Cancer Hits Home In The Classic Rock World

Cancer is a very personal topic for me since my father is currently battling like hell to beat lung cancer. It's time for me to admit I was sorely uninformed about the disease, treatments and affects on the families it hits.

I shared the loss of rockers like Ronnie James Dio, Levon Helm and Ray Manzarek to cancer with you, but it didn't hit home. What did hit home recently, was the superman like feat of both Vivian Campbell and Tony Iommi touring and recording during cancer treatments.

You have no idea, unless you've seen it, how difficult it can be to even function let alone tour during chemo or radiation!

They discovered the key and I think I have now.  The edge in your cancer fight is you must be in reasonable condition before you get cancer. Being a couch potato will get you behind the eight ball. You also have to drink lots of fluids. They get heavily depleted during treatment, which means you must have a good base to work with.

You're probably thinking you will never get touched by cancer. We all think that at one point. But cancer sucks and it strikes unexpectedly. Statistics mean nothing. Look at Dana Reeve. Christopher Reeve's widow never smoked, but died from lung cancer.

I don't mean to scare you with this advice, just remind you that life is precious and regardless of your circumstances, being healthier is good for you.

It's also meant to give mad props to Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) and Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath). They are true warriors and role models. I wish them a solid victory!