I’ll use this page for health updates
March 30 Start with the good news The vocal surgery was successful It is wonderful to hold a conversation again, Even sang a bit of Yellow Submarine
Had my second Chemo treatment a week ago They made adjustments to the dose ( a little less ) Skipping this week and next treatment Friday
Still trying to work thing out with food and sleep and nausea and now getting clogged up
So the big thing is fatigue which gets depressing…trying to fight it but same thing dat after day
Just another 5 months then we will see where were at….
Mike
Scheduled to have my vocal cord surgery Monday @ 11:00 Should be done by 2:00 The surgery itself is only about a half hour
Gained 2 pounds this week for the first time.
Last week they had to cancel the chemo because of my blood count rescheduled for Friday.
The latest is they want to do this process for 6 months now. Seems like every time i Go they have different directions!
Got a very emotional call(for me) this week from Kenny Aronoff. I’v know him since 1987 When I had my first of many lessons He is so inspiring, had so many good things to say. Had ideas about treatment Lets just say he is a great human being with a big heart!
March 11 2018
First round of Chemo last Wednesday Thursday eve it started hitting me
Don’t want to go into the disgusting details But I was wiped out. Could not eat and nausea. Ended up in the ER today to get fluids and pain relief and some new nausea medicine.
They say the first round is the worst I hope so
Also they are going to delay the vocal cord operation until they can coordinate with my chemo
Next chemo this Thursday
March 6 2018
OK so I go down today to Siteman to sign the papers for this vaccine that has had great results. Well my doctor tells me the last biopsy shows the wrong kind of cells to use for that treatment …Surprise
So I start with Chemo tomorrow ounce a week for 3 weeks and then a week off
and repeat…till? The doc says they are coming up with new treatments all the time….so this is the worst news but there is still hope.
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March 3rd 2018—Having a ct scan Monday We hope to start chemo Friday I wasn’t eligible for the pills using the dna. So the chemo is a little tougher It will last for 3 months one infusion every 3 weeks First week is the worst then each week I get a little stronger then it starts all over again
After the the chemo…here is some good new finally We start with a vaccine made for me only from my cancer cells She said they have had great success with this vaccine which I will take ounce a month until the cancer is gone…well they can’t guarantee that but it has happened.
I might lose more weight and some of my amazing hair but not all she said…oh well
Again I have an operation on my vocal cord March 16 which will help my voice.
Some days no drum practice ,some days an hour or so depending on my strength
I really enjoy getting a text message now and then I have to do a lot of laying around
Thanks again to everyone for your concern
Feb 23 18 Having the biopsy Feb 28th in the morningThat will the;; us what kind treatment they can Do
March 16th is the Vocal cord operation which should improve my speech
Mike started playing drums professionally in 1972. He is the author of You're In The Band, a "play-along" book and tape package that sold in music stores throughout the world. Mike attended the St. Louis Conservatory from 1979-1983 and he plays all percussion instruments. He studied with John Kasica and the late Rick Holmes. Over the past 25 years Mike has studied with the late Jim Chapin and periodically studies with Kenny Aronoff Mike plays in a number of bands in the St. Louis area including Everyday People, Abbey Road Warriors, Rockin' Chair, East2West
During Mike's 27 year tenure at Drum Headquarters, he taught as many as 60 students per week. Mike's students continue to take lessons from him at Sidetrack Studio which is his recording studio. Sidetrack Studios is a professional "for hire" recording studio in Creve Coeur Missouri. The studio is not only equipped with digital technology, but is also equipped with a congas, timbales, a wide assortment of hand percussion instruments and of course two drum sets.
In Mike's words...
I am very lucky to pursue my passion... MUSIC!
Thought for the day.. "Timing is Everything..in music and in Life”r
