Vince's Journey

I know I haven't had an update for a little while. Hopefully you were on one of my e-mail distribution lists so you've heard the latest in my continuing saga of Vince vs lymphoma. If not, here is a recap...

In March I had CT scans taken which revealed there has been so growth in some of the lymph nodes in my abdomen.

In April I had 4 rounds of Rituxam in hopes that the drug would knock the lymphoma back down.

May was basically an idle month as we waited 4 weeks before we had CT scans retaken.

In early June the CT scans were retaken but unfortunately there were no noticeable changes in the size of the nodes.

I had a follow-up meeting with Dr. Leming and he has recommended that I see a couple other doctors to get their opinion on how to move forward. These doctors are specialists in the field of lymphomas and Dr. Leming thinks it would be to my advantage to get their opinions on my situation. This is basically where we are today. On Wednesday I have an appointment with Dr. Christie Blume at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University. We will see where things lead following that visit. I may also visit a doctor at the University of Nebraska in Omaha which is a leading research hospital for lymphomas. I'll have a better feel for that following our visit to Ohio State on Wednesday. Following my visits and most likely another PET scan, we'll get back together with Dr. Leming and try to decide what to do next.

I have to admit this is all a bit overwhelming. I'm trying to go on about my normal routine but it's somewhat difficult knowing there may be another extensive treatment period coming up in the very near future. As I've said before the most frustrating thing of all is the fact that I actually feel better than I have in a long time. I feel like I'm in decent shape and it's hard to comprehend that something is seriously going wrong within me. I just want to face this head on, get on with whatever I have to do to knock it back down and pray that this time the treatment lasts longer than 4 years. In the meantime, I'll try to keep myself upbeat and pray that one of these doctors hold the key to a very, very long and uneventful remission period.

I never really did report on my recent bike ride, The Ride To Montauk. We had a great time and it was much needed get-a-way before we get back into more scans, doctor visits, treatments, etc. I was very humbled to be the 'honored hero' at the inspirational dinner and I think everyone was touched by my speech. The actual event was a lot of fun and we had a beautiful day to ride on. I did have a small mishap at the first rest stop when I ran into the back of our coach and wound up sprawled on the ground. I was waving to Julie and some of the other family and friends who had made the trip to Montauk to cheer us along and I didn't notice the cyclist in front of me was stopped and by the time I did, it was too late. Fortunately neither one of us suffered any major injuries and our bikes didn't receive much damage. I did scrape up my knees and elbows but after some quick first aid, I was back out on the course. We finished in about 6 and a half hours and our actual ride time was under 6 hours. It was a tremendous sense of accomplishment and I had a great time riding the streets of Long Island with my team mates from TNT.

Yesterday, Julie and I went to see Toy Story 3 which I found to be very cute and a perfect way to end this very successful movie franchise. It even tugs at your heartstrings at the end of the film which is pretty impressive when you condsider its an animated feature. But they do such a great job of developing the characters that you become attached to them; they're like long time friends. I definitely recommend seeing this movie, especially if you're a parent and you've sent at least one of your children off to college - as a parent there haven't been many moments as poignant and emotional as packing up our boys and taking them off to college and Toy Story 3 does a wonderful job of capturing what it was like to stand in their empty bedroom and realize our baby boys had grown up and were leaving the nest.

I'll let you all know how things go in Columbus. My appointment is at 1 pm so if you think about it a prayer around that time would certainly be appreciated.

Finally, I promised Aaron I'd do a top ten of my all time favorite athletes. Intersting that some have fallen from grace but it doesn't take away from the excitement I've received watching them and in one case in particular, I hope that he's able to bounce back and make himself a better person as a result of his indescretions.

10. Bubba Watson (golf) - Yesterday Bubba won his first tournament on the PGA tour and his reaction to the win immediately put him on my top 10 list. It was refreshing to see someone who truly appreciated what he had accomplished but more importantly, realized the sacrifices his parents had made for him to reach his goals. Now that Bubba has had his breakthrough win, I hope a major victory isn't far behind.

9. Pete Rose (baseball) - Pete was it when I was a kid; Charlie Hustle and the leader of one of the greatest baseball teams ever assembled. But then he got greedy. He left his hometown team for bigger money and when he returned several years later, he found that everyone still loved him. He put a spark back into the Reds but then he commited the ultimate sin, he bet on baseball and was banned. I don't think there is any hope for Pete to get back in the good graces of baseball, he lied for too many years. But I'll never forget the way he played the game of - it's the way everyone should play the game; with heart, passion and an unrivaled desire to win.

8. Tony Perez (baseball) - Tony and Pete Rose were obviously team mates on the Big Red Machine. I played first base so Tony was someone I looked up to. He was the opposite of Pete when it came to the way he carried himself. Pete was brash and in your face; Tony was quiet confidence and the ultimate team player. The greatest compliment to Perez is the fact that when he was traded from Cincinnati, that's when the Big Red Machine lost its heart -for all the talent and egos on that team it was Tony Perez who held them all in check.

7. Craig Krenzel (college football) - By QB standards, Craig Krenzel was fairly average. Didn't have a great arm, wasn't a blue chip recruit. But he knew how to win. And when he led Ohio State to the 2002 college football national championship he achieved legend status. He did something that no QB in over 30 years was able to do - went undefeated and helped the Buckeyes claim their 7 national football championship in school history. That's what a legend does, they win championships.

6. Tiger Woods (golf) - prior to last Thanksgiving, Tiger Woods would have been in the top 3 on my list. I thought he could do no wrong but as we all know Tiger's weakness was exposed in a very public and ugly way. I think people still root for him, I still root for him; he is amazing to watch even now as he struggles to regain his form. But I think the only way he'll be able to get back to where he once was is if he does make some changes in his private life and at this point, I just don't think he's got a grasp on what he needs to do. I hope he makes it but it's going to take some work.

5. Anthony Munoz (football) - Anthony was one of the greatest offensive linemen in the history of the NFL but he's also an athlete who has given back tremendously to his community. I've crossed paths many times with Anthony in my work and he's always willing to help a charity or cause by lending his support.

4. Michael Jordan (basketball) - I think Michael has somewhat soured since his retirement, he seems to hold a grudge against a lot of things, but as an basketball player you can't deny that few athletes have ever possessed his amazing drive and will to win. I used to enjoy sitting with Aaron and watching MJ lead the Bulls to title after title after title. Then he retired, came back and continued to win titles. He meant as much to his sport as any athlete to ever play a game - that's how big Jordan was.

3. Eddie George (college/professional football) - As a freshman, Eddie George fumbled 3 times in a close loss against Illinois. He rarely saw the field again till his Junior year. He had a decent year but no one could have expected the year he'd put up his Senior season when he set the season rushing record for Ohio State and won the Heisman. Eddie went on to star for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL and has been a tremendous ambassador for Ohio State University. He is a Buckeye through and through and a terrific example of what hard work and perserverance will do for you.

2. Archie Griffin (college football) - The only two-time Heisman winner, Archie would be the first bust I'd put on my Ohio State Mt. Rushmore. He is the greatest palyer in Buckeye history and one of the main reason I'm an Ohio State fan today. Archie Griffin is Ohio State football.

1. Muhammad Ali (boxing) - Easily my favorite athlete as a kid. I never missed one of his fights and he never failed to entertain. His fight's against Joe Frazier and title bout against George Foreman are legendary and he remains an icon today despite the Parkinson's disease that has taken over control of his body. As graceful an athlete as there ever was, Ali was and always will be 'The Greatest'!