Under normal circumstances, the very first thing I did, and this was indeed rare, was to tell the AD that i would try to find someone to fill in for me. Usually, it was not a problem to find someone, and the ADs were very appreciative that I took the time to find someone.

When I get very, very sick last August, I called every AD, told them what happened, and that it was unlikely that I would ever be physically able to perform again, which is still the situation. I told them I would try to find good entertainers to fill in for me, which I successfully was able to do after a dozen or so phone calls. The ADs were very sad to see me retire, and several have called just to see how I was doing. Today, was a very bad day, I had to take some nasty drugs just after lunch, and while they alleviate much of the pain, I hate the way they make me feel. For the life of me I cannot understand why someone wants to be stoned out of the mind on drugs - it ain't fun at all!

Rog, one of the secrets to keeping well while performing the Nursing Home circuit is to keep a container of hand wipes in your car at all times. If you sterilize your hands and car's steering wheel each time you leave a job, there's very little chance you'll become ill from many communicable diseases, especially the flu. Now, some folks believe that just getting a flu shot will prevent them from catching the flu. Unfortunately, most of the flu shots given today were for an influenza that took place 3 to 5 years ago, influenzas that have mutated several times since then. Consequently, it's unlikely that you'll get much, if any, protection from today's flu.

Gary