To all of Joe's friends and family (and campers),

     This blog has been Joe's vehicle that helped him travel through his fight against this disease. Joe was such a kind and brave man and although he was suffering, he always thought of others, and could even find the humor in a terrible situation, pretty much until his last hour.  This was evident in his entries in this blog. Although I feel a bit like an intruder, I have decided to close out Joe's blog with some final words.  First and foremost, thank you to everyone who followed along with Joe on his path.  Your comments were always such a comfort to Joe and it helped him immensely.  He felt so much love and support from his friends and family.

    Kate, Adrienne, Joey, Elizabeth and I hope you will participate in the events on October 29th to celebrate Joe’s life.  There will be a mass a 10:00 am at Incarnation Church, 2911 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota FL 34239.  Later that day, from 1:00 until 4:00, there will be a celebration of Joes life at a place he loved so much, WSLR/Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota FL 34236.  Joe loved not only hosting his radio show, but he loved hearing all the wonderful live music at Fogartyville.  To all Joe's musical friends, please consider sharing a song or two at the service in Joe's honor.  Please call me at 941-320-1351 or email elaine.terzi@gmail.com  if you would like to be a part of this celebration.  In the following entry, Joe’s son captures his father's spirit.

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On the night of August 16th, while surrounded by family and loved ones, my dad peacefully passed. He was in the midst of battling a second round of cancer and a string of other respiratory diseases that were making it progressively harder for him to breathe. Everything moved so much faster than any of us wanted or expected it to. Even when you can see the writing on the wall, you still never want to throw out hope. It's the same reason you stick around til the bottom of the 9th, even if you're on your last out down and by 10 runs. Sometimes miracles happen, so you just have to play your hardest and leave it all on the field. That's what my dad did.

When I was in 5th grade, my dad took my to my first ever concert: R.E.M. with Radiohead opening. They played at what was then known as the Thunderdome, but has since become Tropicana Field, where we’d later watch the Rays play. We were pretty much as far back as you could get in the crowd and the bands looked like ants on the stage, but being there with my dad was pure magic. He taught me about this musical Mecca in the middle of Georgia called Athens and pretty much kick started my love affair with music that made me who I am now, and probably subconsciously led me to where I am today. The other week when I was back in Atlanta I went to see the Julie Ruin, and in the preamble before one of the songs Kathleen Hanna told the crowd about how the next song they were going to play was about her abusive father, and I just completely zoned out. All I could think about was how I was not only fortunate enough to have a dad who was always present, but also one who was so compassionate, nurturing, and loving. A dad who always put others above himself and went out of his way to help others. A dad who was so brilliant that I was convinced he would not only one day make it onto Jeopardy, but would be the reigning champ. A dad who was so full of optimism and positivity that no matter how bad things seemed, would find a way to adjust the focus so you could see that “life is good”. A dad so full of humor that at the onset of his diagnosis made it a point to make every doctor he encountered laugh at least once (and he did). A dad who has influenced so many lives and left such an impression that even though it may seem like he is not here will live on forever.

On my way back up to Atlanta I stopped off in St. Pete and made an impromptu trip to Tropicana Field to catch the Rays one more time, something I had wanted to do just once more with my dad but never got a chance. In the 6th inning they played an ad for Moffitt Cancer Center in honor of cancer survivors right before Evan Longoria came to bat. I quietly asked Evan, whose career we followed from the beginning, to hit a homerun in honor of my dad. On a 2-2 count, he pulled through and launched one into the left field stands. That’s for you dad.                                

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                I will close Joe’s blog in his own words.  No matter what adversity he faced, this was his way of looking at life.  He closed every radio show he hosted with these positive words:

"Go forth in peace and love, remembering the way it was, savoring each and every second of the way it is, and always, always, always looking forward to the way it is going to be, cause every day truly is better than the day before"  Joe Jacco.

Across the Great Divide

Well, Campers, I wish I was going to be talking about the great Kate Wolf song with the same title as this post.  But. . .

I fear I may have used up my allotment of miracles.  After every part of my body was poked, probed, scanned, inspected, and detected with none being neglected, the findings were a blood clot in my left lung, pneumonitis (an infection of the lungs), an increase in the pulmonary fibrosis, and a massive decline in overall lung health.  The irony is that this is right on the heels of improvements of the initial cancer.  Another irony is that some of of the treatment working against the cancer may be helping the disintegration of the lungs.  One of the drawbacks of fighting two terminal diseases concurrently.  To paraphrase and channel my inner Tennessee Ernie Ford "If the first don't get ya, the next one will."

So, the grand plan is that I stay in the ICU until the point that my oxygen requirements are low and stable enough to let me leave the hospital and in the meantime, open a dialog with Hospice to see what needs to be done so I can receive their services while still living at home.  This would most likely entail bringing in a hospital bed and setting up the required oxygen delivery system.  Then, they would provide a home caregiver on an "as needed" basis and the medications to ease any pain.  Fortunately, there are a lot of you out there to provide moral, spiritual, and emotional support.  All will be needed, I'm sure, on this race to the finish line.  (A slow, slow race, I'm hoping.)  As some of you know, we had an excellent experience with Hospice when David passed and then again a few months ago when my mother-in-law Norma passed in Venice.  My hopes are the same that David expressed 11 years ago.  He wanted to die at home with as little pain as possible.  And that's how it rolled, with him surrounded by loving friends and family.

Years ago, when Chicago Bears great Walter Payton was diagnosed with cancer, a feeble-minded sportswriter asked him if he was scared.  Walter looked in the eyes and said "Damn right I'm scared." If the man who retired as the NFL rushing leader could admit to being scared of what he was facing, I can too.  But I will face it with as much strength as I can muster and will live with as much enjoyment and love as I can.

Till next time, peace and love to one and all!!!
Joe

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. . .

Well, Campers, one more day is turning out far different than I expected.  On Tuesday, I went to Moffitt for my three week check up and infusion.  The good news is the the cancer seems to have stabilized - no new growth.  Then Wednesday, I began to feel bushed and had difficulty breathing.  Well today, Thursday, was worse.  I never was able to catch my breath.  I talked to Elaine who's still  up with the grandkids in NJ and she said I should get myself to the ER.  So Joey drove me here and I'm in the process of getting checked in to the Sarasota Memorial Hilton for a few days.  More news will be posted as it comes available.

Peace and love to all!,
Joe

Yes, I'm Still Around. . .

OK, Campers, much to catch up on. . . First, on Tuesday, July 26, we welcomed our new grandson, Marshall Albert Klinek, into the world!! Mom, Dad, big sister, and baby are all doing fine.  And Amelia adores her baby brother.  She's already tried to feed him a banana in case he was hungry.  Elaine went up to NJ to help out and will be there for two weeks.  In her absence, her sister Diane is down from Seattle to look after me and Joey and Tabatha will be down from Atlanta this coming weekend to spell her off.  I'll be in good hands!! 👐

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good, though I did have a scary escapade.  For a few days, I was having severe shortness of breath, even when I was sitting.  Turns out, I was in the throes of anxiety.  I'm now taking Xanax daily and all is much better.  And I began cardiopulmonary therapy a few weeks ago.  So three times a week, I go for an hour of treatment where they claim to be making me better by trying to slowly kill me.  The sessions consist of 15 minutes on a treadmill, 15 minutes on a stationary bike, a couple of weight machines, and some stretching.  Needless to say, I sleep well the nights of therapy.

And Elaine's family's family reunion was held a couple of weeks ago on Siesta Key right here in sunny and scenic Sarasota.  It was a really good time and I really enjoyed seeing everyone.  And one and all were quite effusive in their love and support.  Those are some really special people.

It seems like there was so much more I had to say, but I can't remember.  Oh well, I'll have more for later!!

Peace and Love to All!!!
Joe

That Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Kid Sure Plays a Mean Pinball

 OK, Campers, a wish was fulfilled!!  This past Monday, our daughter Liz packed me up and took me out to play pinball!!  Needless to say, my game wasn't up to my misspent youth, but I didn't embarrass myself, either.  Between the two of us, we won nine free games (we paid for ten) and got a pretty good return on our investment.  Which reminds me. . . When I first started playing the silver ball, it was a nickel a game.  The last time I played, it was up to a quarter.  Now, the toll sits at a dollar a game. . .  No complaints, though.  I had a blast!!

And keeping with the spirit of entertainment, Elaine and I went out last Saturday to see Passerine, one of our favorite local bands.  Since I had my newest portable oxygen tank which operates silently, I was not a nuisance to those patrons nearest us.

It turns out I've been claiming an incorrect disease.  Instead of bronchiolitis, I have bronchiectasis, which in an inflammation of the airways and a buildup of mucous.  This is definitely more in line with what I've got.  Both sound more like the names of dinosaurs. . .

Finally, I'm going to begin pulmonary therapy in a couple of weeks to hopefully get some muscle tone back.  Should be interesting as I am abysmally out of shape.

That's it for now!!

Peace and Love!!
Joe

Thoughts from a Wandering Mind

OK, Campers.  It's a little of this and a little of that. . .

First, thanks for all the kind words for my mother-in-law.  Her passing was not unexpected, but the finality of the actual event is a jolt.  Fortunately, all of her children were in town for her final days.  Elaine is grieving but is at peace, as am I.

Moving on, I've been experiencing what I think is an odd phenomenon in my sleeping patterns, maybe since I'm sleeping so much.  But my dreams will often reference a previous dream.  For instance, a few weeks ago, I dreamt that I was going to build a fence with my brother-in-law Frenchy at the end of his yard.  Then at least twice since then, my dreams have sort of picked up where that one left off.  And since the original dream was so vivid, I began to wonder if it was real.  Of course, that possibility is highly unlikely as I live 1000 miles away, he's 81, and I'm disabled.

And speaking of memories, I recently got an email from my childhood friend Anthony, who still lives in the old hometown.  His message brought back a flood of pleasant memories of that time and place. Now I did not have an ideal childhood, but it was pretty close.  I feel that the 'small town' values instilled then have served me well throughout life.

Finally, I've been reading an anthology of science fiction novellas that my friend Will lent me which includes The Time Machine by H. G. Wells.  That particular story reminded me why 'science' fiction is also known as 'speculative'  fiction.  Many of the stories about a dystopian future are filled with social and political commentary, such the aforementioned Time Machine as well as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. And though it painted a rosier picture, Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward also falls into the realm of social and political commentary.

Enough for now. I have more reading to do!!

Peace and Love,
Joe

Hearts Are Heavy

Well, Campers, I come with you tonight with a heavy heart.  My 94-year old mother-in-law Norma crossed the great divide yesterday after an amazing struggle.  She hung on as long as she could and all six of her children were in town for her final days.  As my brother-in-law Mark said, she fouled off about 92 pitches before they snuck a curve ball by her.  I only knew her for about seven years and wish it would have been for longer.  But that was long enough to know that she was something special. She will be (and already is) missed.

As for me, I'm holding steady.  As I said, I really don't have a bucket list, but realized that, of all the weird things, I want to play a pinball machine one more time.  I used to be pretty good back in my misspent youth and whiled away many an hour flipping the silver ball.  Our daughter Liz has taken on the challenge of finding a secluded machine in a nearby dive bar where we can play in peace and quiet as I know I will be a spectacle of incompetence and long-gone reflexes.  But it will be fun!!

Along those lines, I was reminded of my son David's final weeks, when, after watching the World Series of Poker endlessly on TV, he decided that he wanted to play Texas Hold 'Em in a real casino one time.  So his friends took him and $100 north to Tampa to the Hard Rock Cafe where his wish was fulfilled.  He started out on a hot streak and doubled his money.  But, as the night wore on, he eventually lost everything.  But he had fun!  🎰

Idle thoughts. . .  I have to say that cancer has changed me in many ways and one has been that, like Blanche DuBois, I have often depended on the kindness of strangers, as well as that of friends and family.  I am no longer too proud to ask for help, even in doing the simplest things, as even those simple things now wear me out.  Taking a shower is an ordeal and it takes me about 15 minutes of rest afterward just to feel almost normal again.  But, this will be my newest normal since my lung disorders are irreversible.  So, even if they stop spreading today, I will still need my walker and oxygen the rest of my life.  But once again, I still have that precious life to cling to so I'm not complaining.  Life is good!!

At that, it's about time to sign off and prepare to watch Jeopardy!!

Peace and Love!!
Joe