June 21 - 27, 2023

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Arts & Entertainment Event highlights of the week!

SportsWise

The SportsWise Team discusses NASCAR's downtown takeover.

HealthWise

Dr. Marina Claudio of Molina Healthcare shares tips to avoid the misery caused by allergies.

Cover Story: Tina Turner

Tina Turner is famous as an enduring rock star, but her life is instructive in so many ways. She was a domestic violence survivor who forged her own unique image, and achieved even greater success in the process. She ignored – and then endured -- kidney disease and wrote about it shortly before her death to inspire others. Spiritually, she combined the Baptist teachings of her childhood with the peace she found from Buddhism in her later years.

The Playground

ON

Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher dhamilton@streetwise.org

Suzanne Hanney, Editor-In-Chief suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Amanda Jones, Director of programs ajones@streetwise.org

Julie Youngquist, Executive director jyoungquist@streetwise.org

Ph: 773-334-6600

Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616

THE COVER: Tina Turner in a promotional photo for her tour in 2008 (Andrew MacPherson photo / courtesy of BMG). THIS PAGE: Fans decorate Tina Turner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after her death on May 24 (Chris Pizzello photo). DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Compiled by Kyra Walker

Celebrate a Legend!

Ida B. Wells Festival

Celebrate Bronzeville at the 2nd annual Ida B. Wells Festival Saturday, June 24. Kick off the festivities 9-10 a.m., with a morning meditation and healing ritual led by Sylvia Ewing. Please provide your own folding chair or blanket, and drink. Meet at the Ida B. Wells National Monument, located at 3729 S. Langley Ave. From 10-11:30 a.m., join Bernard C. Turner on a walking tour of the Bronzeville Ida B. Wells sites. Meet Bernard near Sixth-Grace Presbyterian Church on 35th and Cottage Grove. The tour ends at the Ida B. Wells National Monument. Keep the fun going with a family-fun event from noon to 3 p.m. There will be performances, dancing, food, drinks and more at the Ida B. Wells Preparatory Academy, 249 E. 37th St. There will also be a film screening and discussion led by Rana Segal and Richard Hunt from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The screening will take place at Northeastern Illinois University Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd. FREE, but reserve your spot at Eventbrite.com

Free Ballet!

Joffrey For All

The Joffrey Ballet presents the first-of-its-kind, free-to-the-public Joffrey for All Celebration, featuring performances by Joffrey company artists, the Joffrey Academy of Dance, and students from the Joffrey Community Engagement programs. The mixed rep program offers the opportunity for Chicagoans to revisit, or experience for the first time, some of the most notable works in Joffrey’s canon, showcasing a range of styles captivating to audiences of all ages and featuring live music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Scott Speck, music director of The Joffrey Ballet. Sunday, June 25, 5:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. FREE.

The Sound of Chicago!

Make Music Chicago: Brian McGrath

Chicago native Brian McGrath will perform original folk and Americana music at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 21 on the 8th floor of the the Harold Washington Library Center as part of Make Music Chicago. The event is meant to bring Chicagoans together to make music no matter their age, musical preference or ability. Age 18+. No registration or tickets required, but masks are strongly urged in the library.

On The Move - Chicago Dance Month Event

On the Move!

On The Move is a wandering, two-part series of dance and movement performances. From 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, June 27, audiences can make their way around Promontory Point Park, 5491 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, with a map to discover different performances. The lineup includes a variety of dance genres with Hot Crowd, Wildest Productions, Darvin Dancers, and more. Reserve your spot at eventbrite.com

Lakefront Celebration!

Navy Pier Pride

Celebrate Pride month at Navy Pier June 24. Navy Pier will encourage divesity, inclusivity, and support, with performances by LBGTQIA performance groups, live music, educational programs, resources from community partners, and so much more. The festival will be 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. at 600 E. Grand Ave. FREE admission, no registration required.

A Music Showcase!

'A Film Called Black'

Join Cam Be and Neak as they showcase their virtual, "A Film Called Black," followed by a panel discussion. This isn't the typical film you'd see in theatres. It's full of muisc, including historical gospel, jazz, soul, hip-hop and funk. There will also be a live performance. The film and live performance will be 7-11 p.m. Friday, June 23 at the Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Blvd. FREE, but RSVP at eventbrite.com

One for You, One for Me!

Lit Book Swap

Meet new people and discuss the books you love. Swap books you'd be willing to part with in exchange for something new. If you'd like to swap more than one book, go ahead! Books must be wrapped beforehand so the cover isn't visible, with three words of quick description on the wrapping. The event is an LGBTQIA+ support, but friends are welcome. Masks are encouraged and full vaccinations required. The swap will be 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, 2051 N. California Ave. FREE, but reserve your spot on Eventbrite. com

Unleash Your Creativity!

Hyde Park Sketch Club

Connect with other artists and build the habit of putting your work in your sketchbook. Artists at all skill levels are welcome to this 1 p.m. June 24 event at 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. This is a club that meets weekly, so whether you want to just stop by for one visit, or want to become a member of an art club, this is the place. The event is free, but artists must supply their own media. Register at Eventbrite.com

Spill the Tea!

Hear My Story: An Evening With Chicago Drag Performers

As Pride Month comes to a climax, hear the stories from the LGBTQ+ community. Speakers include drag performers Jakki Love (pictured), Starr Stallion and Allegra Dee Love, followed by a lively performance. They will tell “Why I do drag.” Join them as they stand against discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community, and its performers. The public is welcome and tickets are free. The event will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. RSVP on eventbrite.com

Symphony of Life!

Concert For Chicago

Join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as it closes out the 2022-2023 season with the Concert for Chicago, 6:30-7:45 p.m. June 27 at Millennium Park, 201 W. Randolph St. Listen to performances of the Andante moderato, composed by Chicago's very own Florence Price; and Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. All ages welcome. FREE.

nascar's heat upon us!

Patrick: Well, fellas, NASCAR is almost here. I’m not necessarily looking forward to the traffic snarls I expect, but I am excited for it.

Russ: What’s the big deal about NASCAR coming here? Chicago will be on center stage, which is great for the city. Especially considering the sports teams here are not doing so good. So, hey, bring on NASCAR. If nothing else, it’ll be great for magazine sales.

Donald: You’re absolutely right. It will be extra-great for magazine sales, and for all of us.

Russ: Working in the Loop doesn’t hurt anything either. Now, I know everyone’s not interested in this sport or the event, but, you know, you can’t please everybody. We’ve been treated well. We had the NBA Draft, the NFL Draft and, now, NASCAR. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m all in and definitely looking forward to this huge event.

John: It does sound very interesting. That said, I do have mixed views on the topic. First off, it’s scheduled to be on July 1 & 2, so that, in and of itself, could be a problem so close to the Fourth of July.

Donald: Yeah, that’ll definitely be a problem. No way around it either.

John: From an economic standpoint, it’s a shot in the arm for Chicago. And we really need it, too. Chicago—

downtown Chicago more so—hasn’t recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrick: I’m with you, John. I mean, it’s not necessarily my thing, but I know it is for others. And the economic benefit will be awesome. Can’t imagine the total earnings from just the refreshment sales. Also, I can’t wait to see an aerial shot of the scene.

John: The other thing about this is that despite the potential economic uptick, traffic is going to be a nightmare—especially with it being a holiday weekend.

Patrick: What do you think could’ve been done differently to make this better at least in regard to traffic?

John: Joliet. Or perhaps just a different venue in Chicago—and not anywhere near downtown Chicago.

Russ: Traffic will be a mess.

However, I will be out there somewhere! I love all sports, so I can’t wait to get close and personal. Now, I believe the only downfall to all of this is the litter and mess. I mean, I guess it can’t be any worse than the Taste of Chicago.

Donald: If I were to go, I might be going more for the surrounding entertainment than for the actual races. There’s a 2-day concert, driver autographs and Q&A sessions, interactive displays, and tons more.

Patrick: I just Googled, Don, and see that on July 1, The Chainsmokers and The Black Crowes will perform, and on July 2, Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett. Also, the packages’ prices are real. General Admission starts at $269. Pit Road Terrace package has an open-air deck with great views of Pit Road and the Start/Finish line, and the price is $1,265. Reserved Seats’ package purchaser at

$465 will enjoy the races from the comfort of a flip-down seat with an amazing view. Last, Clubs & Suites’ package includes premium food & beverages, lounges and more.

Donald: All right, so now that I think about it, perhaps I won’t attend this event.

All: (Laughter)

Patrick: All right, fellas, any last words?

John: Our bad traffic will be multiplied by 5 for this. Headache.

Donald: This could be good for Chicago’s future.

Russ: While this could get messy, it can’t be much worse than The Taste, so, Chicago, quit crying and enjoy!

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org The first 5 responders will receive an item from the StreetWise swag box!

Rashanah Baldwin

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Don't let allergies slow you down

Spring is a wonderful time of year, when the weather gets warmer, flowers bloom, and birds chirp. However, for a lot of people, it also signals the beginning of allergy season. Allergies can cause many different symptoms like sneezing, itching, and congestion. This can be frustrating to deal with. But why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

Allergies occur when our immune system reacts to substances that it considers harmful. These are known as allergens. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. When we come into contact with these allergens, our immune system produces antibodies to fight them off. These antibodies cause the release of a chemical called histamine. Histamines can cause allergy symptoms.

This year's allergy season is expected to be bad because of the warm winter we had. A mild winter can cause plants to start producing pollen earlier than usual. This can make allergy symptoms start sooner and last longer.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from allergies this spring:

1.Monitor the pollen count: Keep an eye on the pollen count in your area by checking weather reports or using an allergy app. When the pollen count is high, try to stay indoors as much as possible.

2.Take allergy medicine: There are many over-the-counter allergy medicines that can help with symptoms like sneezing and itching. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find the right medication for you.

3.Keep your home clean: Dust and vacuum regularly to get rid of allergens like dust mites and pet dander. Wash your bedding in hot water once a week and use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mat tresses.

4.Wear a mask: If you have to be outside on a high-pollen day, wearing a mask can help filter out some of the allergens.

5.Consider allergy shots: If your allergy symptoms are severe and affect your daily life, your doctor may suggest allergy shots. Allergy shots are injections of tiny amounts of allergens over time. This can help your body build up a tolerance to allergens.

Remember, allergies can be annoying, but they are not dangerous. By taking some simple steps, you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather without all the sneezing and sniffling!

Dr. Marina Claudio is a board-certified family physician who has been in practice since 2003. She is currently a Medical Director at Molina Healthcare of Illinois/Wisconsin. She's a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the UIC/Advocate Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Residency Program.

by Dr. Marina Claudio

Vendor A. Allen shares the memory of a lifetime: Meeting Tina Turner

by A. Allen

One bright, carefree, ordinary sunny afternoon, not a cloud on the horizon, I was home for lunch from Katharine Lee Bates elementary school, which was about 1 1/2 blocks away. When I came home for lunch, I would always watch Bozo’s Circus, which ran from noon to 1 p.m. When the show was about to end, I knew it was time to go back to school.

It was just about that time, when I looked out our window at 1339 W. 109th St., I noticed a long, white limousine in front of our neighbor’s house at 1335 W. 109th St., Mrs. Grandberry was one of the nicest neighbors you could ever have. She was like a second mother to me. As I looked outside, I also saw someone going inside her house.

I said to myself, “No one rides in a car like that unless they are rich or famous.”

So, curiosity rose up and stirred me so that I immediately ran out the door to my neighbor’s, to see who was traveling in the big white limousine.

Before I knew it, I was at the door, trying to differentiate the noise I heard coming from within the Grandberry house. There was crying and yelling. I distinctly heard a lady’s voice say, “Anna, I can’t take it anymore. This man constantly hittin’ on me!” I didn’t want to continue eavesdropping, so I mustered up the courage to knock on the door. I could still hear the crying and commotion, so I had to knock harder and harder.

Finally, Mrs. Grandberry said, “who is it?” I responded, “It’s me. Your neighbor, Allen. Could I please talk to you for a minute?”

Suddenly, the crying, confusion and tumult stopped. She said, “Just a minute.”

Then, the door finally opened and she said, calmly, “Come in.” Once inside, I saw no one but her. I anxiously asked her, “Whose car is that—the white limousine?”

About that time, a tall, slender, beautiful Black lady came from the back. She was wiping tears from her eyes.

She opened her arms and said, “who is this handsome young fellow?”

Mrs. Grandberry introduced me as her neighbor and told me the lady was Tina Turner. “But her real name is Anna Bullock. We have the same first name.”

Next thing I knew, Tina was taking me by the hand and lifting me onto her lap. She kissed me on the jaw and asked if I knew who she was. It seemed to calm her down.

She asked if I liked music. I told her yes.

She asked if I heard of Ike and Tina Turner. I said, “that sounds a little familiar.” (Later, I learned about Ike’s abuse.)

And then she began to sing, “Nutbush City Limits.”

Left: A. Allen and his mother.

Center: The cover of Nutbush City Limits. Right: Tina Turner in MiamiDade County, March 1970 (Al Kaplan photo).

“I wrote that,” she said.

Then she began to sing another tune, “Proud Mary.”

I was puzzled now. As much as I wanted to say, yes, I recognized it, I said, “not really.”

Then, Mrs. Grandberry stepped in and said they were both from the same Tennessee town – Nutbush.

They grew up together and had been keeping in touch. Tina began to tell Mrs. Grandberry she couldn’t take it anymore.

Mrs. Grandberry responded, “But he’s your husband. Get you another room.”

“I would, but he will find me,” Tina said.

Tina actually asked me why I wasn’t in school It reminded me I was already late. I ran back to school excited. I told everyone I had met Tina Turner. Most of my friends didn’t know who she was, but my teachers did.

I feel so blessed to have met Tina Turner. May her soul rest in peace.

EARLY YEARS

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an eight-time Grammy Award winner, Tina Turner was born Nov. 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tenn., the youngest daughter of a family of sharecroppers. At age 10, she and her older sister were sent to live with their grandparents in Nutbush, and in 1956, they moved to St. Louis to live with their estranged mother. That same year, Turner was introduced to guitarist Ike Turner and his band, Kings of Rhythm, in an East St. Louis nightclub after spontaneously singing with them. She joined the group the next year and adopted the stage name Tina in 1960.

Married in 1962, Ike and Tina Turner became successful crossover artists. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue began attracting non-Black fans in 1966 when the Rolling Stones invited them to open for them on their 1966 British tour and then their 1969 U.S. tour. “Proud Mary,” Tina's version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song won the Revue a Grammy (her first) for best R&B vocal performance by a group in 1971.

A ROLE MODEL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. . .

Behind the scenes, Ike was abusive to Tina. In 1976, she walked out on him in Dallas, with just 36 cents and a Mobil gasoline card to her name, according to The New York Times. She and Ike had opened for the Rolling Stones and she embarked on a solo career in Europe with the help of David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart. In 1979, she signed with Roger Davies, Olivia Newton-John’s manager, who guided her back to the gritty, hard-rock style that had made her a crossover star. The rebranding worked. In 1982, she was invited to record The Temptations’ 1970 hit, “Ball of Confusion,” which led to a remake of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Her pivotal “Private Dancer” followed in 1984 with the hit single, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” which won three Grammys in 1985 and sold 25 million copies worldwide.

She accentuated her rock persona with movie roles: as the Acid Queen in Ken Russell’s version of “Tommy,” the rock opera; and as Aunty Entity, the powerful ruler of a post-apocalyptic town in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” which provided two more hit singles, “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” and “One of the Living,” named best female rock vocal performance at the 1986 Grammys.

In the mid-1980s, she had met German music executive Erwin Bach when he was sent to meet her at the airport and in 2013, she married him. It was the first time she ever felt loved, she was later quoted on NPR. She moved with Bach to Kusnacht, Switzerland, (near Zurich) and became a Swiss citizen.

Turner’s marriage provided much of the material for the 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” with Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne portraying Ike and Tina Turner. Tina also recorded some of her hits, but explained at the Venice Film Festival that she hadn’t watched the movie. “The story was actually written, so that I would no longer have to discuss the issue,” she said. “I don’t love that it’s always talked about…this constant reminder.” Talking about tough times in her life could cause her to relive them – like a soldier with PTSD, Bach said.

an immense with a voice and unites music

by Freya Jarman

On a few rare occasions (often at the end of a night), I’ve confided to my friends that Tina Turner was one of my biggest celebrity crushes. The revelation has usually been met with some surprise, and not unreasonably. Born in 1939, Tina was older than my mother and nearly 40 years older than me.

But to me, she was a complete goddess from the moment I first encountered her. I vividly recall a white button-down shirt and figurehugging blue jeans (probably the Foreign Affair tour of 1990) and an awakening of teenage desire.

Turner has died aged 83. Reflecting now on her 50-year-long career, I can see the threads that made her the perfect icon for the young queer feminist I was in the early 90s. She was a strong and resilient woman who escaped the control of abusive men and went on to forge a stronger solo career afterwards.

But her music also pushed boundaries of genre in ways that start to defy categories of gender, race and age, thereby changing the way female performers could be thought of.

In 1967, Turner was both the first Black artist and woman to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone. She remains the only Black woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2013, she became the oldest person (at 73) to appear on the cover of Vogue.

Vocally, Turner was raised in the church, Spring Hill Baptist Church in Nutbush, Tenn., specifically. However, her voice was different from the others she came up alongside.

Unlike Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin or Diana Ross, Turner’s voice had a grit and a rasp, qualities that always added an unexpected edge to her early work. It was also a sound

Left: Press photo of Ike and Tina Turner taken in 1973 that was used for their appearance on The Midnight Special in February 1974. Right: Tina Turner on stage in 1987 (Gerard van Bree photo).

immense talent back catalogue that music lovers

that enabled her to move beyond soul and blues in her solo career.

A GENRE-FLUID SINGER

Turner’s first solo album (in 1974) was country, replete with steel guitars and talk of the bayou. The very next year, she performed the role of the Acid Queen in film of The Who’s psychedelic operetta fantasy, "Tommy." The role gave its name to an album featuring several notable rock covers by Turner, such as Led Zeppelin’s "Whole Lotta Love."

Famously, she escaped from an abusive relationship with her singing partner Ike Turner, securing the rights to her stage name to her comparative financial detriment in their divorce settlement in 1978. Ike exerted his dominance in plain sight,

slipping verbal threats of violence into a live performance of "I’ve Been Loving You Too Long" at a concert in Ghana (1971).

From the early 1980s, Turner made what has repeatedly been described as one of the most remarkable career comebacks of the century. The chart success of her cover of Al Green’s "Let’s Stay Together" (1983) came from left of field and the ensuing album, "Private Dancer" (1984) went platinum five times.

"Private Dancer" represented another musical turn, this time towards the electro-synth pop world inhabited by Heaven 17, whose Rupert Hine and Martyn Ware produced several of the songs.

The title song of the album exemplifies the narrative of Tina as a feminist powerhouse. Even 40 years on, the idea of a woman in her mid-40s singing a pop song about sex work is somewhat surprising.

It’s not just an allusion to sex work (like, for instance, Blondie’s "Call Me"). And it’s far from the many songs about female sex workers written and performed by men (take "Roxanne" by The Police or "Killer Queen" by Queen for instance).

"Private Dancer" is an explicit and unambiguous declaration of female desire and power in the first person. If anyone were in any doubt that Beyoncé owes a great deal to Turner’s trailblazing, her video for "Partition" is surely evidence, being a direct descendant of "Private Dancer" with its cage-dancing sex show.

Over her 14 solo albums, Turner developed a remarkable capacity to push through boundaries and exist between categories. Along the way, she also changed how a woman in popular music was positioned for consumption. This magic made her fans in all sorts of music listeners.

A MUSICAL UNITER

Turner’s musical agility allowed her to inhabit contradictory musical spaces simultaneously. For instance, there is the Tina Turner who makes regular appearances on the setlists of DJs at retro club nights, inspiring inebriated patrons to shake their tail feathers in unison.

There is an exuberance here that crosses times and identities to bring a crowd together in the ritual of “rolling on the river.” It’s a song that also invites all shades of drag performance to honor it.

Then there is the Tina Turner who appears – frequently as the only woman, and perhaps uniquely as a Black woman – on compilations targeted at a predominantly male audience.

The world of “dad rock” and “driving anthems” is a stronghold of largely white, male baby boomers. Think Robert Palmer, ZZ Top, The Jam and Whitesnake. There alongside them is Turner with songs like "The Best," "We Don’t Need Another Hero" and "Nutbush City Limits."

Tina Turner’s capacity to transcend these borders of genre, and with them, borders of race, age, and gender, is what made her the absolute legend that she was. To me, it will also always represent a hybridity that calls to my identity as a queer feminist.

Freya Jarman is a Reader in the Department of Music at the University of Liverpool. Courtesy of The Conversation.

SHARING HER SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

In her final years, Turner was at peace, according to her 2020 memoir, “Happiness Becomes You,” quoted by rollingstone.com. The book incorporated stories from her childhood in Nutbush, Tenn. as the daughter of a Baptist deacon, lessons from her six-decade music career and teachings from her practice of Buddhism.

It was a “long-cherished dream” to write the book, which Turner hoped would help readers recharge their souls.

“I offer you these insights so you’ll have the tools to overcome your own obstacles, even if your challenges seem as impossible as those I’ve faced,” she said in the book’s introduction. “Who would have expected any extraordinary outcome from a farm girl like me?”

Turner wrote that she had learned to find happiness in little things: running through a field or seeing a rainbow. The biggest lesson she had learned in life was to roll with the universe, and herself. “I learned to trust my intuition, which always seemed to know the way home when I was lost.”

An example for people with kidney disease

Tina Turner was not only a rock musician, she was a role model for people with kidney disease.

On World Kidney Day, this past March 9, Turner wrote that hypertension killed her kidneys on showyourkidneyslove.com, the website of the European Kidney Health Alliance. “I considered my body an invulnerable and indestructible bastion for way too long.”

Turner wound up needing first dialysis and then a donor kidney from her husband, Erwin Bach.

World Kidney Day is devoted to spreading the message that treatment for kidney failure, where a person requires dialysis or transplant, is so expensive that most people in developing nations don’t receive it. In the United States, treatment for kidney failure consumes 6.7% of the Medicare budget for just 1% of the covered population (https://www.kidney.org/ kidneydisease/global-facts-about-kidney-disease).

Turner had been suffering from hypertension for a long time before she was diagnosed in 1978, at age 38. “But I didn’t care much about it. I considered high blood pressure my normal.”

Seven years later, she was given onea-day, prescription high blood pressure pills, but she didn’t like the way they made her feel. “I remembered relishing life before I started taking them and wished I could be as clear-headed and energetic as I used to be.” She embraced alternative therapy in France.

She didn’t tell her conventional doctor, and she eagerly awaited her next routine checkup, to see if her blood pressure and kidney function had improved.

“Rarely in my life had I been so wrong. I had not known that uncontrolled hypertension would worsen my renal disease and that I would kill my kidneys by giving up on controlling my blood pressure. I never would have replaced my medication by the homeopathic alternatives if I had had an idea how much was at stake for me. Thanks to my naivete, I had ended up at the point where it was about life or death.”

Some symptoms that Turner had blamed on blood pressure medication – fatigue, nausea, occasional irritability – were really symptoms of end-stage kidney disease. “The doctors made it very clear that the consequences of my decision were irreversible. My kidney function had reached its all-time low.”

Her husband’s donor kidney saved Turner’s life. But first, she had to go on dialysis.

“It was my only option, but it was depressing to be connected to a machine for hours. For the next nine months, all my life was about dialysis. I realized that the struggle for healing is always also a struggle for accurate information. For example, I had not been aware that chronic kidney failure is called 'silent killer' because symptoms do not become noticeable until 80 percent of renal tissue is lost. As it happened to me, hypertension is one of the most frequent causes of kidney failure.”

For months after the transplant in 2017, her body tried to reject the donor organ. She was often back in the hospital. “I kept feeling nauseous and dizzy, forgot things, and was scared a lot. These problems are still not quite resolved.” She died May 24. -

Stories compiled by Suzanne Hanney from online sources.

Tina Turner, below, left, appears on stage with actress Adrienne Warren on the opening night of, "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical," on Nov. 7, 2019, in New York (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP photo). Opposite page: Turner in 2008 (Andrew MacPherson photo / courtesy of BMG).

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the

Last week's Answers

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