week of 8/4-
Sorry for the late posting for this week, but when I tell you that I've been too busy galavanting around town to concerts and cafes, I have a feeling that you will forgive me. This week, Dr. Wu lowered the dosage of chemo (still within the guidelines of the protocl of the UCSF study of which I'm a part) so that the lip sores and sore throat that was plaguing me the previous week, have now almost disappeared. Consequently,I'm a much happier camper and more able to "galavant."

Cultural high points this week were the Cabrillo New Music Festival on Sat. night where John Adams' "Dr. Atomic Symphony" (West Coast premiere) stood out as a major piece of first-rate composing. The neo-elements(gorgeous Bachian melodic lines and harmonic progressions juxtaposed with some earlier-Adams -minimalist rhythmic ostinati. Together they clearly etched the implicit "program" of the piece-the humanist anti-war plea vs. the relentlessness(unethical) of scientific "progress." It was played with great force and emotion. The audience responded.

I saw many friends and acquaintances at the concert. Several did not know about my illness but to a person they all commented how well I looked. Go figure! Take that Cancer!

Week of July 28th-4th week of chemoradiation-
Went up to San Francisco on Thurs., ostensibly to meet my new surgeon, Dr. Mika Varma, a delightful Indian woman with intense lively eyes- but the day really turned out to be about the power of Art and how important it is for me to keep filling my life with music and art as I deal with cancer. After the meeting with Dr. Varma, I hot-footed it over to the De Young Museum for their current Dale Chihuly Glass Sculpture Exhibit. The newly renovated De Young seemed just right for the profusion of color, shape and reflected light that the exhibit showcased. The size and theatricality of the pieces are almost over the top, - carnival-like but impossible not to enjoy. A perfect foil for cancer!

Still had some energy after that -so I stopped at the "Music at Menlo" concert series on the drive back. Heard Gary Graffman doing a solo piano recital of pieces for left hand only-Brahms(Bach). Reinecke, Chopin, Kirchner and others. Quite amazing and a good reminder of what one can do in Art when faced with adversity(not being able to use your right hand)

Needless to say- I was exhausted the next day, but on Thurs. it was Ivan doing what he likes to do-caqn cer or not cancer! Did I mention the pork chow fun for dinner? Cheers, IR

P.S. I think Dr. Varma will do very well by me.

July 27th- after three weeks of chemoradiation.-Well, I'm still here-halfway through the first 6 week round. My therapist, tries to encouragingly point out that I'm half way through ("the glass is half full") I immediately counter with "yeah-but the 6 week chemoradiation is the easy, "piece of cake" part of this masochistic marathon" says I. "It's bad enough now(diarrhea, sore throat, lip sores, etc.) " What about later?" "You'll get through, I know you will," he says. ""No fun" says I!
So what WAS fun this week , was watching my granddaughter's 8th birthday party yesterday. We started at the Gymnastics club where she takes weekly lessons. She and five friends wildly trying out all the equipment and climbing through the giant whale that they blew up for the party. Toby and some other Moms trying their skill on balance beams and attempting headstands that they probably hadn't done in 20 years.. After an exhausting hour and a half of cavorting , we brought the kids chez-nous for ice cream cake, punch and more fun and games. Toby and Jade made sure that the kids had the requisite number of party favors and kiddie "tchakas" that kids nowadays require for maximum party satisfaction. "A good time was had by all." Grandpa rested on Sun.

July 21st- Well, started the 3rd weekend of chemoradiation. Must say that by the end of the 2nd week(unlike the end of the 1st week)I did feel weakened, less energetic and very much in the land of the"sick." It's all quite "real" for me now and I understand what a long haul lies ahead. Thank God for ART!. Playing flute and piano with my good friend-flutist Kathleen Purcell cheers me up no end. We're reading though a interesting piece "Undine" by Reinecke(19th century Romantic composer with a Brahmsian tinge ) that we'll be performing in May for the S.C. Chamber Players. When I'm playing music, I'm no longer "sick." I'm just in the world of music-making-a much better place to be.

Friday night went to the Shakespeare Santa Cruz's opening performance of "Bach in Leipzig," a brilliant contemporary play by the brilliant young playwright Itamar Moses(a former Ivan piano student from the Berkeley days which, of course accounts for his "brilliance! no doubt)) . WOW! What a tour de force-A play about Baroque music and politics- erudite AND funny -Very impressive! Cheers, IR

7/8/08- Well the S.F. hotshot surgeon has flown the coop. He will leave UCSF for greener(very big bucks no doubt) pastures in So. Calif. So, right now I'm without a surgeon but am hopeful that another excellect colorectal surgeon at UCSF, Dr. Mika Varma, will take me on as her patient. She's on vacation right now but I hope to see her as soon as she returns.
Started chemo-radiation yesterday. So far so good. Not feeling any differently yet , though it's a bit weird to be hooked up to this chemo-infusion pump 24 hrs. a day- a kind of medical "doppelganger" I'll be hooked up for at least 6 weeks, so I hope I grow fond of the bugger and give it a loveable name like Bruno . Am also getting daily radiation as well for the next 6 weeks. Painless but sort of weird having this giant machine whirring above you and praying that it has impeccable tumor-aim. That's all for now. IR

Dear Friends and Family-

Just wanted to let you know that I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in early June and have spent the last few weeks since then doing the research (with the the help of my amazing cousins, Drs. Alan and Michael Moskowitz) to assemble the best possible medical team and treatment plan to battle this disease. I will be having surgery up in San Francisco at UCSF Medical Center. My cousins' were able to connect me with one of the leading colorectal surgeons on the West Coast, Dr. Julio Garcia-Aguilar who will be doing my surgery sometime at the end of Aug. or in Sept.(tba) I will be starting pre-surgery chemoradiation down in Santa Cruz on July 7th supervised by oncologist Mike Wu and radiologist, Jay Meisel. I have quickly established a good relationship with both and feel secure in their hands.

I'm thankful for all the love and support that I'm getting from my family and friends-grateful that I have Toby(daughter) and Jade (granddaughter)now living with me(as of April) to keep me company through this difficult period .I would very much welcome any messages that you care to send me through this blog. I'll try to answer them as I can and keep this blog updated with current news and thoughts.

All my love, Ivan

Hi, 

This is Dale. I've set up this new blog for Ivan to update his friends and family about his life and health. Please check back for his posts.