Game On!

Practice Hard. Play fair. Game On.

These words are inscribed on a plaque dedicated to Drew Llewellyn. I did not know Drew other than a short time we spent together during activities for his sister Mary's wedding. His sister married my best friend Wade. A short time after the wedding, Drew was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and he put up one hell of a fight. Regretfully, Drew succumbed to the cancer in June 2006. The statement at the top became his and Team Llewellyn's motto, especially GAME ON! (For more info see Drew's link to the right and check out his story...truly amazing soul and a wonderful family!)

As most of you know, last week I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I am really lost about how to feel, what to expect, and how to respond to the overwhelming support I have received over the past week. It is my hope that I can invoke Drew's spirit to help me in my time of treatment, recovery, and survival. I hope that I can carry forward such a simple, yet comprehensive statement such as GAME ON! in a time like this. I hope team Llewellyn understands how important I understand those two words to mean and that in no way do I mean to trivialize its essence.

Not only does the phrase remind me of my wish to maintain my activities, it reminds me that this is going to be tough. I must prepare both mentally and physically for what lies ahead. The statement embodies hope, hard work, and dedication; all of which I was able to observe in the few days that I knew Drew. I also observed how the support of Team Llewellyn was unending and still remains today. My support network, including some members of team Llewellyn, is just as engaged. (In fact, Drew's sister Mary was the first person to suggest that Kimberly and I start a blog...thanks Mary!!) This is the second time in the past decade that I will have to rely heavily on my support network. You all know who you are and I love everyone of you very much!

That brings me to Kimberly. She has been a rock of support for me over the past week. I cannot believe that we are having to undergo such a crisis so early in our marriage. I have faith that God will lead us through this and in the end we will be stronger. Words cannot express how Kimberly's love brings me hope about the future. Kimberly will be a contributing author for this blog so look for some thoughts from her soon. In fact, once treatment begins she is liable to be the primary author, depending on how I feel during chemo and radiation. (The treatment protocol usually involves chemo & radiation followed by surgery, with treatment post-op as well)

So, about treatment. Here is where we stand. I was scheduled to start receiving treatment in Tuscaloosa, AL. I live near Birmingham, but the student insurance I have defaults to local network doctors. I attempted with the nurse at the surgeon's office in Tuscaloosa to arrange to go to the comprehensive cancer center at UAB (see the link). The nurse was unsure about referral process for there but she still attempted to make me an appointment. With her limited knowledge about the services at UAB, she was unsuccessful in arranging a quick visit and instead arranged for a visit with a Tuscaloosa oncologist immediately. This is where grace entered the picture. My dissertation committee chair is a cancer survivor and her area of research is oncology social work (an area I know little about, but I am sure I might be invested in this type of social work after this experience). She emailed the director of the center (whom she participates in research with) and within 5 minutes (I mean that...I was still talking with her face-to-face after she sent the email) I received a call from a nurse at the center. Then, about 10 minutes later I received a phone call from the director of the center who talked with me about my cancer and informed me about services at the UAB. I cannot say how blessed I feel to have this opportunity, even though my understanding of social inequality and Catholic upbringing have me feeling a little guilty.

Anyway, I meet with a multidisciplinary team this Thursday for a second opinion. I am not interested in second opinions about the cancer or the chemo and radiation. However, I am interested in receiving a second opinion from the surgeon at UAB about different procedures. Unfortunately, with this type of cancer (specifically with the location of my tumor) the entire rectum is surgically removed and digestion is assisted with a permanent colostomy bag. I have been doing some research of my own and I have so many questions to ask.

So, on Thursday I will see a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and a surgeon at UAB. I will keep everyone posted on what happens. Please continue to keep me and Kimberly in your prayers, and God bless!

Josh