#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!