So, I’ve been wanting to tell you about this for over a year.

I made the mistake once or twice of hinting that I had news, and of course a bunch of people were, like, “OMG you’re pregnant” (because I guess that’s the only thing we’re conditioned to expect a married gal in her late 30s to have news about?) so I stopped hinting and instead have just been waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more until I got the okay.

Well today, the wait is finally over, and I am f***ing THRILLED to announce my next book, The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver’s Guide to Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep (Viva Editions), which comes out October 11th, 2022.

Because of my work in clinical nutrition with really sick people, I had always thought I’d be prepared to cope if one of my own loved ones were to become ill, but when my father was diagnosed at age 61 with advanced pancreatic cancer, I quickly realized I had a LOT to learn as my family turned our lives upside down to care for him.

A veteran of the music industry with an irreverent sense of humor, my dad referred to the last months of his life as “The Farewell Tour.” As his cancer journey progressed, the mental and physical demands of that journey progressed as well. Just like those of a band or production team going on the road with an artist, the demands began to affect our everyday routines. Much like any tour, there was a lot of hard work and stress, but there were also a lot of memories created in the process.

Inspired by my own experiences and the experiences of my patients’ families, The Farewell Tour is a resource for caregivers of all kinds—whether dealing with terminal illness or ongoing needs—who find themselves burned out and isolated. Along with my personal story, I share tips on:

– Sleep hacks
– Simplifying routines
– Quick healthy eating
– Handling unsolicited advice
– Navigating changing relationships
– Preparing for end of life

Something that made this book really special to work on was the interviews—for a number of chapters I interviewed renowned healers and wellness experts, who offered their incredible expertise. I even interviewed some of my dad’s friends from the music world—artists and industry professionals—who shared their stories about actual touring experience. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who contributed their time and energy.

This book is the book I wish I had had when I was going through the experience of caring for my dad while trying to still feel like a functional human (and keep my bills paid), when I couldn’t find anything approachable or engaging that spoke to the stressful and isolating experience of being a caregiver. I needed actionable tips, but I also—dare I say it—wanted to be entertained, or at least to feel like it was okay to laugh through the darkness because, wow, we laughed a LOT with my dad in his last days.

(Me and my dad twinning at one of his chemo appointments.)

It’s a resource I hope all caregivers can benefit from in some way, shape, or form—whether that is to find healing, to learn how to take care of themselves and deal with caregiver burnout, or even to just feel seen.

You can click here to preorder your copy.