pages of forms, bring all kinds of test results on Disc and film and paper for 15 office minutes and NOTHING!!!!

I will NEVER see another Neurologist again EVER! unless for something else medically completely!! That's like 10 for me I'm done!!

So here I am with nothing at zero, same place I was 13 years ago accept 100 times worse.

John sent me an application for a place in Maryland, where if they accept you, they solve on diagnosed cases. IF they accept you.They are more like detectives...

This doctor like every other single one had ZERO interest in finding out what's ruining my life.

Thanks for asking Scott

And yes I can "Master" songs, I can't stand up and take a shower but I can master songs