Vince's Journey

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I've been trying to gather all the doctor info so I can give you the latest scoop all in one post. I have to say it gets a little tiring talking about this all the time but at the same time it means a great deal to me that so many people care and I thank you all for your continued support. Here is the latest....

On Tuesday, We went to the James Cancer Center and had a very good visit with Dr. Steven Devine, the lead transplant doctor at Ohio State. He felt the best way to move forward would be for me to do a 6 month course of a drug called Bendamustine with Rituxan. He said this should knock the lymphoma back in to remission and buy me several years before the possibility of another relapse. At that time he thought it would probably be the right time to consider doing a stem cell transplant. In the mean time he said we could check my brothers and sister for a potential donor and be ready to move forward if a stem cell transplant is needed. We really liked Dr. Devine and were very impressed with the James Center. It was also nice to hear that we are no where close to needing to consider a stem cell procedure - as I've said before, stem cell is a very scary situation and it takes a great deal of time to recover from.

The following day we did a follow-up meeting with Dr. Leming. He was glad we visited Ohio State and agreed that Bendamustine is a good plan as we move forward but strongly urged us to seek out the advice of other lymphoma experts, most notably in Nebraska and Boston. He said since we have plenty of time we shouldn't settle on one opinion and see what other experts may have to say or recommend. His point was, a clinic that specializes in stem cell research is probably going to recommend stem cell but that doesn't necessarily mean it is the best option for me. What we want is the best possible treatment that will give me the longest possible remission period while causing the least amount of stress to my body. For now, Bendamustine is the way to move forward but who knows what might be best in the event of another relapse. That's why it's important to seek out the advice of other experts. I certainly understand what Dr. Leming is saying and once we get through the next few monist we will try to visit the other places. But for now, I'm getting myself ready to start Bendamustine sometime in mid-August. Before that we will do another round of CT scans and also have a new port inserted, the one I currently have is shot.

I'm not the only one in our family dealing with a health issue. Julie's mom is back in the hospital once again confusing her doctors and her Aunt Sharon is also dealing with a form of cancer so please include them in your prayers, as well.

Here is tonight's list....the top ten Iconic Ohio State football players over the past 25 years.

10. Michael Doss, DB - Doss was the heart and soul of the 2002 National Championship team while shunning the lure of the NFL to return for his senior year - that decision obviously paid off dearly for him.

9. David Boston, WR - an amazing receiver who could catch anything in his general vicinity.

8. Craig Krenzel, QB - His performance in the 2003 BCS Championship game alone makes him an icon - one of the guttiest performances I have ever seen.

7. Terry Glenn, WR - in 1995, Glenn compiled the greatest season by an Ohio State receiver in the history of the program.

6. Cris Carter, WR - the best receiver in Ohio State history - he was a magician when it came to catching footballs.

5. Troy Smith, QB - a Heisman Trophy, 3-0 vs Michigan and 2-0 in bowl games - his 2006 season was incredible until the devastating loss to Florida in the BCS title game.

4. Antoinne Winfield, CB - want to see how to play corner back? watch a replay of the 1997 OSU/Michigan and simply focus on Winfield. He won the Thorpe Award, symbolic of the best defensive back in the country without making an interception.

3. Orlando Pace, OT - his play spawned the term pancake block - what more can you say, he was the best tackle in Ohio State history.

2. Chris Spielman, LB - his play personified what it takes to be a Buckeye. Easily one of the greatest Buckeyes ever.

1. Eddie George, RB - I have a soft spot for Eddie. His career started pretty shaky when he fumbled 3 times in a close loss to Illinois but he fought back, had a solid junior year and followed that with his Heisman year in 1995. Eddie had tremendous NFL career and continues to be a wonderful ambassador for the university.

That'll do it for now. Buckeye fans let me know who your top 10 Buckeye icons from the past 25 years might be.