Rebuilding Recharging Regrouping and Healing

So where to begin? Some of the events of the last 12 months I really could have done without. as a matter of fact it sucked. One night last year around this time, I was out enjoying an outdoor concert and making great plans for a great summer. Soon thereafter, my world turned upside down. An occasional minor annoyance led to a Dr's visit, and began a lengthy ordeal involving surgery and six months of chemotherapy. Final pathology would indicate that it was Stage IIIc Colon Cancer. Although I did very well throughout my treatments, towards the end of chemotherapy I became severely dehydrated, lost tons of weight, and had to be hospitalized for a week. I weighed 118 lbs, became anemic, and had dangerously low platelet and WBC counts. Since then, everything slowly returned to normal. I have spent my time focused on regaining my strength and abilities. I am happy to say that I remain cancer-free (almost 1 year now), most likely completely cured, and very eager to record tons of music.

During the whole ordeal, I continued working full time, and continued my role as the Treasurer of E.A.R.S. (That would be www.ears-chicago.org - The Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago.)

Physically I am fine now. There is no evidence of disease in me. My recovery has gone very well and it is something I devote my energy to. I have gained almost all of my original weight back; leg-pressing 300 lbs; biking 12 miles a couple of times a week; walking several miles a week. My weekly regimen consists of lifting weights, Yoga, bike riding, walking, meditating, eating right, and resting.

Emotionally I am still in the process of dealing with this and what it all means, and who I am now, and what I am going to do next. That will take some time. I am very grateful to my friends, family, collegues and co-workers who were and continue to be so supportive. There are many positives that can come of this, including more creative energy than I know what to do with. I want to mention this here and then continue the focus of this blog on music making. However..


On a separate blog, I kept a journal detailing my experience. There is a lot of information about the chemo I received, the surgery, technology, eastern medicine, dietary supplements... All of the things that I did to fight, and things I continue to do to stay healthy. Things that you might find beneficial for yourself, or someone that you know. You can read more on Rothie's CC Guide.