After a brief hiatus from blogging, I’m back. A lot has been going on since I last posted: I had a shoulder reconstruction surgery on April 2nd and instead of coming home that day, I ended up in ICU due to the nerve block suppressing my diaphragm and lower lung so my oxygen levels wouldn’t come up in Recovery. They were scary low and because of that my blood pressure shot through the roof and they admitted me to ICU. I came home a day and a half later. That first week home was really rough because the nerve block stayed in for 5 days. It was attached via a catheter in my neck and I carried around this big grapefruit-size ball of medicine in a fanny pack. I couldn’t wait to get it out because my right hand and fingers were all numb, which made life miserable until it was removed.
The surgeon started me on in-home physical therapy right away. Came home on Tuesday night and Thursday morning the physical therapist was there to get me started. As of last Friday, I discharged from the in-home PT and am now doing outpatient physical therapy twice a week for 12 to 16 more weeks. Ugh!
Of course while going through all of this I was caring for my Mom. I’m her primary caregiver and she has so many health issues right now so that’s been taking up a lot of my time.
On top of that, of course I had procrastinated on getting my taxes done so I went just about bat-shit crazy working on them that final weekend. I finally finished and filed at 6pm the night they were due. Whew!
I’ve been laying low for these last several weeks and if I owe any of you an email or PM reply, I promise to get on it this week.
I’ve missed the Monday’s Music Moves Me hop and am thrilled to be coming back to it on the week that John Holton from The Sound of One Hand Typing blog is playing the role of Honorary Conductor on our Music Train and he’ll be choosing the themes for May. His theme for this week is to use song titles to spell your name (your choice of first, middle or last name).
I’m actually doing all three of my names (no surprise there, huh?) and because I thought of so many good songs I’m doing a ‘Rinse and Repeat’ where I’ll showcase a few different playlists, each spelling out my full name. I have Part 1 done but be sure to come back because over the next few days I’ll be adding at least one or two more My Name in Song playlists. I hope you enjoy them. Unlike most of my other posts, I’m not taking the time to go deep on each song and instead will just list the song title and artist or band.
Here’s my first playlist for the My Name in Song theme.
MY NAME IN SONG (Michele Annette Truhlik), PART 1:
M Mandolin Rain by Bruce Hornsby & the Range
I I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home by Grand Funk
C Can’t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith
H Half-Breed by Cher
E Eli’s Coming by Three Dog Night
L Laughing by the Guess Who
E Epitaph by King Crimson
A Angry Eyes by Loggins & Messina
N Nights are Forever Without You by England Dan & John Ford Coley
N No Reply At All by Genesis
E Eight Miles High by the Byrds
T Tell Me Something Good by Chaka Khan & Rufus
T Train Kept a Rollin’ by Aerosmith
E Every Picture Tells a Story by Rod Stewart
T Take It On the Run by REO Speedwagon
R Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man by Bob Seger
U Use Me by Bill Withers
H Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
L Lookin’ for a New Love by Jody Watley
I I Missed Again by Phil Collins
K Keep Pushin’ On by REO Speedwagon
Stay tuned: My Name in Song, Part 2 playlist will be posted here within the next day or so. And maybe a Part 3…
Update: As promised, I’m back with what I call my “rinse & repeat” portion of this theme: Here’s another playlist, Part 2 of My Name in Song. Some more great songs here so give a listen. You can view the playlist below:
Playlist #2: MY NAME IN SONG (Michele Annette Truhlik), PART 2:
M – Monkey Man by the Rolling Stones
I – I Can’t Stand It by Eric Clapton
C –Chevy Van by Sammy Johns
H – Hold Your Head Up by Argent
E – Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
L – Last Train to Clarksville by the Monkees
E – End of the Line by the Traveling Wilburys
A – Amie by Pure Prairie League
N – Nah Nah Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam
N – Nights on Broadway by the Bee Gee
E – Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier
T – Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) by the Doobie Brothers
T – Temptation Eyes by the Grass Roots
E – Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games with Me by Crow
T – Tempted by Squeeze
R – Radioactive by the Firm
U – Under My Thumb by the Rolling Stones
H – Hang On to Your Life by the Guess Who
L – Lay It On the Line by Triumph
I – I’ll Be Around by the Spinners
K – Killing Me Softly with His Song by Roberta Flack
That wraps up my second playlist for this very cool theme. But stay tuned and stand by: I’m working on yet another playlist. Part 3 will be forthcoming shortly…
Okay, I made it back here to fulfill my promise of a 3rd playlist.
I just can’t get enough of this theme! Thanks John Holton: this is great fun! Okay, so here’s yet another playlist using song titles to spell out my full name. Each of my three names (first, middle and last) has 7 letters so here’s another fabulous set of 21 songs to rock your day. Crank up your speakers or grab those headphones and Enjoy!
Playlist #3: MY NAME IN SONG (Michele Annette Truhlik), PART 3:
M – Mama Told Me Not to Come by Three Dog Night
I – I Got a Line On You by Spirit
C – Couldn’t Get It Right by Climax Blues Band
H – Hand Me Down World by the Guess Who
E – Every Day is a Winding Road by Sheryl Crow
L – Love Train by the O’Jays
E – Every Day People by Sly & the Family Stone
A – A Change Would Do You Good by Sheryl Crow
N – Night Moves by Bob Seger
N – No Time by the Guess Who
E – Evil Woman by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)
T – Takin’ Care of Business by BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
T – Talking in Your Sleep by the Romantics
E – Everything I Own by Bread
T – Tearing Us Apart by Eric Clapton
R – Rubberband Man by the Spinners
U – Undercover Angel by Alan O’Day
H – Happy Together by the Turtles
L – Let It Rain by Eric Clapton
I – I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
K – Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
So, now what? I compiled a list of so many great songs to use with this theme and I had a hard time choosing which ones to leave out. There have already been 63 songs featured over three separate playlists but there are other songs that I would’ve liked to include. Now I’m curious: will I do a 4th “My Name in Song” playlist? Maybe… You’ll have to come back and see…
Monday’s Music Moves Me (4M) is a blog hop hosted by X-Mas Dolly, and co-hosted by JAmerican Spice, Stacy Uncorked and Curious as a Cathy. Be sure to stop by the hosts and visit the other participants.
Angels Bark 
Hi, Michele Annette! 🙂
It’s great to see you back at it, dear friend. I have been thinking about you and hoping your life is on the upswing after that medical scare and weeks of discomfort and inconvenience. Looks like you are well on the road to recovery. I continue to pray for your mom. Your hounds, too.
You picked some winners in round one of the My Name in Song hop. The veejay who hosted the soft rock segment on the MTV station where I worked played Bruce Hornsby’s “Mandolin Rain” in fairly heavy rotation. I always enjoy taking the full ride with Grand Funk on their epic story song “I’m Your Captain.” It has been years since I watched the iconic video for Cher’s hit “Half-Breed.” “Eli’s Comin'” brings back memories of one of my first dates with Mrs. Shady. We went to see her daughter perform in the color guard and her high school band played that Three Dog Night song. “Laughing” takes me back to one of the greatest years of my life – 1969. I always appreciated the laid-back, no-nonsense style of England Dan & John Ford Coley. “Use Me” is my favorite song by Bill Withers. I don’t think I ever saw that performance video of Nazareth doing their badass rock anthem “Hair of the Dog.” Just last night I watched that Jody Watley video as I prepared another edition of my Shady Train series.
Once again I am thrilled to see you back in action on the blog circuit, dear friend Michele. I hope this will be your best post-op week yet. Take care!
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Hey Tom,
Thanks for all the well-wishes, prayers and email notes! I so appreciate it. And I know I owe you an e-reply from yesterday and will get on that today or tomorrow.
So glad you like all my songs. I’ll be posting another playlist or two into this post. I’ll send you a note when they’re up. Some more good songs coming. That’s cool that Mrs Shady’s daughter’s color guard chose that Three Dog Night song for their performance! And how cool is it that you were just watching that same Jody Watley video?!
Thanks for being such a good friend and continuing to check in on me over the course of this latest “adventure”… And I so appreciate you always thinking of my mom and my dogs too!
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Hi again, Michele!
Wow, I’d come down with carpal tunnel syndrome if I tried to write down all the memories triggered by sets 2 and 3 of your name songs. I will tell you that I haven’t heard the rowdy Stones song “Monkey Man” since the early 70s when I bought the Let It Bleed album and played it to death in my off-campus apartment at Penn State. Clapton’s “I Can’t Stand it” is another song that I haven’t heard in a very long time. It just occurred to me that you could have earned extra credit for back-to-back Clapton songs by making your “C” song “Cocaine,” a cover of the J.J. Cale song found on Clapton’s live 1980 album Just One Night.
There are not one, not two, but three songs included on your new lists that were used as “anchor songs” in the motivational seminar program in which I took part as a trainer and videographer in the 1980s. They are “Eye Of The Tiger,” “Love Train” and “I Can See Clearly Now.” The sports arena anthem “Na Na Hey Hey” reminds me that Gary DeCarlo, lead singer of the one-hit-wonder band Steam, died a year ago next month. It’s interesting that you included two “Evil Woman” songs. Crow is a band that brings back more memories of my college years. In early 1970, I bought their single “Cottage Cheese” (another C song for you) backed with “Slow Down,” my favorite version a song penned and originally recorded by R&B/rock & roll great Larry Williams and more famously covered by The Beatles. “Lay It On The Line” by Triumph was played often on the MTV station where I worked. Thanks for listing the forgotten oldie “Undercover Angel.”
Great job, Michele! Thanks again for being a “super-heroic” friend and coming to see me this morning at SDMM!
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Michele,
I’m glad you’re on the mend after your shoulder surgery. It sounds like you had a rough time. It’s scary to think of complications that sometimes follow any procedure. I’m glad the good Lord had His hand upon you. WOW, you still have three months of PT! I had no idea how extensive this kind of surgery was until now. Didn’t you say the need for this surgery was due to a fall you had last year? My memory is horrible! No worries about not delving into each song with such depth. I enjoyed just letting your playlist while I did some catching up on this end with comments and return visits since I’m behind after DH had his combo eye surgery. Take it easy if you can. I know you have a lot of responsibilities with caring for your mother, as well as yourself, and running your home business. You amaze me, girl! It’s fabulous to see you on the dance floor. Have a tunetastic day and be well! 😉
~Curious as a Cathy
C.A.T.H.Y. playlist & ‘Sparks’
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Oopsy, I forgot to check the ‘notify me’ button! *smack forehead*
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Aw, thanks so much Cathy! Yeah, it’s been crazy. I sent a friend the rehab protocol notice from my surgeon to the physical therapist telling him all that was done to my shoulder so he’d know what kind of therapy I need. I’ll copy it here:
“RIGHT SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPIC SUPERIOR CAPSULAR RECONSTRUCTION, EXTENSIVE INTRAARTICULAR DEBRIDEMENT INCLUDING DEBRIDEMENT OF SUPERIOR LABRAL TEAR AND RELEASE OF LONG HEAD BICEP TENDON, CHONDROPLASTY OF GRADE 1 AND 2 CHONDROMALACIA HUMERAL HEAD, SUBACROMIAL DECOMPRESSION WITH BURSECTOMY.”
Yikes, right?! It was a big surgery for sure. I have to be in the sling for 8 weeks, not to mention the lengthy PT. And your memory is on target: I had a fall back in December when I slipped on the freshly mopped floor and my shoulder hit the fireplace bricks. Those bricks definitely didn’t move so there was a lot of damage done.
You mentioned your husband’s eye surgeries: did he have cataract surgery? I had both eyes done a few years ago and I almost wish I hadn’t done it. Now I need bifocals or a magnifying glass to see anything! I have readers in every single room of the house. It’s especially frustrating in the kitchen when I need to read directions or labels or something. Good Lord, when did the print get so dang small on everything?! ha!
Thanks for the welcome back! I’m excited to be back. I’m going to work on my other playlist(s) now and will put them into this post later today hopefully.
Glad you liked my songs…
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MIchele,
Your surgery sounds quite extensive judging by all that medical jargon. It’s a miracle you didn’t hit your head on the fireplace. Thank God for keeping His hands upon you.
You may recall DH had to have his retina reattached last year. That procedure will cause the need for cataract surgery. He had a lot of friends who’s gone through this so he’s learned much over the years and knew all the pros and cons. We knew someday he’d have to have it done but the surgery pushed upon him sooner instead of later. He opted to get a Toric lens that isn’t covered by insurance with the hope that he will be able to read small print without bifocals or transition lenses. He will always need corrective eyewear because he’s very near-sighted. Supposedly people extremely near-sighted are at a higher risk for retina detachment. The second surgery, the retina doctor removed the oil bubble left in from last year, replacing it with an air bubble which will dissolve within a week or two. We won’t know how things will be until the air bubble goes away and then he will need new glasses. There’s a possibility that he’ll need to have cataract surgery on the other eye to offset the visual difference.
Gotta jet. Have a good evening and you’re in my prayers, my friend! God bless!
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Michele!
So good to see you back. I was beginning to get worried. Sorry to hear about all those complications. I sincerely hope that your recovery goes smoothly.
Looking forward to your next few installments. You pick such great songs!
~Mary
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Thanks so much Mary! I know I owe you a FB reply. I saw that the other day, in passing, but things over here pulled me away from the computer. Feels good to be back! I’ll be doing a battle on the 15th too. Feels like I’ve been gone forever! Thanks for your well-wishes…
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Did you miss this, or what?!? LOL
So many great songs.
You asked what is next? Well, you could do what I’m doing for my ‘Round Two’ and that is instead of Song Titles, I’m using Artists and Groups to spell my name.
I need to come up with a couple ideas for July, as I do believe that’s when I’ve been assigned to pick the themes for the entire month. Perhaps I shall ask The Cute One his opinion. Or just spend more time listening to Nights With Alice Cooper – he seems to have some fun ideas there.
So glad to have you back!
~Mary
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Welcome back! I am glad you are doing well now. Sorry you have a long way to go with therapy still though. You really outdid yourself with songs for your entire name- good job. I am sitting out this week.
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Very cool how you did that. Great songs. Thanks for the dance. Hope your shoulder gets better soon. Sending positive thoughts your way.
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SO glad to see you here again, Michele! 😀 And what a fabulous idea for music playlists. ❤
Sounds like you've had a gruelling few weeks. 😦 Here's hoping the rest of your recovery goes well. Best wishes also to your Mom. You have been missed, my friend. Welcome back!
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I hope you are doing better!
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My hubby had to have shoulder replacement surgery but his went without a hitch. I’m so sorry that you had to go through such an ordeal and the physio is not fun by any means. Being a caregiver is very, very tough no matter what and they end up depending so much on you that it becomes overwhelming at times. You are a very good daughter!! Who has been walking your doggies? I hope you have help for that because they can’t pull on your shoulder…even the good one because it can cause issues with the one that was operated on. Love your song choices and if i spell out my first name, i would go all ABBA: B-Bang, the Boomer-rang. I-I Have a Dream. R-Ring, Ring. G-Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. I-I Do, I Do, I Do I Do. T-Take a Chance on Me.
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Glad things are getting better for you, if slowly. Another great list of songs for me to listen to while I craft or take a walk. Healing thoughts coming your way!
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Welcome back! I think you had the longest list
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Oh wow, I see you had some kind of shoulder surgery? I had a rotor cuff repair. Man, I don’t wish that on anybody, but hmmm can’t remember the name of the machine at the moment……. oh wait, it was a tens unit. Man, that sucker saved me for sure as far as the pain was concerned. When I was in therapy I didn’t think I’d ever be able to brush my own hair again… BUT HERE I AM!!! BRUSHING AWAY! ~HEHEHE~ Wow, you did a great job at your tunes with your name… woo hoo!!! Thanks for the introduction to this tune too!!!! GET BETTER & I’ll add you to my prayer list to heal fast. hugs and have a very calm pain free evening… (fingers crossed)!!!
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What an ordeal! You should’ve just added A to Z to your month–that would have capped everything off real nice 😉
Three great playlists. That’s my music.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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I’m sorry you’ve been through so much, Michele. I haven’t been blogging. I started my new job in January and promptly got sick with everything on Earth, especially pneumonia, so I don’t know if I’ll ever catch up with blogging. I’m thinking good thoughts for you and your mom. I hope your physical therapy goes well.
Love,
Janie
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I forgot to say that I love the songs you used to spell out your name, which is very pretty!
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Michele,
Thanks for the invite back with your two new playlists. Holy cow, you outdid yourself on these!!! I listened to both in their entirety this morning while visiting other sites, commenting, and responding to commenters on my site. You have a lot of good songs on playlists. You did an amazing job. I think I’m going to have to come back tomorrow morning to listen to them both again before I can tell you which are my favorites. I spent too much time online this morning, so I need to take care of other things but I will do a second pass on these playlists in the morning! 🙂
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Hi Michele! Your music brings back memories! Roberta Flack. Jody Watley. I love those songs. I’d forgotten all about Bruce Hornsby, but recognized his music right away. I love Three Dog Night. I’ve been listening to a lot of 60s, 70s, and 80s music lately to educate my kids on those songs. My family listens to the Bee Gees in the car sometimes on a long drive and we sing along to the music.
This music blog hop is so fun! It’s way more fun than I thought it was going to be. I wasted a lot of time going through the songs in my phone yesterday preparing for future Music Mondays. lol While looking for music links on YouTube, I discovered awesome duets between American and foreign musicians that I know and like. My jaw was on the floor. I was so thrilled.
Sorry to hear about your shoulder. My knee is inflamed right now, but I shouldn’t complain after hearing what you had to go through. I hope you feel better soon and are able to get back to doing the things you normally do. Take care!
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I was really worried about you when I came here during A to Z and saw you hadn’t posted since the end of March. I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been doing well. I’ve been in ICU before, and it is no fun at all. I’m glad your surgeon got on the physical therapy so quickly. Therapists are miracle workers, aren’t they?
You really went bananas with this, and I’m glad. It’s going to take a while to get through all three sets, but I know I’ll enjoy them, because you have similar music tastes to me and these look really good. And you say there’s more to come… great! I’m looking forward to it!
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Wow! You really went all out. Half Breed is an interesting song. I haven’t seen prejudice against Native Americans, but Cher must have. Last night, we saw the play, “August in Osage County.” It’s ironic how the malfunctioning characters in the play looked down upon the ONLY sane character because she was a “&^$% Indian.” Prejudice is stupid!!
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Whoa! You’ve been busy. Thanks for sharing a bunch of great tunes.
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Oh, mercy, have mercy! Don’t strain the shoulder typing all that stuff! Your experience is a bit scary. And, to be a primary caregiver on top of it – I feel for you! My husband has issues with both his shoulder rotator cuffs and although his physical therapist says one is “totally shot” and the other “probably wouldn’t be helped by surgery” well meaning friends are trying to advise him to have surgery anyway. Yes, I know, all cases are different but your experience with shoulder surgery would have me concerned. So…you got a lot of my favorite solid gold songs here; I honestly will have to leave them for another day! But I’m so glad to see you back – I missed ya!
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