#BootStompCancer Day 48...Patience Is A Virtue

I know it's been a very long time since I've updated you all, and to be honest, that is because the last couple weeks have been very physically and mentally trying on me. Truthfully, the last two weeks have been the hardest for me to accept because of some of the setbacks. For as long as I can remember, I've been notorious for telling people "patience is a virtue". I've done it to friends, family members, girlfriends, and even bosses. Unfortunately, if I had just listened to my own nagging self, these last two weeks may not have happened. So, here's the latest update with some optimism.

Like I posted 11 days ago when I got admitted into the hospital for the second round of chemotherapy, I was planning to get out on Tuesday, February 24. Everything went well during treatment, but I did lose my hair and my beard, and despite being a little nauseous during the treatment like I anticipated, I was going to head home on that day. Then the first setback happened.

The hair went first, then the beard :(

My doctor came in and told me that creatinine level had tripled overnight. It spiked from 0.7 (normal level) to a 2.15 (almost double normal). The doctors decided that they were going to up the amount of IV fluids I was going to get until my levels came back down to normal. The worst part about it all was that I felt great. Even more frustrating, they couldn't pinpoint what it was that caused this insane spike. Without these lab results, I would be going home and heading back to my life. Most annoying, the Manhattan-Iona game was coming up on Friday and I did not want to miss that opportunity.

Each day they would draw blood two, sometimes three times, checking to see if the creatinine went down at all. The first night it went up, to 2.28. Then it started falling, but way too slowly. First to 2.16, then 2.07, then all of a sudden to 1.85! Suddenly, I got optimistic that the levels would begin dropping as rapidly as they rose. In reality, that's not the case. Acute Kidney Injuries (AKI) can take anywhere from one to three weeks to fully recover.

However, we had reached a deal. If my level reached a 1.5 by Friday, I would be sent home with the promise that I administer IV fluids to myself and get more blood drawn on Monday to find out. When I woke up Friday I was just anxious to get the results, expecting them to be bad. As the day dragged on, the results didn't come. They usually come three hours after being draw and my last blood work was done at 6 a.m. It got to be about 2 p.m. and my mom needed to do some laundry so I told her to go back to my apartment, do some laundry and come back and we'll prepare for a weekend in the hospital.

No less than 30 seconds after she walked out, she came rushing back in. Apparently one of the doctors saw her ready to leave and told her they were sending me home. I immediately starting packing up and got ready to return to the microphone that night in New Rochelle. When all was finalized, I was sent home with IV fluids, a promise to take it easy, and a massive smile on my face. We went to my apartment, I put on a suit and arrived just shortly after tip-off to resume my job as the "Voice of the Jaspers". Despite Manhattan again coming up short, I was happier than I could have imagined because I was able to do what I loved. I went home to begin keeping my end of the bargain and took the day off Saturday to hopefully ensure no setbacks. Little did I know, the damage was probably already done.

Sunday morning, I woke up not feeling great. It started with some stomach pains, enough to put me back on the couch to lie down for a few hours. Once again, Manhattan had another contest; Senior Day. These players were freshman when I began my tenure in Riverdale and I've always felt a little bit of a special connection with them so of course I wanted to be there. After lying down a little longer than I normally would, I felt good enough to go. My mother and I got down there and almost immediately upon arriving, I could feel it was a bad idea. I struggled through the entire broadcast, feeling a little drowsy and nauseous. On the way home, I laid down in the back seat of my mothers Jeep because my stomach hurt so much. I could barely eat, I could barely move.

Throughout the night, the pain in my stomach increased; as did other side effects. I won't get into the graphic details, but food poisoning has nothing on what was happening to my body. Around 3 a.m. I had the worst of it and feared I would have to rushed to the hospital. I moved from my bedroom to the couch near the daybed where my mother sleeps at my apartment. That seemed to help the stomach pain and I was able to get some sleep before my scheduled appointment back at the hospital to check my creatinine levels.

Once again I laid down in the back of the Jeep because the bumps on the road only made the stomach pain worse. When I got to the hospital, it was obvious to everyone around me that something wasn't right. I got very cold, spiked a fever, and the pain got worse. They set me up in a different room, hooked me up to fluids and tried to help. After a couple of hours, the doctor made the decision that I knew was best, but prayed I wouldn't hear: I was being admitted to the hospital again.

After an X-Ray and CT Scan, the doctors determined that my colon had become inflamed, causing the stomach pains, and infected, causing the other issues. There were a trio of reasons as to why but that would take another day or two until they figured it out. For now, I was back in the hospital receiving constant IV fluids, antibiotics, and told no food or drink until I was fixed.

That was on Monday. On Tuesday we found out that I contracted what is called "c-diff". I won't get into the details but this is not fun to have. I was fortunately allowed to have a clear liquid diet and began to have some very small sips of water, ginger ale, and ice chips. However, Wednesday was another setback. My hemoglobin count was very low and I needed a blood transfusion. Not to mention, I began spiking features overnight and was profusely sweating with the antibiotics they gave me, making me very uncomfortable.

Each day I felt a little better and today, I feel great. My lab results have consistently improved to a point where my doctors are happy this weekend I can resume eating bland foods just to test my stomach. After these setbacks my concern became a delay in my treatment. When this all started, I mapped out a treatment plan that had be out of the hospital from my final round of chemo Easter weekend which was perfect.

My cousin, Nicole, is getting married the following weekend and she's asked me to be a reader. She is the closest thing in life I have to a blood-sister and my biggest fear is letting down the people I love. These setbacks made me think I would laid up in a hospital room instead of celebrating the biggest day of her life with her. Fortunately, my doctors and nurses are so great that they are getting me ready to begin my third round of treatment on time, meaning my fourth, and potentially final, round will also be on time.

I'm sure while reading this all of you have said, at least once, "Christian, you need to take better care of yourself!" and I know I do. But, these are some of the more severe side effects that can occur when you go through chemotherapy. Your white blood counts get knocked down so low that the tiniest infection can take hold. My white counts were down to 200 on Monday, a very low normal is 4500. Did what I do have some effect? Probably, but until one of my doctors tells me that's the exact cause of my setbacks, I'm chalking this one up to the chemotherapy working too well.

Also, and I know this sounds selfish of me, but I needed to broadcast those games. Like I've said multiple times, this is what I love to do and after feeling fine for four days but being told I have to stay in the hospital, I would have done anything to feel normal. Calling a college basketball game feels normal to me. To be able to feel like a normal person, and not a cancer patient, is monumental.

So where do we go from here? Like I said, we're scheduled to start round three on Tuesday and I will remain in the hospital until then. Most likely, I'll get out on March 16 (Happy 21st, Mikey!), and start a bit of a different diet my doctor and I talked about to help prevent the stomach issues from coming back. Again, what I did was not the cause of those issues, but anything I can do to help myself is going to be done.

Until then, please continue to pray, send positive thoughts, donate your time/money, tweet/text/call and whatever, not just for me but for others with me battling. When I got in on Monday I heard a lot more cries than I had before and it truly upset me more. Those thoughts and prayers are needed. For now, I love you all, I thank you all, and I'll update you again when we know more.

#BootStompCancer Day 31...#ProjectGameday, #ProjectSuccess

OK, so quick update. I got admitted back into the hospital earlier this evening to begin round two of my chemotherapy treatment. I'm feeling really strong and am more mentally prepared for this trip than I was the first, considering I know how my body will react to the drugs. Now, I won't be in the hospital for as long as I was (I'm hoping to get out on Monday), but the delay in getting me a bed may extend a day or two. Either way, I'm ready for round two and prepared to keep fighting this thing.

Now, I wanted to take time to talk about what happened this past Friday night. I wanted to dedicate an entire post to the incredible event that took place and thank everyone who was a part of it. When Pat Collelouri of HEADstrong first contacted me, I was floored. Of course I wanted to reach out to them and ask how I could use my position and job in a mutually beneficial way. Pat was already one step ahead, as I have learned he almost always his. My idea was to hold a HEADstrong benefit with my first Manhattan broadcast back, on February 6th. Pat thought bigger and better. February 13th, against Iona, on ESPNU. So, we did our due diligence, and were rewarded with both teams donning the patented lime green HEADstrong shoelaces on national TV! Not only that, but we got both coaches to wear special lapel pins and both Sports Information Directors to wear HEADstrong ties!

HEADstrong on ESPNU!

If I'm going to effectively thank all of the people who were involved in this, that list has to start with Pat. During my first stay in the hospital, I looked forward to his phone calls and texts. His energy is infectious and his ideas only breed better ones. Pat has lived this from as close as you can, as the brother of a cancer fighter. Unfortunately, Pat lost his brother but has continued his fight, as has the rest of the Collelouri family. Throughout my first treatment, Pat would send me texts of encouragement and even pictures of Nick from his time in the hospital. Those helped me the most through my initial chemo infusions and I look forward to our continued friendship and partnership.

To Pat's parents, Pat, Sr. and Cheryl, thank you for continuing this fight. I was so honored to have you in attendance on Friday night and to fuse your family with mine. Many people can offer their support, few can offer their experience. Although she has not said it to me, I know my mother will be forever grateful to you both for sharing your experience with your son and I can ensure you that it helped to comfort her.

Heimall Family and Cheryl Collelouri of HEADstrong

To my family, you will never know how much it meant that you all could have been there that night. Yes, it was Valentine's Day weekend and I knew my dad was coming up to spend time with mom, but for my brothers to make their respective six hour trips only added to the event. Thank you.

It was Pat's suggestion, and I can't thank Manhattan SID Kevin Ross enough for agreeing to the idea. Kevin worked with both Pat and I to relay our hopes to the Manhattan administration and accommodate as much as he could. Kevin also gave me his HEADstrong tie after the game, which was too kind. To Manhattan Athletic Director Noah LeFevre, thank you for the permission to bring this wonderful cause into Draddy Gym and to the Jasper Nation. 

To Jaspers Head Coach Steve Masiello, thank you for everything. My first night in the hospital I was supposed to be in Jersey City as Manhattan took on St. Peter's. Coach called me that night to see how I was and what was going on with me. I don't know how many Division I men's basketball coaches would call their broadcaster mere hours after a win, but I'd like to think that number is high and that they would do it as quickly as Mas did. Since then, Coach has been one of my biggest supporters and his players, my Jasper brothers, have been just as big. My first night back was incredible and to see them all with those lime green shoelaces in their sneakers was really, really cool.

Probably the coolest part of the night happened mere moments before tip. Iona head coach Tim Cluess came out of the locker room, walked across the court, and came to see me. I've been the "Voice of the Jaspers" for four season now, and Coach Cluess and I never had more than a passing "Hello" prior to a game. For him to come over to me, share his support, and stories of his friends who currently battling, and beating cancer, with the family history that he has, just minutes before he has to coach his team against their arch rival ON THE ROAD no less, was one of the classiest things I've ever witnessed. My thanks go to him and Iona SID Brian Beyer for their efforts and support that night. Would have been nice if you could have let Manhattan win that night though. Just saying.

Even Iona wore green on this night!

As I mentioned before, the reason we wanted our #ProjectGameday to be this game was because it was going to be showcased nationally on ESPNU. A chance to bring HEADstrong to a whole new audience of college basketball fans. Nick Collelouri first had the idea of athletes using their notoriety to help support the cause by wearing these shoelaces. All ESPNU had to do was show the game; they didn't have to say anything about the cause or even really show it. Fortunately, Doug Sherman, the play-by-play man that night for the telecast, and I have known each other for a couple of years. When I finally made my way to press row, Doug did what every good broadcaster does: he got the story. He asked about my status, what was left for me to do, HEADstrong, and anything else he felt would be pertinent for the broadcast. Because of that, when the opportunity presented itself, he gave the foundation a great mention, and I even got a little airtime as well (which was pretty cool). After the game I had the chance to meet Malcolm Huckaby, former Boston College star and Doug's color commentator that night. We had a great talk and I look forward to continuing that friendship as well.

Not a bad look on TV...for a radio guy,,.

Now, I do have one final thank you to make, and it's a little tongue-in-cheek. Shane Richards, the junior sharp-shooter for Manhattan was kind enough to lose his shoe just one minute into the second half. That is what allowed Doug the opportunity to discuss HEADstrong and get a full two minutes of dialogue on national TV for both the foundation and myself. Sugar Shane hits another one! If you didn't get the chance to watch the broadcast, Ken Taylor and Kyle Firestine from the MAAC were kind enough to get it for me; thank you both.

HEADstrong on ESPNU

#ProjectGamedy was, and still is, a new idea to help raise funds for HEADstrong and continue the mission of Nick Collelouri, ensuring that no person fights cancer alone. We "debuted" the idea with me and the Manhattan-Iona match-up. I set a goal of $2,700 to raise before the game, and with your help we reached nearly $3,000! I can't thank all of YOU enough for being a part of this. I have constantly said that the support I have received has been more overwhelming than cancer could ever hope to be. If you still want to donate, or if you want to pledge your game, competition, or event to #ProjectGameday, I encourage you to visit www.HEADstrong.org to learn more. Teams can sign-up and do it all year long  and your donations go straight to those fighting cancer and their families.

Once again, I can't thank everyone who had a hand in this enough. If I left you off this blog, I sincerely apologize. Just know that you were part of the most incredible night of my young life. The love and support I felt was absolutely tremendous and truly reignited by desire to fight this disease and continue Nick's mission. Like I said, I'm back in the hospital for round two and ready to keep putting my boot right into the teeth of cancer! For now, as always, I ask you to keep sending your positive thoughts, prayers, and (if you can) dollars, to those who are fighting tougher fights than I am. I love you all, I thank you all, and I'll update you when we have more!

#BootStompCancer Day 25...The Trouble With Up is There's Always A Down

I know it's been a while, a week, since I last posted an update and I truthfully haven't been too keen on posting this one. Probably the biggest response I have gotten from everyone through my writing, or my tweets, or interactions, has been how positive my attitude is. Why shouldn't it be? I know I'm going to beat this, the doctor's know I'm going to beat this, and cancer damn sure knows it by now.

However, with that constant reminder of how positive I've been, it almost makes it difficult to tell you all how hard this is. To talk about the bad days, and there have been a few. Sure, my family and loved ones know because they see it. But, if so many of you are upbeat because of me, how can I let you down by showing my bad days? The answer is simple: I have to.

Your positive support is what has helped keep me fighting through those bad days. It would be wrong of me not to share my struggles, our struggles, and only let you in on the good times. Cancer is not a one-man battle; it is a team sport and I need my team.

The truth is, getting out of the hospital and getting back to work last week was the happiest I had been in a very long time. It was proof that things were getting better. The doctors were so impressed with how my body reacted to the first round of chemotherapy and they trusted me enough to let me go and try to live my life. It was exhilarating, it was unfathomable, it was too much.

I went back to my full-time job with head of steam last Tuesday, was in the office all week, and returned to my passion of calling Manhattan Jaspers games on Friday night. I can't even begin to describe what Feb. 6 meant to me. To see my 22 brothers, coaches and players, for the first time in a month, sporting the #BootStompCancer wristbands was beyond emotional.

Hugging all my friends, colleagues and coworkers over the past four years felt like coming home for the first time in ages. Seeing all my athletes, the softball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball teams, etc. come over to me and smile was incredible. The President of the school even emailed me that day to say he hoped to see me at the game! The amount of love and support I got that night was so overwhelming, there was no way I wasn't going to keep fighting. It also helped that the Jaspers won that night, but I digress.

Unfortunately, my mind and heart were not on the same page as my body. I crashed. It didn't come swiftly like you sometimes think. I didn't fall over or anything like you see in the movies. It happened like a slow-motion car wreck. I did another broadcast on Saturday, and then a road trip with the men on Sunday. And then it happened.

I knew something was wrong almost immediately that night. My stomach and my head were just not having it. I barely slept. Nothing helped as I was in so much pain. On Monday, I tried to go to work and stayed way longer than I should have. When I finally got home and laid down, I didn't know what to expect.

I woke up almost two hours later and had forgotten where I was and how I had gotten there. I was fearful that I was going to start throwing up or run a fever and have to be rushed back to the hospital when my mother was over an hour away at family.

Fortunately, I was able to sustain everything and was able to get some sleep Monday night. Tuesday was a great day and today is looking like more of the same. I am constantly learning through this process. That's what cancer does. It forces you to relearn everything. What you like to eat, how fast you can move, even how much you can take. I know there are going to be bad days, I'm not naive. I'm just thankful that for every person who has told me how amazed they are at my positive, that same person I know will be there when a day as bad as I've had comes along.

One of my great days is coming. This Friday, February 13 (which is ironic cause I am REALLY superstitious about that day) the Manhattan Jaspers and Iona Gaels battle on ESPNU at 10pm and I am calling the game for Manhattan radio. Both teams have agreed to work together with me and the HEADstrong Foundation as part of our #ProjectGameday campaign to raise money and awareness for those fighting this disease.

To all of you who have donated, I cannot thank you enough. This is not about me raising money for my hospital expenses. This is about me raising money to keep the spirit and fight of a brilliant young man in Nick Collelouri alive. His mission was, and is, to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. It is a mission I am happy to take on for the rest of my life and I'm humbled by the support two bitter rivals have given to this cause.

If you have not donated, and you can, I ask for just a small contribution. I'm closing in on my goal of $2700 raised before tip-off and would love to exceed that and present HF with a great check as they will be there on Friday. Please visit www.classy.org/BootStompCancer to learn more about HEADstrong and to donate.

Until then, as always, please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming for myself and the others going through this. I love you all, I thank you all, if you're coming Friday night I can't wait to see you all!

#BootStompCancer Day 18...I am HEADstrong!

This post is coming a couple days later than I anticipated but I've been enjoying my new found freedom since being released from the hospital on Monday night. I went back to my full-time job on Tuesday and even went ice skating for the first time in SIX YEARS! I've never been so excited to be so nervous in my life haha!

As I've consistently been expressing through my posts, I am incredibly humbled and honored by the amount of support I have received since announcing my diagnosis. All of that support came to a pinnacle last night. This has been in the works for about a week and we were finally able to announce it yesterday. For those of you that have not heard, below you will find the release from the Manhattan College Athletics Department:


"RIVERDALE, N.Y. – On Friday, Feb. 13, the Manhattan College men’s basketball team will partner with the HEADstrong Foundation’s #ProjectGameday in an effort to raise awareness and funds to fight blood cancer, in honor of play-by-play broadcaster Christian Heimall. The Jaspers are slated to take on Iona College at 10 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

The blueprints for the HEADstrong Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori in 2006, while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life. Today, Nick’s vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against blood cancers.

“We are excited to be able to help not only Christian but the entire HEADstrong Foundation in the universal fight against cancer,” said Manhattan College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Noah D. LeFevre.

#ProjectGameday is HEADstrong’s newest fundraising campaign, supporting the essential programs and services offered by the non-profit organization to improve quality of life for cancer patients and their families. The online campaign empowers athletic teams and individuals alike to pledge their game and raise funds for the cause. Manhattan’s #ProjectGameday will help raise funds for HEADstrong and for Christian as he battles his illness. Click here to change the game for Christian and others affected by cancer.

“The HEADstrong Foundation has been shining a light on those battling cancer for the better part of a decade,”said Heimall. “The Colleluori family has been instrumental in improving the lives of countless patients and their families battling this terrible disease. I am so honored to be welcomed as part of their extended family and to help welcome Jasper Nation into that family as well.”

A merchandise tent will also be set up inside Draddy Gym for fans to purchase, as well donate to the foundation. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear lime green, the official awareness color of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the HEADstrong Foundation.

Heimall, who is in his fourth year as the “Voice of the Jaspers,” was diagnosed the B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. A Hofstra University graduate, the 25-year-old has joined forces with HEADstrong to continue their mission of improving quality of life for patients battling cancers and their families.

“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those affected by cancer we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Manhattan Jasper nation for rallying support for Christian and recognizing the importance of our cause," said Cheryl Colleluori, HF President and Nick's mother. "We find ourselves matched against the toughest opponent and we are on the front lines of this disease, working, supporting and easing the hardships of “Real People” like Christian Heimall. When we learned of his diagnosis, we immediately reached out to assure him that he was not alone and we are inspired by his positivity. He embodies many of the same characteristics of our Nick and we are thrilled to have him on our team. We wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to both Manhattan and Iona College for joining our fight against this disease.”

About the HEADstrong Foundation™

The HEADstrong Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) committed to being a resource for blood cancer patients and their families, helping them to navigate the harrowing ordeal of cancer by providing essential services to improve quality of life.

HEADstrong™ is an athletic rooted organization that serves the cancer community by granting direct financial assistance to those financially impacted as a result of the disease, by providing complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling to Philadelphia, Pa. for cancer related treatments through Nick’s House™, by funding innovative blood cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, by serving family meals and offering outlets of entertainment for those receiving care at hospitals, by delivering comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant and by lending an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.

For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation™ and how they are Getting a HEAD of Cancer™ go to www.HEADstrong.org."


I truthfully cannot convey my gratitude for everyone is helping to make this possible. From Pat Colleluori at HEADstrong, who called me up out of the blue to help get this thing moving, to Jim Sheehan at Hofstra Univeristy to making the connection possible, and everyone at both Manhattan and Iona College for agreeing to do this for me; it's almost too much.

This is why I love sports. Sports have always been an outlet from real life and a chance for everyone, no matter what side of the tracks you reside on, to come together for a common good: their fellow man. February 6th is my return to broadcasting, my outlet, and to be able to do something like this a week later, at a place I love, surrounded by people I love, is such an incredible blessing that I still don't know if I truly deserve.

Throughout this whole process, I have asked simply for your time and your thoughts. This will be one of the few times, if not the only time, that I will ask for money. Please, visit www.classy.org/BootStompCancer and make a donation to HEADstrong's #ProjectGameday. By doing so, you will not just be benefiting me, but countless others who are afflicted by cancer.

The goal of HEADstrong is to improve the quality of life of blood cancer patients and their families. I am so very blessed to have the family I do that many of the financial hardships others endure, we are not forced to. So please, in honor of that, make a donation (even as little as $27, in honor of HF founder Nick Collelouri) to help those in much more dire straits than I. If you want to learn more about Nick, his family, his story, and his mission, go to www.HEADstrong.org and learn what a tremendous cause this is.

I am so very proud to be welcomed into this family, and even prouder to open the doors to you all. If you cannot be at the game on February 13, watch on ESPNU and know that any donation you can make is one GIANT step in our fight against cancer. Because if we are RELENTLESS in our efforts, and HEADstrong in our efforts, we can all get aHEAD of Cancer. For Nick.

I love you all, I thank you all, and I can't wait to see you all soon!

#BootStompCancer Day 15...The Fight is On!

Well, it's Super Bowl Sunday and before I get to my prediction (this was, after all, supposed to be a sports blog), a quick little update.

This weekend has by far been the toughest. On Thursday I received my first dose of Methatrexate, the heaviest of the chemo drugs. This was part of 10 hours of chemotherapy infusions and lasted well into the night. My schedule was then to have a mix of drugs infused multiple times over the next three days with my last infusion coming later tonight. When I woke up Friday feeling pretty good, I had no idea how false that feeling would be just 24 hours later.

Saturday was incredibly difficult. For the first time, I actually felt like I was sick. The nausea, the fatigue, the soreness, all of it at once. I spent more of my day yesterday sleeping, more to avoid the discomfort, than anything else and even started running a slight fever. I tried, multiple times, to get out of bed and try to feel normal, but I couldn't. My appetite did not exist. I don't think I ate anything solid all day. All I could do was lay there and hope the medicine I asked for would take effect.

What helped get me through were the phone calls, texts, and visitors I had yesterday. It was great to able to have my mind focused on talking with friends and loved ones, instead of focusing on trying not to throw up and have a poor reaction to the chemotherapy. I just kept saying "If this is as bad as it gets, I'm going to be fine."

Fortunately, that was. I woke up this morning feeling much better; not great, but better. I've been able to get up and move a little more and actually ate breakfast! The big test will be how I feel to eat some form of Super Bowl foods while watching the game.

Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to have a spinal tap done where the doctors will inject another form of chemo into my spine to help protect the cancer from spreading into my Central Nervous System and beyond. Whats great is that I'm going to be knocked out for it, as anyone who has had an LP done with local anesthesia will tell you. After that, depending on how I feel, and the weather, I can go home for the first time in over two weeks! It's going to be so weird, but so great to be able to back home and taste fresh air again!

Momma Dukes Says "Go Pats!"

Now, as for my prediction. I, unlike most people living in New York, recognize and respect talent and that is what the New England Patriots have. If you truly think "deflategate" had anything to do with them winning the AFC title game, you don't understand football. Tom Brady has been playing at a level I have not seen in years and Bill Belichick is a tremendous coach. Together, the two of them will notch their fourth Championship and cement their spot as arguable the greatest coach/QB tandem ever. Plus, mom's a Pats fan and she's the boss. Patriots win, 37-31.

I'm going to have another update for you all tomorrow, but not about me. It will be about something that I'm helping to put together with a group of folks who have been instrumental in my life since diagnosis. I can't wait to share it all with you and hope as many of you can participate as possible. Until then, as always, please continue to donate your time/thoughts/money to those going through a tougher battle than I am. I love you all, I thank you all, and I'll update you when we have more!

#BootStompCancer Day 11: The Calm Before the Storm

How did you guys spend your blizzard? I was hanging out with my mom, Aunt Diane, and Nana (the latter of two who came down from New Hampshire on Monday) in the Westchester Medical Center getting ready for the next phase of this battle. When I left you last, there was the great news of no cancer in the bone marrow or the spinal tap. So why not continue with that?

Monday I went in for a CT Scan to check out the size of the swollen lymph nodes found in my neck, chest, and stomach. For anyone who saw me before I got admitted, the change in my neck was BEYOND visible. When the results of the CT Scan came back, it showed 60%-70% reduction in the masses! The proof was there; the small amount of chemotherapy given to me last week worked and that was all I needed to further boost my confidence.

Battle Ready!

On Tuesday, I was issued my first dose of Rituximab. For those who have never heard of this, it is a precursor drug to prepare my body for chemotherapy. According to the sheets given to me by my medical team is an "antibody that attaches to certain cancer cells & destroys the cancer cells". I was ready for another round of IV fluids. What I was not prepared for was the side effects. The feverish chills were almost too much. Within 30 minutes I was shaking, and that was with two wool blankets on. Fortunately, that subsided and I was able to handle the next four hours of infusion pretty well. 

Today was a rest day. I was disconnected from all IV fluids and allowed to roam around the hospital with my family. It was so nice to not have to worry about infusions or injections for a day and get back to a little bit of normalcy, like work (I know! I should be resting, but I love my job). I also learned what is going to happen when I do go home. Part of caring for myself includes daily injections to build up my bone marrow back to the levels needed to start the next round of chemo. I have never been that fond of needles, and I've never had to inject myself, so learning that is definitely going to be a process. Overall, it looks simple but I know I'm going to be a bit hesitant that first morning. That being said, the biggest is yet to come.

Tomorrow I begin the heaviest dose of chemotherapy. It will begin with another dose of Rituximab, as well as Vincristine, Methotrexate, and Leucovorin. These infusions will last almost nine hours and I've been warned that the side effects will be worse than what I've experienced before. I'm going to be very fatigued, and possibly very nauseous. However, I've been reassured by the wonderful staff here that they have the ability to help me through it all and that I will get through it.

More importantly, Thursday begins a stretch of four days of chemotherapy treatment. I'm going to get a different "chemo cocktail" for three days and then an injection into my spine before I can head home for the first time in more than two weeks. I don't think I can express how excited I am to get back to doing what I love and seeing all of you. I know that this is only Round One, but I feel ready to fight this disease and go the distance!

#JasperFam

Before I leave for the night, and potentially the weekend, I want to take a moment and again thank you all for the incredible support. From the Manhattan Jaspers softball team, to the HEADstrong Foundation, and of course all my family and loved ones, every day I am reminded that the fight against cancer is not a solo job. For now, as always, I ask you to donate your time/energy/money/whatever you can and keep those going through a much tougher fight than I am in your prayers. I love you all, I thank you all, and I'll update you when we have more to tell.

#BootStompCancer Day 8: Put One in the Win Column!

Anyone who has ever been involved in anything competitive will tell you: "winning doesn't come easy." It takes the right amount of preparation, the correct mix of your execution and your opponents faults, plus a little bit of luck. But most importantly, it takes patience.

I can remember my first season coaching Little League baseball when I was sophomore in high school. I was coaching my youngest brother Michael's U-12 team, as a 15 year old. We were AWFUL! We lost every game, and I actually got ejected in our season finale (but it never got recorded cause I argued a "walk-off"). Even with all the losses, the kids and the families seemed to have fun. They were learning the game and I never once focused on the losses. The next year, about 85% of the team came back, and we DOMINATED in our first game! It was a great feeling, especially when they dumped the water cooler on my head like we won a championship. I truthfully had not had a feeling like that until yesterday.

Ever since I was first diagnosed with Lymphoma on Dec., 9, I had yet to get a win. At first it was Hodgkin's disease, maybe the "best cancer" to have. Then, on Dec., 23, it became a very aggressive form of NHL that could have terrible ramifications. When I was first admitted on Jan., 16, we were told Stage 3 and possibly Stage 4; meaning almost double the length/intensity of treatment to get me back to where I was last summer.

Then, on Jan., 23, after constant asking and not getting a direct answer, I got one. The computer showed all negative results from my bone marrow biopsy AND my spinal tap! While the final result came on Saturday, that was a massive burden taken off my mind and my chest. I was so relieved to finally have a win under my belt.

I had been waiting on posting this update because I needed a moment of quiet celebration; first with myself, and then my family. This was a big moment for us. After nearly two months of news trending downhill, we finally got something that showed us it is getting better.

Finally got that first W!

It would be a lie if I said that I wasn't getting a little down with all the waiting and the uncertainty, but it would be a bigger lie to say that I had begun losing that positive attitude I have been trying to portray in my writing. The constant texts, tweets, emails, phone calls, and visits have been the highlights of my days. I truthfully cannot thank everyone enough and my biggest goal is being able to hug every single one of you once I'm back at work and doing what I love with the people I love!

So the big question with all the new information is of course: what does this mean? And here is the answer. This fight, although a life-long battle that I am ready to conquer, has taken a dramatic turn in my favor. Since there is no cancer in the bone marrow, or the spinal fluid, my staging allows for a much shorter chemotherapy regiment with still the same expected results.

I am going in for another CT Scan tomorrow to measure the tumors that they found last week and if the doctors like my progress, and anyone who has physically seen the difference in my neck (down to 6cm again!), they will. That means that I begin my second dose of chemo, but a much heavier dose, on Tuesday. This is where it gets real serious and the big guns come out.

The good news, again, is that this is the first of what will be four rounds of heavy chemo. Even better, if the plan goes as expected, my last round of chemo will begin March 31 and I will be discharged from the hospital for the final time around April 7!

For my family, that means as healthy a Christian as possible at my cousins wedding that following weekend. For me, it means that a) I can be in Albany, on the call, as the Jaspers defend their MAAC Championship and b) I can be as back to normal for my 26th birthday as I have ever been.

I know that this is not a battle that ends in April, or even when the words "Cancer Free" are spoken, if they ever are. This is not a battle that I fight on my own, but this is NOT a battle that we will lose. So many things are coming down the pipe that I have been talking about quietly with family to help continue the fight and once they are official, I can't wait to share it all with you!

Until then, as always, please continue to pray/give/donate for those fighting a tougher fight than I am as they need it more. I love you all, I thank you all, and I will update you when we know more!