I haven't blogged in a while, so here's my latest entry:
Since I last blogged, I went through a serious case of 'roid rage, had Adina go out of town for 4 days (in which I did have plenty of company), and broadcast a Sky Blue FC game.
Now I'm back at MSKCC for round 2 of my chemo treatments. And one of my concerns is that I can't come off of the steroids that they're giving me to combat nausea. They may try to reduce the dosage, but as of right now I can't completely come off of it. This concerns me b/c if I start raging again...well, that really scares me! I have to now be very cognizant of my feelings, emotions, and surroundings just to make sure nothing triggers me off. I've already done damage to one door...I'd much rather not have to go through that again. Something tells me I'll be going to some therapy sessions with Adina in the coming weeks.
So it's now 2 am...so I guess it's Day 23? But I've been in and out of sleep and nauseousness all day. I'm hoping to sleep well in the next couple of days so I can be rested for the SBFC game on Wednesday! Oh well...I'll just watch Poker After Dark and hope this discomfort passes me by!
Showing posts with label SBFC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SBFC. Show all posts
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Day 3
Mom comes with me today, but has her friend Pat here to start. I'm at MSKCC and feeling tired so far today. Gonna kick back a bit and snooze...
So I snoozed most of the day! My nurse woke me up when I was done for the day, and mom brought me back home. Still not overly nauseous, though I'm feeling a bit tired still. Guess this was expected! I'm not feeling strong enough to go to the chiropractor, so I'll cancel that and lay on the couch for a while. Got some sports stuff to watch, and hopefully I can do a BLSP (that's Bret Leuthner Sports Program on UStream.tv for those that don't know) sometimes around 8 pm tonight!
But it's 5 pm and I'm still tired...maybe more napping is in store! Before I go, I find out my buddy Ron says he joined the shaved head club! Should be interesting to see pics of that! Ok, I'm tired...D is making me chicken noodle soup and then I'll lay down for an hour or so.
And now it's 11:40 pm...wow what a nap! Must be the chemp fighting the cells in my body! Needless to say, no BLSP today. But I'm feeling good and confident that I can do a SBFC game should that scheduling issue arise. Adina agrees! Finish the night off by forwarding this to more friends, and now it's time for bed. More tomorrow!
So I snoozed most of the day! My nurse woke me up when I was done for the day, and mom brought me back home. Still not overly nauseous, though I'm feeling a bit tired still. Guess this was expected! I'm not feeling strong enough to go to the chiropractor, so I'll cancel that and lay on the couch for a while. Got some sports stuff to watch, and hopefully I can do a BLSP (that's Bret Leuthner Sports Program on UStream.tv for those that don't know) sometimes around 8 pm tonight!
But it's 5 pm and I'm still tired...maybe more napping is in store! Before I go, I find out my buddy Ron says he joined the shaved head club! Should be interesting to see pics of that! Ok, I'm tired...D is making me chicken noodle soup and then I'll lay down for an hour or so.
And now it's 11:40 pm...wow what a nap! Must be the chemp fighting the cells in my body! Needless to say, no BLSP today. But I'm feeling good and confident that I can do a SBFC game should that scheduling issue arise. Adina agrees! Finish the night off by forwarding this to more friends, and now it's time for bed. More tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 2
Adina drops me off again today since she didn't have to be at Chez Jansson until 11. Uncle was grateful that we got a hold of him to call him off. I'm grateful to him that he would come up to our house to bring me to MSKCC! Arrive at MSKCC, find out that massage at chiropractor isn't advisable, so we'll hold off on that for a few months! Got to set up lineups for softball today and then just sit tight. Hoping that I don't get sick again later. I want to be feeling good on Wednesdays so I can call more Sky Blue FC games while I'm doing Chemo!!! And yes, I'm not letting Chemo stop me from being on the mic! I will be at the field for those games!
2 pm arrives and that means my parents will soon be here to pick me up and bring me home. Feeling a bit tired from being reclined all day. Or maybe the chemo. Dad comes in and we're already ready to go. Out to the car where mom and my dog Alfie await (my sister, Kim, named the dog, but he gravitates to me anytime I'm around...so he's my dog)! Nice conversation back home. Both mom and dad want to help with the yardwork! Woohoo! Adina should be very happy!
Which I must say my relationship with my parents has gotten much better since D and I moved up here! The first time my parents came to our new home, I could see the pride in my mother's eyes. It was one of the best feelings I ever had to that point in my life, and it shows I can judge someones feelings and character spot on...because since then, she has been nothing than the best in our relationship. My dad has been awesome, too! I can't imagine how much it hurts them to see their son having to go through chemo.
Started feeling tired around 5:30 today...nothing major, just a bit fatigued. Stomach is fine (so far), no headaches, no other issues...just a bit tired. Parents went to town on the yard...good stuff there!
So I made pancakes for everyone (and yes, they were as good as always). I ate without having stomach issues (thank God), and Robb stopped by to play video games for a while. Good end to the night!
2 pm arrives and that means my parents will soon be here to pick me up and bring me home. Feeling a bit tired from being reclined all day. Or maybe the chemo. Dad comes in and we're already ready to go. Out to the car where mom and my dog Alfie await (my sister, Kim, named the dog, but he gravitates to me anytime I'm around...so he's my dog)! Nice conversation back home. Both mom and dad want to help with the yardwork! Woohoo! Adina should be very happy!
Which I must say my relationship with my parents has gotten much better since D and I moved up here! The first time my parents came to our new home, I could see the pride in my mother's eyes. It was one of the best feelings I ever had to that point in my life, and it shows I can judge someones feelings and character spot on...because since then, she has been nothing than the best in our relationship. My dad has been awesome, too! I can't imagine how much it hurts them to see their son having to go through chemo.
Started feeling tired around 5:30 today...nothing major, just a bit fatigued. Stomach is fine (so far), no headaches, no other issues...just a bit tired. Parents went to town on the yard...good stuff there!
So I made pancakes for everyone (and yes, they were as good as always). I ate without having stomach issues (thank God), and Robb stopped by to play video games for a while. Good end to the night!
Sun., July 18...last day before the "next" of my life
My day started off normally enough. Wake up with my wife, have some breakfast, and start prepping for the Sky Blue FC game I am to webcast that night. First off, let me tell you I LOVE sportscasting! Play-by-play seems to be the frontrunner for me. And I also seem to love broadcasting soccer. Just got done with a Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues assignment for the season, and now it's on the Sky Blue FC. So needless to say, I'm very excited to get to Yurcak! (that's on the Rutgers campus for those that don't know)!
Leave my house at 3:30 to get there for 5. Get in and meet up with John Archibald (always good to see him). Explain to him what was to come, but also let him know all will be fine! Set up the gear, do sound checks, and wait for game time. Eventually the rest of the broadast team show up...Erik Studnicky, my color commentator for the game, Neal (who was producer for the evening), 2 cameramen, an intern...nice sized staff! No Dennis Wilson as he is in rehab recovering from surgery.
Game goes off brilliantly! Nearly 200 hits on a game with no lead up promo! Chat was alive, too! Dennis called in to say he was VERY happy! Says we're better than anything ESPN has (that's a stretch) SBFC pleased as well, which is a big bonus!
Go down to the field, get to see Gloria Averbuch from SBFC again (she's still busy as ever!), interview Eniola Aluko (she got the lone goal), got to talk a bit with Hope Solo (she's still great to talk to, even for 2-3 minutes), then Tasha Kai and Kacey White as well (also great to talk to). Let Tasha and Kacey know what's going on...and both gave much support for me! Archibald comments that it was like a high school reunion for me!
No going to Charlie Brown's Restaurant, though...I've got a standing commitment at Charlie Brown's...that being my friend Jason...at his house. It's going to be buzz-cut night. I've decided to go military style and trim down to virtual baldness rather than see my hair clump out in a shower! I arrive to see another friend, Juan, there as well. Apparently another friend Sean is arriving on the scene, too. So it seems that they're getting their heads shaved in support of my fight.And all the wives are there, too...Adina, Joanne, CJ...Stacey was the only one that couldn't make it! I'm speechless! But on with the shaving!
After much artwork by Jason on all of us, we all pose for a picture. Later on, we find out that Chris Blackman also shaved his dome in support. Dang I got some great people in my life!
With that, it's off to home. And 40 minutes later, I'm finally back and ready for bed. Adina like the new 'do!
But tomorrow starts my "next" of my life....
Leave my house at 3:30 to get there for 5. Get in and meet up with John Archibald (always good to see him). Explain to him what was to come, but also let him know all will be fine! Set up the gear, do sound checks, and wait for game time. Eventually the rest of the broadast team show up...Erik Studnicky, my color commentator for the game, Neal (who was producer for the evening), 2 cameramen, an intern...nice sized staff! No Dennis Wilson as he is in rehab recovering from surgery.
Game goes off brilliantly! Nearly 200 hits on a game with no lead up promo! Chat was alive, too! Dennis called in to say he was VERY happy! Says we're better than anything ESPN has (that's a stretch) SBFC pleased as well, which is a big bonus!
Go down to the field, get to see Gloria Averbuch from SBFC again (she's still busy as ever!), interview Eniola Aluko (she got the lone goal), got to talk a bit with Hope Solo (she's still great to talk to, even for 2-3 minutes), then Tasha Kai and Kacey White as well (also great to talk to). Let Tasha and Kacey know what's going on...and both gave much support for me! Archibald comments that it was like a high school reunion for me!
No going to Charlie Brown's Restaurant, though...I've got a standing commitment at Charlie Brown's...that being my friend Jason...at his house. It's going to be buzz-cut night. I've decided to go military style and trim down to virtual baldness rather than see my hair clump out in a shower! I arrive to see another friend, Juan, there as well. Apparently another friend Sean is arriving on the scene, too. So it seems that they're getting their heads shaved in support of my fight.And all the wives are there, too...Adina, Joanne, CJ...Stacey was the only one that couldn't make it! I'm speechless! But on with the shaving!
After much artwork by Jason on all of us, we all pose for a picture. Later on, we find out that Chris Blackman also shaved his dome in support. Dang I got some great people in my life!
With that, it's off to home. And 40 minutes later, I'm finally back and ready for bed. Adina like the new 'do!
But tomorrow starts my "next" of my life....
The backstory...
May 1, 2010 ends up being the "day of infamy" for me. I had just come home from a long day of networking down in Philly. After I had taken a bath to soothe my tired legs, I noticed that one of my testicles was much larger than the other...which after an ice bath to attempt to reduce swelling, my wife, Adina, and I took a trip to St. Clare's near us to have it checked out. The medical staff there, after an ultrasound test, suggested we see a urologist, and an appointment with Dr. Ware was made on Monday. At the hospital, it was suggested that there may be cancer in play.
Monday's appointment with Dr. Ware further added to the cancer confirmation, and that removal of my testicle was needed immediately. A quick 2nd opinion from Dr. Werner in Manhattan confirmed it, and on May 6th I was under the knife having my testicle removed. During the surgery, Dr. Ware had also discovered a hernia that he repaired.
Recovery took 6 weeks...the first couple of them rather uncomfortable! As time went on, I started moving around more and more and started feeling myself again. During that time, we did sperm banking in the event of radiation knocking out my fertility temporarily, but at the same time Adina and I were trying again to create a baby naturally. Then a double dose of reality hit.
During Adina's trip to the hospital for severe neck pain, the nurses there told us that she was pregnant. You could imagine how overjoyed we were! Magnesium to help reduce the pain, and we were on our way to MemorialSloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan for my verdict. However, on the way, Adina developed complications. We met her mother so that she could get back to Sussex County and the GYN she was using. In the meantime, I was driving solo to Manhattan to get my news.
Adina's came about 20 minutes before mine, though the answers were unclear. What it turned out to be is that she had a chemical pregnancy...meaning she got pregnant, the fertilized egg implanted, and then the body rejected the egg, causing the lost pregnancy. So heartbreak number 1 there.
Then it was my turn. As it turns out, the tumor responsible for testicular cancer is in the back of the abdomen. The cancer cells then work their way into the bloodstream downwards to the testicle. And, if undetected, they'll then get into the lymph nodes and start working their way back up to the rest of the body. Good news is that I caught it before they started the voyage upwards. Bad news is that I still have that dang tumor. No radiation, instead chemotherapy was needed here. Heartbreak number 2!
So that's how we got here today. The target for me (and us) is November 2010. Then I'll be back on the ice, and also when Adina and I will resume our attempt at becoming parents.
During these coming days, weeks, and months, I'll be blogging here to let you know how things are going. If I can figure out everything here, I'll leave it open for comments to be posted. I may answer some, but not positive. Either way, keep 'em coming!
Monday's appointment with Dr. Ware further added to the cancer confirmation, and that removal of my testicle was needed immediately. A quick 2nd opinion from Dr. Werner in Manhattan confirmed it, and on May 6th I was under the knife having my testicle removed. During the surgery, Dr. Ware had also discovered a hernia that he repaired.
Recovery took 6 weeks...the first couple of them rather uncomfortable! As time went on, I started moving around more and more and started feeling myself again. During that time, we did sperm banking in the event of radiation knocking out my fertility temporarily, but at the same time Adina and I were trying again to create a baby naturally. Then a double dose of reality hit.
During Adina's trip to the hospital for severe neck pain, the nurses there told us that she was pregnant. You could imagine how overjoyed we were! Magnesium to help reduce the pain, and we were on our way to MemorialSloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan for my verdict. However, on the way, Adina developed complications. We met her mother so that she could get back to Sussex County and the GYN she was using. In the meantime, I was driving solo to Manhattan to get my news.
Adina's came about 20 minutes before mine, though the answers were unclear. What it turned out to be is that she had a chemical pregnancy...meaning she got pregnant, the fertilized egg implanted, and then the body rejected the egg, causing the lost pregnancy. So heartbreak number 1 there.
Then it was my turn. As it turns out, the tumor responsible for testicular cancer is in the back of the abdomen. The cancer cells then work their way into the bloodstream downwards to the testicle. And, if undetected, they'll then get into the lymph nodes and start working their way back up to the rest of the body. Good news is that I caught it before they started the voyage upwards. Bad news is that I still have that dang tumor. No radiation, instead chemotherapy was needed here. Heartbreak number 2!
So that's how we got here today. The target for me (and us) is November 2010. Then I'll be back on the ice, and also when Adina and I will resume our attempt at becoming parents.
During these coming days, weeks, and months, I'll be blogging here to let you know how things are going. If I can figure out everything here, I'll leave it open for comments to be posted. I may answer some, but not positive. Either way, keep 'em coming!
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