Nica Luca admitted to hospital, but plans to complete tour

Musician Nick Luca (www.nickluca.com) has been diagnosed with Yype 1 Diabetes after he was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit of University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona on August 20, 2007. Emergency room doctors discovered the previously undetected diabetes when Luca arrived, near the end of a two-month national tour with John Doe (X), displaying a wide array of physical problems. Upon admission to the ICU, Luca's blood glucose (sugar) level was higher than 500 - more than four times regular level - putting him at imminent risk of slipping into a diabetic coma. Blood tests showed that his pancreas had stopped producing insulin during the two months he was on tour, causing a variety of maladies on the road. Toward the end of the tour, Luca entered the later stages of ketoacidosis, a very dangerous and potentially life threatening condition.
“Diabetes is the absolute last thing any working musician thinks about when they set off on a two month tour,” said Nick Luca. “Shortly after we hit the road, I began to lose weight, I was eating poorly and I was irritable - which isn’t all that uncommon on the road. But as soon as I got home, I started losing my vision, vomiting uncontrollably, I was lethargic and making absolutely no sense at all when I tried to communicate with my wife and friends. Without their help, I probably would have died. I feel like I have a second lease on life. I'm very lucky to be alive.”
“Nick and the band Dead Rock West comprised my band on our latest tour and we covered almost all the U.S. headlining night clubs, concert venues and theaters this summer,” said Musician John Doe. “As the two-month tour wound down, Nick started to complain about the schedule and constant need for sleep. This was unlike him but little did we know he was in the throes of a diabetic meltdown. We are all ecstatic to hear that Nick is now stabilized.”
“I’ve known Nick Luca for 13 years and he is one of the most dedicated musicians I’ve worked with,” said Joey Burns from the Tucson band Calexico. “Like a lot of musicians, Nick has no general physician. I was shocked to hear that he was in ICU…it still angers me that health care is not provided in the USA.”
Diabetes is a manageable disease. Luca has to test and keep close watch on his blood sugar levels using a glucometer, count the carbohydrates in his meals and inject the proper amount of insulin, which he does 4 times a day. He will need this medicine and supplies for the rest of his life. Currently, Luca is resting comfortably at home in Tucson with his family and has even started back to work at Wavelab Studios after discharge. His latest release, “Fractions” on Funzalo Records is set for release on September 25. In fact, tour dates in support of the new record, which were confirmed well before hospitalization, have been re-confirmed and all dates will be honored. They are:
10/04 @ Plush, Tucson, AZ
10/12 @ The Raven, Prescott, AZ
10/13 @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Albuquerque, NM
10/14 @ Quixote’s, Denver, CO
10/15 @ Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT
10/17 @ Laurel Thirst Pub, Portland, OR
10/18 @ The Comet Tavern, Seattle, WA
10/19 @ Sam Bond’s Garage, Eugene, OR
10/23 @ Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA
10/24 @ Yucca Tap Room, Phoenix, AZ
10/27 @ Plush, Tucson, AZ

More dates to be addedAt some point in the near future, a benefit show will be scheduled to help cover Luca’s medical bills. To learn more about diabetes, please contact www.diabetes.org