Butch Baldassari update

Scott Tichenor · 08-25-2007, 10:22 PM

Following was sent by Sinclair some time ago and was just now forwarded to me by an acquaintance. In all of this I apparently didn't get on the mailing list so I apologize if some of you are aware of this but I'm just finding out. I've tried contacting Butch the last couple of days and wasn't able to reach him. Now I know why. This is heartbreaking news. Keep our pal in your thoughts.

----------

Dear Friends and Family,

I begin this note as I do all of them, thankful for you and all of the love and support you have given us these past four months. Your girts of food, flowers, visits, calls, cards, music lessons and medical expense donations have really carried us through on the wings of love. Your prayers sustain us daily and for the duration of each day.

We had a bit of a set-back this week when Butch collapsed and was taken to the hospital on Thursday morning. They gave him an EKG and an MRI. The MRI showed swelling in the brain, perhaps more than they wanted to see three weeks after the chemo and radiation had ended. We were told we needed to get the swelling down before they could tell if the swelling was the radiation or the tumour. They put him on steroids to fight the swelling and a couple of other regimens to stabilize him. He came home Sunday afternoon. On Wednesday, we went in to our regular sceduled appointment with the doc who suggested that instead of waiting a month for the swelling to diminish, they would give him a month of infusion chemotherapy. This is a heavier dose, four-hour treatment that Butch will begin today. He will have it again in two weeks and again in another two weeks, followed that day by an MRI and a visit with the doctor. We're told that the side effects aren't too bad and we are both confident that this is the best treatment available with the best team of doctors.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers and know we love each and every one of you for what you mean to us in our lives. I will write again soon! If this is your first note from me, I have been editing the lists, adding some and removing some as I have been overlapping in some areas and had big gaps in others. Please pass this on to anyone you think might want to know news about Butch . An oversight of an e-mail address of a dear friend is never intentional. Let me know if you want "OFF" the list or if you know of someone who wants "ON". Bless you all,

Sinclair, Butch and Blake

jasona · 08-26-2007, 01:03 AM

Stephanie Reiser · 08-26-2007, 06:18 AM

Butch, I'm praying for you.
Keep up the faith.

jaco · 08-26-2007, 07:00 AM

Thoughts and prayers for Butch. So sorry to hear this.

Skip Kelley · 08-26-2007, 12:41 PM

Butch, you and your family are in our prayers!
God bless you!

MandoSquirrel · 08-26-2007, 01:29 PM

Thanks, Scott, for the update. With no further news, it was easy to think things must be going well, but, obviously, that's not always the case. Send some extra sympathy along from all of us.

Landgrass · 08-26-2007, 03:58 PM

I wish I had known this before church this morning. I would have put in a prayer request. As it is, I will pray for Butch's health and recovery.

David

TThorpe · 08-27-2007, 10:06 AM

Butch and Family,
My prayers and those of many of my fellow musicians here in the Upstate New York area are with you during these trying days. Butch is such a fantastic mandolinist. We are thinking you...

Tom Thorpe
Voorheesville, NY

BruceKap · 08-27-2007, 10:52 AM

Dear Butch,

My thoughts are with you and your family. Though we have never met, I have spent dozens of hours learnng your arrangements, and your instructional materials have been an important part of my growth as a player. Which is just to say, I am sure there are thousands of us out there that you have touched without knowing it.

Bruce

stevenmando · 08-27-2007, 02:17 PM

Butch get well soon , you are an inspiration to all of us as is your music.

luckylarue · 08-27-2007, 08:59 PM

Keep fighting Butch. To quote a line from one of my favorite books, Sometimes A Great Notion, "Never give an inch."

ShaneJ · 08-27-2007, 09:19 PM

I pray for the Lord's healing and the Lord's strength for you, Butch. May God bless you.

Shane

Scott Tichenor · 08-28-2007, 11:02 PM

I'd welcome anyone that feels like it to post a picture of their Butch wrist band. For some reason the mood struck me to take this picture. That's the Mandolin Cafe home page in the background as I'm used to looking at it in <span style='font-family:Courier'>vi</span> from the Unix command line.

AlanN · 08-29-2007, 05:44 AM

With Jethro looking over, Butch is in good hands!

Scott Tichenor · 08-29-2007, 06:07 AM

My pal and fellow board member Steve Brown asked me to post this one.

craigw · 08-29-2007, 10:41 AM

Butch, I'm pulling for you and my prayers are with you.

MikeEdgerton · 08-29-2007, 11:07 AM

I'm in

luckylarue · 08-29-2007, 12:43 PM

Thanks Butch!

I've been working on "Rebecca" and "Chinquapin Hunting"...

Scott Tichenor · 08-29-2007, 03:50 PM

New update from Sinclair and I've been trading email with her for the first time today.

--------
From her email:
Butch had the treatment on Friday and he is very tired and stays inside resting most of the day. He says,"it's a new kind of sick". Your prayers and thoughts have helped all day every day and I know will continue to do so. Much love,
S, B&B
--------

Also, she was quite moved by the pictures in this thread that have been posted so far. It's a real show of support. If anyone needs help posting those just email them to me.

Russ Jordan · 08-30-2007, 09:33 AM

I have a couple of bands on. The other is for a young friend, Skye Barkschat, who suffered a terrible brain injury last March in a bicycle wreck. If interested to read about Skye and her amazing recovery, visit reachfortheskye.org

Christopher Howard-Williams · 08-30-2007, 02:42 PM

I love your music Butch. My thoughts are with you during this fight.
Christopher

David O'Brien · 08-30-2007, 07:36 PM

Butch, we have met a few times over the years, at the first Kamp Kaufman, and at CMSA in Philadelphia; I wear my armband and hold you in the light. #I know you are a fighter and that will hold you in good stead as you fight this. Hogan and I say keep on keeping on!!

Tracy Tucker · 08-30-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Scott Tichenor @ Aug. 29 2007, 00:02)

I'd welcome anyone that feels like it to post a picture of their Butch wrist band.

Scott, where can one get those great wrist bands?

Tracy

JEStanek · 08-30-2007, 08:58 PM

Tracy,
On the Café Home Page is a link to the Butch Fund. Inside there is a link to paypal for a direct donation. I don't know if that gets a bracelet but I figured it was time to put my money where my mouth was...

Jamie

DryBones · 08-30-2007, 09:03 PM

Jamie,
I just sold my Eastman and went right to that link and made a donation...wrist band or not it's the right thing to do for me and I would encourage others to do the same if possible.

08-25-2007, 10:22 PM	#1
Scott Tichenor Site owner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,834 Blog Entries: 43	Following was sent by Sinclair some time ago and was just now forwarded to me by an acquaintance. In all of this I apparently didn't get on the mailing list so I apologize if some of you are aware of this but I'm just finding out. I've tried contacting Butch the last couple of days and wasn't able to reach him. Now I know why. This is heartbreaking news. Keep our pal in your thoughts. ---------- Dear Friends and Family, I begin this note as I do all of them, thankful for you and all of the love and support you have given us these past four months. Your girts of food, flowers, visits, calls, cards, music lessons and medical expense donations have really carried us through on the wings of love. Your prayers sustain us daily and for the duration of each day. We had a bit of a set-back this week when Butch collapsed and was taken to the hospital on Thursday morning. They gave him an EKG and an MRI. The MRI showed swelling in the brain, perhaps more than they wanted to see three weeks after the chemo and radiation had ended. We were told we needed to get the swelling down before they could tell if the swelling was the radiation or the tumour. They put him on steroids to fight the swelling and a couple of other regimens to stabilize him. He came home Sunday afternoon. On Wednesday, we went in to our regular sceduled appointment with the doc who suggested that instead of waiting a month for the swelling to diminish, they would give him a month of infusion chemotherapy. This is a heavier dose, four-hour treatment that Butch will begin today. He will have it again in two weeks and again in another two weeks, followed that day by an MRI and a visit with the doctor. We're told that the side effects aren't too bad and we are both confident that this is the best treatment available with the best team of doctors. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and know we love each and every one of you for what you mean to us in our lives. I will write again soon! If this is your first note from me, I have been editing the lists, adding some and removing some as I have been overlapping in some areas and had big gaps in others. Please pass this on to anyone you think might want to know news about Butch . An oversight of an e-mail address of a dear friend is never intentional. Let me know if you want "OFF" the list or if you know of someone who wants "ON". Bless you all, Sinclair, Butch and Blake __________________ Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995 Mandolin Cafe Blog Mandolin Cafe Case Stickers Mandolin Cafe Ball Cap Mandolin Cafe 21-Chord Coffee Mug Mandolin Social Groups Facebook - Twitter

08-26-2007, 01:03 AM	#2
jasona Gilchrist (pick) Owner! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,198 Blog Entries: 11	__________________ "...while a great mandolin is a wonderful treat, I would venture to say that there is always more each of us can do with the tools we have available at hand. The biggest limiting factors belong to us not the instruments." Paul Glasse

08-26-2007, 06:18 AM	#3
Stephanie Reiser guitars and mandolins Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: St. Albans, Maine Posts: 1,379	Butch, I'm praying for you. Keep up the faith. __________________ http://www.stephaniereiser.com then click mandolins

08-26-2007, 07:00 AM	#4
jaco Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: winter park, florida Posts: 551	Thoughts and prayers for Butch. So sorry to hear this. __________________ mikeguy

08-26-2007, 01:29 PM	#6
MandoSquirrel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: southwest florida Posts: 1,165	Thanks, Scott, for the update. With no further news, it was easy to think things must be going well, but, obviously, that's not always the case. Send some extra sympathy along from all of us. __________________ Elrod Breedlove Cascade Washburn 215(?) 1906-07(?) Victoria, B&J, New York Flatiron By Gibson pancake Guild D-25NT guitar http://breedloveforum.yuku.com

08-26-2007, 12:41 PM	#5
Skip Kelley Thomas "Skip" Kelley Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Thomasville,NC Posts: 1,169	Butch, you and your family are in our prayers! God bless you!

08-26-2007, 03:58 PM	#7
Landgrass Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 130	I wish I had known this before church this morning. I would have put in a prayer request. As it is, I will pray for Butch's health and recovery. David __________________ She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

08-27-2007, 10:06 AM	#8
TThorpe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Voorheesville, New York Posts: 9	Butch and Family, My prayers and those of many of my fellow musicians here in the Upstate New York area are with you during these trying days. Butch is such a fantastic mandolinist. We are thinking you... Tom Thorpe Voorheesville, NY

08-27-2007, 10:52 AM	#9
BruceKap Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Berkeley CA Posts: 9	Dear Butch, My thoughts are with you and your family. Though we have never met, I have spent dozens of hours learnng your arrangements, and your instructional materials have been an important part of my growth as a player. Which is just to say, I am sure there are thousands of us out there that you have touched without knowing it. Bruce __________________ Bruce Kaplan ----------- www.claudiarussell.com -------------------- Collings MT Collings MT2v Gibson 1918 A-0 Guild F-44 Fender Telecaster Custom

08-27-2007, 02:17 PM	#10
stevenmando Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: started out in Los Angeles went to Portland and ended up in Florida where i go next is ? Posts: 125	Butch get well soon , you are an inspiration to all of us as is your music. __________________ steven shelton

08-27-2007, 08:59 PM	#11
luckylarue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NM Posts: 905	Keep fighting Butch. To quote a line from one of my favorite books, Sometimes A Great Notion, "Never give an inch." __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/laruelucky

08-27-2007, 09:19 PM	#12
ShaneJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,908	I pray for the Lord's healing and the Lord's strength for you, Butch. May God bless you. Shane

08-28-2007, 11:02 PM	#13
Scott Tichenor Site owner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,834 Blog Entries: 43	I'd welcome anyone that feels like it to post a picture of their Butch wrist band. For some reason the mood struck me to take this picture. That's the Mandolin Cafe home page in the background as I'm used to looking at it in <span style='font-family:Courier'>vi</span> from the Unix command line. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995 Mandolin Cafe Blog Mandolin Cafe Case Stickers Mandolin Cafe Ball Cap Mandolin Cafe 21-Chord Coffee Mug Mandolin Social Groups Facebook - Twitter

08-29-2007, 05:44 AM	#14
AlanN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,555	With Jethro looking over, Butch is in good hands!

08-29-2007, 06:07 AM	#15
Scott Tichenor Site owner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,834 Blog Entries: 43	My pal and fellow board member Steve Brown asked me to post this one. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995 Mandolin Cafe Blog Mandolin Cafe Case Stickers Mandolin Cafe Ball Cap Mandolin Cafe 21-Chord Coffee Mug Mandolin Social Groups Facebook - Twitter

08-29-2007, 10:41 AM	#16
craigw Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: bakersfield, ca Posts: 236	Butch, I'm pulling for you and my prayers are with you. __________________ Craig Wilson

08-29-2007, 11:07 AM	#17
MikeEdgerton Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8,015	I'm in Attached Thumbnails

08-29-2007, 12:43 PM	#18
luckylarue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NM Posts: 905	Thanks Butch! I've been working on "Rebecca" and "Chinquapin Hunting"... Attached Thumbnails __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/laruelucky

08-29-2007, 03:50 PM	#19
Scott Tichenor Site owner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,834 Blog Entries: 43	New update from Sinclair and I've been trading email with her for the first time today. -------- From her email: Butch had the treatment on Friday and he is very tired and stays inside resting most of the day. He says,"it's a new kind of sick". Your prayers and thoughts have helped all day every day and I know will continue to do so. Much love, S, B&B -------- Also, she was quite moved by the pictures in this thread that have been posted so far. It's a real show of support. If anyone needs help posting those just email them to me. __________________ Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995 Mandolin Cafe Blog Mandolin Cafe Case Stickers Mandolin Cafe Ball Cap Mandolin Cafe 21-Chord Coffee Mug Mandolin Social Groups Facebook - Twitter

08-30-2007, 09:33 AM	#20
Russ Jordan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tryon, NC Posts: 457	I have a couple of bands on. The other is for a young friend, Skye Barkschat, who suffered a terrible brain injury last March in a bicycle wreck. If interested to read about Skye and her amazing recovery, visit reachfortheskye.org Attached Thumbnails __________________ Russ Jordan

08-30-2007, 02:42 PM	#21
Christopher Howard-Williams Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: French Alps Posts: 172	I love your music Butch. My thoughts are with you during this fight. Christopher __________________ France Bluegrass Musique Association http://www.france-bluegrass.org

08-30-2007, 07:36 PM	#22
David O'Brien Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Walnut Cove, NC Posts: 90	Butch, we have met a few times over the years, at the first Kamp Kaufman, and at CMSA in Philadelphia; I wear my armband and hold you in the light. #I know you are a fighter and that will hold you in good stead as you fight this. Hogan and I say keep on keeping on!!

08-30-2007, 08:58 PM	#24
JEStanek Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 7,798 Blog Entries: 1	Tracy, On the Café Home Page is a link to the Butch Fund. Inside there is a link to paypal for a direct donation. I don't know if that gets a bracelet but I figured it was time to put my money where my mouth was... Jamie __________________ There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946 + Give Blood, Save a Life +

08-30-2007, 09:03 PM	#25
DryBones Jason Wicklund Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,400	Jamie, I just sold my Eastman and went right to that link and made a donation...wrist band or not it's the right thing to do for me and I would encourage others to do the same if possible. __________________ Jason DryBones MySpace Page Lefty JBovier F5 Tradition, Lefty Mid-Mo M1

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
February 29 butch baldassari update	Scott Tichenor	General Mandolin Discussions	14	03-02-2008 09:33 PM
Butch Baldassari	Scott Tichenor	General Mandolin Discussions	7	07-28-2007 11:37 AM
Butch baldassari follow-up	Scott Tichenor	General Mandolin Discussions	8	07-06-2007 07:03 AM
Butch Baldassari	Scott Tichenor	General Mandolin Discussions	54	06-22-2007 10:57 AM
Butch Baldassari	Jasper	General Mandolin Discussions	0	02-09-2006 05:49 PM