I can't believe all the support

We arrived safely last night back to L.A. and this is the first time Lara and I have been back here since being released from the hospital back in May.  I have survived round 7 of chemo and am feeling much better after the past few days.  The rounds are getting a little tougher each time but I am up for the fight and I only have 5 left.  The Lord is keeping me strong for sure.    

I can't believe the outpour of support I have received from all the Idol fans, friends and family since the "Mavid" dance on the Idol tour.  19 entertainment has even joined forces with Michael and David to help support us and it leaves me very humbled.  American Idol truly is about giving back and I am experiencing it right now.   I just want to say....I saw Michael Johns do a dance at 3am while we were on Idol in our hotel room and it was much funnier than the one I saw on the tour.   Sorry Michael for sharing that.  You know what I'm talking about.

I am excited to start our journey cross country today.  We will be leaving our friend Greg's house this afternoon from L.A. and we will drive 4 hours to Las Vegas.  Don't worry...no gambling will take place.  We are simply using it for a hotel stay city and a chance to see the lights for one night.  Tomorrow we will make our trip to the Grand Canyon where we will stay for two nights.  We ate a nice Sushi meal last night and we are going to sneak in one more Sushi lunch before we leave L.A.  I have eaten Sushi all across the country and in Hong Kong and there is no Sushi like the kind in L.A.  It's the best.   Niko Niko on Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz is hands down my favorite.  We will be eating there today before we leave.  

 Just want to let you all know how much your kind words really do encourage me through chemo and through my sick days.  I read every single comment that is posted on here and sometimes it leaves me in tears.  I hope to do a big concert for all of you someday and share the music that you have all inspired me to write.  

 Thanks for being in my corner. 

For now, I am going to forget about chemo....forget about cancer and take a trip across God's beautiful land.  We're off.  

  

Pay Pal, David Cook and Michael Johns

Pay pal information is: lukeandrewmenard@gmail.com

A few days ago I received a call from David Cook and Michael Johns. They said they held up signs at a recent concert that said "Give back to Luke Menard." I was very surprised and pleased that they are so willing to help out. They seemed more excited on the phone that they were going to really make a difference. Michael Johns said, "Man, you need to set up a paypal account now!" He said that several of their fans were asking how to donate to us and that they were all asking for this info. Well....here it is. lukeandrewmenard@gmail.com
I am now in Illinois finishing up recording part of an album for Chapter 6 before they get back ont he road and before I start round 7 of chemo. After I recover from this chemo my wife and I are going to fly to L.A. where my car is still located. We are then going to drive the car back to Indiana with a stop at the Grand Canyon. Can't wait to see God's beauty and can't wait to have a nice peaceful drive with my wife across the country.
I will try to post a few blogs while on the road. And I still don't know how to post pictures on here but I will try to figure that out soon so I can start showing pictures on here.
Once again, thanks to everyone that reads this for your support. Your encouragement really does help pull me through the tough days of recovering from chemo. Back to the studio.

Contact info

Many fans and friends have contacted me for our mailing info. Our PO Box is still valid. PO Box 9 Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
I just learned that my friends David Cook and Micheal Johns decided to hold up a sign at a recent Idol concert that said "Give back to Luke Menard."
Because of this, I am in the process of setting up a paypal account. I will share that info once it is set up.
Thanks to David and Michael and all the Idols on tour for helping out for our cause. Round 7 chemo will be on Thursday. I am in Illinois preparing for a Chapter 6 concert on Sunday night. It will be fun.

Stay Strong

Just finished writing with Jason Walker today. We had a great time writing and recording a song that we entitled "Stay Strong." After the death of my Grandmother yesterday and after being finished with half of my chemo treatments all I can do with the strength of the Lord is to stay strong. Jason Walker informed me today that he recently wrote a song that is featured on Clay Aiken's most recent album. I have written with him 3 times and he just told me that. What a modest guy. Jason has also written and toured with Chris Sligh who I will be writing with tomorrow.
Can't wait to get an album together so I can show my friends and fans that you can write and record a full album even while being treated with chemotherapy. I gotta stay strong!!
I am off to dinner.

Back in Nashville

Made it to Nashville again and I will be co writing for the next couple days. It was a beautiful drive all the way here from Indiana and I had forgotten almost the whole trip that I had cancer. Anything to get my mind of this crazy disease is a blessing. I am so excited to co-write tomorrow because music has been the best escape for me over the past few months. I can be much more creative without Simon Cowell breathing down my neck.
I will only be able to spend a few days in Nashville this week because my Grandma Arletta Menard passed away earlier today. I am heading to Illinois for the funeral after I work a little here in Nashville. I will be thinking of her all day the next 2 days while I am writing songs. She will be my inspiration this week for sure. She was diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks after I was diagnosed and she fought to the end. Unfortunately her cancer was much more worse than mine. She left behind a legacy.....14 children, 50 something grandchildren and lessons and love to last an eternity.

Round 6

Just returned today from Branson, MO. Lara and I were able to enjoy a great trip there with 20 other Menards. Every summer the Menards take a week long trip to Branson and last week was the week. My dad is the oldest of 14 so we have some fun trips together. I spend alot of time fishing with my cousins, eating lots of food and staying up late laughing with our family. It was a great week. Now it's back to reality and round 6 chemo tomorrow. On Sunday I will be leaving town again and spending a few days in Nashville. I will be co-writing again with Chris Sligh and Jason Walker as well as meeting with my manager and two different record labels. Focusing on these great blessings is what gets me through chemo.
After tomorrow I will be halfway done with chemo and I still have my hair!! Thanks for all the kind words that you all give me during these crazy days in my life. It is amazing how many people really do care. I know this is all happening for a reason and I trust in the Lord every day. However, I can't wait for it to be over so I can be back on the road singing and spreading love through music. Halfway done!

5 strong years

I am excited to say that today is our 5th year wedding anniversary. Lara and I were married on August 2nd and we are happier than ever.
I can't wait till tomorrow because today and last night have been the toughest on me physically. I usually feel more like myself by day 4 after chemo. Today is day 3 and the hardest to get through.
Tomorrow we will drive to Branson, MO where we will spend a week with the Menards and have a week long family reunion.
Keeping my mind on Branson has helped me push through this chemo treatment.
If I am lucky this week maybe I will run into Andy Williams, Jim Stafford, Mickey Gilley and also ride the ducks. Ha-ha.
I will be tearing up Table Rock Lake on the skiis for sure.