Top 10 Things “Not” To Say To Bob During Chemotherapy:

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10. Is Chemo sort of like a food coma?

9. When I visited you at the James Cancer Hospital, the $2.00 parking voucher didn’t work, do you know who can I talk to about getting my money back?

8. I understand you got tickets to the Grateful Dead Concert in Chicago, if by chance you aren’t able to use them, are they spoken for?

7. We all get your a digital media innovator but aren’t you taking the Steve Jobs impression a little to far?

6. This is terrible for you . . . I mean you don’t look all that bad right now, but if this continues you’re going to have to rely more and more on your personality.

5. Chemo doesn’t seem that bad to me . . . the guy on Breaking Bad handled it without any problems.

4. Is Chemotherapy the same as Physical therapy except they use the the Latin word for “physical?”

3. I’m sure everything will work out fine for you, but seriously . . . do you think Heather will appreciate heavier guys like me a little more now?

2. What kind of “cocktails” do they serve at Chemotherapy . . . is it just beer and wine or do they also serve liquor?

and the No. 1 Thing “Not” To Say To Bob During Chemotherapy is

1. Next time you apply the Rogaine you might want to spread it more evenly.

#Crushit Wristband Now Available

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The surprise of the day! The #crushit wristband has arrived courtesy of Poe Timmons and Joe Gallo.  The wristband features the #crushit mantra that is all the rage on twitter in beating cancer; plus the official colors of Colon Cancer Blue, and Lung Cancer White. What an incredible gesture to show their support and let others join in the spirit of winning against cancer.

Want a #crushit wristband?

I will send you a #crushit wristband when you donate to my 100 Mile Pelotonia Ride To End Cancer. You can read about my ride at http://www.pelotonia.org/crushit

Chemo: Short Term Pain Long Term Gain!

Two down and ten more to go. Chemotherapy Cycle 1 Day 15 (round 2) is complete and can be crossed off the list. There is no getting around the reality that chemotherapy is difficult. As much positivity as anyone can bring to the party, there is just a painful reality that your body is physically compromised during the treatment.  Still, this is a burden worth embracing, to be wrestled to the ground, raised up over my head and held high in the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And with him, trusting in a stiffened resolve . . . to #crushit and to win . . . a short term pain focused on a long term gain! As Coach K recently tweeted, “Faith makes things possible, not easy.”

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Timmy and I are going to #CrushIt

When I returned to work this past week I brought lollipops and Crush sodas (Orange, Grape, and Strawberry) to my co-workers who have been doing there own version of “crushing it” on the work front while I’ve been away. A lollipop is just like a smile and sunshine on a stick!

With my return to work, my co-worker Greg shared with me that his son’s close friend, Timmy was recently diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor, a rare form of pediatric cancer of the Kidney.  Greg found that sharing our #crushit mantra helped his son rally around Timmy as he focuses on getting well. Timmy’s cancer is treatable and winnable. Please put Timmy in your prayers as he and I are going to #crushit!

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Chemotherapy from Champions!

We are doing great and we are all looking forward to getting back into the swing of things soon.

As many of you are aware, my hospitalization associated with lung surgery lasted longer than planned due to an inconvenient complication. Ultimately we #crushed that issue last Wednesday (1/7) and I’m feeling as good as I have felt in weeks. Yesterday I completed a cardiovascular workout on par with a pre-surgery routine. So with two major surgeries in the last 8 weeks behind me, only one hurdle remains and we are ready to get after it.

The last hurdle, a 6 month biweekly regimen of chemotherapy starts today at The Ohio State University / Wexner Medical Center, home of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute as well as . . . The National Champion Ohio State Buckeye football team! So on the day that OSU became National Champions, I will be getting my first chemotherapy treatment from the national champions. I like it!

Yes, The sun is shining brightly on Columbus today and the light is shining brightly on us!

As a side note, if you plan to attend a university system hospital, I recommend doing it on the day they win a national championship! Everyone is extremely pleasant!

Thanks for all your continued support and we are #crushing it!

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A Quiet Boring Sunday Night: Perfect

It’s Sunday 1/11, a school night and it feels normal! The kids are working on homework, I’m watching golf and Heather is at a cross-country parent meeting. It’s simple, mostly boring and that is just fine.

I am feeling stronger everyday. Today I joined my good friend Cameron on a brisk 40 minute walk and some great conversation. After the walk, I felt as good as I have felt in 4 weeks.

We are making progress everyday and we are going to keep #crushing it! Thanks everyone for your continued support and prayers.

All Clear; Milkshake Please!

Officially discharged (no more nursing care). We are good to go. No IVs, no tubes, no needles, no pumps. We need to be cautious and continue to “exercise” the lungs and heal incisions. I think I’ll go skiing . . .

After I left the hospital I went to comfort food heaven: Cap City Diner one of Cameron Mitchell’s classics. My first meal dining out. I had a chicken salad on wheat (I ate both slices of bread), cottage cheese (dairy protein for upcoming Chemo) and tomato soup. I then ordered a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry. IT WAS AWESOME!

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Challenge Update 24 Hours All Clear

Today is about tubes and weenies!

It has been 24 hours since my first meal and through breakfast, lunch, and dinner the fluid levels and the fluid color draining from my chest tubes is consistent and clear. We are optimistic that this episode is winding down. Today (1/7) I will meet with Dr. Ross and his team at the James for some imaging of my chest, the removal of my chest tubes, and to ween me off the nutritional IV.