Gord's Health?

[clawcrawler]

This may have been discussed in the past, but I am new to this forum. What acually happened to Gordon? He was in the hospital so long that I felt there must be more going on. Has anyone found any information on how Gord is doing? Is he going to tour soon, or is he contimplating retirement? I am just a concerned fan.

[GL Fan for 30+years]

This may have been discussed in the past, but I am new to this forum. What acually happened to Gordon? He was in the hospital so long that I felt there must be more going on. Has anyone found any information on how Gord is doing? Is he going to tour soon, or is he contimplating retirement? I am just a concerned fan.

[Auburn Annie]

Dear GL Fan for 30+ Years (me, too)

Gord suffered some sort of abdominal hemorrhaging from an aneurysm (kind unknown to us: renal or possibly aortic). He was in ICU for several months and a step-down unit for additional recovery for about another month, and released home in mid-December. It was very touch-and-go for a while, apparently, with the usual ups and downs that accompany critical illness, but he's now doing well on a day to day basis, with no known problems handling what are known in the health trade as activities of daily living. However he will not be touring this year. We heard indirectly that he's recently had planned follow-up surgery (possibly to release post-surgical adhesions - that's pure speculation) and his recovery continues on course. We all would LOVE some official word from his office or manager - something, anything - but will have to make do with tea leaves and ouija board readings for now <g>.

[This message has been edited by Auburn Annie (edited April 05, 2003).]

[Auburn Annie]

Dear GL Fan for 30+ Years (me, too)

Gord suffered some sort of abdominal hemorrhaging from an aneurysm (kind unknown to us: renal or possibly aortic). He was in ICU for several months and a step-down unit for additional recovery for about another month, and released home in mid-December. It was very touch-and-go for a while, apparently, with the usual ups and downs that accompany critical illness, but he's now doing well on a day to day basis, with no known problems handling what are known in the health trade as activities of daily living. However he will not be touring this year. We heard indirectly that he's recently had planned follow-up surgery (possibly to release post-surgical adhesions - that's pure speculation) and his recovery continues on course. We all would LOVE some official word from his office or manager - something, anything - but will have to make do with tea leaves and ouija board readings for now <g>.

[This message has been edited by Auburn Annie (edited April 05, 2003).]

[Auburn Annie]

Me, again. I just came across this posted by dvmacdonald on alt.music.lightfoot:

"I actually called EMP yesterday to ask how things were going and was told that
he is recovering slowly. I resisted the urge to cross examine and just said
there were a lot of folks pulling for him."

So that's the latest from the office.

[Auburn Annie]

Me, again. I just came across this posted by dvmacdonald on alt.music.lightfoot:

"I actually called EMP yesterday to ask how things were going and was told that
he is recovering slowly. I resisted the urge to cross examine and just said
there were a lot of folks pulling for him."

So that's the latest from the office.

[Auburn Annie]

Posted on alt.music lightfoot:

From: David Rintoul (david.rintoul@sympatico.ca)
Subject: Gordon Lightfoot Update
This is the only article in this thread
View: Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.music.folk
Date: 2003-04-14 10:16:41 PST


I'm afraid I have some disappointing news. I've just heard that Gordon
Lightfoot won't be going back to work this spring as he had hoped. He's
still just not well enough.

The plan now is for him to take off the rest of this year and see how things
look for 2004. He is in better spirits now that this long Canadian winter
is over. He has every intention of performing again when his health permits
but there's no word on when that will be.

He's not in the hospital, and if you'd like to send him some fan mail, you
could send it to his business address.

Early Morning Productions
1365 Yonge Street
Suite 207
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4T 2P7

Let's all think good thoughts.
---
David Rintoul
david.rintoul@sympatico.ca

[Auburn Annie]

Posted on alt.music lightfoot:

From: David Rintoul (david.rintoul@sympatico.ca)
Subject: Gordon Lightfoot Update
This is the only article in this thread
View: Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.music.folk
Date: 2003-04-14 10:16:41 PST


I'm afraid I have some disappointing news. I've just heard that Gordon
Lightfoot won't be going back to work this spring as he had hoped. He's
still just not well enough.

The plan now is for him to take off the rest of this year and see how things
look for 2004. He is in better spirits now that this long Canadian winter
is over. He has every intention of performing again when his health permits
but there's no word on when that will be.

He's not in the hospital, and if you'd like to send him some fan mail, you
could send it to his business address.

Early Morning Productions
1365 Yonge Street
Suite 207
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4T 2P7

Let's all think good thoughts.
---
David Rintoul
david.rintoul@sympatico.ca

[TheWatchman]

Well, we all knew that the recovery period was going to be at least a year. We, as well as Lightfoot, hoped it wouldn't take that long but I guess that was unrealistic. It seems like he is recovering right on schedule from what they said at the beginning. Thanks for the update.

[Tyler]

I don't remember reading that the recovery was going to be a year, that's sad. At least he is planning on coming back. I wrote a letter to EMP about a 10 days ago, asked them to post something on this site regarding health and recovery, I did say it didn't have to be anything too personal. Wish they would. Thanks for the update Annie.

[brink]

I don't remember reading that the recovery was going to be a year, that's sad. At least he is planning on coming back. I wrote a letter to EMP about a 10 days ago, asked them to post something on this site regarding health and recovery, I did say it didn't have to be anything too personal. Wish they would. Thanks for the update Annie.

[TheWatchman]

I'm pretty sure that I read something on this site that said it would take at least a year. From what I have read on my own about what happened to him, to expect complete recovery (or at least good enough to perform, which would take complete recovery I guess) within a year is highly optimistic. Remember, I bet that 90% or better of all people this happens to die instantly or very soon there after. He's doing pretty good in my book, assuming he is still okay. I am just really curious how he is doing and handling all of this. I guess when they want us to know something, they will tell us but I'm not holding my breath.

[gwen sue snyder]

Thank you very muchfor your posting Annie .You got me worried there for a while by saying that the report by David Rintoul was on alt.music.lightfoot as although I regularly peruse that Newsgroup both via Google groups and the Outlook Express newsreader I had obviously missed that most important posting altogether then I spotted the reference to re.music.folk which is obviously an entirely different newsgroup and found the posting there at:- http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...bellglobal.com
Since this is the most information anyone has acquired recently it deserves a wider audience so I will post it on alt.music.lightfoot myself now and e-mail Mr Rintoul to advise him that most people look to the Newsgroup or Corfid for their edification in this matter but Many thanks Annie for finding and relaying this

[This message has been edited by fowlesjohn (edited April 15, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by fowlesjohn (edited April 15, 2003).]

[fowlesjohn]

Thank you very muchfor your posting Annie .You got me worried there for a while by saying that the report by David Rintoul was on alt.music.lightfoot as although I regularly peruse that Newsgroup both via Google groups and the Outlook Express newsreader I had obviously missed that most important posting altogether then I spotted the reference to re.music.folk which is obviously an entirely different newsgroup and found the posting there at:- http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...bellglobal.com
Since this is the most information anyone has acquired recently it deserves a wider audience so I will post it on alt.music.lightfoot myself now and e-mail Mr Rintoul to advise him that most people look to the Newsgroup or Corfid for their edification in this matter but Many thanks Annie for finding and relaying this

[This message has been edited by fowlesjohn (edited April 15, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by fowlesjohn (edited April 15, 2003).]

[Tyler]

Perhaps, Gord is going to comeback by way of his Massey Hall concert in November. If that will be the case: SOMEBODY in Canada secure me some tickets. I would love the front but I would even take the nosebleed section to see him again.

[brink]

Perhaps, Gord is going to comeback by way of his Massey Hall concert in November. If that will be the case: SOMEBODY in Canada secure me some tickets. I would love the front but I would even take the nosebleed section to see him again.

[fowlesjohn]

Oh, that would be wonderful, Brink! All those in favor of Massey Hall and Gord raise your hand! Who can we contact? C'mon someone out there who is Canadian, please say you will help us all get good seats.
GSS

[gwen snyder]

Oh, that would be wonderful, Brink! All those in favor of Massey Hall and Gord raise your hand! Who can we contact? C'mon someone out there who is Canadian, please say you will help us all get good seats.
GSS

[Auburn Annie]

Well, here are two hands waving. I still have my tickets from last November's yet-to-be Massey show. I'm ready whenever Gord is.

[Auburn Annie]

Well, here are two hands waving. I still have my tickets from last November's yet-to-be Massey show. I'm ready whenever Gord is.

[BILLW]

I would encourage everyone not to get their hopes up for 2003 at all. I, as much as anyone would love to see Gord on stage, in the recording studio, etc but it's way too soon. His people at EMP have stated that he's going to undergo another operation soon, and that will set back his return to public life even more. I suspect he will sort of have to learn how to sing all over agian. The muscles he uses in his chest and diaphragm will have atrophied a bit, and he will have to retrain them. He will have to get used to standing for 2 hours at a time, his right arm will have to get used to strumming a guitar for 2 hours at a time also. None of this is beyond his reach, if his recovery continues on the right track. I would suggest we all look to 2004 as the year Gord resumes a public life...give him 2003 to recover. With all that time at home, think of all the songs he can write, or hone for his next cd...and yes, there will be another one. If Warners won't sign him, someone else will...or he can distribute over the internet..these days, there are as many doors open to him at 64 as there were at 34!

[Rob1956]

I would encourage everyone not to get their hopes up for 2003 at all. I, as much as anyone would love to see Gord on stage, in the recording studio, etc but it's way too soon. His people at EMP have stated that he's going to undergo another operation soon, and that will set back his return to public life even more. I suspect he will sort of have to learn how to sing all over agian. The muscles he uses in his chest and diaphragm will have atrophied a bit, and he will have to retrain them. He will have to get used to standing for 2 hours at a time, his right arm will have to get used to strumming a guitar for 2 hours at a time also. None of this is beyond his reach, if his recovery continues on the right track. I would suggest we all look to 2004 as the year Gord resumes a public life...give him 2003 to recover. With all that time at home, think of all the songs he can write, or hone for his next cd...and yes, there will be another one. If Warners won't sign him, someone else will...or he can distribute over the internet..these days, there are as many doors open to him at 64 as there were at 34!

[fowlesjohn]

Rob, you are absolutely correct. I hope that his surgery goes well, and that he has some quality of life that allows him to be there for his family, because as much as I love to see Gord, he has been there for us his fans and avid music listeners. It is so sad that we can find out nothing, but, I try to imagine what he must be going through with an illness of this sort and he being a public commodity....then I remember, I don't want to know all of the details, just a word that he is in good spirit and enjoying his world. In the end that is all we can hope for ourselves, and I know all of us would want the same for Gordon Lighfoot. Ok...I am listening to "baby step back" ba-a-a-by step back, either step up or step back.
gord is awesome and we be jammin'
GSS

[gwen snyder]

Rob, you are absolutely correct. I hope that his surgery goes well, and that he has some quality of life that allows him to be there for his family, because as much as I love to see Gord, he has been there for us his fans and avid music listeners. It is so sad that we can find out nothing, but, I try to imagine what he must be going through with an illness of this sort and he being a public commodity....then I remember, I don't want to know all of the details, just a word that he is in good spirit and enjoying his world. In the end that is all we can hope for ourselves, and I know all of us would want the same for Gordon Lighfoot. Ok...I am listening to "baby step back" ba-a-a-by step back, either step up or step back.
gord is awesome and we be jammin'
GSS

[brink]

Rob and Annie,
The news in the Star today stated that he hoped to be back touring in the fall of 2004, which alludes to Massey Hall in November. I didn't say what year I just said Massey Hall, so I could still be right. Anyway I still need tickets.