I included a YouTube video of an experience remarkably similar to mine. I was diagnosed positive for cancer in late December 2009. In the interim I also lost my father. So without a doubt I had my dads focus on me throughout this entire ordeal. I can’t say that I am not without pain as I know my insides were pushed and shoved around a bit. I also have six entry holes placed in my torso for the robotic arms entry. I am also sporting a drain and a catheter until I see my urological physician next thursday. Anesthesia went fine and my appetite has been fine. I cannot stress to all my male friends about being diligent in being tested for early detection. The hardest part of this whole ordeal has been the anticipation from December until April 27, 2010 to take the load off my and my families mind. Let me give a big shout out to Mulugeta D. Kassahun, M.D. for doing the surgery and Gregory T. Sholeff, M.D. for keeping a watchful eye over me in discovery.
I have had the greatest of support from family and friends. I am not sure of the origin of my make up but as a rule I tend to internalize my emotions as my coping method. But having this blog and being exposed on Facebook I have been better at at expressing myself. I received so much support from friends that I have reunited with on Facebook that I have not seen in over 20 – OK 30 years. I cannot fully comprehend the meaning of knowing that we have led our own journeys since last saw each other but somehow the internet and a ‘social media’ site has brought us a special kind of bonding. We have shared some common ground that never let us forget our community upbringing. The comfort that brought me as I was wheeled into the Operating Room meant so much words cannot express!
I fully expect to heel my wounds and be Cancer free from this point forward. I want to live out my life and add many more years to my now twenty year marriage. I want to watch my daughter continue to raise her own family and eventually devote her later years taking care of her parents. She is actually starting to do that now but she owes us anyway. I must see what becomes of my two GRANDboys. Seeing the world through their eyes may be cliche but nothing else rings truer it is the greatest. I must know their journey so I am going to stay around for a long time. So all my support team here with your feet on the ground and those who helped through their spirit above I bless you all.
My son-in law Bryant took my grandson Adrian to his first big league baseball game. Bryant grew up in California and was born into a family of Angels fans. Like my father took me to my first Cub game I have memories of going to many Cub games I sadly do not remember my first. So Adrian is very lucky to live in a time where everyone has some means of capturing a moment with a digital camera or smart phone. This Adrian this is you and your dad at your first of many games you will get to see with your dad. My father also, who is gone to heaven, took me to my first hockey, basketball, football games. Chicago baseball was something special. It was old school Wrigley Field, the bleachers, Chicago fans, bringing your glove (never came close), out in the fresh air. There is a memory I see in Bryant’s eyes and it’s a beaming prideful one. As our Vice President would say it’s a big f#%*ing deal. Adrian and Bryant will have this photo and blogpost to know that at the age of four he took his son, who is attempting his first baseball season himself, to his first big league baseball game. Thanks for all my sporting event memories dad. Two years of Bears season tickets freezing our buts off in Soldier Field. Sitting in the nose-bleed seats watching the Blackhawks. But never compromising our rightful place in the bleachers of Wrigley Field, and the left field bleacher for sure.
