It has been an interesting year for me. In 2008 I was experiencing shortness of breath. On Dec 4, 2008, I ended up at the lung doctor who sent me immediately to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To make a long story short, I was bleeding internally from a cancerous tumor in my colon. I was down 9 units of blood. No blood, no oxygen. Thanks to a gifted doctor, Dr. Pete Melchert, I am here to write this. It was the beginning of one of the strangest chapters in my life.

The 4.5 hour operation was performed by Dr. Amy Thorsen on Dec. 22, 2008. Thanks to her incredible talent and the super team at Abbott, the operation was a success.

Ok now for my cheap joke...
A portion of my colon was removed.
I now have a semi-colon.

Tough times, terrifying moments.
One wants to face cancer like John Wayne.
I ended up facing it like PeeWee Herman.

Couldn’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. That’s difficult when you’re a bass player. Recovering from the surgery took time. Still it was nothing like the treatments after the surgery. After a false start with one oncologist, I was sent an archangel named Dr. Stuart Bloom. He told me that the chemo treatments could destroy the nerve endings in my fingers. The poison that was going to kill the cancer cells that we couldn’t see, could possibly render me unable to ever play bass again. Great choices. He told me that he would get me through it. After having the strangest side effects (no my hair didn’t fall out), he got me through it. When the tingling in my hands lasted for over 3 hours, he switched to the chemo pills. A different kind of Hell. All and all, it was no walk in the park from Feb to Aug 2009.

Good things came of this. Thanks to Dr. Melchert, I have a primary care physician named Dr. Harold Oster. He has made my recovery bearable. Can’t forget the angels of the 4th floor at Minnesota Oncology. Too many names to mention. My mother always said,”When you're in trouble and it’s dark, a multitude of Angels will surround you.” My mother was right. Through my treatment I met many courageous people who had cancer and whose loved ones suffered right along with them. It’s a terrible thing. Their stories shall be forever
etched in my mind.

I should have listened to my Doctor in 2000 when he said I should get a colonoscopy. I didn’t listen in 2002. Damn I should have listened to Katie Couric. She had hers live on national TV. Sadly she and her 2 daughters lost her husband and their father to colon cancer.

Straight up, CANCER SUCKS. Doesn’t matter what kind. Be good to yourself and those you love. LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR. I just had my one-year-after CT scan. It was good. I also just had my one-year colonoscopy. It was also good. Cured? Obviously I’ll never take my health for granted again.

I’m playing again. I never stopped. I would play for 2 hours everyday during my treatment. I felt that if I stopped the cancer would win. Did I beat it? Yes. Was it hard? Yes. It was probably the hardest thing I ever had to go through.

Why am I talking about this now? I am a private person. I didn’t want to burden anyone with my illness. I love my children and my 2 grandchildren. I love those that are close to me. I am grateful for having my career. I thank God for sparing me. Special thanks to my children for not giving up hope. You are my greatest gifts. I will be returning to a full performing schedule in 2010. I am alive and well. We beat the fucker. But like the wolf, cancer can always come back. I will listen to my doctors and always be reminded that I am human being. I am not indestructible.

We must take responsibility for our good health.

I came to the doctors a broken toy. They fixed me from the inside out. Even toys need a little TLC.

Respecfully Yours,
Freeman James 12/14/09