Valley dietitian and health coach Jessica Cording speaks about her new book

In 2018, I lost my father to pancreatic cancer. During his journey, my family and I had a difficult time finding caregiving resources that spoke to us, and it inspired me to write the book I wish I had.

My dad called his journey ‘The Farewell Tour,’ a nod to his many years in the music industry, and it became the natural title of my new book: The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver’s Guide to Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep.

Through the lens of my own experience as a clinician and family caregiver on this journey, I offer an honest, occasionally humorous, and unique approach for caring for someone with ongoing medical needs, including when the individual is near the end of life. One topic referenced in the book is caregiver burnout, a serious health issue.

The earliest seeds for the book were planted when I was working as a dietitian in an ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] clinic and watched the wear and tear my patients’ family members went through. I wished I had more to offer. This book is part how-to, part personal story, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to share actionable tips and tools with people who need them in this way.

I blend my own expertise as a dietitian and health coach with personal anecdotes while offering insight from wellness professionals, world-renowned musicians, and music industry professionals.

The book includes a playlist of songs my father and I were each listening to during his ‘Farewell Tour,’ with suggested listening for each chapter. In my book, I remind readers it’s okay to laugh, and it’s imperative to take care of yourself along the way. 

Writing this book turned out to be a very healing experience for me. Speaking with my father’s friends from the music industry made me feel as though I got to know him a little better.

Creating the playlist that goes along with the book was also a very cathartic experience for me as I went through our Spotify playlists from the ‘Farewell Tour’ time period. Music is my family’s love language, and it had to be a part of this project.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon, Simon & Schuster, and other booksellers. The Farewell Tour playlist is available on Spotify.