Update 6/23/23: Yeah, so every chemotherapy begins with blood work that measures a bunch of things, and today was no different. Except for the fact that my immune system had not recovered as much as they want it to recover between chemo infusions. So close! But just far enough that they sent me home and I will go back next Friday, which, if all goes well, will be my actual LAST CHEMO!

Tomorrow (6/23/23) is my last chemotherapy session. I will go to UCLA Oncology center and get infused with toxic chemicals (cancer killers) one last time! I’m excited to be done with this part. So, in that way I’m excited to go to my last session tomorrow. In other ways, I’m not excited. Chemo is like volunteering for the flu for a week. It will be fine. It will be just like the others before it and it will take me a week to feel better and another 2 weeks to have my immune system in good shape. And after that, I will be able to return to normal… whatever normal is these days…

In 3 to 4 weeks I will start a maintenance drug called Nariparib (Zejula). It is a relatively new drug that is classified as a PARP inhibitor. Look it up if you’re interested in the science… Basically it inhibits cancer cells and causes them to die. Hopefully this drug will keep me cancer free for a very long time. I will be taking this drug for 2 to 3 years. I can’t say I’m excited to be on a cancer drug, but I am excited to be alive and to stay alive!

I don’t know when I’ll feel like going back to some of my things, like chorus and in person lessons and traveling, but I think this summer will be a time of transition for all of these things. I’m sure looking forward to seeing some folks that I haven’t seen in a long time!

Oh, and I am excited to wish you all a Happy Pride Month!

Ribbons we all know about, but did you know that butterflies are also a common symbol for cancer patients?

There is a different color ribbon for almost each kind of cancer. Teal is for ovarian and cervical cancers. Pink is for breast cancer and they get the most press! I just saw a table devoted to breast cancer awareness at Trader Joe’s today… I tipped my teal ribbon decorated cap at the person at the table.

Cancer is tough and one of the ways that I’ve found to help get through it is journaling. Now, I actually journal mostly on my iPad because it’s usually handy and has a keyboard connected, but I used to journal exclusively on paper and I still love holding a book and a pen in my hands and marking those pages with colorful ink. So, to help others journal, I’ve put out three cancer journals on amazon (and when I get my copies, they’ll also be on my kohlermusicpress.com site).

And just so you’re aware of some of the big ones, here’s a picture: