No Backup Plan
Posted by Troy | Filed under Cancer, Film, Music
I discovered Rogue Wave a couple years ago… they just happened to play on my internet radio station.
They immediately became one of my favorite bands.
I had no idea at that time that their drummer Pat Spurgeon was enduring treatment for a life-threatening illness.
I’ve been looking forward to D-tour (watch the trailer), a documentary following Pat as he tours with the band and tries to stay alive… it finally aired on Independent Lens last night. (right now you can and should watch it on pbs.org)
Watching it now I can’t find the right word to describe it…
inspiring? definitely… the moments of the indie rock community banding (pun!) together to raise funds and find a donor is especially inspiring.
but for me it is something else.
I understand so thoroughly what he is going through… not the dialysis or the transplants…
but trying to maintain life and follow your dreams… all while enduring medical treatments that’ll be considered insane in the future…
and facing death everyday…
and having no choice bot to consider big existential questions…
and trying to pay the bills…
and enjoying the life you have…
and all while you feel like total crap.
Some of the moments in the hospital were especially hard for me to watch because I’ve been in those same procedures, beds, states of mind…
It is just one of those moments where I feel closely connected to another stranger whom I have never nor will ever meet…
I have never thought of a backup plan. If you have a backup plan, you’ll take it.
You can’t write that kind of stuff…
Great movie, cool guy and fantastic band… I insist you go download all their tunes now.
Check out their songs “Lake Michigan” (what else)and “Cheaper than Therapy” in the playlist…
Cheaper Than Therapy
Just back from a weekend of luxury
you get so weightless
in personal hell
sad eyed, your’re looking up to me
some chinese chasers
for your terminal health
you’d say I’m out of my head
but really I’m the only one who’s bounced backyou know the odds of recovery
from ballroom days
and walks through the park
I’d be pin-striped and handsome
if you’d stay for a while with me
before the mail comes
before im alone
you’d say I’m out of my head
but really I’m the only one who’s bounced back
the music that I want
is cheaper than therapyget off on the digital high tonight
I’d spy an oyster
and you’d spy a whale
I wish I was too young
to taste the time tripped over
and over again
you’d say I’m out of my head
but really I’m the only one who’s bounced back
the music that I want
is cheaper than therapy
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