#BootStompCancer Day 286...Back In The Saddle Again

It has been over 200 days since I last updated everyone and trust me, that is a good thing. One of my favorite things to be, although it probably was my downfall and led to my disease, is busy. Since being declared in remission my life has returned to the hectic and crazy manner that I've always wanted it be. I always found it a blessing to be busy because it meant you were needed and had reason to be; beating cancer only helped with that blessing. It's been a long road since my last treatment, so lets get you updated!

Four days after getting out of the hospital, my cousin Nicole got married. Talk about an emotional weekend. I don't know if our family was happier for her or me! Having to stand up in front of so many people for an extended period of time was physically tough, but being able to be a part of such a special day was well worth it (as were the many beers had after, my first in months). I've always said that I had an Army behind me during this fight, and it started with family. To be able to celebrate with them first was easily the best part of being in remission.

Congrats Nicole & TJ!

 A short time after that, I had a chance to celebrate my 26th birthday. Most people don't think of 26 as a special year, but this one was clearly different. It wasn't a birthday party, it was a "Thank You" party for all those from the New York area that helped keep my spirits up, visited me, and made me want to beat this thing even more. I couldn't have too much of my family be with me during it, but to show my girlfriend and my friends how amazing it was to have them by my side was perfect.

I've always said that I wasn't blogging to gain anything. I knew people wanted to know what was going on and I wanted to keep them informed. I never did it for fanfare, or fame. If anything, I did it to shine a light on this disease, what it does, and how many people it affects. Just because you're not a cancer patient, doesn't mean you aren't a cancer fighter. On May 3, the realization of what that meant to people came to fruition. Each year, as most colleges do, Manhattan College hosted a banquet for its athletic department to recognize the achievements of their student-athletes. 

Beyond honored for this. #JasperFam

This year, I was asked to emcee the event, something I quietly wanted to do since arriving in 2011. Little did I know, it was a ploy to award me for my efforts. I was presented with the Junius Kellogg Award, something I never anticipated. If you don't know who Junius Kellogg, please research him and you'll understand why I was brought to tears upon hearing my name mentioned. I never chose to become a Jasper when I was looking for colleges to attend, but I'm so happy I chose to become one in my professional career. I can't thank them enough for all they did for me.

Throughout my treatments I consistently mentioned how grateful I was and am to the Jaspers for how they treated me and my family. What I rarely talked about, at least here, was my day job. My dream is to work in professional baseball. Since 2013 I've been a part of the Rockland Boulders organization, first as an intern and now as their Promotions/PR Manager. They have been EXCEPTIONAL when it comes to just about anything, including never making me feel like my disease would take my job away. They consistently gave me things to do that kept my mind busy and off the treatments. 

The Beard is back!

We were fortunate enough to win the league title in 2014 and I was fortunate enough to be healthy for the start of the season. Seeing the returning players and coaches who sent me texts and phone calls in the offseason was great. Putting that Championship Ring on my finger on Opening Night was unreal. Being able to perform and execute my job to the highest of my abilities was validation that my body is getting back to 100%. Sure there were tough days, and long home stands that almost broke me, but I got to wake up each morning and go to a baseball stadium for work everyday. That seems like a damn good job if you ask me.

The best part of my job is that I have a way to directly impact what our fans experience on a nightly basis. When I have the opportunity to marry the requirement of a fun theme night with a benefit for those who helped me, I have to take that chance. On July 31, we did. The Rockland Boulders hosted their first-ever Star Wars Night to benefit the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital! The players wore special Yoda jerseys which we auctioned off and helped raised more than $3,000 for the hospital I was treated at! Many of the same nurses who treated me, and the same patients I was treated with, were on hand, making for one of the best nights ever!

Part of my Boulders Family visiting kids at Maria Fareri!

Unfortunately, we weren't able to repeat as champs, but it was a great summer and one that I was looking forward to all winter and spring. As you can tell, the hair and beard have grown back, the weight is back, but the fight has not stopped. I still require regular checkups and there is still a surgery in the works to remove the lymphnode that held the majority of the cancer. Most importantly, I continue the fight to help others battle this disease.

Whether that fight is through social media posts for more donations or support for causes, or as an ambassador for the HEADstrong Foundation. I am so excited to officially start my journey as a representative for this great group of people where it all started: Hofstra University. It is where Nick Collelouri was when his fight began and its where full force of HEADstrong came on. 

It will be a great honor, and a little nerve wracking, to share my story at the Women's Collelouri Classic, a benefit in his honor. If anyone is in the area, or free on Saturday, September 26, please come by and support a great cause and see some really good college women's lacrosse! If not, I promise it won't be as long as last time before there is an update. I love you all, I thank you all, I'll see you all soon!

#BootStompCancer Day 74...We Stomped You Out!

This is the post I have dying to- no, wait, let me try that again...

This is the post I have been LIVING to write! It has been nearly four months since I was first told I had cancer. Then, yesterday afternoon as I got settled into the hospital for my fourth round of chemo, I heard the two words we all have been praying for: "Complete Remission".

Starting My FINAL Round of Chemo!

Much like the day I was diagnosed, my whole body froze. All I could do was cry and hug my mother. The crying continued throughout the day as we told family members and celebrated together over the phone. Those emotions still have not gone away and I don't know if they ever will.

While my cancer is in remission, there is always the chance it could come back. The unfortunate part of blood cancer is that there is no real cause for it. So while there's no definitive way to prevent it from happening, I can only do the basics to make sure I stay healthy. There's never a bad reason to take better care of your body, but I can't think of a better one.

Even though I no longer have cancer, that doesn't mean I'm spending this weekend at home. I still have to complete round four of chemotherapy, which is currently underway. I received a nice heavy dose of Methotrexate overnight and underwent my final spinal tap this morning. Currently I am in the midst of the first of five straight doses of Cytarabine, which will end sometime Monday afternoon. I know that this drug will make me feel absolutely terrible, but knowing that when it's all over I will be walking out of this hospital for good makes it that much easier to endure.

As this part of the battle ends, I can't thank all of you enough. For the last three months I have received cards, gifts, texts, phone calls, tweets, and emails; all of which have helped give me the strength and motivation to face this head-on. On Monday I was so nervous for the results of the tests that would tell me what our progress was. I asked my twitter and Facebook family to give me some support and I was blown away by the response. I've continuously said that the support has been more overwhelming than the disease and Monday proved it. Thank you!

I know the title of this post says "Day 74" but this has been a battle that started 112 days ago and will continue for the rest of my life. With periodic check-ups over the next couple years, and the knowledge of what symptoms to watch out for, cancer will always be a part of me. Therefore, I promise that I will always be an advocate for cancer patients, their families, and the fight to find a cure.

You all know of my relationship with HEADstrong and I look forward to taking the next step in that relationship and spreading their mission throughout New York, the Northeast, and the country. While I may not need the intense support from you all, I certainly hope that your positive thoughts and prayers do not stop.

Cancer is not a one-man fight. It is a team battle and if you have ever been affected by it, you have essentially been drafted into this army. Whether it's a simple prayer or thought you send out into the world for fast recovery or complete cure, participation in a fundraiser, or a periodic donation, we all have a duty to fight this disease and I hope you all continue to stand by me in that fight.

Like I said before, I'll be in the hospital for a few more days but this is my last round of chemo and I'm so excited to be able to begin building my strength back up to where it was before I was diagnosed. It won't be an easy road, but it will certainly be easier than these last couple months. I cannot wait to celebrate with you all once I'm ready and able and I cannot wait to thank you all individually for the support you have provided. Until then, please continue to give your thoughts and prayers, time, or donations to those whose battle is not yet over. I love you all, I thank you all, and I hope you all know that WE STOMPED CANCER OUT!

Like Strahan said!

#BootStompCancer Day 71...Down The Stretch We Come

Hi again, everyone! Wow, weird to think it's been 23 days since I last updated you all on my situation. I'm sure some of you have been wondering how I'm doing after the infection that occurred before round three and how I handled the actual third round of treatment. In short, I'm doing great and this has been the best I've felt in over a month. For the more lengthy report, read on.

My last update was just before the start of round three of my chemotherapy and after my doctors told me I could resume a bland diet to test my stomach after the infection. While I was glad the infection was getting better, I don't know if it was the fear of upsetting my stomach, the infection, or the chemo, but I had no desire to eat whatsoever. I refused food for the majority of my third round, having maybe half a plate of mac and cheese at one point. Let me tell you, though, this round was different than my first two and the addition of Cytarabine made me even more nauseous than ever. Not only that, but it's a 24-hour infusion and I was being given five consecutive doses. That's 121 straight hours of chemotherapy!

For the two weeks I was in the hospital, I barely ate and it showed. Towards the end of round three the weight began pouring off. Whether from the infection or the chemo or the not eating or all three, I dropped nearly 14 pounds in two weeks. Not only that, but my lab results were again showing some unfavorable numbers. My creatinine level started to rise again, but nothing beyond concern, and my hemoglobin counts were a little low. I was a little concerned that I would forced into another elongated hospital stay but, after learning from my last post, I was more than content with staying until the doctors felt I was well enough to leave.

St. Patrick's Day came, my final infusion completed overnight, and I was anxious to hear what the latest blood work showed. My doctor came in and said everything looked good except for my hemoglobin. She asked me how I felt about going home and I responded with "How do you feel about me going home?". She then said that she felt fine about it after a blood transfusion and told me to hydrate like crazy at home and start eating. So, after the blood transfusion and a nice nap, I was sent home to try and resume normalcy.

Lots of naps courtesy of special drugs (Benadryl & Tylenol)

I took the day off from work on Wednesday, just to build my strength up before going crazy, and suddenly found my appetite starting to come back. I don't know if it was the chemo drugs finally getting through my system or not, but I suddenly wanted to eat again. It started out with half a bagel here, a cup of soup there, but since has picked back up to a near normal level for me. After a half-day of work that Thursday, and a positive check-up, I went full bore on Friday.

Not only did I go to work the whole day, but I was also able to make into New York City, despite the terrible weather, and be with one of my best friends from college, Mitch Merman, and celebrate his birthday (which is actually today. Happy Birthday, bud!). It felt great to be able to do that and the only setback that occurred from it was a very tired Christian. I took the rest of the weekend off and continued to build up my strength.

Over this past week, I have been battling a recurring cough and runny nose but that has been insanely minor compared to everything else. My appetite is coming back nicely, my strength is on the rise, and I've begun feeling like me again. While my weight hasn't been going up just yet, the rapid weight loss as stopped. To be able to have two weeks like I have has made me much happier than I was back in early March. It was only made better when one of my best friends from high school, Pat Benjamin, drove up from Baltimore yesterday morning to hang out. We played N64 for hours before going out to watch Arizona-Wisconsin. That made me feel more normal than ever and I can't thank him enough for doing that.

My dude Pat and I at BWW after a day of N64

Currently, I'm sitting on my couch getting prepared to watch day two of the Elite 8 and then later on WrestleMania. I'm also mentally preparing myself for the week ahead. I'm scheduled to begin round four of treatment on Tuesday. Now, I've been saying throughout this process that round four could be the last. I've been trying to stress the fact that that is a possibility and not a guarantee, just so everyone doesn't get surprised if treatment is prolonged.

This past Thursday I went through another PET scan and tomorrow I will have a CT scan done. These were two tests imperative to staging my cancer back in January and they will help us in knowing where the cancer is at now, if it's still there. If the doctors find no sign of the disease, this will be my final round of chemotherapy. If they find some signs of residual disease, there could be a couple options: surgery to remove the cancerous lymph node (if the doctors deem it appropriate) or a few more rounds of treatment. I won't know the answers to those questions for a few days and I'm going to take a couple days after finding out, good or bad, to digest it all before I make it public knowledge so please don't hate me if you feel I'm taking too long for my next post.

For now, I'd like to take a moment and share something special. As you all know, I've become a very close partner with the HEADstrong Foundation, helping them launch #ProjectGameday. I am very happy and proud to say that since it was launched in mid-January, #ProjectGamedy has raised more than $20,000 for cancer patients and their families! Of that, my supporters, you guys, have helped to raise nearly $5,000 of that and I can't thank you enough for it! As always, please continue to give whatever you can in terms of positive thoughts, hospital visits, or donations. A smiling face or a joke can make any cancer patient feel like a normal person. I love you all, I thank you all, and I'll update you when there's more information.

#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!