E R I N I V E Y

Lobectomy Notes Part III - Recovering from Lung Surgery

2025-12-28T19:37:00.045-05:00

In November 2023, doctors found a baseball-size tumor in my upper left lung lobe. Suddenly, I was in a whirlwind of appointments, surgeries, and a recovery process I was truly unprepared for. I kept detailed notes to track the process and my healing. I also hoped they might someday be useful to someone else. If you’re facing this kind of surgery or supporting someone who is, I hope this is helpful information.

Disclaimer: These reflections are based on my own personal experience with a robotic-assisted lobectomy surgery and recovery. I am not a medical professional and this blog is not intended to provide medical advice or replace professional consultation. Please consult your doctor or healthcare team before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

LINK TO PART I - PREPARING FOR LUNG SURGERY

LINK TO PART II - IN THE HOSPITAL

Recovering from Lung Surgery

There's so much to this part, too much to remember, but I'll try to keep it streamlined. Leave me a comment if you have specific questions.

I was fortunate that my tumor was contained in the upper left lung lobe. My lymph nodes were clear and I didn't require further treatment with chemotherapy or radiation after surgery. Recovery was a long process, with major turning points at 3 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, and 10 months.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got no guidance from my surgeon about a recovery protocol. Surgeons are good at surgery, not recovery. Now I know, recovery up to us. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I started a protocol that eventually included music therapy, psychotherapy, massage, craniosacral therapy and lymph drainage, acupuncture, naturopathy/nutritional consultations, and physical therapy. I tried to do one of those things every week.

The first couple weeks were a total blur. It felt like I'd been kicked by a horse. It took everything I had just to sit up. My brain didn't work. I was sent home from the hospital with a ton of drugs and no comprehensive schedule for them, so I messed up my meds immediately. Luckily, my mom was able to come stay with us for a week and she created a medicine schedule and set reminder alarms on my phone. (Choose your alarm sound wisely because it will forever remind you of this time.)

Hopefully you've got a meal train and have set the expectation that you might not be up for visiting when meals are delivered. That's all in a previous post, but the meal train was so crucial for my family that it bears repeating.

3 Weeks

At three weeks, the feeling of having been kicked by a horse subsided, so I was able to really experience the breathing difficulty on its own. I often had that feeling like needing to yawn but not quite being able to get a full breath. At three weeks, my brain started working again. I cut Ibuprofen and Tylenol doses in half (to 400mg and 325mg), still taking 300mg doses of gabapentin. I finally weaned completely off gabapentin around 7 weeks. (I was on a couple opiods, too, but I didn't write down when or how I got off of them. I'll update this later if I find that info.)

At 5 weeks, I was more mobile in general, but the incision sites started feeling really tight and hot. I was still short of breath with frequent ticklish coughing. My diaphram was still really jumpy, so sometimes I experienced revving when I spoke, a shaky voice almost like a mild spasmodic dysphonia. It was a wild feeling. There were small sharp pinching pains inside my chest. Because my organs literally shifted inside my chest, I felt my heartbeat more to the left and down. That was so surreal, to have my heartbeat move to a different place. That first month, my body was really struggling to figure itself out again, like what just happened and what is the new normal?

7 weeks out, I stopped needing the abdominal binder as much. Weaned off gabapentin completely. Without the gabapentin, I was able to really feel the nerve pain, which was tolerable by then and when it got bad I could attend to it mindfully, which kept me in touch with the ebbs and flows of the healing process.

8 weeks out, there were no more sharp metal pains in my chest, but there was a new pain in my heart and numbness across the left side of my chest. My heartbeat felt more settled in it’s new position. My diaphragm was less jumpy. There was a little more dry coughing, but the incisions felt less painful against clothing. I used the binder less, but the inside of the incisions still felt like they were exploding open when I coughed, so I would hold my side tight with my hand. That feeling got better so slowly. Even at 2 years since surgery, the incisions are still healing and I still instinctively hold my side tight when I cough or sneeze.

A Note about Gabapentin

Multiple doctors told me gabapentin is not a harmful drug and people can stay on it indefinitely, but that was not my experience. I found gabapentin deceptively insidious and harder to quit than any other medicine, including opiods. Even after following a very conservative weaning schedule, I became really depressed the week I finally got off of it for good. I'll put a couple articles about tapering responsibly in the Resources section at the end of this post. Just be aware of your own experience in your own body and get whatever support you might need, regardless of what the doctors tell you is normal. There's a hell of a lot of bell curve on either side of what's normal.

9 Weeks

At nine weeks, I started having multiple good days in a row. My energy was better, the muscles around my incisions were stronger and it was easier to go from lying down to sitting up. More of that ab crunch motion was available to me. The burning sensation in the incisions was gone, but they started itching instead. Progress! I went multiple days without the abdominal binder. It was harder to get a deep breath more often at this point, but I made the decision to cough less and control the coughing by taking deep breaths, moderating the coughs. It reduced the frequency and length of the coughing fits. My breathing capacity was still not great, but I usually made it to 1500 on the incentive spirometer after 10-15 breaths. There was an empty feeling in the middle of my chest when I breathed in and a slight rattle in my breath, with a little bit of jumpiness in my diaphram still.

Eleven weeks after surgery, my energy stabilized and abdominal strength returned faster, but I also started to feel bubbles at the bottom of my left lung cavity again at the top of some breaths or turning in bed from my back to my right side. Seasonal allergies were really bad in Austin then, too (cedar, elm, and mold), so that might have been part of it.

I started taking a Chinese herbal supplement recommended by my acupuncturist, called Mai Men Dong Tang and my annoying coughing fits decreased 85% within one day. I WISH I'D STARTED TAKING THIS SOONER! It helped me so much.

3 Months

Three months after surgery, I felt much more hopeful about getting better. I was walking more and started a gentle aerobics practice. I started playing the Native American wooden flute to rehab my breathing and infuse my life with the joy of that instrument. I played it every day, it helped me in every facet of healing. I tried using breath training devices like PhysioAir and Breather, but they didn't really help. The incentive spirometer was more effective - and the flute was the best help of all. (It's not hard to play. I found mine on Facebook Marketplace.)

I developed cluster headaches around this time, which persisted for about a year. I was evaluated by a neurologist and my brain looks fine. Just like with my menstrual cycle, I think there were a lot of things that got thrown off and it seemed like my whole existence was recalibrating.

Life was getting much more normal. I even went on a plane trip to the east coast and flew by myself with a small, light carryon that I was able to put it in the overhead bin by myself. I was able to lift a small suitcase into a car trunk. These were HUGE wins for me at the time! I was easily exhausted and I took a lot of naps, at least one a day. On my trip, I didn't have any bodywork for a week (like massage or lymph drainage) and I felt my side stiffening up. There were signs of congestion in the skin on my chest (little bumps and red spots). I experienced daily spells of difficulty breathing, usually in the late afternoon. Being away from the allergies of Austin, though, it was great to see how I was actually breathing better in general. The minute I came back to Austin my chest tightened up and my lungs felt like swiss cheese again.

At 14 weeks after surgery, there was still a lot of nerve pain around my incisions, but it was getting more dull and wasn't constant anymore, it came and went. The muscles around the incisions seemed to be more put-together, like they finally started remembering themselves (literally re-membering). I was able to sneeze without being in pain the whole rest of the day from it. I was still coughing and had a ticklish feeling in my trachea almost all the time, but I could mostly control it and minimize the cough, using the Chinese herbs sparingly, maybe 1-2 times a week because they are dampening and the weather was really humid. I got an Oura smart ring and started tracking my sleep, activity, oxygen saturation, etc. I wish I'd gotten this sooner, maybe even before the surgery, so I could have a baseline to measure against throughout recovery.

17 weeks after surgery, I was coughing a lot less, much less ticklish feeling in the trachea. My energy was normalizing. The nerve pain around the incisions was still present but in fewer spells of acute pain, mostly dull heat, still felt bruised. My acupuncturist said to sweat more, so I rode a bike for the first time since surgery. That felt like good exercise for my incisions. My muscles were still figuring out how they go together, but knowing they do. It was the most cohesive response from them I’d had since surgery. Coughing was less frequent, with little spells maybe a few times a week, taking Chinese herbs as necessary, around once a week.

Also, I read Breath by James Nestor (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48890486-breath) and started doing some of the breathing exercises in that book, which are great for reducing the stress of recovery and regulating the nervous system in general. I also started taping my mouth shut at night, which increased my heart rate variability (HRV) significantly and increased my oxygen saturation a little, too. (I knew that from the Oura ring data.)

6 Months and Thoughts about MD Anderson

My tumor is a mystery. It made its way from St. David's in Austin to Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and finally to MD Anderson in Houston. Pathologists are stumped because it appears to be a bone tumor (like ameloblastoma of the jaw or adamantinoma of the shin), but mine was primary in the lung, which is... not a thing.

Six months after surgery, I was referred to MD Anderson in Houston for further evaluation and to see if there was anything else lingering in my jaw or elsewhere. My experience there was that the doctors are good, but the administrative system in which they work is not good, definitely not trauma-informed, it makes everything harder. The whole process sucked so much energy out of me when I really needed it for healing.

Before I went to Houston, two separate doctors advised me that MD Anderson is no longer the cancer mecca it once was, even a few short years ago, and they suggested I find an alternative. I was taken aback because I'd only heard great things about MD Anderson and I didn't have the energy or desire to change course at that point. However, after my experience, I agree with them. It was an eggregious and unnecessary administrative nightmare. Patients at MD Anderson are facing the worst days of their lives and deserve so much better.

If you or your loved ones have (or had) a good experience in that system, I'd be very happy to hear it. That's how it should be. But I wanted to share my experience as well. If you are referred to MD Anderson, it may be worth considering exploring alternatives with your doctors. Get as much information as you need to make the best decision for yourself, along with your care team.

On the other hand, the team at Texas Oncology has been exceptionally attentive, professional, and caring. Especially weighed against the other experience, I am so grateful to my care team at Texas Oncology!

7 Months and Singing Again!

7 months after surgery, the nerve pain was intermittent and dull, kind of like achey muscles, still very tender especially around the front incision, which I lovingly called “my little diva.” My breathing capacity felt about 20% less than pre-op. My breathing was much noisier. Sometimes it felt like I’d been smoking menthol cigarettes. Mold is high in Austin and that always makes breathing more difficult.

Around this time, I developed a pinching pain around my heart that increased in frequency to several times a week. It felt a little bit like indigestion. I met w/cardiothoracic surgeon who explained that there are adhesions still healing around the chest wall. They're referred to as "violin strings" because they tighten around the organs like strings. My oncologist also said this is a normal development during recovery and the pain can last for years. At two years since surgery, these pains are very infrequent, but not completely resolved.

Also, seven months after surgery, I started singing again. It seems crazy and I still can't believe it happened, but I had a time-limited grant to make a new record. So, I scheduled the studio time even though I wasn't sure what would be possible with my voice and guitar playing. But, I had an amazing producer and spectacular band and awesome recording engineer, so over three days in July 2024, we recorded what became the Souvenir album: https://erinivey.bandcamp.com/album/souvenir It was made of like a hundred miracles all at once.

10 Months - The Emotional Cliff

At 10 months, I felt my physical healing stabilize and plateau. Then, my emotional body cracked open and I stayed in bed crying uncontrollably for two days. For a few weeks, I was emotionally raw, sometimes flooded with tears seemingly out of nowhere. It felt like I was draining months of supressed feelings. Like once the physical body felt better, the emotional body could start it's own healing that had been dammed up. I just had to feel my way through it.

Longterm Healing

A year and a half after surgery, I was breathing well and able to lie on my left side again for a few minutes at a time. My periods got back to a normal schedule.

Two years after surgery, I still can't spend much time on my left side, because it's hard to breathe in that position, but my breathing capacity has settled into its new normal and it's pretty good! Sometimes it feels like I have asthma, so on days when it's hard to breathe, I take a Chinese lung support tincture (https://zoimedicinals.com/products/lung-meridian) and it works great for me.

The incisions are still healing, nerves just take a long time. They're not painful anymore. It's more like a strange dull sensation 2-3 times a week. Most of the feeling has returned, but the area around the front incision on the left side of my abdomen (my little diva) is still not all there.

I'm getting CT scans every six months now and I know how lucky I am. Cancer is terrible and indiscriminate. While I would not wish this on anyone, there have been so many silver linings in my experience. My family, friends, and the greater music community in Austin and beyond have carried me through all of this. I'm incredibly grateful that I get to be alive.

As music therapist Andrea Cortez often reminded me while she helped me learn how to breathe and sing again, "every breath is good."

Additional resources:

Gabapentin Tapering Schedules
- https://www.ridgefieldrecovery.com/drugs/gabapentin/gabapentin-taper/
- https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/ICB-tapering-gabapentinoid-v1approved-2.docx
Mai Men Dong Tang: Maekmoondong-tang in treatment of postoperative cough in patients with lung cancer https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30024544/
General support and resources (Go2 for Lung Cancer): https://go2.org/resources-and-support/
There are lots of great guided meditations on Insight Timer (free app). I listened to this one (Post Surgery Healing) over and over while I was recovering in bed: https://insig.ht/ypFbo7fHp0b

If you're facing or have had lung surgery, or are caring for someone who is, please leave a comment. I'm curious about your experience and invite you to expand on this post so it can help others. Thank you.

Lobectomy Notes Part II - In the Hospital

2025-12-23T18:20:00.018-05:00

LINK TO PART I - PREPARING FOR LUNG SURGERY

LINK TO PART III - RECOVERY FROM LUNG SURGERY

In the Hospital

Hospitals are designed to be sterile. Nothing about the environment is really designed for comfort and healing, but there are ways to soften the experience. I ended up staying in the hospital for 6 days because of complications and these little things made a huge difference.

What I Brought That Actually Helped

Eye mask (in a little pouch or case) — There’s always a light on! I suggest keeping your eye mask in it's own clean pouch or case because I kept stuffing mine into a cup holder next to my bed and I got a nasty stye, which may have been from germs lurking in that cup holder that took hold while my immune system was compromised. (So, maybe also bring bleach wipes and have an OCD friend wipe everything down where the cleaners may have missed.)
One or two small lamps — again with the lighting, but it makes such a difference to be able to turn off the overhead fluorescent lights and have softer lamp light to live in while you’re trying to rest (In my experience, doctors and nurses woke me every 2 hours, so get rest where you can.)
Diffuser with very small amounts of gentle, light, calming oils — A few nurses started taking their breaks in my room because they said it felt like a spa. I was happy to share my little zen room with them. They need peace and beauty too!
Bluetooth speaker — I played music that made me feel like I was somewhere else: jazz clubs, cafés, nature sounds, lots of Native American flute. Music is medicine. It reduces post-operative pain, anxiety, and use of pain meds. Make yourself a few playlists of what makes your body feel at peace. (Study: Music as an Aid for Post-Operative Recovery in Adults https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60169-6/abstract )
Surgical masks and hand wipes for any visitors — The hospital will have these, so just make sure you (or whoever is communicating for you) are clear with your guests that your immune system is compromised and they need to wear a mask in your room and clean their hands.
Pretty things — A friend brought me a pretty shawl to use as a tablecloth and made a little altar with pretty pictures, flowers, and cool stones. It brought me so much joy.

Trust Your Body. Ask Questions.

The hospital gave me some sort of steroid drug in an inhaler that made my heart race like crazy. When I asked for a lower dose or if I even needed it, they checked my oxygen saturation level, which was 99%. They said “Oh, your oxygen levels are great. You don’t need this.” It felt like a total mismatch between protocol and reality. Trust your body. Ask questions.

The Baby Bird Phase

Immediately after surgery, I couldn’t speak in full sentences. I had so much pain and so little energy, I could only get out one or two words at a time. My husband fed me water through a syringe. We called it the baby bird phase. Have someone with you who’s attuned to your needs and can help communicate with doctors and nurses and advocate on your behalf. Along the same lines, for the first few days I couldn’t move well and had to have people hand me things. I recommend having a table on the OPPOSITE SIDE from your incisions, so your stronger arm can reach for and lift things eventually. Also, nurses kept telling me to hold my side when I coughed, but I was on so many drugs I didn’t really understand why until I got home. Every cough is like an explosion tearing your insides apart, so just get a pillow or something to hold tight to your side when you cough. Just do it. Once you get home, you can use your abdominal binder, which should do the trick. Honestly even two years since my surgery, I still hold my side when I cough or sneeze. It’s just taking forever to heal completely. You’ll want to do whatever you can to keep from sneezing, for a long time. It can ruin your whole day - and I am not exaggerating.

The Chest Tube & Getting Your Meds Right

After surgery, you’ll wake up with a chest tube inserted into the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall to drain fluid, blood, and air into a container I called my "juice box." A chest tube sucks, literally and figuratively, it just does. So, stay on top of your meds. Nurses will come and go with varying levels of attention to the details of your situation. Make sure you and your caregivers try to understand your meds and keep up with them. Do not fall behind the pain. I'm not gonna lie, the chest tube is not fun. But the feeling when they finally pull it out is really strange and cool and that part actually doesn't hurt at all.

Spirometer

They'll probably give you a breathing capacity tester called an incentive spirometer, which I referred to as my "gameboy" because I thought that was funny when I was on the greatest drug cocktail ever. I'm not sure what the incentive is, really, the goal is to get better at breathing. Be sure to take yours home with you so you can continue measuring your progress. Here's a good synopsis: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/4302-incentive-spirometer

Little Luxuries

A friend came and massaged my feet. It felt so good and reconnected me to my whole body. My hands and feet got really chapped in the hospital, but watch out for lotions that have carcinogens in them (which is most of them). Avoid anything with "fragrance" or "parfum." As I mentioned in Part I, it's a good idea to lessen our exposure to toxins in general. You can check EWG's Skin Deep database for safety ratings: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Clothes for Going Home

You’ll be in a hospital gown while you’re there, but when you go home, I recommend wearing something really loose-fitting. No bra. No waistband. In fact, I couldn’t wear a bra or waistband for almost a year, so get used to it. Wear your abdominal binder!!! because every little jostle of the car ride home feels like an earthquake. That'll be true for a while. I didn't get in a car for months except for doctors appointments.

Additional resources:

Physiotherapy Exercises Before and After Your Surgery (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) – I'm posting this again from Part I, the post-surgery breathing exercises start around 2 minutes into the video. This link should take you to the right place in the video: https://youtu.be/ZV9mmyzkMds?si=WTKbL3nmfygFrfGY&t=111

LINK TO PART I - PREPARING FOR LUNG SURGERY

LINK TO PART III - RECOVERING FROM LUNG SURGERY

Lobectomy Notes Part I - Preparing for Lung Surgery

2025-12-23T17:41:00.027-05:00

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It claims more lives annually than either colorectal, pancreatic, breast, or prostate cancer.

In the U.S., roughly 56,000 lobectomy (lung resection) surgeries are performed each year to treat lung cancer. If you’re facing this kind of surgery or supporting someone who is, I hope this is helpful information.

Disclaimer: These reflections are based on my own personal experience with a robotic-assisted lobectomy surgery and recovery. I am not a medical professional and this blog is not intended to provide medical advice or replace professional consultation. Please consult your doctor or healthcare team before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

Before Surgery: What Helped Me Prepare

Nutrition & Physical Prep

I only had 12 days to prepare for surgery, so I focused on clean eating to detox and fortify my body. I was already off alcohol, cannabis, and caffeine when I got my diagnosis, otherwise, those would have been the first things to go. A functional nutritionist recommended I use Dr. Junger’s CLEAN protocol as a guide and consume only green juice after 5pm. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6059965-clean She also recommended walking briskly for 20 minutes a day with my spouse for connection and support.
As a singer, I was already doing deep breathwork regularly. I added more intense workouts to get my heart and lungs in top shape and really liked Christina Dorner’s workouts as I was approaching my surgery date: https://www.youtube.com/@CDornerFitness.
I connected with the areas I thought would be most affected, with massage and self-talk. I had written dialogues with my lung and tumor (like parts work in Internal Family Systems counseling), which gave me deep insight into my body and emotions at that time.
Clip your toenails. Seriously. You won’t be able to reach them for a while. Do ALL the self-care you can before your surgery.
I got an Oura smart ring a few months into recovery. If you have the chance to start using one, or a smart watch or something like that, at least 2 months before surgery, it would be great to understand your baselines.

Emotional & Logistical Support

A friend set up a Meal Train for my family. Meals came every other day for 3 weeks. I thought that seemed like too much, but it turned out to be perfect. Our friend who set it up fielded all the messages and posted updates to the page for our community, so we only had to send updates to her. I can’t recommend this enough. You can set the expectation in the description/instructions that you may not feel well enough for visiting with people when they bring meals to you. There were many times I couldn’t even sit up, let alone have the energy for visitors. And it’s best if they consider that whatever cookware they deliver the meal in will be a gift to you. Then you don’t have to keep track of whose dishes are clean or dirty or worry about getting things back to the right households. Every little thing is actually a really big thing in those first few weeks. https://www.mealtrain.com/
If I had it to do over again, I’d take more time to think ahead about what support I might need after surgery and who could help with those things. For example, one friend gave me a foot massage in the hospital and that was so amazing. On the flip side, I asked my husband to repeat simple calming mantras like “your body is relaxed,” “your body is safe,” “you are healing,” “you are strong.” He did his best, but it was so uncomfortable for him and frustrating for both of us. If positive self-talk, prayers, and mantras are part of your jam, arrange to have someone come speak those things over you – someone who’s into it. Or record something for yourself to play back in the hospital, or ask a few friends to send you recordings of healing words or prayers you can listen to on repeat.
If you can, get your house cleaned and arrange for that during your first 2 months of recovery. (I didn’t have this and by the time I knew we needed it, I couldn’t find anyone and felt weird asking friends for that… even though I am encouraging you to ASK FOR THE HELP YOU NEED, I didn’t always have the energy or courage to do it.
I got an air purifier for my bedroom and still use it regularly.
Make playlists of the songs that make you feel healthy and at peace. For me, that’s a lot of Native American flute music, classical, and classic jazz. Download a favorite audiobook in case you want to hear it as you recover. I actually listened to The Smell of Rain on Dust repeatedly, and I have continued to listen to it throughout my recovery. It is deeply woven into my experience now. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22748016-the-smell-of-rain-on-dust
Unfortunately my longtime therapist passed away the same week I got my diagnosis, so I started seeing a new therapist as soon as I got my diagnosis. I was already leaning on my spouse and friends a lot, and I really needed support from a neutral third party. It helped me put things in perspective and gave me a safe space to let everything out.
I grieved. Heavily. The weeks between diagnosis and surgery were especially difficult. I did a lot of crying and a lot of journaling. I thought about what I would do with certain timelines of mortality. What if I have 3 months, 6 months, or a year to live? I’m thankful I took the opportunity to let my lung speak to me before it was removed. I literally asked it questions and let it answer, all in writing in my journal. Dialoguing with my broken parts brought me clarity and softened the hurt. I felt the grief of losing a part of me and understood more about why the tumor was there in the first place, on a level that was not just medical or physical. The lungs are the seat of grief in the body, so it was an especially powerful experience to learn from the part of me that had sacrificed itself so the rest of me could live. I had the chance to say thank you while it was still inside me, no matter what was to come.
I was often surprised by which people in my life really showed up and which ones totally disappeared or said things like “it’s probably nothing” when I was struggling under the weight of so much uncertainty and fear. Everyone’s wired differently, so just give people grace if you can. Not everybody will be able to handle what you’re going through.
Caregiving is hard. My husband has been with me every step of the way, but he was also going through his own emotional process. We didn’t know what the tumor was or what my prognosis would be. After the lobectomy, I had a complication called an air leak and was in the hospital much longer than expected. Then, recovery at home took a lot longer than we were led to believe. Thankfully, my mom was able to come stay with us for a week and she took care of the whole family. It was an amazing gift. If you have a natural caregiver in your circle of family or friends, ask to lean on them as you recover. We’re all good at different things and this is a long road. My mom was just extra good at joyfully rewrapping bandages soaked in blood and pus and then making sure everyone had dinner.

Appointments & Planning

Always bring someone to your doctor appointments if you can — and ask your doctor if you can record them. I kept a running list of questions on my phone so I didn’t have to remember them all in the moment. And write down the answers, too! Don’t try to keep it all in your head.
If you’re having a lobectomy, you’ve probably already undergone a bronchoscopy surgery to take a biopsy. Both surgeries require intubation (where a tube is inserted into the windpipe). If you’re a person with a small build, a woman, or a singer like I am, you can ask them to use the smallest instruments necessary to protect your vocal chords. I mentioned it in every appointment to be sure that request was well documented.
I highly recommend scheduling two “extra” appointments with your doctor:
- One before the surgery to get a detailed explanation of exactly what your upcoming surgery entails. I had no idea mine would be robot-assisted, for example, or that they’d make five incisions in my side instead of my back or chest, or that I’d have hundreds of titanium staples in my body for the rest of my life. I was not offered an explanation and I never thought to ask until I was in my surgical gown waiting for the drugs to kick in. So, I definitely recommend asking early so you understand what they’ll be doing and where and why and how.
- And another appointment after the surgery to go over any resulting pathology reports with you. Pathology reports are full of jargon and your doctor or a pathologist can help you understand what it all means
My surgeon said it would take 2-4 weeks to recover from the lobectomy. That was utter bullshit. In fact, a recent study of recovery time after robotic-assisted lung surgery found that after 3 months, patients were still actively recovering. (They couldn’t say how long it actually takes because the study only lasted 3 months.) Here is a link to the study: Setting Realistic Expectations for Recovery After Robotic Lung Surgery https://news.cuanschutz.edu/department-of-surgery/recovery-after-robotic-lung-surgery
Even after asking repeatedly, I was given no guidance about a recovery protocol, so I had to create my own. It included psychotherapy, music therapy (nervous system reset, breathwork, and vocalization), Feldenkrais, lymph drainage (especially if they remove lymph nodes, which they probably will, and you will know that for sure because you will have asked them to explain the surgery to you in detail! See note above.), naturopathy, nutrition and supplementation, acupuncture, and massage. I acknowledge how fortunate I am to have access to this kind of care, thanks to the support of my community and help from friends and family. Which leads me to the next point.
Ask for help if you need it, even if it feels strange and vulnerable. This is a strange and vulnerable time.
Ask about what medicines you’ll be on when you get home from the hospital. You won’t be thinking clearly enough to manage this on your own. I messed up my meds immediately and wish I’d asked for a written schedule before leaving the hospital, at least to get through the first week.
As for bills… no one could give me a straight answer. I wasted hours on the phone with providers and insurance trying to figure out what this would cost, and still just had to wait for the bills to arrive. I received a bill from my initial biopsy surgery 17 months after the procedure.
If you have insurance, ask your insurance company to assign you a case manager as soon as possible to help you navigate the system. Dealing with insurance and providers can be a massive drain on your time and energy and you will need all the energy you can muster for healing and recovery.

Other Random Things

Don’t schedule surgery during allergy season or menstruation if you can help it. I had a sinus infection for a month during and after surgery and it made everything so much harder. Thank goodness I wasn’t menstruating, but it took my menstrual cycle about a year and half to get back to normal after the surgery.
Get an abdominal binder in advance. Trust me. It’s a game changer! There are lots out there to choose from. I got this one: https://ortonyx.com/products/6-25-abdominal-binder-for-men-and-women-black-1
I bought surgical masks for people who visited me at home. Hospitals will have them, just ask your visitors at the hospital and at home to please wear them. Your immune system will be working overtime and the last thing you need is to catch an upper respiratory infection. This is a small thing people can do to reduce your risks and help keep you healthy.
Rest after scans. The contrast from CT and MRI scans wipes me out, so just be aware that might happen to you. Don't schedule things for the rest of the day until you know how your body reacts to contrast.
In the book Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time, the authors recommend a lot of things and admit we can’t do it all, so they encourage people to do what we can to lessen our exposure to carcinogens. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/407203.Avoiding_Cancer_One_Day_At_A_Time
These next recommendations are along those lines:
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It’s easy to test for, you can order a radon detector online. You can get mail-in testers, but I recommend getting the ones that take 30-90 days and give you a long-term reading. https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon
My functional nutritionist said to avoid drinking hot liquids through a plastic lid on disposable coffee cups. THIS RECOMMENDATION IS FOR EVERYONE. Even leaving the lid on a hot drink allows the steam to gather on the lid and drip microplastics into your drink.
While I’m on my little soapbox here (this is unrelated to lung cancer), please also consider putting carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom. Carbon monoxide is a heavy gas, so CO detectors work best plugged into an outlet close to the ground, as opposed to the combination smoke/CO testers up high. A friend of mine lost his parents to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning while they slept and this is such an easy little thing to keep your family safe.
Get an abdominal binder. Yeah, I'm saying it again. Do it now.

Additional resources:

Physiotherapy for Lung Surgery (South Tees Physiotherapy) https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/resources/physiotherapy-for-lung-surgery/
Physiotherapy Exercises Before and After Your Surgery (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV9mmyzkMds
Lobectomies: Before & After Care (Lung Foundation of Australia) https://lungfoundation.com.au/blog/lobectomies-before-after-care
Six tips for Maintaining a Positive Mindset When Recovering from Surgery (Colorado Advanced Orthopedics) This is about orthopedic surgery, but the principles are universal. https://coloradoadvancedorthopedics.com/6-tips-for-maintaining-a-positive-mindset-when-recovering-from-orthopedic-surgery/
Healing After Surgery (Dr. Amy Nelson, N.D.) https://www.northstarhealingcenter.com/articles/healing-after-surgery
Pain experience of lung cancer patients during home recovery after surgery: A qualitative descriptive study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10587973/

LINK TO PART II - IN THE HOSPITAL

LINK TO PART III - RECOVERY FROM LUNG SURGERY

Band show at KMFA Studios

2022-10-31T16:02:00.006-05:00

We had such fun at the new KMFA Draylen Mason Music Studio. We're the first full band to ever play in that venue! Chuck Pinnell accompanied on guitars, Josh Flowers on upright bass, Peter Stopschinski on piano, and Eduardo Torres on drums. Jane Ellen Bryant lent her beautiful vocals to the night.

Thanks to everyone who came to see the show - and especially to Bill and Sharon at Concerts 4 Austin Charities (C4AC) for producing the event and for their tireless efforts in support of local charities and musicians.

Here's a look at our pre-show run-through of "Think of Love." You'll sneak a peek at the Epiphone guitars with my face on it! And the beautiful screenprinted posters designed especially for this show.

Go back to www.erinivey.com.

---

It's not dead air; it's an Eklektikos breeze

2022-09-25T15:00:00.011-05:00

Listening to John Aielli’s records and drinking from a mug I plucked from his kitchen yesterday brings on a flood of memories.

I got to sing for John a lot over the years. The first time was May 2008, live on KUT radio (in that dank old basement studio of the UT RTF building) and the last time was May 2019 at KUTX (in the new sunlit Studio 1A).

He would close his eyes and listen with his whole being, drinking in every drop of the music, like he could taste it with his body and soul.

John was a singer, in love with voices. His show Eklektikos (on the air for over 50 years) taught me about monophonic Gregorian chants and introduced me to the tintinnabular compositions of Arvo Pärt – all brought to life by the blending of voices together in the most beautiful reverberations.

John’s encouragement meant the world to me. He made me feel – maybe this seems like too much, but it’s true – being around John, I felt truly loved.

John always had a hug and a smile for me. But most of all, he listened.

He listened with his entire self.

Maybe that’s true love after all.

We miss you, John Aielli. Thanks for the music. (And the mug.)

Go back to www.erinivey.com.

FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS Episode 2: The Balance King

2022-04-28T14:49:00.004-05:00

I am totally loving hosting the new FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS live interview series! I get to talk with dynamic creatives what they're furiously obsessed with and where they're luxuriously taking their time... + 1 random query from a cauldron of crowdsourced listener questions.

These first 2 interviews have given me inspiring new perspectives as I try to understand the FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS spectrum in my own life and how it shows up for others.

In Episode 2, my guest is artist/scientist Jeremy Nix, aka The Balance King: classically trained pianist and trumpeter, composer, music curator, DJ, educator, chemist, father. I am really inspired by the fluidity and abstraction of Jeremy's approach to the furious//luxurious dynamic in his life and creativity.

We cover a lot of ground in this perspective-bending conversation, touching on the vibrations of the universe, the nature of memory, the search for sounds that have never been heard, the will of sound, how to manipulate time, escaping the algorithm, and so much more.

Listen to the full interview here, available to the public for 30 days. Thereafter it will live on my Patreon page, for my supporters who make explorations like this possible!

This episode's surprise question came from Kyle Bailey. :)

I loved this time with The Balance King and hope you'll discover inspiration in his insights.

Stay tuned to join me for the next interview, which I'll announce to my mailing list and on Twitter @erinivey.

Visit me on the space/time continuum at www.erinivey.com.

FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS Episode 1: Lynae Cook

2022-04-12T19:21:00.008-05:00

My first live interview as host of the new FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS podcast is in the books! It's where I get to ask dynamic creatives what they're furiously obsessed with and where they're luxuriously taking their time... + 1 random query from a cauldron of crowdsourced listener questions.

It was so much fun and I hope you'll stay tuned to join me for the next episode (I'll announce it to my mailing list and on Twitter @erinivey).

You can listen to the full interview here, available to the public for 30 days. Thereafter it will live on my Patreon page, for my supporters who make explorations like this possible!

My first guest is Lynae Cook: drummer, actor, digital strategist, photographer, pole dancer, host of #BTS Podcast, co-founder of the band Breakfast Tacos - and so much more. Lynae and I met in the Mashibeats community, founded by Mark de Clive-Lowe, who is our mentor in Season 1 of the Mashibeats Creator Club. I loved hearing about how the furious//luxurious dynamic shows up in Lynae's life and creativity.

Hot on the heels of an unexpected life change, we talk about honoring neurodivergence, finite willpower, balancing multidisciplinary interests (or not), embracing the chaos, the sad math of how much time we actually have, what our approach to 3rd grade book reports says about us, reframing opportunities, and tips on productivity and focus.

This episode's surprise question came from Tricky Jones. Thanks for the great question, Tricky!

Hope you'll enjoy getting to know Lynae Cook and discovering some great inspiration in her insights.

Visit me at www.erinivey.com for the whole enchilada.

Keep your guitar from cracking!

2021-02-17T14:46:00.015-05:00

Once upon a time, I fell in love with a 1964 Epiphone Cortez from Austin Vintage Guitars. It takes me places, emotionally. It hangs on the wall in my living room for easy access and long adoring gazes. (The whole genesis story - and gear talk - is in this article in M Music & Musicians Magazine.)

So, ever since Rebecca Loebe posted a pic of her cracked guitar early this winter (from the heated air in her house driving humidity down), I have been SO freaked out. I ruined multiple pans boiling water on the stove (then forgetting about it), trying to keep humidity in my house between 40-60%. I have since gotten a humidifier (would recommend!), but with this current storm and crazy temperatures, it's been hard to keep humidity much higher than 30%.

I called luthier Dick Dubois for advice on keeping instruments from cracking like Rebecca's did - especially since we are snowed in and sometimes without power (and now water).

LUTHIER'S ADVICE

First, take it off the wall for now. The hot/dry air from central heat will rise around it and dry it out.

Then, since I don't have any humidity-controlled guitar cases or systems, Dick recommended using the most air-tight case I could find.

Wet a washcloth, then ring it out - not all the way, just so it's damp, but not wet. Put the washcloth in a plastic bag, but don't close the bag. Put the bag in the case behind the head stock. Close the case and check it every day or so to make sure the cloth hasn't dried out.

The saddest part is not playing my favorite guitar until this is over. BUT if leaving it in the case means saving it from cracking, I can do that.

So, I'll likely be playing the Guild on Thursday's livestream this week - assuming we have power. BTW, the focus song for this week is "Where Have You Been All My Life" and you can watch the lyric video here.

Y'all take care now. Instruments, too!

Visit me at www.erinivey.com for the whole deal.

On streaming

2021-01-26T17:22:00.016-05:00

If we care about art, we have to find ways to support artists. We have to do it outside of established extractive systems that syphon value away from creators at every step. I think a lot of people don't understand how streaming works and assume part of their subscription actually goes to the people they listen to. (It doesn't.) So, I’ll try to keep this short and it is surely an oversimplification of a very convoluted topic, but here's my take from the perspective of an independent artist who is not on a label:

Streaming services are structured so value is recognized in the underlying platform itself (technology, algorithms, data mining, etc), not in the content it serves (nor the creators).

So, what subscribers are really paying for is things like tailored playlists and easy user interfaces with access to almost limitless music, but not really the music itself (nor cost of it's creation).

Artists have signed the contracts and supplied music to these streaming platforms for next-to-nothing in exchange for some kind of access to their users and data. However, streaming platforms have been notoriously tight-fisted.

So, consumers don't really pay for the music, and streaming services don't pay for the music. It's the artists who pay for the music. Indie artists are working on spec pretty much all the time.

As a user, streaming is great. I get it. I use it, too.

My question is, how can we help independent musicians afford to keep making music?

One easy thing I know is if you dig the music/art, it helps if you GO BUY THINGS FROM THAT MUSICIAN/ARTIST DIRECTLY. CDs, records, tshirts, mugs, lyrics, journals, pins, you know the stuff. Load up! Join their Patreon!!

This makes a difference for independents. Overhead is relatively low but margins are bleak and every single sale helps keep hope alive. For real.

Austin-based multi-instrumentalist Mobley won a grant a few years ago and in his acceptance speech, he talked about the toll the music industry can take on artists, about the importance of "infusions of hope" along the way.

NOW, GO BUY YOUR NEW FAVORITE T-SHIRT! I swear it doesn't even have to be mine.

Visit me at www.erinivey.com for the whole deal.

Creative Community

2021-01-20T11:10:00.023-05:00

As I work on liner notes for my new album, Solace in the Wild (coming out January 29, 2021 - tune in to the release livestream!), I'm amazed just how many artists and independent small businesses were involved in creating it.

I believe "the more healthy you make the community for middle-class musicians, the more the entire city will thrive" (as I said in this fancy Austin Chronicle article).

Solace in the Wild is just ONE example of indie releases that come out all through the year. Supporting these releases by independent musicians ripples out to affect the entire fabric of our creative community.

As Austin grows and changes, and as the pandemic and social issues challenge our economy and our hearts, I feel fortunate to make music in a community that is so supportive. We have to continue to lift each other up if we are going to survive.

Solace in the Wild was funded through artist grants (including from Black Fret) and individual contributions from 124 project supporters. In turn, those contributions went out to these independent small businesses and sole proprietorships, whose inspired work made the album a reality:

Ace Recording (Austin, TX)
Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio (Wimberley, TX)
Chuck Pinnell, musician and producer (Austin, TX and Philadelphia, PA)
Dan Dyer, musician (Austin, TX)
Dave McClinton, graphic artist and designer (Austin, TX)
Jana Pochop, artist and consultant, Social Thinkery (Austin, TX)
Jeff Powell, Take Out Vinyl lathe cutter (Memphis, TN)
Justin Kirchhoff, Digital Shakedown video producer (Austin, TX)
Kris Afflerbaugh, musician (Austin, TX)
Lisa Grey, radio publicist, Blue River Promotions (NY)
New Orleans Record Press (New Orleans, LA)
Noelle Hampton, musician (Austin, TX)
Patrick Conway, recording and mixing engineer (Austin, TX)
Peter Stopschinski, musician (Austin, TX)
Rich Brotherton, musician and recording engineer (Austin, TX)
Steve Schwelling, musician (Austin, TX)
Under Pressure Screen Printing (Austin, TX)
Vanessa Lively, graphic designer (Austin, TX)
Warren Hood, musician (Austin, TX)

My project isn't very big. I don't have impressive budgets by traditional record label standards. But I get to work with incredibly talented people whose contributions have influenced my life and this work immeasurably. Knowing this album contributed even a little bit back to all these people in our creative community feels really cool.

Let's keep working to make sure all boats rise with the tide.

Visit me at www.erinivey.com for the whole deal.

What are songs worth?

2020-12-23T17:03:00.011-05:00

Speaking at a music conference in Austin several years ago, Teresa LaBarbera challenged us to “please change the industry. It is ripe for changing.”

Ben Sisario’s article in last Sunday’s NYT spotlights an important challenge to the status quo in music publishing and hopefully signals a shift coming in the larger industry.

So much of this article moved me.

First, look at the numbers of songs in these songwriters’ catalogs:

814 by RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan
917 Barry Manilow
1068 by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics

That’s just the published songs. In Manilow’s case, just the ones that have been recorded.

In 2003, Dolly Parton estimated she penned over 3000 songs since she was 7 years old. I did some not-fancy math and that’s 60 songs a year.

SIXTY SONGS A YEAR!

Who feels like a slacker now? <looks around, raises hand>

2) I love the allergic reaction and seeming disdain of other giant publishers who are belittling this idea that perhaps songwriters’ work is chronically undervalued. They hate that their competitor is “driving up prices.”

No shit.

Kudos to Merck Mercuraidis and Hipgnosis Songs Fund for making real moves to “change where the songwriter sits in the economic equation.” Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is good business to appropriately value your holdings.

3) The market is illustrating that the value of the power of music is intransient. Sisario writes, “a confluence of factors, including low interest rates and high stock prices, has made music royalties appealing to institutional investors like pension funds and university endowments, which tend to favor safe and steady growth.”

WHAT!??

I’ve long been astonished at the disconnect between the music business and the real world. My corporate and tech buddies are confounded by longstanding common practices in the music industry and the extent to which the value of creators' rights is minimized.

Let’s get some light in here!

The music industry is starved for forward-thinking business minds who value music properly. The commoditizing forces of traditional publishing houses, record labels, and modern streaming services have institutionalized the exploitation of music creators.

Seems like Mercuraidis and Hipgnosis are trying to reconstruct the foundation. Hard to do with such a heavy building on top, but I hope they do.

Since seeing her speak many years ago, I now sit with Teresa LaBarbera on the Board of Governors of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy (of the GRAMMYs, GRAMMY Museum, MusiCares, etc.). It’s an honor and a refreshing example of an organization working hard to protect creators.

She was right, the industry is ripe for changing. This is good news.

If you're curious how you can help independent artists, I've got some ideas for you! Check out my post On Streaming - And How to Really Support Musicians We Love.

Visit me at www.erinivey.com for the whole deal.

Fall creativity workshops

2020-11-15T14:34:00.006-05:00

After speaking at the INBOUND 2020 conference earlier this year, I thought it would be cool to do something like that in a smaller group setting. I especially wanted to explore using the tools of singing and songwriting for general wellness and self-care, to finish the year with more joy and clarity.

The first workshop sold out quickly and there are currently a few seats left for the second workshop, on Saturday November 21 from 11am-3pm CST on Zoom.

We'll cover the basics of songwriting with a focus on navigating your inner landscape to bring out signs you can follow like your own north star.

No experience necessary. There is something in this workshop for everyone, whether or not you're a writer or musician.

Click here for more details and to register. I'm excited to explore with you!

Choose music

2020-04-03T14:42:00.004-05:00

Today, we learned of the passing of Bill Withers. Like many of you, his music has been a huge part of my life.

Music bookmarks our lives.

What you listen to now will forever remind you of this time.

Choose thoughtfully or choose with abandon. Music will meet you wherever you are, however you are, with open arms.

Love to all,

Erin

Top 20!

2019-12-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

Y'all! Texas Music Magazine named Broken Gold one of their 20 noteworthy albums of the past 20 years!!

Right there alongside Erykah Badu, Spoon, Hayes Carll, Lee Ann Womack, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves... Oh my!

This is an amazing honor and a testament to the talent and hard work of EVERYONE involved with the album, including, but not limited to Brian H Conway (producer), Rolf Ordahl (organ), Ross Alexander Graffman (bass), J.J. Johnson (drums), James Stevens and Stephen Doster at EAR Studio, and Emile Kelman (mixing engineer).

Break out the bubbly! This is a Christmas miracle.

Everything Conveys

2019-08-02T11:19:00.001-05:00

I spend nights creeping through cottages made of clapboard wood and railroad nails. Small labyrinthine rooms with threadbare rugs. Oil lamps converted to electric far too late.

No telephones.

Yellowed magazines with smiling girls on water skis. LIFE! Snowshoes hanging on the wall, just decoration now. Wooden tennis racquets in closets under the stairs.

Foundation work
New roof
Water heater, not too old
Clawfoot tub
Room for the grandchildren!
Stone fireplace, working order
Everything conveys

Everything.

The Moon Became a Singer

2019-01-17T22:09:00.000-05:00

I squared my feet

I opened my mouth

I drank in the moonlight

In a halo of clouds

The moon became a singer

Waxing gibbous

87% full

15° Gemini 34'

New single - "A World Begun"

2018-11-07T12:22:00.001-05:00

I was looking for a song. Something "spiritually alive and therefore transformational," as Ekhart Tolle put it. When I heard Billy Crockett play "A World Begun" the day he wrote it, I knew instantly THIS was the song I had been looking for.

Billy allowed me to be the first to record it. He played guitar and we tracked the song together at Blue Rock Studio in Texas. Rachael Fox-Evans created the original linocut album art by hand in France. It's international y'all!

I hope this song will become part of your holiday traditions and new year's meditations. Stream it on Spotify or get it on iTunes or Bandcamp. Add it to your playlists. Light a candle and enjoy a quiet moment of peace.

Women in Music podcast

2018-02-19T23:31:00.001-05:00

My friend gfire has started a great new podcast and I was honored to be interviewee numero dos. Have a listen to it here!

'Wild Bird' links and lyrics

2017-02-28T10:45:00.000-05:00

TODAY IS THE DAY! Here are the links to download 'Wild Bird' the theme song from Andrew Shapter's film The Teller and the Truth:

- Click here to get it from iTunes

- Click here to get it from Amazon

Lyrics

Tracing the lines
You asked me to know
They never felt like mine
Like a step out of time

Wearing this place
Here in this world
Like a secondhand face
That the years will erase

Oh water, my canyon, my wild bird
My river, my secret, my final word
And if ever they can find us
We'll ask forgiveness then

'Wild Bird' movie theme song and video release

2017-02-22T13:29:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone! I am really excited to finally be releasing this single with my collaborator Carl Thiel. The official release date is February 28, so stay tuned for all the links and video.

xoxo
Erin

Acclaimed composer teams with "queen of Austin songwriters" for soaring movie theme

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 16, 2017) – Producer/composer Carl Thiel and singer/songwriter Erin Ivey are excited to announce the release of their new song ‘Wild Bird’ – the theme to Andrew Shapter’s film The Teller and the Truth.

Eagerly anticipated by fans of the film, ‘Wild Bird’ has been unavailable to the public until now. The song will be on iTunes and Amazon on February 28, 2017, along with the entire instrumental soundtrack. A music video for the single will be streaming on YouTube and Vimeo the same day.

Inspired by the heroine’s journey through The Teller and the Truth, ‘Wild Bird’ is built on the emotional and musical themes in the film. Director Andrew Shapter notes, “the music in The Teller and the Truth is a central character. Since the lead characters have no dialog, the music speaks for them.“

"The imagery is beautiful and the story is so mysterious,” says singer Erin Ivey, “I wanted to capture what it feels like to walk around your hometown when you are about to leave it forever.”

Composer Carl Thiel remembers, "On our very first meeting, I played Erin the themes I had composed for the film. A few days later she came back with these magical lyrics that perfectly captured the essence of the story. Her voice gave the song a unique and timeless signature. Once I heard it, I couldn't imagine it any other way.”

The new recording features strong performances from Chris Maresh on bass, Brannen Temple on drums, and Tosca String Quartet, along with Carl Thiel on piano and guitars, and Erin Ivey’s quixotic vocals.

Of the video, renowned Designer/Art Director DJ Stout (Pentagram) says, “That short piece of film was one of the most moving, beautiful things I’ve seen in a long time. Erin’s voice is so hauntingly gorgeous and the film footage by Andrew Shapter is so well crafted. The whole thing is like a lovely dream.”

“The viewer is given a glimpse into a world of love and hidden motives,” says actress/singer Kristin Astourian. “There’s a feeling like you’re watching private scenes that you shouldn’t have access to. The ethereal quality of the vocals and melody heighten the haunting quality of the story.”

Anita Pluymen (Mia Chocolates) called the music “Stunning. Beautiful. It continues to haunt long after the last note fades.”

Carl Thiel and Erin Ivey attend the Austin Film Festival premiere of The Teller and the Truth.

About the Artists

Carl Thiel is a Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist and four-time ASCAP Film & TV Award winner who is well known for his work with Robert Rodriguez. In addition, he has collaborated with Sandra Bullock, Willie Nelson, John Debney, Bob Schneider, Billy Gibbons, Eric Johnson, Grupo Fantasma, Ray Benson, Andrés Levin, Selena, Stephen Barber, Joe Ely, Stephen Bruton, Del Castillo, Los Lonely Boys, Patricia Vonne, Andrew Shapter, Monte Montgomery, Trevor Romain, Powerhouse Animation and many more. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy.

Erin Ivey is “a songwriter of the first order” (Daily News) with a “rare and deeply affecting voice” (KUTX). Her releases have garnered numberous Top 10 and Album of the Year recognitions, along with the Discoveries Songwriting Contest Grand Prize, an inaugural Black Fret artist grant, selection as a Texas Music Magazine Artist of the Year, and performer on the GRAMMY Festival at Sea with Heart and Emmylou Harris. Erin has performed hundreds of shows around the world in a diverse arrangement of solo and band scenarios and as a regular Critics’ Pick at SXSW. She is a voting member of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy.

Thank you for listening!

Well Aware Advisory Council

2016-05-15T14:20:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled and honored to join the Advisory Council for Well Aware, an organization which provides innovative and sustainable solutions to water scarcity and contamination in Africa. They fund and implement life-saving water systems to drive economic development and build self-sufficient communities.

Please consider joining me in supporting their mission. Let's work together to make clean water accessible to ALL.

Read the press announcement.

Learn about Well Aware.

"Lost Girl" video from sold out show

2016-04-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Long Center show last month. What a beautiful night to debut so many new songs! Noelle Hampton captured this video of "Lost Girl" - a song inspired by Hamilton Pool, one of my favorite Central Texas swimming holes. Close your eyes and you'll be there.

Love's Inventory

2015-10-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a new song for you and your sweetest!

Love's Inventory

The lyrics are by the brilliant poet Pamela Harrison, a true inspiration. I set her poem to music and was fortunate to record it with two of the most talented musicians alive – Michael Ramos and Alex Marrero.

“All the hidden things you never think to tell…”

Enjoy!

All Saints

2015-10-16T23:11:00.003-05:00

Many thanks to all you beautiful people who came and filled All Saints Church with your good vibes on Thursday night. We had a beautiful night and I feel so lucky to have shared it with you.

Bob Blakley posted his wonderful pics here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/blakley/sets/72157657577277184

Sure can't wait to sing for you again. xoxo --Erin

The Teller and the Truth

2015-09-28T08:11:00.000-05:00

Life is full of ups and downs, but it seems that one thing leads to another and the joys outweigh the sacrifices at every turn.

A lonely 6-week writing retreat in Michigan turned into the album Broken Gold, recorded with the amazing R&B/dub organ trio The Finest Kind.

Broken Gold found its way to filmmaker Andrew Shapter, who used parts of the album in teasers for and final cut of his forthcoming movie, The Teller and the Truth.

Carl Thiel (whose composition and production work I have long admired) was composing the soundtrack to the movie, so Andrew suggested we work together on a Theme Song. (Pinch me now!)

We created a song called "Wild Bird" based on the musical and emotional themes in the film and I am so proud of how it turned out.

Working with all of these talented, driven, and whole-hearted people of vision has enriched and inspired my life.

The Teller and the Truth is premiering at the Austin Film Festival in November. I hope you will check it out and be inspired to follow your own vision with boldness.

Further reading: What to Watch for at Austin Film Festival 2015

E R I N I V E Y

Lobectomy Notes Part III - Recovering from Lung Surgery

Recovering from Lung Surgery

Lobectomy Notes Part II - In the Hospital

In the Hospital

Lobectomy Notes Part I - Preparing for Lung Surgery

Before Surgery: What Helped Me Prepare

Nutrition & Physical Prep

Emotional & Logistical Support

Appointments & Planning

Other Random Things

Band show at KMFA Studios

It's not dead air; it's an Eklektikos breeze

FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS Episode 2: The Balance King

FURIOUS//LUXURIOUS Episode 1: Lynae Cook

Keep your guitar from cracking!

LUTHIER'S ADVICE

On streaming

Creative Community

What are songs worth?

Fall creativity workshops

Choose music

Top 20!

Everything Conveys

The Moon Became a Singer

New single - "A World Begun"

Women in Music podcast

'Wild Bird' links and lyrics

Lyrics

'Wild Bird' movie theme song and video release

CARL THIEL & ERIN IVEY RELEASE NEW SONG 'WILD BIRD' ONLINE FEB 28

Acclaimed composer teams with "queen of Austin songwriters" for soaring movie theme

About the Artists

Thank you for listening!

Well Aware Advisory Council

"Lost Girl" video from sold out show

Love's Inventory

All Saints

The Teller and the Truth