Brother, Can You Spare a Sawbuck?

Happy February, all! Here's an update on Wayne's progress.

As of last week, he has started his treatments, and, while they don't make him terribly sick, they sap his energy. He's taking a lot of naps these days, and therefore his ability to work is terribly hampered. It was already suffering because of the economy and weather, and it has now worsened. It is time, dear friends, to step up and help Wayne.

Wayne needs about $400 to meet his bills (electricity, gas, phone, car expenses) and incidental medical needs. I am hoping that you can spare even a small amount each month to contribute to his fund, which I monitor and distribute, and together we can keep him safe and sane while he's going through this. His rent is covered, at least for the duration of his treatments, he gets food and medical assistance through the state, and he has friends on the ground to keep an eye on him.

As for the treatments, his reaction to the first one was not as bad as expected, and he's been told that he can expect that to be the worst of all. That's good news. The bad news is that he has 24 more to go before he's through, taking him to the August timeframe to complete the treatments. Then, he still has to maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle, to which he is resigned but not happy about.

Overall, his attitude is good, he's dedicated to completing this process, and we can have our crazy Wayne back soon. Thanks in advance for your help and care, and stay tuned!

xoxox
seran

Happy New Year, Y'all

The holidays are behind us, spring is looming (although you may not be able to tell from this week's weather headlines), and life continues to spin, spin, spin. I trust you all had peaceful and relaxing time with family and good friends.

It's January, and Wayne will head to the doctor on January 21 to find out his course of treatment. He pulled through the holidays without falling off the wagon, and is in good shape to begin his road back to health. Unfortunately, he's suffering through a bad time with leg pain (pinched nerve, perhaps?) that is limiting his ability to work. That and the slow period during the holidays has kept Wayne off the rolls of the employed.

He is, however, in good spirits, and hopes to stay that way. He's been very helpful around the house in New Orleans, being my eyes and ears for the myriad contractors in and out of the place as we get it into shape for some vacation rentals. (Stay tuned for more on that! Don't forget, April is festival season, October is Voodoo Fest, and in 2013 the Superbowl will find itself at the Superdome!)

I'll keep you updated on his progress after January 21. In the meantime, the PayPal button is open for business, if you are able to spare something for Wayne.

Happy new year to everyone, and thank you for your past and ongoing support for our pal, the cantankerous Wayne.

Best regards!
seran

It's Turkey Time

Or tofurky, depending on your meat meter.




Happy November, thought you might want an update on ole Wayne. He's doing pretty good, still on the wagon and even working a few gigs. His housing situation has stabilized somewhat, his dog Hanna is back to normal after her traumatizing disappearance, and he's going to the doctor on a regular basis. The latter will lead up to his Big Treatments which will begin sometime late January or February, all to be determined by los Doctors.

The real test now is for him to get through the holidays without falling off said wagon. He'll have friends around to keep him from having to start sobriety all over, as the Boys from Illinoise are amassing for their annual Thanksgiving jaunt to Algiers Point. No one wants to see Wayne fail.

No news is usually good news, and that's why this is the first update since late August.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone; thank you for your support for Wayne this year. Hoping to squeeze one more update in before the end of the year, which seems to be rapidly dissipating!

Stay tuned, and remember, if you want to help Wayne through the holidays, keep the Heinekens and Basel Hayden away from him, and feel free to click on the PayPal button once in a while.

All the best!
seran

August and the Blazing Southern Summertime

Hola friends and family,

It's blazing hot in New Orleans; lethargy and sluggishness rule this time of year. Hot. Humid. Moist. I think you get the picture.

I visited Wayne in July, celebrated his birthday with him and conducted a little business while there. You can call him Teetotalin' Wayne now, because he's been completely off the sauce for a month - doctor's orders. He needs to be alcohol-free for six months and then he can start his treatment regime (January timeframe). In the meantime, he had a few preparatory shots that sent him into a 3-day tailspin; he's much better now but he said the medicine made everything taste like metal. Needless to say, with the weather and the medicine, he's not been able to find or do much work around town, and bills are piling up (again).

You can continue to show your support for Wayne's recovery with cash donations or even just a phone call to let him know he's on the right path and should stay there. Click the PayPal link, or email me and I'll give you information on how to contribute ANY amount you can afford.

This crappy economy is not showing signs of giving up any time soon, we are all affected, and I hope that things improve for everyone soon. Please know that Wayne greatly appreciates your concern and confidence in him. In the meantime, keep your spirits up, people, and let's help Wayne keep his, too.



Happy Dog Days of Summer,
seran

Hauoli la Hanau, Wayne*

(*Happy Birthday, Wayne!)


It's July and time for a Wayne update. Since it's his birthday month (July 12), let's all celebrate with him from our own little spots on the globe. I am planning to do a Bohemian fertility dance in my pajamas when I wake up that morning. Let us know how you'll cheer on Mr. Janak.

A big thank you to those that continue to help Wayne in big and small ways. He goes to el doctor this weekend; fingers crossed that he will get some resolution and direction on what his ongoing treatment will be. In the meantime, he's doing little odd jobs here and there as much as his health and the economy allows.

I'm going to visit Wayne-o next week, and will report back from the field. In the meantime, a reminder that you can drop him a dime or two anytime; the easiest way is to use the PayPal link here, or send me a check (see below), or better yet, make a personal delivery. We all know how much he appreciates visits from his friends.

Until next time - happy summer - stay cool (or for us Californians, stay dry and warm)!
seran

PS: You can always send a check payable to "The Fund for Wayne Janak", care of Seran Williams. Email me for the address to send your donation.)

June Update

A quick update to say THANKS to those who have been able to help contribute to Wayne's fund. (Amy - don't have your contact info but a big THANK YOU!)

I saw Wayne over the weekend, he's doing some small jobs and awaiting his July doctor visit. His spirits were good as he got to spend some time with the kids of some of his friends - Max, and the beautiful "Fries Girls", Lucy and Eve.

Feel free to post a note to Wayne here or on his Facebook.

A few pics to enjoy:




And, if you can spare it, click the "Donate" button on this page (or, send a check payable to “The Fund for Wayne Janak”, care of Seran Williams. Email me for the address to send your donation.)

Happy Summer,
seran

How's Wayne?

Thank you to the many people who have found it in their hearts and wallets to contribute to the Fund for Wayne Janak. I spent some time with him in New Orleans in April, and he really appreciates the help, and feels the love.

So, how is Wayne?
He's charging along, trying to deal with the labyrinth of doctors and other medical service providers to diagnose and then find the right course for his condition. He has had up days, he has had many down days. He lost his boxer, Hannah, on Easter Sunday, and this weighed heavily on him. Miraculously, she was returned to him a month later, bedraggled and skinny, but very mend-able. She's doing fine now, and Wayne's spirits are lifted by this.

The oxymoron that is called Medical Services has been difficult for Wayne, and he's no farther along in diagnosis or treatment than he was 2 months ago. On July 10, two days before his birthday, he goes back to a doctor to determine what his next steps are. This is a long, dragged out process, and anyone who has had a serious illness and NOT had medical insurance knows what a tangled mess this can be.

Work for him is difficult - the jobs aren't there and he often doesn't have the energy for it. So it's time again to ask for a little something to help keep him in his house another month. If you have any amount you can spare, click the "Donate" button on this page, or checks can be made payable to “The Fund for Wayne Janak”, care of Seran Williams. Email me for the address to send your donation.

Here are a couple of recent shots of Wayne, in his best element - around his friends.



Enjoy, and keep in touch!
seran

PS: Don't forget to bookmark this site!