Phase 2 of my battle with cancer is underway

It has been a nervous past 10 days in my current battle with cancer. My follow-up C-Scan was performed last week following my initial radiation and chemo-therapy treatments.

My oncologist, Dr. Amit Sanyal, indicated to me last Wednesday that the “numbers” look good and we’re going in the right direction. With that said he had me start my second series of chemo treatments. These will be much stronger than the original treatment.

My original treatment was all done via CADD computer on a continuous seven day a week basis.

The new chemo is much stronger as it will attack any cancer cells that may have made it into my lymph nodes.

I was lucky and didn’t have serious side effects from my initial chemo with the exception of getting fatigued. I don’t think I’m going to be as lucky this time around. I suffered severe dehydration for the first 48 hours of the new treatment that required five hours of fluids being injected into my body.

While I maintain that “day at a time” attitude in fighting this terrible disease, the emotional and physical “ups and downs” can be extremely taxing.

A photo of me along with Arnie Peck (center) and Gary Douglas (right) was taken at Saturday night’s Back to the 60’s – Bob Berezowitz Day reception at Randy’s Restaurant.

I look at the photo and worry that maybe I’m not strong enough to win this battle.

A look back at AJ Raebel's successful battle against cancer

(In the adjacent photo - AJ and Lissa Raebel - Facebook photo)

With a lot of love from his family and friends, A.J. has beat the odds and “beat cancer.”

(Editor’s Note: A special day for Tom Pattison is coming up on Saturday, October 6, as part of UW-Whitewater’s Family Day football game vs. UW-River Falls at Perkins Stadium.

The event coincides with the Team Tom Cancer Fund that has been established through Commercial Bank in Whitewater. Donations may be sent to: Team Tom Cancer Fund, c/o Commercial Bank, 200 South Freemont St. Whitewater, WI 53190.

The following story documents former UW-Whitewater linebacker, AJ Raebel’s 2009/2010 battle against cancer and the support he received from the UW-Whitewater community.)

Former UW-Whitewater linebacker A.J. Raebel faced many battles “head-on” while attending UW-Whitewater. It was in the weeks following graduation when the Cary, Illinois native faced the biggest battle of his life – a battle for survival against testicular cancer.

Raebel faced an uphill battle, battling the odds, following surgery along with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Bob Berezowitz, who coached Raebel for three years at UW-Whitewater, said Raebel’s confidence helped him get through this difficult period.

“I think it shows his determination,” Berezowitz told UW-Whitewater’s Royal Purple student newspaper. “He fought it right away and kept a positive mindset.”

The UW-Whitewater community refused to let A.J. face “the battle of his life” alone.

Over 450 friends of A.J. Raebel, fans of Warhawk football, and supportive members of the community came to Kachel Gym in Williams Center for the CURE 33 benefit Wednesday, March 10. The benefit, to help the former UW-W all-American linebacker and member of the 2007 national championship team, raised money to help in his battle against cancer.

“The event was a huge success as Warhawk alumni and fans from all over came back to support AJ in his fight against cancer,” UW-W director of athletics Paul Plinske said following the event. “While AJ’s prognosis is very good, he still has an inordinate amount of expenses that insurance won’t cover. It is a testament to the Warhawk family that we were able to generate over $12,000 for AJ”.

“The money was a lifesaver,” Raebel said. “Just the support and compassion made dealing with it easier. It was absolutely incredible. I can’t thank the Whitewater community enough.”

Fast forwarding, A.J. and wife Lissa are happy and living extremely successful lives. A.J. currently teaches eighth grade at the Waukesha STEM Academy and coaches football at Waukesha South High School.

A special thank you to Diane Raebel, AJ’s mom, for publicizing the Team Tom Cancer Fund Drive and the Oct. 6th event on D3football.com chat rooms around the country!

Team Tom Cancer Fund established

(Editor’s Note: Longtime radio voice of UW-Whitewater football, Tom Pattison, continues to fight his ongoing battle with cancer at day at a time. Currently Tom is between a first and second round of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Dr. Paul Plinske and Bob Berezowitz have requested that the following story be published here on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire)

As many of you already know, I have been battling stage-two colon cancer for the past couple months and I continue to focusing on taking this fight “a day at a time.” I continue to spend many of my days either at my computer or watching a Warhawk football practice developing stories to keep UW-Whitewater fans up to date on the Warhawks.

I must admit that this disease has sapped a lot of my energy but my passion to keep fans updated on UW-Whitewater football has been some of the best therapy according to my doctors.

With hospital and medical bills now approaching 200-thousand dollars the small fund drive implemented by my daughter Kimberlee has been rolled into the Team Tom Cancer Fund Drive that was launched earlier this month by former Warhawk football coach Bob Berezowitz, UW-Whitewater athletic director Paul Plinske and the longtime radio home of Warhawk football – KOOL 106.5.

It is immensely embarrassing and humbling to have such a fund drive established for me. I must admit the impact of this bout with cancer has staggered me greatly.

I want to publicly thank Bob, Paul, Jim, Shane, and my daughter Kim for the unbelievable generosity and effort in assisting in the Team Tom Cancer Fund Drive and a enormous thank you to all that have already donated or are considering donating to this fund drive. It is difficult to come up with words to express my gratitude!!

Team Tom Cancer Fund Drive established

Once a Warhawk, always a Warhawk are the often spoken words by Tom Pattison, longtime “voice” of the Warhawks. Over the many years of broadcasting UW-Whitewater football, basketball and baseball games on KOOL 106.5 (and prior to that (940 WFAW), Tom has “bled purple” during each one of his broadcasts.

Unfortunately, on May 28, 2012 Tom was diagnosed with advanced stage 2 colon cancer. He underwent colorectal cancer surgery in Fort Atkinson and in the process has developed astronomical hospital and medical bills.

Tom has already gone through the first phase of radiation treatment at the UW Cancer Clinic along with chemotherapy with phase two starting later this month.

Tom has given his heart and soul to Warhawk athletics over his 25 years of living here in southern Wisconsin. He served six years as the president of the UW-Whitewater Quarterback Club and still serves on the club’s board of directors.

In 2003 Tom founded Warhawkfootball.com where Warhawk fans, players, former players and parents have been able to view up-to-date Warhawk football news and information 365 days a year. Nearly 1.5 million visitors have clicked onto the Website over the years.

The Website that has been funded entirely by Tom has been a popular “voice” for Warhawk football fans not only locally but around the world.

Well now Tom needs your assistance in his battle with cancer.

With the help and leadership of UW-Whitewater Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Paul Plinke and former Warhawk football coach Bob Berezowitz and KOOL 106.5 Radio a team has been set up to lead a campaign to raise funds for Tom.

The Team Tom Cancer Fund has been established through Commercial Bank in Whitewater and is now accepting donations.

Donations may be sent to: Team Tom Cancer Fund, c/o Commercial Bank, 200 South Freemont St., Whitewater, WI 53190

The fund raising drive will also include Tom Pattison Day at Perkins Stadium on Oct. 6, 2012. More details will be announced shortly.

“I have known Tom for many years while coaching and now in retirement,” Berezowitz said. “There is not another person who has given more of himself to help promote UW-Whitewater football. He is always writing articles for both past and present players that are published on his Website.

It is now our turn to say “thank you” for his efforts by considering making a donation to help assist Tom in his time of need.

“Once again I’m asking all Warhawk fans, parents, and players that have worn the purple and white uniform to consider making a contribution to the fund drive. Together we can make this happen! As the old saying goes - Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk!!