70%

 There were 2 big pre surgical tests this week. I'm very happy to report that the news was very encouraging from both of them.

  On Monday, I went in for a catscan and it was discovered that the inflammation around the tumor area was down considerably, and that there was still no evidence of any distant spreading, or "metastases" (in medical terms) of the cancer. 

 Next up, today I met with my surgeon, Dr. Stricker, who is scheduled to perform a "Lower Anterior Resection", in which a significant part of my colon will be removed. He "got all up in there" with his trusty scope and after a..ahem...thorough examination, informed me that it appeared  the tumor had shrunk a staggering 70%!..though to be truthful, he didn't use the word "staggering". I however will go on to use the word "staggering" as much as possible when describing this. Needless to say, Carrie and I were thrilled to hear this news. In Dr. Stricker's words, this "sets us up very nicely" for the surgical procedure. As we were leaving his office, he let us know with a big smile that he was very pleased with this result. We were of course very happy to hear that coming from him. :)

 It may sound strange, but going into these 2 tests, I had barely a shred of worry. I have felt so healthy and strong from my dietary and lifestyle changes that it was like I ALREADY KNEW there had been a major reversal in the condition. Of course, getting the hard, quantifiable data was very reassuring, and definitely needed.

 So September 7th is the big day. I will most likely remain in the hospital for about a week following the procedure, and then ease my way back into civilian life. I know there are some challenges awaiting me, but I feel more ready than ever to face them. 

 More to come soon..

back with the boys

3 shows down! The Foreigner train keeps rolling and I just hopped back on. Big thanks to my buddy Ollie Marland who stepped in and did a fabulous job subbing for me on keys while I was out.
 Food wise I have to say it has been a bit of a challenge. My steady diet of hi quality natural foods has not been as steady..though I have landed at a couple of Whole Foods markets so far: one in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, and another in Norwalk, Connecticut. I have found that I need to branch out to more chicken and fish to be sure to get enough protein. I'm about 12 pounds lighter than I was before the diagnosis, and it has been stressed that I shouldn't  get too skinny before surgery so i'm trying to pack a few pounds back on.
 The herbs and supplements are still in the picture, and I have added some Graviola to the mix which is rumored to have some cancer fighting properties.
 We just flew in to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada and we have the day off tomorrow. I'll be hunting down some vegetarian spots and doing lots of walking around the city exploring.

big love

Just had to post this. A few of Foreigner's biggest fans wore these bracelets at a recent show in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. I was very touched to say the least :)
 Feeling like a million bucks these days..wait..maybe I should inflation adjust that old cliché..10 million!! so nice to be living "au naturale" these days..meaning no radiation or chemotherapy. I have been seeing an acupuncturist/herbalist regularly since the beginning of treatment, and he recently started me on a post-chemo herbal regimen to detox the system and get strong for surgery. Though initially skeptical, I must say it's certainly not hurting, and my energy and digestion have been top notch. I aim to stay with these herbs and supplements till just before surgery happens on September 7.
 I'm heading out to Connecticut at the end of the month where I'll start a 3 week run of shows with Foreigner. So psyched!! Life is good..and love really helps.

a gift

Just wanted to share this watercolor that was done for me by my good friend Pete Maloney. He gave this to me on Thursday upon completion of my 5 and 1/2 weeks of Chemo and Radiation. I have had such wonderful, giving, thoughtful family and friends throughout this process so far. Thanks everyone! I still have some hurdles left on this journey, but you are all helping to make it possible.

Love,

Michael

home stretch

 Week 5 of chemo/radiation is done. Just 4 more sessions next week and finito. I'm still feeling strong and healthy 85-90% of the time these days. The radiation sensations have amplified but my topical salves are still  keeping the somewhat inflamed beast at bay. Some stomach challenges here and there but that's also under control.
 Picked up a sweet new guitar..a Gibson 335! been wanting one of these for awhile and the color that I had been looking for (red) came in on consignment to my local music store. I've been spending lots of time on the back deck and in the yard enjoying the sunshine and playing blues licks.
 After treatment ends next week I'll have a 7 week break before surgery. The plan of course is to stay super healthy with diet/exercise/yoga, head out with Foreigner from August 1-12, and do lots of music at home.
 Now for that home stretch..

baby of the brood

 How did i get here?? That's what I was asking myself this morning in the waiting room before my radiation treatment. I was sitting across from Dan. He's probably in his late 60s. Thin with grey hair and an even greyer face. He has cancer all along the lymph nodes on the left side of his throat. And just four years ago, the first time, he had the same cancer on the other side of his throat. That side is sunken with caverns that were scooped out by the surgery. They found 13 cancerous lymph nodes from the first surgery and there's not enough neck left to operate on the side with the new cancer. Whenever he sits down across from me (I have the 10:40 and he's 10:50), he gives me a warm, yet thoroughly exhausted smile. sometimes we chat a little, but often he nods off. "I don't know why, but I get so tired when I come in here" he says. I think I can see why.
 Most of the men are considerably older than me. Early 60s and up: a lot of prostate cancer, another couple of guys with malignancies in their necks. One guy asked me, "what do you have?" "rectal cancer" I say. "oooh" he says turning away, clearly convinced that his prostate cancer is way less horrible than my rectal cancer. Maybe he's right. At the beginning of treatment, I just noticed the age disparity without any emotion. Lately, and I'm not proud of this, I started feeling like it's some kind of injustice being here at age 43, even though millions of people have gotten cancer when they were way younger than me. But the thing is, I've never BEEN somebody that believed there was any "justice" in who got diseases. So why start now.
 I'm feeling strong still. The side effects have been minimal.

chemo and radiation week 2

 Thus far the side effects have been almost non-existent. There has been a little irritation from the radiation but liberal application of a special radiation lotion has helped a lot.
 One very sweet silver lining so far (of many) is how I am now back in touch with so many friends that I had been out of touch with for awhile. It feels gratifying to be talking to someone who fears that I'm probably really down and depressed, and to share that I'm actually feeling strong and positive.
 I'd be remiss not to mention that my wonderful mom Deborah Bluestein (who beat breast cancer 30 years ago!) has come out from Boston to stay with Carrie and me for awhile and we're cooking up a storm together..well she's doing the majority of the cooking and I'm helping :) among many of the staples: miso soup, brown rice (done in a pressure cooker) with gomashio (mashed sesame seeds with sea salt), lots of steamed greens (kale, broccoli, baby bok choy) prepared simply with lemon and sea salt, lemon sesame miso tahini dressing for the veggies and salads (amazingly tasty for such a healthy low fat item), steel cut oats with berries (antioxidant gems) for breakfast, and many more..you get the picture. We'll definitely be expanding this palette as we move forward.
 Oh! and it looks like I'll very likely be doing some Foreigner gigs in August. Chemo and radiation ends July 12, and I figure I'll give myself a couple of weeks to recover (just in case I'm worn out from it). But I'm super psyched about the very good possibility of being out with the boys doin' some rockin!
 Thanks for tuning in and be back soon..

MB