Real Talk

So, I was asked by a former player, Tori Waldner (playing in Germany), "Coach, how are you feeling, and don't give me a blog answer."  Well, she is right and that was a great question.

Well, here we go!  I am in constant pain and discomfort - a friend ask me, "How do you handle the pain and discomfort"?  Easy - with a positive attitude, frame of mind, strong spirit and work.  Yes, I said work!  I have only missed 1.5 days of work since being diagnosed with this dreaded disease.

I have the best jobs in the world (Halftime Sports, Halftime Health, Oglethorpe Assistant Basketball Coach).  What more can a person ask for???  Working keeps my mind off of the cancer, radiation and pain.  Also, keeping my mind fresh with imaginative ideas, along with thought provoking conversations and meetings, reminds me to crush this disease on a daily basis.

I have been in pain and unusual discomfort for the past six weeks, but through my strong spirit, family, loving rock star wife (Elisa) and friends, I'm able to rock each day with a smile.  People say I don't look sick, well, I have been working very hard (so I don't look sick), as that was a goal of mine from the very beginning.  However, some days are harder than others, and my father-in-law told me to make sure my body gets rest, as it needs rest to fight off your cancer. And, he is right.  My workouts are less intense and more with body weight, while my walks (through the mean streets of Alpharetta/Milton) are smooth and easy.  Although, some of my "smart ass" friends say they can see me a mile away because I'm glowing from the radiation.  Ha ha ha ha ha.  I sweat alot more than I did in the past; even a 2 mile walk has me dripping with sweat like Jalen Rose trying to guard Kobe Bryant (when Kobe scored 81 points on him and the Toronto Raptors - google it if you don't know what I mean). I get tired very quickly nowadays and have to rely on my 2nd & 3rd wind much quicker than before.

I have knocked out 19 Radiation Treatments with 9 left and one more SEEDS procedure, which I am not looking forward to.  But it is necessary to get this cancer out of my body.  In fact, during my last procedure, I was told (afterwards), that I was talking in my sleep and that I said, "Yall need to hurry up as I cannot be late for my meeting with the LA Rams."  Oh boy, who knows what else I was talking about.  I really try to keep a sense of humor through all of this, as there are lots of other people and families going through much more than I am.

I have my last SEEDS procedure tomorrow which means I will be mentally "out of it" for the day and will rely on Netflix to occupy my time.  Do you have any NetFlix suggestions for me?  I watched both seasons of Ozark, and can't wait for season 3 but need some binge movie suggestions.

Last by not least, how did I feel after my last SEEDS treatment?  Well, I felt groggy all day with pain, and craved a grilled cheese sandwich.  Elisa made me the best grilled cheese sandwich ever, but half way during eating my sandwich, I had a bolt of lightning go through my butt up to my chin and back through my backside.  If you ever wonder what that feels like - just stub your baby toe against a door and imagine that pain, then multiple it by 10.  That's what it felt like....pray that never, ever happens again.  Actually, brought a crocodile  tear to my eyes, but I did continue to finish off that great grilled cheese sandwich.  Love you and thank you for reading today's blog