Mark Telesca

Love Music Hate Cancer

Mark Telesca is a well-respected blues Guitarist, bassist and vocalist who, in 2017, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which required surgery and a series of chemotherapy treatments. He was confined to his house for the better part of the year, during which time he began working on this book.

In this short, easy to read book, Mark talks about the joys of childhood in New York, about becoming a funeral director to please his father and a musician to please himself, about his wife and daughter,and about cancer. He does not deny dark days, but he does not dwell on them. Instead, Mark shares the things that helped him and that he believes allowed him to reach remission for over two years now. He writes about music, and faith,visualization, exercise, diet, and a positive attitude. At no point does he lecture or claim clinical knowledge. It’s just one person sharing his story with others who may benefit from the advice or just appreciate knowing the story. At the end, he also offers a hodgepodge of resources for musicians who need help, which could have been better organized but that is a very small quibble.

If you enjoy the blues, listen to Mark and then read his book. If you are going through any kind of life-changing crisis, it will be uplifting.