The Chemo Chronicles

I've created this blog to help keep all of you up to date with my progress, daily events and rants. In order to post a comment you need to select Anonymous from the pull down menu or use one of the other accounts from the list that you may have.

On 4-11-13 I was diagnosed with stage 1 DLBC NH Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin). I had a lymph node in my neck removed for biopsy that yielded these results.

My lymphoma is in an aggressive stage and my team of doctors considered me as Stage 2 Aggressive and recommended an aggressive treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiation. The duration of my treatment plan is 16 weeks and it starts on 5-3-13. That's not a whole lot of time to prepare.

Going through this treatment is a fight. That’s what I’m doing, I’m fighting and I don’t want any boo hooing in my corner. I don’t want any pity or any ‘I’m so sorry’, or ‘You poor thing’. If you want to boohoo and cry, that’s fine, but I don't want to hear it. If you want to stand behind me and my team and rally for me then that’s what I need. This disease intends on kicking my ass if I can't stand up and fight.

I’m depending on my team to keep my fighting spirit up high, and not let it fall down into a depressed state. When is the last time you watched a boxing match and the coach in one corner yells over to the coach of the other corner ‘Why'd ya have to hit him so hard for'. That isn't what happens. The coach slaps his fighter in the face a few times to snap him out of it while screaming in his face 'What the hell are you doing out there. You're leaving yourself wide open. Stay out of reach of his jab and stick him with the counter when he comes in. Now get in there and Fight!'. That's what happens!

So what is my game plan... First and foremost whatever the doctors tell me to do. I need to maintain my acid/alkaline balance. I'm going to get back into my Pi Gu practice and start an acupuncture and Tong Ren regime. I'm going to focus my attention on studying for exams during my hospital stays and maintain my Kali/Arnis training until I'm unable. I'm going to remember everyone before me that has undergone this type of treatment and the knowledge they've shared to give me strength. I'm going to reach deep within myself and get ready to endure a pain like I've never known. I am going to show love and adoration toward my team and respect their judgments.

I'd prefer visitation to be limited to coaches on my team. Non-coaches I'd prefer that you support me through this blog or email throughout the duration of my treatment plan.

If you would like to be a coach on my team I'd love to have your support. Please email me.

What would I expect of my coaches. The ability to not take my crap, to keep me humble and get me back in check if I become a moody SOB. If I start cracking up and lose sight of my game plan I need help to get back on track and keep my head on straight. When I'm sick as a dog and I will be I need Spirit more than I need comfort. When I think I've had enough, I need my ass kicked cause it ain't over til its over.

We are more stronger together than we are alone!

Weakness is not a sign of strength; it’s a lack of it!

Anthony


Team Tarallo Current Roster

Head Coach:
Yours Truly

Assistant Head Coach:
F Martins

Cornermen:
Team Tarallo (NH Branch) (Strength & Conditioning Coordinators, Personal Advisory Team)
Team N DeCola (RWS Fight Plan Coordinator & Conditioning Coordinators, Personal Advisory Team)
D Blake  (Fight Coordinator &  Motivational Counselor)
M DellaGrotte (Tactical Team, Fight Coordinator and Motivational Counselor)
R DellaGrotte (Tactical Team, Attitude Adjustment Counselor and Fight Coordinator)

Coaches:
C Tarallo
F Tarallo (Attitude Adjustment Counselor)
J Blauvelt (Attitude Adjustment Counselor)
Indio (Motivational Counselor)
S Douglas
A Abrams (Mentor & Motivational Counselor)

TCM & Herbalists:
Tom Tam
Arthur
Guro P Freedman

Spiritualism and Prayer:
G Pachas
B & TNT Tarallo
A Timolien
Indio

Additional Therapies:
Tong Ren
Pi Gu
Tui Na Massage
Tai Chi Dao Yin