A year to remember, A year to forget

Wow! That chemo was brutal! The past 4 days felt like a month long. I wasn't sure I was ever going to pull through this one. But here I am...still staying strong with one more to go. I will be back in the gym in a couple days and I hope to gain the few pounds back this week that I lost over the past few days. I will be taking a few trips to Chipotle, Smoothie King and Pizza Hut this week to carb up for my last chemo. One more. I don't know what I will blog about once I am done with chemo. My life will be kinda boring after all this. But after this year I am looking forward to somewhat of a slower, low key lifestyle. This has been a year to remember and a year to forget.

I was searching through some pictures and thought I would include a couple. The first one is at a Sushi place in L.A. after a long week of Idol chaos. You can see the exhaustion in my eyes. I knew nothing about exhaustion at that point in my life.

The second pic is another one of Lara and I at The Grove in L.A.

Mark "my favorite cousin" Kohl

This past week has been a busy one for Lara and I. I haven't blogged in a while because we have taken a trip to Chicago and now we are visiting and spending the night with "my favorite cousin" Mark and his wife Misti. Mark was seen on American Idol as I jumped into his arms after I was told by the judges I was in the top 24. He also has been posting several comments on this blog. Most recently, he ran the Chicago Marathon in my honor last weekend. I wanted to thank Mark for inspiring me. For the past few months he has been using me as inspiration to run the marathon and using my chemo treatments as a way to inspire himself to push on with his training. When Mark first told me several months ago he was going to do this I was a little concerned. Mark was out of shape and not the marathon looking type. He is very athletic, but he consumed a few too many family pleasers at Monicals pizza. But I supported him and knew he could do it. Last weekend he finished the marathon like a champ. I was unable to attend the marathon because I was still recovering from chemo round 10 but he called me that afternoon and said "I did it man!" He repeatedly told me he was using me as inspiration to get through it. However, I think he was using this as a way to inspire me to get through my chemo. It's as if he was saying, "Luke, if I can finish this 26.2 miles then you can certainly get through 12 rounds of chemo." Well Mark you did it man! And I am almost there too.

While Mark ran the marathon he wore a shirt that said this on the front: "We are here for Mark. 26.2. 4.LUKE.

The back of the shirt said this: "And if you want to cheer, don't just cheer for him: He's running this marathon for his cousin LUKE. A Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor. So cheer for him too. Jeremiah 29:11."

Thanks Mark for the support and thanks for showing me that I can finish my marathon too. I can see the finish line now straight ahead. I will push through just like you did.

On a side note, I got a call from David Cook this week. He told me he will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on November 1st. Be sure to watch him rock it out on SNL. I gave him a Covington Beef house hat to wear on SNL. Those of you from the midwest may be familiar with this fine beef establishment located in Indiana. I don't count on him wearing it because his stylist probably will not approve of the hat. It's a little too rural.

I have also been informed that today is Michael Johns 30th birthday. Thanks to you Michael I was not the oldest one on Idol this year. Happy Birthday Aussie!

Ten down...2 to go!

It has been 24 hours since round 10 chemo and I am feeling pretty weak. But I thought I would blog. Chemo was somewhat smooth yesterday. However I can't wait till I don't have to ever see that doctors office again.
The past week was pretty eventful. I went on a 3 day motorcycle trip with my Dad, Uncle Warren and Uncle Mike. We rode to Brown County and we stayed in a cabin for two nights at Nashville, IN. We spent a few days just riding around southern Indian on the back roads. Perfect roads and perfect weather for riding for the most part. All except for the ride home we were stuck in Thunder showers the entire way home from Indianapolis. If you like the woods then check out the cabins at the Brown county state park in Nashville, IN. Pretty good acomodations at an affordable price.
I am now just trying to focus on finishing chemo, regain my strength and then finally move on with my life. I am just waiting.
I recently listened to David Cook's new single "Light On." He told me he wrote this song about me. Just kidding. David didn't even wright to song. It is a great tune be sure to buy it on I tunes.
Also, be sure to check out my wife performing this weekend with the great people of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She is in the show "Guys and Dolls" and the show runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Every show the Symphony puts on is worth any ticket price they charge. The Indianapolis Symphony is truly one of the best. And my wife is a great performer so go check it out.
Have a great weekend!