One year later....

I haven’t blogged in a while – over four months. A lot has been going on in my life, mainly trying to get back into the groove of things following my cancer treatments.


I finished chemo treatments on February 18 at 2 p.m. My life is, well, almost back to normal. That is if I had a normal life to begin with.


I still feel the affects of the chemo some three months later and was told by my oncologist it could take as long as a year before I wouldn’t feel anymore affects. Maybe longer.


So in the meantime I’m just trying to gain my strength back. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I was diagnosed. Actually one year ago today, May 21, 2009; the tumor in my left calf was malignant.

Synovial Cell Sarcoma is a rare type cancer affecting soft tissue. It very rarely strikes someone my age but it did and the surgery to remove it was quite complicated. The surgery, which included a “free flap”, took over seven hours – an hour to remove the tumor and another six hours for the plastic surgeon to do his thing. Free flap is a fancy term for a skin graph and was taken from my back.


In the last 12 months I have had major surgery, chemo, radiation and hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments. I have had numerous shots, blood drawn and a blood transfusion. But now I’m better and despite walking with a limp I’m alive and I still have my leg.


After being off from work for six months I am now back in full swing and contributing at my job. The AirHogs, Grand Prairie’s minor league baseball team, have started their season and I am a part time employee operating the scoreboard.


And on Monday I start at a new health club in Grand Prairie called The Summit. It is for Grand Prairie residents 50 and over. It’s time to get rid of my “cancer weight” the 20+ pounds I gained while on medical leave.


I will also be a grand father in September. My oldest daughter Amanda is pregnant with my grand son. Yes it's a boy.

Life is good again.

Finally! How 'bout them Cowboys!

Finally! 34-14 over the Eagles gave our beloved Dallas Cowboys their first playoff victory since 1996.

The pessimist in me figured it might not happen this year, especially after losing to San Diego in early December and seeing the Cowboys’ top defensive player Demarcus Ware carted off on a backboard. And with unbeaten New Orleans six days later it did not look good for the ‘Boys, who were left sitting at 8-5 and trailing the first place Eagles in the NFC East.

But then something happened. Dallas went into the Big Easy and literally spanked the Saints. The score ended up being 24-17 but Dallas was ahead 24-7 midway through the fourth quarter. Dallas handed ‘Nawlins its first setback.

Okay but there were still two games left including one with the Eagles. I’m still feeling a little pessimistic but a 17-0 win over the Redskins meant a battle for the NFC East championship with the Eagles. At home.


Now I’ve come to my senses. The way the Cowboys are playing they’re going to win the East. Boom! 24-0 over the Eagles. The defense had a second shutout and the team had a No. 3 seed in the NFC Playoffs.


I admit sitting through chemo treatments all week I didn’t know if Dallas could beat Philadelphia a third time but I knew if the Cowboys put together another performance close to last week’s they could.

Sure enough tonight, 34-14! The offense dominated time of possession and scored on five straight series in the second quarter to build a 27-7 lead. The Cowboys were riding high – the Eagles were flying pretty low. But still 30 minutes to play.


My Razorback homie Felix Jones sealed the deal in the third quarter with his 73-yard touchdown run. Reminded me of his days in Fayetteville. And it reminded Cowboys fans what the real Felix can do when he’s healthy.

Tony Romo was not perfect tonight but relatively close. He threw no interceptions and the Cowboys committed no turnovers. Penalties? Well…still a good night by all.

The offense line blocked well. The receivers, including Roy Williams, caught passes. And the running backs ran hard. Defensively, holding a high-powered Eagles’ offense to only 14 points over the last eight quarters, was incredible and has been even in the win over New Orleans.

Dallas has a chance to win this whole thing. There I said it. IF, and that’s a big IF, they can continue their late season roll. It will not be easy next Sunday in Minneapolis, but then when is anything easy in the playoffs?

Go Cowboys!

Resolutions? LOSE weight and blog more

We all say we're going to lose weight at the beginning of the year. That's pretty much on everyone's New Year's resolution list.

Well I can honestly say it is #1 on my list for 2010. I weigh more now than I have my entire life. Okay I'm not ashamed, well I am ashamed, but not ashamed to say I weigh as I type 236 pounds. TWO HUNDRED THIRTY SIX. Can you say The Biggest Loser?

Why do I weigh so much? Hang on a sec and let me take another drink of my Pepsi.

That's part of the problem right there. I'm still drinking way too many sodas. I just can't seem to give sodas up. You would think if I could give up smoking almost 30 years ago cold turkey I should be able to give up Pepsi's right?

The biggest reason I've gained so much weight lately is the fact I'm not exercising. I do have an excuse – I’ve been recovering from cancer surgery on my left calf in which I lost 90% of it as well as my Achilles tendon.

I cannot jog anymore and really cannot walk without the use of a cane. I spend most of my free time on the couch with my leg jacked up on three pillows because if I’m on my feet too long my left foot and ankle swell.

I have an excuse for that too. I am continuing hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments for a couple of wounds on my leg that have not healed because of damaged skin from radiation. “Diving” every day the equivalent of 40 feet can sometimes wipe you out and make you very sleepy.

Plus chemo made me gain a lot, too. But a lot of that weight gain is fluids given along with the chemo. In fact, the first round of my chemo I gained 17 pounds in 36 hours – all fluids. After being given a diuretic and going to the bathroom every 20 minutes I lost those 17 pounds pretty fast. LOL

I can start a diet on Monday (Jan. 4) but I resume chemo. Then I will most likely finish up my hyperbaric treatments the following two weeks before another round of chemo. That means more time on the couch.

Hopefully once hyperbaric and chemo is done I can gradually start exercising again. I can definitely start cutting out the Pepsi’s and start drinking more water. I’ve been told by Rhonda a million times water is the way to go.

Rhonda and I used to walk for two hours on a regular basis but now that will be limited to maybe just a trek up and down my street or how my foot can handle. So it might take a while before the weight is gone.

My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds by July when Rhonda and I hope to take an Alaskan cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary. My ultimate goal is to get back to my softball playing and wedding weight – 185 pounds.

That, however, may take two to three years.

And one last resolution – blog more often. I would love to blog every day but when you live a non-exciting life, it’s kind of hard. Maybe I’ll blog about my quest to lose weight?

Happy New Year!

2009: What a year to forget...

They say the older you are the more you appreciate things. How true.

I learned to appreciate a lot of things in 2009 and not take so many things for granted. For one my health.


I have always been in fairly good health. But on May 21 I was told I had cancer. Hearing the “C” word floored me and my wife, Rhonda.


A tumor on my left calf was malignant – Stage 3 Synovial Cell Sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. Surgery would be required as well as the routine chemo and radiation.


We handled the news a little better than we thought. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I remained positive. Oh yeah it took a few days to get over the initial shock but I put it in God’s hands as did Rhonda. We were determined to beat it.


Surgery would require taking 90% of my calf, my Achilles tendon and possibly my fibula bone. In other words I would have to learn to walk again. And most important, we had to make sure the cancer was not in my bones.


Surgery would also require a plastic surgeon removing a chunk out of my back and placing the “free flap” over the wound. Because the tumor was so big – almost the size of a softball – there was not going to be enough skin to close the wound.


But prior to the surgery I began to realize just how important life really is. Mainly how important family and friends are. And, too, this had renewed my faith.


With prayers from my church congregation, family and friends I faced my surgery head on. And after watching my mother battle pancreatic cancer with a great attitude before she passed was also an inspiration for me to beat my situation.


Prayers were answered after a successful surgery. Removing the tumor went smoothly, attaching the free flap went without a hitch and the tumor had not spread. I was cancer free – a little crippled but cancer free.


I have been recovering now for five months since surgery and dealing with my cancer for over seven months. Hard to believe but as I mentioned earlier, I have learned a lot since that May morning when I heard the word malignant.

I have learned and felt the power of prayer. It works folks, just look at me. I have also learned the true meaning of the sickness and in health part of the marriage vow. My wife has been incredible, more than incredible.


I cannot describe how wonderful she has been throughout this whole ordeal. She has truly been a blessing. She was a blessing to begin with but now even more. I could not have made it through this without her. She has never left my side.


I just hope I can always be there for her in her time of need.


I have also learned that I don’t need to be in a press box every Friday night. As most of you know I’m a sports writer by trade and this was the first fall in 35 years I did not cover high school football. And the first fall since I was 4 years old I did not attend a high school game.


Being at home on Friday nights was fun. And being with Rhonda made it even more special. Oh I kept up with the scores, trust me, but not having to meet a deadline, interview players and coaches and write a lengthy story was nice.


And I swore a while back I would never give up sports writing.


2009 was not that great a year for me and my family. With Mom battling and eventually losing her battle with cancer, my cancer, Amanda and Mike moving to Mississippi and now my wife’s Uncle Bill passing and another aunt diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it definitely has tested everyone involved.


So it goes without saying we are wishing a 2009 a big bye bye and hoping 2010 will indeed be in a “10”. Happy New Year everyone and God Bless.

Perfection is finally mine!

It happened at approximately 5:50 p.m. in the friendly confines of my game room upstairs. No big fan fair, no television crews, no newspapers reporters – not even my wife.

It was just me all by myself. Me and the Wii.

After arriving home from a long week at work I immediately went up stairs to say hello to Rhonda. Rhonda was actually on the phone dealing with Hailey’s college loan so I decided to do a little Wii bowling.

Now if you recall I was out to bowl that perfect 300 game. I had come close numerous times including a 299 when on the very last roll of the 10th frame I left the No. 10 pin standing. Eleven strikes – I needed 12 – and one lousy pin was left standing.

I figured I wouldn’t get it today either. And after about eight games – it only takes about three or four minutes if you’re bowling by yourself – I decided to go one more time.

My first two rolls left no questions. All 10 pins scattered helplessly into the back of the lane. The third roll left one pin spinning before it finally tilted over. Strike three.

Then came four, five, six, seven, eight and nine and before I knew it was back to that dreaded 10th frame. My first shot in the 10th the pins exploded every where. My second shot one or two were determined to remain standing but finally leaned over.

So there I was again – the last roll. I took a deep breath and let her rip. I found myself totally following my shot if you will.

There was no doubt! Clean shot. Perfection!

I stood for a second and finally realized – I did it! Finally a 300! Wii recognized it too, sending streamers and confetti down and a big “Perfect” at the bottom of the screen.

“Rhonda I did it!” I shouted to Rhonda, who was downstairs cooking my dinner. Yeah I know she’s working hard in the kitchen and I’m playing.

“Good,” she said in her leave me alone I’m cooking your dinner tone of voice.

You may think it’s silly that I’m so excited over bowling a 300. But ever since I had the 299 and the several 279s and 278s I was determined. Just goes to show you – never give up!

Oh yeah I kept the screen up for a couple of hours like some football teams keep their scoreboards lit following a major upset or championship win. I even had to show our neighbor, Brent, when he came over.

And I took pictures of my accomplishment and posted them on my facebook page.
Perfection – how sweet it is.

A-Rod is full of..well lies...

Alex Rodriguez admitted today he took performance enhancing drugs while he played here for the Rangers. Said he took them because he felt the pressure to perform not to mention he had signed a $250-million plus contract.

But this was Texas!! The Rangers!! There is no pressure and NEVER HAS BEEN any pressure to perform! The Rangers have never felt the pressure why should have A-Rod?

“When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me and I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day,” Rodriguez said.

“And I did take a banned substance and, you know, for that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful. And although it was the culture back then and Major League Baseball overall was very—I just feel that—You know, I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to fans. I’m sorry for my fans in Texas. It wasn’t until then that I ever thought about substance of any kind.”

Yeah you’re sorry you got caught buddy! I’ve never been a big fan of yours and wasn’t that big a fan when you played here. You ain’t worth $250 million if you think you needed to take illegal drugs to hit the ball out of the park. You still ain’t worth it.

A-Rod says he only took performance enhancing drugs during his brief stint with the Rangers. Maybe he thought he could single-handily lead the Rangers to the World Series. But don’t feed me that stuff you never took it before you came here or after you left for Yankee Stadium.

Puleeeze.

Do you think we’re that stupid? Or naïve in your own words.

I personally think A-Rod is NOT telling the whole truth. But then Roger Clemens is *rolling my eyes*. Baseball is quickly becoming a sport with an asterisk by it and I’m losing interest just as fast as another big time player is found to be using.

Part of the problem is owners continue to pay millions and millions to players like A-Rod. Yeah, maybe there is the need to perform because you are being paid a lot.

The owners need to quit dishing out the money and maybe the players will quit using on the side. Maybe the players need to play for the fun of it. Wow there’s a concept – play for the fun of it. Hmmm..

Bottom line is A-Rod is a joke. Rangers owner Tom Hicks, who I really don’t care for, said he felt betrayed and deceived. I agree Tom, we all do.

My quest for 300

In November my wife Rhonda bought a Wii game. It was an early Christmas gift and Rhonda thought it would be a great family thing to do during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wii, if you’re not familiar, has a lot of fun sports games such as tennis, bowling, golf and boxing. These games are played with a remote control in which you need to wrap a little strap around your wrist so if you were to accidentally let go it wouldn’t fly into the television set.

You can also buy a lot more games – so many it would take too long to name them – and there’s a fitness program from Jillian on The Biggest Loser. That’s something Rhonda and I have yet to really try.

Well I love the bowling game. I would go as far as to say I’m addicted to it. I spend a lot of my free time playing the game and when you play by yourself you can bowl one game in about five minutes, then immediately start another.

When I first started bowling I was taking the two steps like a real bowler does and letting the ball fly. But the more I played the more I realized I didn’t need to act like a real bowler – just underhand the remote and let go of the button that releases the ball.

Since I have bowled so many games – wouldn’t surprise me if it’s well over 500 – I have found a groove. I know exactly where to line up and bowl and let’s put it this way, I normally score 250 or higher.

My goal is to bowl a perfect game – 300. That’s 12 consecutive strikes. I’ve come close time and time again in fact so close that recently I bowled a 299. That’s right, ONE lousy pin away from perfection.

I had 11 straight strikes and on my third and last roll in the 10th frame I left the No. 10 pin standing. Ask me how sick I was! Yet I was still proud of myself because I took a picture showing my score sheet. Eleven strikes, then a “9” for a 299 total.

I had reached 279 numerous times and a 280 once. But since the 299 game I have been determined to reach 300! Just last night I started the game with 10 strikes and the second roll of the 10th I left the frick’n No. 10 again.

Again I made it to the 10th frame needing just three more strikes and on my first roll guess what pin I left – No. 10! I personally think the game is rigged and it does not want you to roll a perfect game.

I WILL bowl a 300 one of these days. That’s a promise. In fact, I’m going to go back downstairs now and try again.