DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Update from the Coach

I haven't been on alot but have posted when I can. I wanted to update everyone on how the battle is going. I got a bit of bad news this week. My wife was rubbing my neck (the joint pain is almost unbearable at times) and noticed a small lump near one of my lymph nodes. I called the doctor and yesterday had to go in and get it checked. They did cat scans and needle biopsies on several lymph node areas.

The good news is that there are no tumors in the lymph nodes. The bad news is that there are cancer cells there and that I am now in stage 3. When we got the news (this on the heels of last week starting the 5 meds instead of 1 per session), my wife was pretty devastated. I was very quiet at the news. As we were driving home, my wife kept saying I was too quiet and thought I was devestated. Finally, I looked at her and asked if she really wanted to know what I was thinking. She said of course. I looked her straight in the eye (and glanced back at the road on occassion ) and told her that I was pissed and even more determined to kick it's &*$^. I told her that if that's the best it's got, it better go get some of it's lethal buddies to take ME down.

I was able to calm some of her fears. I am not fooling myself. I know thta the odds just became more stacked against me. They told me that only 25% make it 5 years and only 15% 10 years in stage 3. I told my wife that she needed to remember that only 1% of all high schoool football players make it to colege and only 1% of those make it to the NFL. I reminded her that I beat those odds, so these odds actualy look pretty good.

I will say this. I don't know for sure that I can beat this (though I do believe I will). But whether I do or not, it's going to be one hell of a fight

Glad to see are fighting the good fight ! Trust me , my prayers are with ya !

We who read this board every day know that if nothing else, Coach is a fighter. I haven't responded to many of anyones threads...just read alot. If I even get a jist of your personality You can do this... YOU can. Best of luck to ya, Coach and I'm prayin' for ya !


Brownsrule09

You'll beat it.

Keep that chin up! That cancer doesn't know who it's messing with.

Good luck to you Coach. You're going to beat this. If you keep that attitude, you will.

As a side not, I never knew you played in the NFL. Can I have your authograph?

Best wishes bud!

I'm sorry that cancer is giving you a hard time, Coach, but I have no doubt that you can kick its ass.

You have still been in my prayers everyday bro. Hang in there and remember I am just a PM away anytime you need to talk.

Great outlook!!!! And we'll be praying for you!

Hang in their Coach... As someone said earlier, You WILL beat this!

j/c what type of cancer you coach, I just found out I have stage 3 esophagal cancer

I have no doubt that you'lll kick this disease's ass Coach.

I was sitting here earlier this evening, pondering how I'm going to survivie a very tough market this year in business

Then I read your post... and I realized what a wimp I am for worrying about that when I have an internet friend who is fighting the good fight for something way more important .......... his life!

Keep fighting the good fight Coach... you have my prayers... and if it makes any difference to you, then you should know that you just inspired me to get up tomorrow morning, quit feeling sorry for myself and redouble my efforts to be successful...

thank you and know this, you have a friend! By the looks of the other posts on this thread,,, you have many friends pulling for you...

I'm with you Coach...and I'm sure that if you don't beat it, you'll annoy the hell out of it!!!

Good luck man!

I have never faced a situation like yours, but I have a feeling that if anyone beats cancer, you do. You have my best wishes, thoughts, and prayers. Hang tough, rock on, and show that SOB who its messing with.

Hey CoachB,
Odds were made to be beaten Coach! Stay positive, pray and keep your strength up

And enjoy every day!!.. Plus we have a new administration/new football coach to Banter about

Keep fighting the good fight!

Thoughts and prayers to you, Coach and dawgofwar!

We're with ya Coach...keep up the fight...NOL..

nordawg

What was your primary cancer again Coach?

Sorry about the bad news. But keeping a good attitude and not folding is half the battle. I wish you all the best in your difficult road you're traveling.

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I will say this. I don't know for sure that I can beat this (though I do believe I will). But whether I do or not, it's going to be one hell of a fight

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That's the right attitude to have bud. kick it's ass!
I have really started to believe in the power of prayer and will keep ya in mine. Hang in there!!

Coach you have reminded us how we should all value our time on this earth.
If we can learn something from your example,perhaps we are better people for it.
1 question though,who did you play for in the NFL?

Keep up the good fight Coach, I know you already know this but just as a reminder,read my sig.


KING

Thoughts and prayer go out to you and your family Coach.

Were all behind ya coach.......Sending prayers daily.....


I know you know that those statisics are doctors odds, they dont take into consideration the drive, fight & heart of a person....Being a Browns fan I know you got it....Were all with ya..

I'm convinced that attitude is a huge part of the fight.

Keep it up we'll keep on prayers!

dawg, I will keep you and continue to keep CoachB in my prayers.

CoachB has stomach cancer.

Dawg,,, Best of luck to you.... keep the faith brother....

Love the attitude! You can do this, Coach!

As others have said, stories like your's should make each and every one of us realize how precious our time is here and we all should make the best of every single day.

Wish you the best Coach.

That is the attitude you have to take.

certainly far longer odds have been beaten, I have faith you will beat this

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. I don't see myself as an inspiration or anything like that. I am just determined to live my life to the fullest and face this challenge no differently than I have any other. The support I receive here is so much appreciated and helpful, I don't know if I could ever express how much it means to me.

Dawgofwar, ANY time you need to, PM me. I will tell you some things you may already know, but just in case you don't. Take as much natural things as you can. I made the personal choice of not taking anything for the side effects. The research I have seen and after talking to the doctors, I felt it helped my chances of winning if I didn't add more chemicals into my body than I already am. Whether you take anything or not, try some of these things if you can. Load up on your vitamin C daily (I take 1000 mg), Calcium Citrate (again I take 1000 mg), a multi vitamin, and try an herbal pill called Biotin. I am takng that and I haven't lost my hair (it is a herb that strengthens the hair and nails). Also, drink as much V8 juice as you can. When you can't tolerate food, it gives you all the benefits of vegatables, but easier to keep down (though I hate the taste of the stuff, I drink it all the time). Also, eat as much as you can when you can, even if it doesn't stay down. I am down about 45 lbs. from what was a trim and fit 235-240 (at 6'5" that's fit LOL). The more you can keep on, the more strength you have. If you have any other questions, shoot me a PM. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

You have my thoughts & prayers Coach!

Coach - you keep that attitude, and keep fighting.

I almost feel sorry for your cancer, it's in for a world of hurt. But then again, it started it, and it's asking for it.

I don't post on here very often at all, but I come here daily to read without fail. I don't know you, Coach, but I have read alot of your posts on here and I always enjoyed reading your posts.

You have my thoughts and prayers as you battle through this, and I have every confidence that you will prevail.

WOW!! Keep the faith and keep up the fight Coach. We're all pulling for you!

Hey Coach, my prayers are with you. You are attacking this in an inspirational way to all of us. You will win.

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"I don't see myself as an inspiration or anything like that. I am just determined to live my life to the fullest and face this challenge no differently than I have any other."

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-And that's exactly why you are an inspiration to the rest of us, Coach. You refuse to lose... and you're showing us how to do it with class and unbelieveable strength of character. What's not to admire? You're making us all better people by your example. Face it, bro- you already are an inspiration, whether you see yourself as one or not. Deal with it... like you always deal with everything else.

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The support I receive here is so much appreciated and helpful..."

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Maybe it's because we're Browns Fans... you know that if we're gonna bother to say it, we actually mean it. Or, maybe it's because we're all just decent folk- and care about one of our own... Either way, we've all got your back, B.

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" ...I don't know if I could ever express how much it means to me."

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You just did, Coach... and you did it very well.
Very well, indeed.


This message board is much more than a place where strangers type out their views on a common subject... it's become a community. This thread is evidence of that. You are a vital and valued member of this community, CoachB... and that's why we are all here for you- just the same as you've been here for us. It's simply what good people do- and who they are... and it's what makes this place so special to us all.

You help to make this place what it is. We're a better community because of your presence.

-And knowing you (and your backbone...), we'll be better for a long, long time to come.

All our best- we know you can do it.