Hello, It's Me...

Having a pretty good day which has been pretty rare for quite a while, so I thought I would take advantage of it and update my blog. First, let me say that I have been getting and reading all of your well-wishing emails, letters and cards and believe me, I treasure each and everyone of them! It has been 1 month since my last radiation treatment and while I was told not to expect to start feeling better for at least a couple of weeks after that I am now JUST starting to feel some sort of change for the better.

Looking back, we questioned the amount of medications I was on and/or perhaps for the amount of time I was on them. I have completely stopped some, and in the process of weening myself off of others as we speak. Up until just a few days ago, I was sleeping excessively (16 to 18 hours a day) and still only taking my liquid nourishment through the feeding tube.


The result of the radiation has been a build up of thick mucous in my throat that is absolutely horrible and disgusting and is the cause of most of my problems. I am now slowly beginning to swallow water and over the past two days, have managed to swallow some jello and pudding. My throat is still very sore and swollen and because of that and the fact that I had not used my swallowing function at all for almost 4 weeks, it is very difficult to perform these functions at this time. They are telling me that it is crucial to attempt this every day to re-train these muscles.

I have had a few follow-ups with the team of doctors and will be seeing most again tomorrow. We have a PET Scan scheduled for either the last week of September or the first week of October. This test will be the first to determine if there are any remaining signs of cancer. There is also a chance that I will need to have a "precautionary" surgery where they remove the lymph nodes in the neck to further assure the elimination of any remaining cancer. It basically is down to quite a bit more healing, faith in the success of what has been done so far and your continued prayers.

As soon as I can carry on a conversation more than a minute or two (see below or flyer attached), I am looking forward to talking to all of you to personally thank you for your support. But most of all, I want to take a moment to say I could have never have made it to this point without the help & sacrifices of my loving wife & kids and my mom & dad! I love you guys more than you'll ever know.

Finally, I was contacted by Steph from the radio station and they have arranged a fundraiser for the St. Luke's Head & Neck Cancer Department this coming Sunday from noon to 5pm at the Outback Steakhouse just of Route 33 in Bethlehem Township. 20% of all the proceeds will be donated on my behalf. The Hawk will be there from noon to 5 AND my good friends from the Lou Franco Project have been gracious enough to donate there amazing musical talents and will be performing during that time as well. I am most definitely planning on being in attendance so use this as your opportunity to catch up! Hope to see you there!