Radiation & Chemo underway: So far, so Good

I have completed my first week of radiation and chemotherapy treatment for my colorectal cancer. My Oncologist, Dr. Amit Sanyal, told me Friday afternoon that my weekly blood lab results are encouraging.

I drive to Johnson Creek five days a week for my 11:30 a.m. radiation treatment at the UW-Cancer Clinic. The daily treatment lasts approximately ten minutes.

My chemotherapy is administered through a Cadd-Plus 5400 infusion pump that I have strapped to my right hip.

The computerized pump allows for two doses of 5-FU (5-Fluorourcil) per hour to automatically be infused into a port that was surgically placed into the upper right quadrant of my chest.

Both radiation and chemo do include a number of possible side effects including fatigue. Through the first five days I have not detected any of the side effects. Yah!!!!!!

My initial schedule includes six consecutive weeks of radiation and chemo. At that time Dr. Sanyal will determine if I may need additional weeks of treatment.

The one thing that I’ve learned throughout this process has been the wonderful people at the Dean Fort Atkinson Specialty Clinic, UW-Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek along with the great folks at the Fort Health Care’s Radiology and Blood Lab departments. Also a huge thanks to Katie and the gang at Fort HealthCare Home Health who have kept me at ease during challenging situations while learning the process of taking care of things myself now that I’m home!

I'm not going to let a little cancer stop my daily reporting on UW-Whitewater Football

UW-Whitewater football training camp is just four weeks away. Players are scheduled to report on August 10 with the first practice set for August 11. The Warhawks along with Washington University will be the first two teams to hit the practice field in Division III. The two schools will get a jump on the rest of Division III by getting an early start to the season. Whitewater travels to Wash U in St. Louis for its season opener on the evening of August 31.

As most of you already know, I’m currently battling colorectal cancer and am a week into six consecutive weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy treatment. One aspect of battling cancer is to remain positive throughout the treatments and also to be goal-oriented. My goal is to provide readers of my Website, Warhawkfootball.com and the loyal radio listeners of UW-Whitewater football, with continuous stories and programs as we close in on training camp.

Again this year I plan to have daily training camp updates on your Radio Home for UW-Whitewater Football – KOOL 106.5. I also intend to produce a weekly Warhawk Football This Week Podcast throughout training camp and the upcoming season.

Since being diagnosed with cancer I have learned that the best therapy for me is to focus on my talents of bringing you daily stories, videos and radio programming keeping you up-to-date on Warhawk football.

I’m not going to let a little cancer impact the upcoming season for me!

Javon's 5th birthday party gives Grandpa Tom a very good day

Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher, Tom Pattison, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions have now started. The following is the latest in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

As I blogged last week, battling cancer includes good days and bad days. Today (Monday) was a very good day for me.

By far, the highlight of the day was driving up to Madison to attend my youngest grandson, Javon Smith’s 5th birthday party at Vitense Golf Center at the intersection of the Beltline and Whitney Way.

Boy, do kids that age have energy. I got tired just watching them! BTW, Vitense has the best cheese pizza in Madison!!

Today I received my first radiation treatment at the UW-Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. For the next six weeks I’ll be driving each day, Monday through Friday to receive my dose of radiation.

The treatments will eventually cause me some fatigue but not for another ten days or so.

Tuesday morning I will be at the Dean Care Specialty Clinic in Fort Atkinson to have my chemo pump installed to allow me to start six weeks of chemotherapy. I previously had a “port” implanted into my chest. This process will enable me to keep going with your day to day routine. The pump that is placed in a fanny pack will allow for my chemo to run into my blood stream on a preset basis. By noon on Tuesday I will be underway with six weeks of daily, combined chemo and radiation treatments which hopefully will destroy the cancer cells in my body.

The week kicked off on Sunday when I received an email from one of the Warhawk football player’s father who indicated that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer three years ago.

“Good luck in your fight against this disease! Try to stay as positive as you can. People that have cancer and have gone through it, is a brother and sister fraternity. Because nobody knows what is like unless you have gone through it!”

That is just one of many emails that I’ve received since I had my surgery back on June 3. I can’t even come close to conveying to you how I appreciate my readers thoughts and good wishes as I fight cancer!

May Tuesday be as good a day as today (Monday) was.

Cancer patients face incredible highs and lows emotionally

(Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher, Tom Pattison, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions has been delayed several days prior to being conducted at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. The following is the latest in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

One of the aspects of battling cancer that I wasn’t totally prepared for is the incredible swings in mood.

Tuesday (7/10) was my worst day since first learning I had colorectal cancer. The day began with me having to call Fort Home Health Care to have a nurse come to my residence in Whitewater after I had a serious problem overnight with my ostomy device. Later in the evening an even more serious problem occurred with the device and again a nurse needed to drive to Whitewater – a second time for the day.

Fort Home Health Care Services are needed due to the residual impact my 2006 stroke created on my right side. I’m still not totally comfortable being required to use an ostomy appliance. Not being able to change the devise makes me very sad and upset.

The other part of my cancer plight is my need to go on SSI Disability. The application was placed the first week of June with a request by Jefferson County to expedite the process. One of the requirements for SSI Disability is that you have no more than $1000 to your name. I met that limit but it was two sequences of paying all my household bills. Talk about financial pressure! Sure hope my disability will be approved SOON.

I really “hit the wall” hard emotionally. A good portion of the day I was ready to give up. My daughter Kim and ex-wife Sabrina have been huge over the last month in keeping focused on beating cancer. Had it not been for Kim and Sabrina on Tuesday I don’t know if I would have been able to climb the mountain out of a bad case of depression.

Maybe I was so low emotionally on Tuesday but on Wednesday I was upbeat all day. A-matter-of-fact Wednesday was my most upbeat day since learning I had cancer.

I stayed upbeat even after my oncologist told me that he spotted something in my left lung. Dr. Sanyal says it is either an infection or possibly another tumor. Back to the Fort Atkinson Hospital on Friday for more blood work and another chest x-ray. At this point “it is what it is” I guess.

Wednesday ended at Perkins Stadium where I watched the 2012 WFCA South All-Star teams scrimmage in advance of Saturday’s Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Charity Football Game vs. the North All-Stars at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh. The two games again will benefit Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

One thing I know in regards to my battle vs. cancer – being at Perkins Stadium watching football is incredibly relaxing and I look forward to being at the Perk watching the Warhawks beginning in just over a month when the team reports for training camp.

It looks like my chemotherapy and radiation will start on Monday. I’m ready for the fight!

Important: Be aware of the warning signs of cancer

(Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher Tom Pattison was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions is set to begin in the next few days at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. The following is the second in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

It was weird when people kept telling me that “I was looking good” with the weight I was losing. The acknowledgement felt good at first – but by Easter I was really beginning to worry that I had something seriously wrong physically.

If I can get just one piece of advice to my readers in connection was my diagnosis of having colorectal cancer it is failing to pay attention to cancer warning signs I experienced since last Thanksgiving.

The most obvious warning sign that occurred was my loss of over 60 pounds over the past seven-plus months. I weighed 228 pounds on November 23rd. My weight bottomed out at 171 pounds at the time of my surgery last month.

I also was suffering from constant fatigue, unexplained anemia and a definite change in bowel habits. That’s four of the classic signs of colorectal cancer.

My doctor first attributed my “problem” due to anemia and chronic dehydration following a series of blood tests. An infection in my bowels was also found.

It is kind of funny that human nature often leads one to think positive and shy away from thinking negative in regards to one’s physical condition.

Had I done a little research early on I would have been aware of colorectal cancer warning signs and may not be in the situation I’m currently in.

Here are the 10 warning signs:

1. Weight loss with no known explanation.

2. Constant tiredness or fatigue.

3. Unexplained anemia (low number of red blood cells).

4. A change in bowel habits — constipation or diarrhea that lasts more than a couple of weeks.

5. Weight loss with no known explanation.

6. Constant tiredness or fatigue.

7. Unexplained anemia (low number of red blood cells).

8. A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.

9: Bright red or very dark blood in the stool, black stools that may indicate hidden blood.

10: Abdominal discomfort such as frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.

Please don’t be a hero – If your not feeling well contact your doctor and express your concerns – It could well be a life-saving measure!

Youngest grandchild teaches Voice a valuable lesson

(In the photo above my youngest grandkid, Javon, makes sure Grandpa Tom gets the message to relax and stop worrying so much – photo courtesy of his mom – Kim Smith)

(Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher, Tom Pattison, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions has been delayed several days prior to being conducted at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. The following is the latest in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

I’m quickly beginning to understand that dealing with the “ups and downs” emotionally when battling cancer are the most difficult.

As I was gearing up for the start of my radiation and chemo treatments this coming Monday I found out that the treatments would be delayed five days after my latest CT scan indicated an infection in my right lung.

I sat around feeling sorry for myself – moping around. How was I going to snap out of my funk? How about a trip up to visit a couple of my grandkids – Javon and Jhanay?

While Jhanay was working on a summer school project, Javon was working on his own project with the help of Grandma Sabrina.

I arrived at the Smith household in Madison’s west side feeling down in the dumps – I left after being taught a lesson by my youngest grandchild.

For Javon the most important thing going on was working on HIS arts & craft project sitting at his “little guy” table in front of the TV while watching cartoons. The little guy taught me a lesson. I drove home and promptly plunked my butt in the “lazy boy” and spent a couple hours watching cartoons.

You know what? The little guy taught me how to relax and not worry so much.

Thanks Javon!!!!

Voice update: Radiation and chemotherapy will begin on Monday

(Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher Tom Pattison was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemotherapy sessions will begin on Monday 7/9) at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. The following is the third in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

My “training camp” is wrapping up and the battle with colorectal cancer will begin on Monday at the UW-Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek when my first radiation treatment will take place at “high-noon.”

I spent Tuesday (7/3) at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital having a procedure (minor surgery) performed getting a Groshong CD catheter embedded into the upper left portion of my chest.

Instead of having six weeks of singular, daily chemo treatments, the Groshong will allow for a continuous “chemo drip.” From all I’m being told this process IS the way to go.

(In the adjacent photo taken by my daughter Kim, I'm in good spirits just prior to being wheeled into the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital surgical suite to have a Groshong CD catheter embedded into the upper left portion of my chest to assist in my pending chemotherapy treatment.)

I’ve spent quite a bit of time reading up on the process. It is a bit scary but now is not the time to be a wimp!

Again I would like to thank the many of you that have conveyed thoughts via email messages, Facebook, etc.

Among the emails I’ve received over the past 24 hours is one from Bruce Schroeder (UWW Class of 1972). A portion of the message reads: Just remember, everybody used to think Mount Union was unbeatable, just like this cancer. Well, it is beatable and you can do it!

Bruce’s thoughts on beating this disease are great motivation for me to "win the fight.' As the Hawks prepare for a run at another championship season, I look to begin my own winning streak "one day at a time!!"

Once again, a sincere thank you to all of you that are assisting in my battle against cancer. I cannot properly convey the positive, emotional energy your thoughts have given me!

Pattison: Battling cancer the ultimate “must win” scenario

(Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher Tom Pattison was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions is set to begin in the next few days at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek. The following is the second in a series of stories detailing "Voice's" battle with cancer)

I’ve been involved in athletics since I was eight years old. In light of learning that I now face a tough battle against colorectal cancer this summer I have thought a lot of approaching the battle as I would in any other athletic contest.

Self confidence has never been one of my strong suits. I remember my high school football coach at Durand - legendary Hall of Fame coach Pete Adler - once telling me that it is important not to fear losing – but to play your best when in competition.

I have been told by several people that faced a similar situation that mindset is so important when dealing with this horrible disease. I’ve been told that I must approach my fight with positive thoughts.

I am approaching my imprnding battle as an athletic contest. The object is to “win the game.”

I have been blessed with the opportunity to be very close to UW-Whitewater football for 24 years. I have watched UWW become the most dominate football team in the nation having won four NCAA Division III national titles in the past five years and currently on an incredible 45 game win streak.

I have watched closely as the Warhawks approach each game in the right frame of mind and being ready to play. It is the primary reason for achieving such success.

These current athletes are “prisoners of the moment” and I’m sure they don’t realize the life lessons they will be so important in their future years. Believe me those lessons learned WILL HAVE a huge impact as they go through life – trust me!

I apologize for the lack of posts over the past couple of months as doctors worked to determine what was ailing me. I now realize that being able to keep readers “in the loop” on the Warhawk front is very important to me.

My plans are to continue to keep Warhawk football fans up-to-date on my Warhawkfootball.com Website and on my Voices Eye on Football blog. It is truly a passion for me!

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance, Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin', And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance, I hope you dance - by Lee Ann Womach - I Hope You Dance (2007)

I will begin six consecutive weeks of combined radiation and chemo-therapy five days a week later this month. A lot will be riding on the success of those treatments!

Voice Pattison facing battle vs. colorectal cancer

Editor’s Note: Warhawkfootball.com publisher Tom Pattison was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on May 28th. Surgery took place a couple days later at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. A portion of the tumor remains. Five to six weeks of five days a week radiation and chemo therapy sessions is set to begin in the next few days at the UW Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek.

It will be the latest battle with severe physical problems for Pattison in the past five years. "Voice" suffered a serious stroke in October of 2006. Now he faces a very difficult battle with cancer.

Over the net few weeks “Voice” will author stories on his progress and to hopefully help readers (if even one) to know the warning signs of colorectal cancer and the importance of taking those concerns to one’s doctor.

I’m in for the biggest fight of my life after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in late May. The first signs of a physical problem first surfaced just prior to last December’s Stagg Bowl.

I’ve lost over 60 pounds since Thanksgiving and weighed 172 pounds at the time of my surgery.

Ask those close to me and they’ll tell you that it was a very frustrating time while doctors tried to come up with an answer to my massive weight loss and loss of energy. None of the blood tests taken indicate “markers” pointing to cancer. In late May I was referred to a surgeon who immediately ordered a colonoscopy which resulted in surgery.

Doctors tell me that I face a big fight in my battle with cancer. I have stage2=plus colorectal cancer that includes a mortality rate of 65 to 70 percent.

I’m ready for the battle!

Yesterday is over my shoulder, so I can't look back for too long. There's just too much to see waiting in front of me and I know that I just can't go wrong – Changes in Attitudes-Changes in Latitudes. 1977 by Jimmy Buffett