Discussing Breast Cancer

You might be thinking … what does Bon Jovi have to do with breast cancer? The answer is: EVERYTHING, if you are me.

I fell in love with Jon Bon Jovi in the eighties, when he was still an up and coming rock star. His hair, his clothes … I was all about him. The boys I fraternized with knew they were second to him (sad, but true). Somehow I managed to find ones to date that supported my habit. Yes, I’ve been blessed.

When I was diagnosed the first time, my husband’s best friend gave me a compilation CD (actually, two CDs) with every Bon Jovi song that he knew I loved. I played those songs on the way to and from Yale Medical Center where I headed to radiation therapy every weekday for my seven weeks of treatment. I played those songs on the myriad of trips to my doctors’ offices. I played those CDs incessantly. Bon Jovi became my audio support.

When I turned 40 last September, the most precious letter was presented to me. It was a copy, actually, of a letter written by my niece back in June. Here’s how it went:

“Dear Mr. Bon Jovi,

My name is Taylor and I am 9 1/2 years old. I am writing this to you because my Godmother and Aunt Karen is turning 40 on September 18. She would love it if you would come to her surprise party on September 14 at 7:30 p.m. My Aunt Karen has loved you since my mom met her in sixth grade. My Aunt Karen thinks your music is good luck and if you come to her 40th b-day party she will be very lucky. She knows your music has helped her through having breast cancer twice and all of her operations. She also ONLY brought your music to China when she adopted her daughter. Her party is in Fairfield, CT. Call my mom on her cell [she gave the number!] and she can give you the details. Please, please, please, please, please come to my Aunt Karen’s birthday party. Love your fan, Taylor [she gave her address]”

Who cares if the letter isn’t completely factually accurate (it wasn’t quite sixth grade)? The spirit of the letter is gospel truth. And this little girl’s heart is solid gold.

So … tonight I’m headed to the Prudential Center in New Jersey to enjoy my eighth Bon Jovi concert. If you’re curious, here’s the lowdown on my tour history:

• Slippery When Wet Tour (1987; my first time — I even remember what I was wearing, but it was the eighties, so don’t ask me to tell you!!)
• New Jersey Syndicate Tour (1989; my indulgent ex splurged on front row seats. Skid Row opened the show and initially, I swooned over Sebastian Bach. But Jon took the stage and threw me his guitar pic and all thoughts of the ‘other guy’ were lost, lost, lost)
• These Days Tour (1995; my husband’s first experience seeing Bon Jovi with me. We were at Jones Beach. It was my least favorite show (here’s a review, you’ll see why it wasn’t as good as usual)
• Crush Tour (I think this was in 2000 — but my baby at home zapped my brain cells so I really don’t remember this one too much)
• One Wild Night Tour (2001 … I went with my husband’s best friend to this one, albeit pregnant with my second child — no worries about the baby at home that night, Jon was in rare form)
• Bounce Tour (2003 … I went through we were dealing with my breast cancer diagnosis … this actually marked the start of Jon’s audio support)
• Have A Nice Day Tour (2005 … another show with my husband’s best friend. The now famous Nickelback warmed up — it an awesome show)



• Lost Highway Tour (this one is tonight … with Daughtry from Season Six of American Idol warming up … I’m so psyched)

Anyway … I probably won’t be posting tomorrow as I recover from a night filled with Jon — so enjoy your day!

cancer, breast cancer, bon jovi, jon bon jovi