I’m not sure if anybody is still signed up to receive updates from my blog, but I thought I would post one out here just in case. I know its been a long time and the good news is that I really haven’t had much to write about…so I haven’t!

I’m pleased to report that there is no bad news to report now either. A lot has happened since my last note, and I thought I would take a moment to write about it all.

First off, in June I did indeed run in the Warrior Dash. It was a blast. Actually, it really met the tagline of “Craziest frickin’ day in your life”. My father-in-law, Jerry, and my buddy Chris and I ran it. We had a ton of fun while getting covered with mud. The best part (not) was the fire hose at the end to clean you off. Imagine 50 or so people covered with mud and huddled together trying to get clean while being shot with freezing cold water coming out at 100 mph. What’s not to love?

Here’s a picture after the event:

Flash forward to September when I had my 6 month checkup. Everything is CLEAN! I’m looking good and there is no sign of recurrence! Whoohooo! I had a CAT scan and blood workup and then met with my regular Oncologist and my Radiation Oncologist. Both of them gave me the thumbs up. I will meet with them regularly every 6 months or so for the next few years. Hopefully, the results will continue to be the same.

Since all of this started right after I ran the Chicago Marathon last year, I decided to train for one more marathon just to prove I could still do it. I was definitely a lot slower on a per mile basis, and the training was tough, but I did it. On 9/19 I ran the Fox Valley Marathon in 4:52:01. Interestingly, that time was 35 seconds faster than the first marathon (and my official slowest) back in 1999. So, I guess I can consider myself no worse for wear. I’m proud to say that was my 5th and hopefully my last marathon. I’m awfully tired of running. Now, I need to find something else to do to stay in shape.

The last piece of big news I wanted to share is that Renee is pregnant with daughter #3. Yes, that’s right I’m going to be the father of 3 girls. Ohboy…what have we done?! We are very excited and anxious to get through the next 20 weeks (she is now about 20 weeks along). The baby is due in late February.

So, that’s my update. Things are going well in general and other than being crazy busy all summer, I have nothing to complain about. Feel free to comment to let me know if anybody is still reading this. Take care.

-Joe

First of all, thanks to Renee, my wonderful wife, for all of her support and love through this process. She had it the hardest as the “caretaker” who can only sit by and hope for the best while I went through this. I know it was an extremely difficult and emotional time and I am thankful for all of your help from making phone calls, to my chemo goodie bags, to letting me sleep when I needed to, and for putting up with all of my ups and downs. Thank you honey, I love you!

Thanks to my parents who diligently came every other Thursday and watched the girls while Renee and I went to my chemo sessions. Also for all the concern and phone calls. You did a lot of research on my behalf and helped me get through this process with the love and concern that only parents can.

Thanks to my in-laws, Jerry and Carol for so many things. Renee and I love having you over as often as possible and your help throughout this process has been immeasurable. Of course, all of the work that you have done on the house as well as all of the time you spent with us has been fantastic. I am lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. Included in the wonderful in-law category are Grandma Nina and Grandpa Glenn. Thanks to both of you for the ever present love and support.

Thanks to my brother for all of the phone calls throughout this process and of course, for coming to stay for a few days and go to chemo with me. I can always count on you and I am grateful. I only wish we lived near each other so that we could see each other regularly. Along those lines, thanks to Kari for sending Dan to visit and for all of your supportive emails, phone calls, text messages and pictures etc. I look forward to seeing you both soon.

A big thank you to all of my “chemo buddies” who included:
Renee (of course), Josh, Dan, Lynda, and my father. You all got to see me during some of the roughest times and have an intimate knowledge of how fun it is (not) to be injected with poison. Thank you for taking good care of me.

To Anne W.: Thank you so much for all of your wonderful advice when things were crazy. You were a huge help with both Renee and I in getting organized and understanding what we were going through. In fact, you get full credit for the idea of starting this blog. Thank you!

Thank you To Cousin Dana and Cousin Sue: You were my biggest fan club on the blog and via email. I really appreciate all of your insights, humor, and support.

To the ladies in the western burbs (Tobey, Jaime, Sarah, Christina, Betsy, Shannon, Tara, Natalie, Stephanie, Kathie, Carrie, Jenni, Gail): You are an amazing support group. You all were so kind and helpful throughout this process from making dinners to lending an ear to taking care of Renee to watching the kids. Thank you immensely.

To my neighbors Todd & Greg: Thank you so much for helping with the yard work, snowblowing, and all of your offers to assist. You guys are wonderful neighbors and good friends.

To my Florida fan club (led by Grandma Jan & Grandpa Steve): Although many of you don’t know me, I have been told how much love, support, and prayers you have sent my way and I am grateful. Thank you! Steve – thanks also for all the witty comments on the website. Funny stuff! Don’t worry, we’ll be taking advantage of the free room and board soon.

To the huge list of people who have been active on this blog: Thank you so much! I have truly enjoyed writing it and it really made the experience easier by knowing you were all out there reading and commenting. I’d like to specifically call out all of you who have posted:

Josh & Sheri, Chris & Sue, Brad R., Larry H., Walter & Gloria, Jami T., Lois W., Tara W., Dan G., Jim & Pauline, Barb K., Bob L., Joyce C., Sherry S., Diane H., Vince C., Dick & Harriet, Ken B., Beth C., Marsha D., Grandma Jan & Grandpa Steve, Aunt Pam & Uncle David, Cousin Rachel, Gautam S., Lance C., Jason H., Michael E., Jerry & Jenny, Ryan L., Matt B., Andy H., Julie K, Erik & Vanessa, Michelle T., Gail S., Mickey & Lorraine, Deb T., Amy B., Tim C., R.J., Mike S., Gail & Ken, Heather P., Ellen & Wally, Nancy V., Falshunnee B., Clair B.

To my work colleagues: A giant thank you for being so compassionate and sympathetic throughout this process. I received a ton of support and was treated extremely well at work. I am grateful for that.

Finally, thanks to all of you who helped shave my head back in November. Good times that I plan to never repeat. I’ll be happy, however, to return the favor. Ha!

As I said before, I hope I remembered everybody, but if not, please forgive me and please let me know.

I am now done with radiation and am just waiting for the side effects to clear up. I apologize for not having posted much during the last few weeks. Fortunately, things went pretty smoothly. The only major side effect is trouble swallowing which after the whole tonsil episode is rather frustrating. I’m told it should clear up within the next 2 weeks. After that, I should feel pretty much back to normal. I will have a lot of follow up checkups and tests over the next several years, but that shouldn’t be too big of a deal.

Now that its about over, the question is: what now? I’ve definitely been taking stock of my life and trying to look at the future differently. Truthfully, I haven’t been able to picture much differently. I’d like to think this changed everything, but I’m not really sure it did. I welcome any thoughts from all of you.

Everything else has healed up pretty well and I feel pretty normal. Even my hair seems to be coming in pretty well. No complaints about that.

“Warrior Dash is the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes. This running series is held on some of the nation’s most demanding and unique terrain. Participants will conquer extreme obstacles and celebrate their feat with music, beer, warrior helmets and muddy shorts.”

Check it out at www.warriordash.com. I am signed up for the Midwest (Joliet) event on 6/20 at 10:30. In fact, my father-in-law, Jerry, has even signed up to participate as well. My friend Chris B. as well. I think Sheri A. is going to join us. How about you? I’m hoping to get as many crazy people as possible, so for those of you with adventurous spirits, please sign up ASAP. If you use the promo code “crossfit” you can save $5 off the price.

Renee claims that she will run it if I get 10 other people to join, so hopefully that will be enough incentive to get you to join as well. Definitely let me know if you are going to make it.

The process involves me lying down, shirtless, with my arms over my head. They center a laser beam on a little dot that has been tattooed to my chest and then leave the room. This giant disk is lowered about 10 inches from my chest and then it makes all sorts of noise, rotates around, and zaps me. I don’t feel or see anything. Its a strange thing, but thankfully pretty easy. They tell me that I will probably start noticing side effects in about a week or so. Mostly, a “sunburn” on my chest, loss of hair, and some minor trouble swallowing. Some people don’t get any symptoms, so we’ll see what happens.

A few weeks to go and then I’m done (for good!) I’m looking forward to the end of all this, but its hard to complain given how well the treatment worked and the fact that I’m cancer-free now.

I was supposed to start radiation today and I went to the doctor this morning for my treatment. They lined everything up and decided that we should wait another week for the port surgery to heal properly. The scar from the port is just on the edge of where the radiation will hit and they decided its better not to mess with it. So, that means I have a small reprieve before the fun begins again. Although I am anxious to get it over with, I think this is good because I am still trying to get past the sore throat from the tonsillectomy. So, hopefully by next week my body will feel pretty normal and I can finally get the last part over with.

I am planning on scheduling the removal of my port as soon as possible. I will call the doctor tomorrow and if he gives me the green light, I want to get that done ASAP as well. I can’t wait to have that thing out of me. Truthfully, it doesn’t bother me much anymore, particularly because nobody is messing with it, but I still will be happy as can be to have it gone.

Lastly, I am back to being bald as of yesterday. My hair had grown in a ton, but it really is quite different then it used to be and didn’t look very good (in my opinion). So, I said heck with it and shaved it off again. I’m hoping that it will grow back more normal this time. Renee, however, is digging the bald look so we’ll see how it goes.

My throat is slightly better today than yesterday and I’m trying to lessen the use of the painkillers. Its definitely still rough though. I read online that it should start easing now so I hope that is the case.