Rusty McCall Benefit February-March, 2009 Cowboy Poetry at the BAR-D Ranch www.CowboyPoetry.com

first posts: February-March, 2009

Post-surgery updates below

February 17, 2009, by Lori Faith Merritt, www.photographybyfaith.com
more photographs below
Rusty McCall

Friends,

Popular poet and reciter Rusty McCall—who has faced multiple surgeries, radiation, and ongoing treatment for his serious neurofibromatosis condition—had major brain surgery on March 5, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (See updates below.)

Rusty made his first appearance at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering at age 3, in 1989. He has performed there many times since, sometimes along with other the other poets and reciters in his ranching family, including his parents, Dave and Deanna McCall, and his sisters Terri and Katie. Read a recent article about Rusty, "One Very Brave Idaho Cowboy Poet," in Idaho's Times News, which tells more about Rusty's experience and health challenges.

photo by Paulette Tcherkassky
Bimbo Cheney and Deanna, Dave, and Rusty McCall, Prescott, 2007

The information below was about a benefit that ended March 31, 2009:

To help offset the many expenses of care and treatment for Rusty's condition, a "stay-at-home" benefit (read about that below) and associated fund has been created.

Texas writer and poet Linda Kirkpatrick has agreed to collect donations. Those donations will be pooled, and then sent to Rusty, along with the names of those who have donated (except those who prefer to remain anonymous). All donations, of any value, can make a difference.

Individual amounts will not be recorded or transmitted, and those who wish to remain anonymous to the McCalls may request that. Only Linda will have the detailed information, which she will keep confidential, even from the rest of those involved with the benefit. Linda has generously offered this service in previous benefits, which have been accomplished with quiet success and sensitive confidentiality.

If you'd like to contribute in the way described above, you can send a check or money order [information removed after March 31, 2009]

You can also donate directly and/or write to Rusty and the McCalls:

PO BOX 376
Timberon, NM 88350-0376

If you'd like to pass this link to your friends, the address of this benefit page is: http://www.cowboypoetry.com/mccalls.htm.

Thanks for keeping Rusty and the family in your thoughts and prayers and for spreading the word.

Updates:

Most recent update:

UPDATE 2/16/10:

There's no better indication of Rusty McCall's progress that seeing him horseback, the first time in a year, in this photo taken February 14, 2010:

In recognition of Rusty's indomitable spirit, the 2010 Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering is dedicated to Rusty McCall "for his courage and perseverance in spite of his medical problems to carry on the oral tradition of the cowboy."

UPDATE 1/25/10:

Deanna McCall sends a positive report about Rusty's progress: "The radiologists say it looks like the center of Rusty's most dangerous tumors appear to be dying. His hearing continues to improve and he can almost use the phone by rigging it up with amplifier and hearing aid. And, we got the majority of treatments moved to Las Cruces."

September 16, 2009: Deanna McCall reports that Rusty has decided to enter a drug trial with the hope of treating his inoperable tumors, which press on his brain stem. Deanna says that the first few treatments will be in Albuquerque, and that they hope eventually the treatments can be done in Las Cruces. The drug is given intravenously for 30 minutes every other week. She writes, "It has shown some promising results, so we are hopeful."

Arizona photographer Lori Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com) has photographs and an interview with Rusty, titled "Rusty McCall: Punchin’ Cows instead of Clocks" here on her blog at www.lorifaithmerritt.com.

Previous updates:

March 5, 2009: Deanna McCall writes, after Rusty's March 5 surgery:

Just a note to let you know Rusty was operated on for 8 hours and is now recovering. He will experience temporary deafness for a period of a few days to 6 weeks due to fluid in the ear. Please continue your prayers as this is a critical time. Our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless all of you!
Dee, Dave & Family

March 9, 2009: Rusty continues to recover after the surgery, and they expect he will remain hospitalized for several more days.

March 13, 2009: Rusty is at home. The family and doctors agreed that he could continue his recovery at home, and when the brain swelling has lessened, he will have outpatient therapy. Deanna says that at the news he was going home, Rusty " lit up like a lamp." He is weak and cannot walk unassisted, and he faces a long recovery and rehabilitation. The McCalls are grateful to all whose friendship and caring have helped Rusty and the family through this difficult time.

March 24, 2009: Rusty is continuing to improve, and has started rehabilitation in Ruidoso. April 7, 2009: Rusty is slowly improving, bound and determined to be walking alone in a week. He received therapy in Ruidoso and receives daily therapy at home. He'll see his doctors again on April 15. His hearing may be returning. Deanna McCall says, "That is a daily prayer for me, to heal his hearing."

April 17, 2009: Deanna McCall reports from Albuquerque, where Rusty is having post-operative appointments: The doctors say it may take another 1 to 2 months for things to return to a pre-surgery state, or close to it. Rusty is doing better, he can stand unassisted and alone for a couple of minutes, and is working on being able to use the walker unassisted. It doesn't sound like much, but, it is actually a lot of progress, He is also hearing more, not enough to understand yet, but is hearing more sounds. All great things...

February 2009 photographs and caption by Lori Faith Merritt, www.photographybyfaith.com
Rusty McCall in Alpine, Texas at the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering (February, 2009).
From left to right: Rusty with very good friend Gail Steiger, in day sessions, and on the main stage Saturday night.

Award-winning deejays Andy Nelson and Jim Nelson of the popular syndicated Clear Out West (C.O.W.) Radio show created a special "stay-at-home" benefit show for Rusty McCall.

The show aired live during the week of March 2, 2009, broadcast on many radio stations. It was featured on the web the week of March 9, 2009.

The special show created by the "C.O.W. boys" included some of Rusty's favorite Western music and cowboy poetry, with selections by Dan Roberts (www.oldbootsmusic.com), Chris Isaacs (www.chrisisaacs.com), Dave Stamey (www.davestamey.com), Ross Knox, Mike Beck (www.mikebeck.com), Gail Steiger, Joel Nelson, and Deanna McCall.

The playlist includes:

Dan Roberts' "Cowhand.com"
Chris Isaacs, "The Eyes Have It" (poem)
Dave Stamey, "Someone Needs to Go Back Home"
Ross Knox, "The D2 Horse Wrangler" (poem by DJ O'Malley)
Mike Beck, "Rock and Roll Cowgirl"
Deanna McCall, "Advice" (poem)
Joel Nelson, "Sundown in the Cow Camp" (poem)
Gail Steiger, "Riding on the Wind"

Show co-hosts Andy and Jim write:

We have been introduced to a new concept of helping those around us and we would like to share it with you. We all at some point in our lives deal with tragedy and adversity and the major factor that pulls us through is good family and good friends. Thus began the Stay-at Home Benefit event and this is how it works: The C.O.W. boys have recorded a special radio show including top-shelf Western musicians and poets and you, the listener, can stay at home and enjoy the wonderful entertainment. The money you would have normally spent on tickets, travel, food and lodging is now available to donate to the folks who need it most at this time.

Photos by Lori Faith Merritt

Lori Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com) traveled to New Mexico to photograph Rusty McCall (and his parents, Deanna and David) in 'Heart Sessions,' February 16th and 17th, 2009.

February, 2009, by Lori Faith Merritt, www.photographybyfaith.com

February, 2009, by Lori Faith Merritt, www.photographybyfaith.com

February, 2009, by Lori Faith Merritt, www.photographybyfaith.com

Lori Faith Merritt comments, "The 'Heart Sessions' I do are for people or animals who I feel it is important to photograph and whose lives have touched me, and these sessions are donated."

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