When people go on about “gifts” from cancer, I roll my eyes. More like curses, I think. One such curse is some occasional insomnia for me. You know, that wake up at 3 in the morning thing. Start worrying about stuff, mostly cancer, and cannot get back to sleep. This happened to me this morning. I did the one thing you’re not supposed to do–got out my phone and started goofing around, which pretty much guarantees I won’t get back to sleep.
So I got up at 5 AM, turned on the TV to see if I could find a nice boring infomercial that would lull me back to sleep. Instead I found delight: Foo Fighters on “Austin City Limits” on PBS!!
Let me back up a little bit. I knew the Foos were going to be on ACL, and knew that it was supposed to broadcast on PBS on Feb 7. PBS always gives a date and a time for programs with the note to check local listings. I LOVE living in Maryland, except for the state’s PBS station, MPT. MPT NEVER complies with the times/days PBS advertises. Well, of course, “Downton Abbey” is on at the same time as it is on other PBS stations, but I am sooooo over that show. When the Ken Burns cancer film shows in most areas of the US, I will likely not see it until a day or so after, and I will have to really look to see when it will screen on MPT. I’d checked my local listings last night, and ACL was not listed. It did not occur to me to check 5 frickin’ AM the next day for it. It was pure luck I had a sleepless night and got up to channel surf. Who the hell watches a show of raucous music at 5 AM? Well, me. With such recent artists featured on ACL—Nine Inch Nails, Beck, freakin’ Nick Cave—5 AM is NOT the time slot I thought to research.
All griping about my local PBS aside, what a wonderful morning. Yes, I am tired today—maybe I can grab a nap later. Yeah, waking up in the middle of the night sucks, worrying about cancer in such a way it prevents sleep sucks, but what a great outcome today! Today is great! (Cue Ice Cube’s “Today Was A Good Day” in the background.) I saw an awesome show, I was reminded of the power of live performances. Also, BTW, anyone who does not love Gary Clark, Jr. (the Foos special guest) is wrong!!!
So oh no, what??!!! I have to thank CANCER for the GIFT of insomnia??!!! Weeeeellll, I’m not gonna go THAT far. But I concede that the series of events led me to getting up early, and totally enjoying it.
Anyone who has read my older posts, the music related ones, knows that I 1) am a big rock and Grohl fan and 2) do not believe in having heroes. On the latter point—it isn’t fair to dehumanize someone with hero worship, they are merely fallible humans. That said, I will admit to being extremely grateful, indebted even, to Dave Grohl and his various music affiliations. Nirvana, Foo Fighters, wacky collaborations with Jack Black, any of those combinations have been a source of comfort in my post-cancer life. Of course I could’ve faced my post-treatment depression without him. But it’s been a hell of a lot easier with the existence of Dave Grohl.
In Grohl I trust.
anotheronewiththecancer 
I’m glad your insomnia had a good outcome today. I suffer the same issue quite often, although the Cancer thoughts don’t take over the way they used to. I hope you get your nap and a good night of rest. If not, more Foo Fighters!
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Well it is almost 9 PM where I am and I have not managed to get a nap. Oh well. And yes, I can worry about quite a few other things at 3AM, ugh! Thanks for commenting!
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I was having insomnia this morning, too! Sweating the small–and big stuff–but didn’t get out of bed. Should have!!! Might have actually accomplished something–or found something worthwhile going on like you did–rather than just stressing and losing sleep. Rock on! 🙂
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I confess, this was one of the rare times I actually got up instead of just tossing and turning–hope I’ve learned my lesson! Thanks!
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Hi CC,
Insomnia, I know it well. I usually give myself an hour to fall back to sleep and then I move to a different location. I never turn on my ‘screens’ until after a certain hour because I fear a habit might quickly become of that far too fast and I will never sleep through the night again. Dear hubby sometimes jokes that neither of us has had a good night’s sleep in over four years. Sadly, I think he might be right. Here’s to a good night’s sleep whenever we can get it.
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Yep, I’ve certainly started a bad habit with the screens. But my goodness, so glad I am learning to just go ahead and get up–maybe something good will happen like it did this time! Thanks!
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3:00 or 3:33 are my typical eye-opener times and I typically turn on TCM, hoping to find some boring, old movie that will put me back to sleep. Most of the time though, I end up tossing and turning for an hour and then just getting up. I hate insomnia!!
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Ugh, I know, right–what is it about the 3 o’clock hour? That is my bladder’s favorite time! Usually I can get back to sleep, but not this time. Oh well. It turned out OK for once! Good to “see” you again!
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