đź’ť February 10 health update

Dear friend,

I thought my November 2 health update would be the very last, but it turns out another is needed. 

First of all, there are still a number of people asking me, “How are you?” with a great deal of concern in their eyes. I’m very happy to report that I really am doing extremely well — I’ve been off disability since the beginning of the year and back to working full-time; I’m singing every week; and I’m feeling energized by new visions and potential projects for the music.

On the other hand, although I’m through with the major medical part of my health journey, I feel like I’m still sort of “picking up the pieces” of my life. And while it’s true that I’m completely back to normal, it’s also true that my “normal” relationship with my body and overall well-being hasn’t been all that healthy for much of my adult life.

In fact, this has been one of the biggest lessons of my cancer journey. As a result, I’m feeling guided to dedicate time and energy to focusing on detoxing from the high dose chemo; rejuvenating from the stress of the last year; and deeply resting from the trauma of the bone marrow transplant process. 

So, in early March I’m going to do a one-week Panchakarma program at an ayurvedic retreat that’s located near my home in Nevada County. But because it’s a holistic healing modality instead of a medical procedure, Ramesha and I have to come up with $4500 to cover the cost on our own. 

When we’ve needed to raise funds in the past (for music-related travel expenses, for example) we would often give a concert. But since there isn’t the time or the bandwidth to pull a concert together at this time, we’ve decided to take two little known albums of mine and offer them on a donation basis as digital downloads.

One album is a compilation of classical flute pieces from various recitals and concerts from when I was still a working flutist, while the other is from the very first concert Ramesha and I did together in 2003, before we were even a couple. 

To learn more about the albums or to find the link to donate, click here (also, keep in mind that if you’re not able to donate money, you’re totally welcome to the music in gratitude for your continued prayers). 

Finally (and I apologize if I’m beginning to sound repetitive), THANK YOU — again and again and again — for all your loving support. 

September 15 health update

Hi all, 

This is a pretty brief update. 

Basically, the nurses and doctors tell us that I’m doing very well. Throughout the high dose chemo and yesterday’s stem cell transplant, my vital signs remained steady, I didn’t spike any fevers, the quantities of IV fluids didn’t compromise my heart or lungs, etc. 

However…! There’s no escaping the reality of chemo side effects (so far mostly incipient nausea and fatigue) and low blood counts (more fatigue). It’s very strange to feel soooo tired, especially as it’s expected to get even worse before it gets better. 

In my last update, I wrote: From that point on, it’s simply a matter of managing any side effects from the chemo and waiting for my stem cells to get to work rebuilding my immune system. 

What I’m realizing now is that it’s not so simple. Not having energy is a serious downer and I can feel the pull to worry about how much worse it could get. So then I have to breathe in and out in order to stay in the present moment. Because, since I can’t bypass this process, I have to keep raising my energy to embrace the karma. 

I also want to say how much I appreciate all the messages of support — emails, e-cards, texts, poems, gifts, stories, you name it! I wish I could keep up with replying to each one, but I know you all understand it’s not possible. 

Transplant was Day 0, so now I’m on Day +1. There probably won’t be much more to share until I get past Day +5. Thank you for your continuing prayers.

Lots and lots of love! đź’–

August 17 health update

My update in a nutshell: All systems are GO!

I’m no longer visiting Sierra Nevada Memorial (the local hospital); UC Davis Cancer Center is our new medical home base. In fact, Dr. Hung has passed the baton to Dr. Aaron Rosenberg, the multiple myeloma specialist who is shepherding us through the bone marrow transplant process. 

Last week we met with a physical therapist who okayed me for an outpatient BMT. (We learned that this has only become an option in the last year and a half!) We also met with Lauren, our transplant coordinator, who went over lots and lots of details with us.

We were in Sacramento again this past Monday and Tuesday, getting the full scoop on the house where we’ll be staying; having lots of blood drawn for labs; meeting with Dr. Rosenberg; and receiving instruction from another nurse on how to give injections at home (which Ramesha will be doing).

Next Wednesday, August 24, Ramesha and I will relocate to Sacramento for six weeks. 

There will be a whole variety of appointments over the weeks that follow (COVID tests; labs; line dressing changes; doctors), but the important dates that we want to share with you all are:

  • Monday, August 29, which is when they begin collecting my stem cells (an all day process). Hopefully they’ll be able to “harvest” enough in the first day or two, otherwise it could take as many as four days.
  • Monday, September 12 is the day I receive the high dose of chemotherapy.
  • Wednesday, September 14 is Day “0”, when they put back (or “replant”) my stem cells. 

From that point on, it’s all about engraftment: “a process in which transplanted stem cells travel through the blood to the bone marrow, where they begin to make new white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.” This can evidently take anywhere from two to six weeks; obviously, I’m rooting for two! 

This is the time when I’m likely to feel the most unwell, due to the effects of the chemo, coupled with the lack of an immune system. I’ll visit the hospital every single day as an outpatient (it’s only a three-minute drive from the house where we’ll be staying) and if I develop any symptoms of illness at all they’ll immediately admit me to the hospital. 

I must say that I’m beginning to understand just how amazing our immune systems are! I don’t believe I’ll take mine quite so much for granted ever again.

Well, that’s pretty much it, my friends. Thank you again and again for all your prayers and good wishes. There are no words to express how much Ramesha and I love and appreciate each and every one of you. 💗

July 20 health update

It’s been a while since my last health update because there hasn’t really been much of anything new to share.

We’re moving full speed ahead towards the bone marrow transplant, which means a lot of “pre-op” appointments (pulmonary function test, echocardiogram, EKG, chest x-ray, etc).

We definitely have a place to stay for our six weeks in Sacramento (a five-minute walk from the hospital).

I continue to feel really well. My current focus is to do as much as I can to raise my energy, increase my magnetism, and open up to divine grace. This is in order to better achieve my goal of rebuilding my immune system and being fully recovered in record-breaking time. 

All that said, there is one requirement in preparation for the transplant that I’m definitely not thrilled about, which is doing another bone marrow biopsy. They have to get right inside the bone and aspirate (or suction up) the marrow, and — although it only lasts for about 10-15 seconds — it’s really, really painful because there’s no way to “numb” you inside the bone. 

I survived the process once, and I’m also reminding myself that I’ve successfully walked on hot coals, as well as giving birth. I know I can do it, however extra prayers this Friday, July 22 from 8:30am-10:30am (PDT) would be very welcome! 

With much love and gratitude always. 🙏💖

Latest health update

The last time I wrote, we had just returned from our Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) evaluation appointment at UC Davis Medical Center. I spent the rest of the month of May basically moving from overwhelm to denial to major resistance, with a constant sense of confusion flowing underneath it all. 

During this time, we explored complementary healing options, but never received clear guidance that this or that was “the answer” to avoiding a BMT altogether. 

Even when I connected with a wonderful Naturopathic Integrative Oncologist who we both completely resonated with, she wasn’t talking “instead of” conventional therapies, but rather “supporting and being as healthy as possible” to get the most out of those conventional therapies. 

At the very end of the month, we came full circle and finally listened to the recording of our May 3 appointment; by the time we finished everything had shifted and we knew that the BMT was the right thing to do.

It also helped that the Sunday service affirmation of a few days before was the one on “Truthfulness.” I was able to admit to myself that I had been wishing and hoping for an alternative that simply was not appearing. This was the “whatever is, simply is” truth that I needed to accept, “knowing that, at the heart of everything, God’s truth is always good.”

Plus, this line at the end of what Swami Kriyananda writes about truthfulness really hit home: “Truthfulness means seeing things as they really are, but then looking more deeply for ways to improve those realities.” 

(Needless to say, I’ll continue using the full affirmation for the time being: Whatever is, simply is; I cannot change it for the mere wishing. Fearlessly, therefore, I accept the truth, knowing that, at the heart of everything, God’s truth is always good.)

We sat on the decision overnight, but it continued to feel like a “duh, of course this is the way to go” kind of right. Which was pretty surprising, considering that on the purely personal level of likes and dislikes, I still didn’t (and don’t) want to do it!  

However, not only does it feel right inwardly, but doors have started opening and things are falling into place (probably for mid-August). So, I’m embracing the “both/and” reality of not wanting to do something that is the right thing to do. 

Of course, I’ve done that many times in my life before — in small and big ways. It’s just that this one is easily the biggest, plus it requires my conscious choice to embrace the karma.

I find it somewhat amusing to look back to the very beginning of this saga, when I learned that I had a “treatable” cancer. I had no idea just how limited my concept of “treatable” was; now I understand that a BMT is part of what “treatable” means. 

The bottom line, however, is that I feel incredibly blessed as I move through this process. I am so grateful for all the loving support, the prayers, the generosity, the inner growth and spiritual insights. It makes it all worthwhile. 

Overdue health update

When I first started on this healing journey, we had no idea what to expect. But now that I’m a couple of months into it, I’m very happy to report the following:

  • My energy is holding steady. In fact, I’ve actually been able to maintain close to my usual schedule. Well, except for allowing extra time to rest and making sleep a priority. And except for driving to town at least twice a week for medical appointments.
  • We’ve been able to maintain the momentum of the music ministry. This Friday we’re doing a full LIVE performance of Swami Kriyananda’s Oratorio: Christ Lives! for the first time since 2019, and for the first time ever in the Temple of Light, and I’m well enough to fully participate!
  • Thanks to radiation, I’m regaining full movement of my right shoulder.
  • I’ve received so many prayers, voicemails, text messages, emails, cards, gifts, articles, suggestions, you name it — all of them filled with love and many of them very helpful — that it’s actually been somewhat overwhelming and I haven’t been able to respond as I would wish. I’m sure everyone understands, but I just want to say that, once the Oratorio is over and things slow down again, I look forward to slowly being in touch with all my well-wishers around the world!

What else can I say? Yes, I have cancer, but I am also well and strong and happy and very, very blessed.