Sinus Surgery

Paul has nearly always had an impossible time waking up in the mornings, no matter how long he stayed in bed. He went through a sleep study about a year ago and the doctor said he had mild obstructive sleep apnea... meaning he wasn't a candidate for the CPAP machine nor for any surgery, etc.

As his bed partner, I found this to be rather unsatisfying, since it is not unusual for me to hear Paul struggle while sleeping to both inhale *and* exhale. It's damn stressful laying there and hearing him stop breathing... "Breathe damnit!!"

So, Paul consulted a sinus specialist, who agreed he was a good candidate for a surgical solution to help him breathe far better (& sleep better and feel more rested in the mornings). This involved correcting his deviated septum, removing his uvula, and having a turbinectomy.

The procedure took place yesterday, and Paul is home now recouping on the couch next to me. He's got straws up each nostril, stitches along the soft palette at the back of his mouth, and a really sweet suite of drugs that seems to make this all okay for him.

He's started eating more substantial foods (potato soup, pudding, and such) this afternoon, and we're hopeful that we'll be able to begin getting some useful nutrition in him to really help him heal quickly.

For my own part, I'm really excited about the prospect of him feeling more rested, getting rid of that persistent cough he's had ever since the day we first met (it's honestly how I always find him in a crowd) that is apparently caused by constant minor sinus infection, and correction of the deviated septum that was probably exacerbated by getting hit hard in the nose - twice within 5 minutes - with a soccer ball when playing goalie about 8 years ago.

Nation-wide Tour

Tess Turbo - the band I've been in for a number of years, first as a back up singer and now as bassist - just took our act national!

Back in March we were invited to play a large Christmas party in San Antonio. At the time we just thought, "Oh sure, that'd be fun, but it probably ain't gonna happen."

Time passed, rehearsals continued for other shows, and we mostly forgot about it... until the invitee followed up again in October, agreed to make all the arrangements, and set us up with gear.

All of a sudden, we were taking our drag-rock cover band to the same state that essentially boycotted the Dixie Chicks for disagreeing with our previous president - THIS would be interesting, thought the band.

Our hosts were gracious and fun loving - along with their whole family (related to our Drummer, Buckin Beckie) - and the revelers really and truly reveled: People danced, some guy did a flip right in front of the band as Paul was singing at him, and we got all kinds of rock love after we wrapped up our two sets. Special shout out to the couple who told us all about when shagged in the nearby bathroom during our performance - rock and roll, baby.

Most of all, props to drummer Buckin Beckie and guitarist JJ Pooper for all their hard work that made the entire trip possible. You guys are THE rockstars of the tour!