Reflections From the Home Team,   Sunday, July 10, 2011

“Every boy has his dreams, and I’m thankful that Taylor yet again gave me the inspiration to stay upbeat in this fight.”

 

I wanted to take a few minutes to update everyone on my most recent visit to Iowa City.  I have been going every three months since treatments for evaluation with my team of doctors in Iowa City.  A couple weeks ago, I had my routine labs and shared I had been experiencing some “significant” pain in my jaw and neck area where the tumors had been during treatments. I had to return to Iowa City for some additional scans and Dr. Claman kept me late so we could consult with Dr. Chang and the rest of my medical team.  He shared he is the "cancer guy" and Dr. Chang is my ENT, so they both wanted to view the pictures and share where they think I'm at.  Dr. Claman shared some good news... that he doesn't feel the cancer has returned from the scans done on my neck and jaw areas... that really took a load off my mind!!!  Both he and Dr. Chang feel that I am experiencing an arthritic jaw from the extensive dental work that was done both before and after radiation treatments.  I shared that I can certainly live with that as the pain is no where near what the radiation did in my throat during treatments.  I told him the good news is this takes Tricia off the hook as I have been blaming her for "punching me out" in my sleep. He shared he can provide me some pain meds, but I think I'm going to go without as I've seen the additional complications that can develop from them in others. My hope is if I continue the therapy regimen the PT people gave me during treatments for my jaw and throat and neck, I can reduce the pain in my jaw.  We will see I guess.

This journey has been like a roller coaster ride, and often times I lose myself in reflection and sometimes don’t get the rest I should be getting. As I was waiting yet again in the Cancer Center for results, I closed my eyes to try and rest.  A few minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and opened my eyes to find little Taylor, who I had met in the pharmacy during treatments back in April, 2009.  He and I had played a game of toss in the pharmacy that day and I had showed him some of my "ball tricks". He asked if I remembered him and I said you bet Taylor!  He and his mom were there for their 4 month check. I asked how he was doing and he said he was playing baseball for his Little League team this summer and his leukemia seemed to be in remission. He is now in 5th grade. He was wearing a beat up Cardinals hat, and I asked if that was his team.  He said yes, that is who he plays for, but he really liked the Braves!  His mom shared that he remembers well the day we met in the pharmacy in 2009, and always talks about the "tricks" I showed him that day.  I told Taylor and his mom I was very happy for them, and that I'm excited he is able to "get out and play again"!  I shared what an impact he had on me that day in the pharmacy during my treatments by asking me “when I could get back out and play again”!  He made me reset my goals to be able to get back out and play again.  I was actually feeling kind of low before he woke me up, and just seeing his bright smile brought me back to my senses of how much there is to do yet as far as working with young people.  As I was waiting, Taylor and his mom were getting ready to leave, so I walked them out to the parking ramp and their car.  I took Taylor to my truck as I had an extra Braves hat behind the seat.  I told him I had a Braves tryout camp coming up in August, but that you had to be at least 15 o try out, so I made him a deal.  I told him to keep playing and stay healthy so that when you turn 15, I can invite you to a Braves camp so I can watch you play.  I then took the Braves cap out of my truck and put it on his head and said, it's yours on one condition... you wear it instead of that Cardinals hat.  His eyes got as big as saucers, and he shared that would not be a problem!  I gave his mom my card and asked her to call me when she can to keep me in touch with how he is doing.  She said that would not be a problem either... I have a feeling my Guardian Angel, whom I have affectionately named ANGELINA, was there watching my back, and providing just the  answer I needed from Dr. Claman, as well as the motivation I needed to keep a positive attitude in the ups and downs of fighting this cancer thing, yet again from little Taylor.  Every boy has his dreams, and I’m thankful that Taylor gave me the inspiration to stay upbeat in this fight.  Taylor and I both our dreams, and I’m thankful we each have the opportunity to continue on and achieve them!  We have a deal, and as for me, I plan to do all I can to help all the young “Taylors” in my life become the best they can be, whether that be on the field or in the classroom!  Wishing everyone an enjoyable rest of the summer!

Sincerely, Dave

Link to: Reflections from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/

Link to Vimeo: Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance
http://vimeo.com/53873087

Link to: Tommy Emmanuel and "Angelina"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU