Tera Melos drummer John Clardy has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Writing on a GoFundMe page launched to assist with medical bills, Clardy explained how he "had intended to keep this all close to vest...but I have reached a point where I feel ok to talk about it, and hopefully end the feeling of hiding something."
The drummer recalled how symptoms began affecting his active lifestyle last September:
In September 2019 I was in the midst of a very active period physically. I was on the drums about 6 days a week, as well as surfing and riding my bike regularly. I was also dealing with stress from some major life decisions and when I found myself experiencing severe fatigue and a heavy dry cough, I attributed it to that stress. But the symptoms reached the point that I knew I needed to see the doctor. After a physical exam in early October, they found I had iron deficiency anemia. Several tests and a referral to a hematologist later, they couldn't diagnose the underlying problem. In November the fatigue worsened and I began experiencing daily periods of disorientation.
Clardy wrote that a CT scan he had in January of this year led to the discovery of "a pear/papaya sized tumor" that impaired heart and lung function. After moving from California to Texas to be in the care of family, he was admitted to hospital in February to begin treatment.
"I have been undergoing chemotherapy infusions every 14 days, and fortunately have been responding well to the treatment so far," Clardy wrote. "With all of the treatments, tests, co-pays and meds comes a lot of cost on top of a high monthly premium for insurance (a plan that doesn't have an extremely limited network & lengthy approval times). This is all on top of the situation many people, musician or not, are in: having no option to work at the moment. Even if it was on the table, my physical and mental state would prohibit perform or teach most days of the week. Anyone that has undergone chemotherapy can likely attest to how debilitating it can be both mentally and physically."
He concluded: "Obviously there is a lot going on in the world and some much greater causes are in need of donations. But any amount that you're able to contribute would be very much appreciated."
Clardy and his Tera Melos bandmates last released Trash Generator in 2017. Listeners can donate to Clardy's GoFundMe here.
Writing on a GoFundMe page launched to assist with medical bills, Clardy explained how he "had intended to keep this all close to vest...but I have reached a point where I feel ok to talk about it, and hopefully end the feeling of hiding something."
The drummer recalled how symptoms began affecting his active lifestyle last September:
In September 2019 I was in the midst of a very active period physically. I was on the drums about 6 days a week, as well as surfing and riding my bike regularly. I was also dealing with stress from some major life decisions and when I found myself experiencing severe fatigue and a heavy dry cough, I attributed it to that stress. But the symptoms reached the point that I knew I needed to see the doctor. After a physical exam in early October, they found I had iron deficiency anemia. Several tests and a referral to a hematologist later, they couldn't diagnose the underlying problem. In November the fatigue worsened and I began experiencing daily periods of disorientation.
Clardy wrote that a CT scan he had in January of this year led to the discovery of "a pear/papaya sized tumor" that impaired heart and lung function. After moving from California to Texas to be in the care of family, he was admitted to hospital in February to begin treatment.
"I have been undergoing chemotherapy infusions every 14 days, and fortunately have been responding well to the treatment so far," Clardy wrote. "With all of the treatments, tests, co-pays and meds comes a lot of cost on top of a high monthly premium for insurance (a plan that doesn't have an extremely limited network & lengthy approval times). This is all on top of the situation many people, musician or not, are in: having no option to work at the moment. Even if it was on the table, my physical and mental state would prohibit perform or teach most days of the week. Anyone that has undergone chemotherapy can likely attest to how debilitating it can be both mentally and physically."
He concluded: "Obviously there is a lot going on in the world and some much greater causes are in need of donations. But any amount that you're able to contribute would be very much appreciated."
Clardy and his Tera Melos bandmates last released Trash Generator in 2017. Listeners can donate to Clardy's GoFundMe here.