Friday, May 31, 2013

May 31, 2013

Greetings readers, greeeeeetings.

Excellent news: Bigfoot has crushed the surgery scene with relative ease. Making me look like a real wuss. I'm not exactly digging it but like good for her, whatever, you guys can follow her blog if you're so impressed alright?

Wasn't it just like 55 degrees and cloudy out? Suddenly 90 and humid as could be...gross. How is one supposed to chip around the compound in these adverse conditions? No thanks. Pass. Time to fire up the WiiGolf and get her nice and ready for these unseasonably disgusting days. Going for the 18 under record through 18 holes...I'll keep you all updated on this progress.

I've found myself really looking ahead to future events and making them goals to get to. First was graduation, which was achieved quite casually (what mumps outbreak pshhhh). Now it appears that the next couple of goals are the Belmont Stakes, weekends at Saratoga Race Course, and perhaps a trip out to see my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates. Let's make it happen.

Chemo? Shmemo. So over it. One more session tomorrow and a nice week off to follow. Getting after it. Get those summer plans together everyone; it's gonna be a great one.

Monday, May 27, 2013

May 27, 2013

A Memorial Day full of remembrance of those who protected and continue to fight for our freedom to you all.

Keep calm and chemo on. That's the spirit. Feels like I just got the needle out from week one of chemo, but then again I guess I did - it was only Saturday morning. Back down tomorrow for a quick stab and cheem session. No big deal, all fun and games in the long run right?

Bigfoot's heading in for a little procedure as well tomorrow, so thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery are much, much appreciated. Nothing like a family outing down in New York City, right?! But I guess the East Side hospitals aren't exactly the most desirable spot for such. At least the food isn't too bad? I dunno.

Looking forward to crushing this week of chemo, recovering, and prepping myself for the Belmont Stakes. Nothing like thoroughbreds in New York, whether it be in the backyard at Belmont or up at the spa at Saratoga. Plus, nothing like having a little gambling interest every now and then to spice things up.

Have a great week, all.


Friday, May 24, 2013

May 24, 2013

Just powering through days of chemo here. Slowly but surely. Needle out tomorrow, then living the needleless dream for a couple of days before popping a new one back in for the next week of chemo. Standard protocol.

This whole taking the oral chemo at night scheme is quite clutch so far. Hope it continues; instead of the double up of chemo drugs during the day, taking the pills at night allows for the ability to sleep through the possible side effects it may bring. Though it's sometimes not so much fun to wake up dry-heaving at about 7 or 8 AM for most of you out there, it's not too bad for me. In fact, I'll take it over the other possible side effects.

Calculated Katie's official age today, thanks to the BBC, and UK and US vet services - 90. Old broad. Explains her sassiness and lethargy recently (as she snores in front of me...wait now a groan and roll). She got shot up with the juice today. I'll expect a couple of laps around the compound out of her tomorrow.

Now to get my you-know what back in gear after my little graduation honeymoon period...work to do, thank you notes to send, emails to respond to, and books to write (okay maybe not the last...but maybe...whoa). Later everyone!



Tuesday, May 21, 2013

May 21, 2013

That's right I did it. You bet your bottom dollar. College graduate - can't stop, won't stop, like a boss.

Astounding time up in Chestnut Hill for the day (of graduation). To my surprise, the keynote speaker wasn't too bad - nailing a good message up until he called us "the Obama generation". Kinda lost me after that, but I still managed to take some good points away from his address. One of many highlights may have been the CSOM (business school) dean instructing the class to "sober up and stay vertical" prior to processing down to Alumni Stadium. Classic Boston College.

We were a little fearful that the weather forecast of scattered showers/thunderstorms may come to fruition and leave us drenched. This was not the case, luckily. We were still drenched though, in sweat. Believe it or not I'd rather that scenario. Plus since there was no rain event we didn't have the constraint of rain tickets, and all that wanted to attend got to attend the diploma ceremony. It all worked out!

I'll take this time to point out that yes, I graduated BC essentially from a hospital bed at Sloan Kettering. However, much to your surprise I'm sure, given the obvious nature of the fact that I am indeed Batman/Superman/The 8th Wonder of the World, I most certainly did not accomplish this on my own - not by a longshot. My parents, the administrators at BC (Dean Keeley and Sara), and my professors (Professor Sannella, Doctor Spinello, and Monsignor Bergin) have to at least have the majority of responsibility for my graduation between them. I could not be more thankful for all their love and support throughout this and all semesters I've been involved with them. There was not doubt before this in my mind that Boston College is the greatest school in the world, but after this, I simply couldn't imagine living a life without those three and a half years I was lucky enough to have on the Heights.

Furthering that sentiment, a big congratulations to all those other Boston College Class of 2013 grads. We nailed it, with relative ease no doubt. To all my friends, who were always there for me even before I had to leave, though we may not live within feet of each other anymore we will undoubtedly remain with each other forever in one way or another. To the 30 Mod, you valiant group of studs you (including Thomas, the wanna-be Nicky Mo replacement), it has been an honor to call you gentlemen roommates and fellow Modmembers. Since I plan on being a stud for years to come, we shall reunite many times, and of course as a Modular at our 5 year reunion.

I'll leave you all with a little photo evidence of the aforementioned event. Take care everyone.


Thursday, May 16, 2013

May 16, 2013

What a gorgeous day. So nice I had to get out and hit some fairways....well attempt to at least. I hit a couple, on my way to a solid 112. Whatever. Blaming it on the mediport.

Preakness 2013 just around the corner. Will Orb do it again? To be honest, my money will be placed elsewhere. However, that's mostly because he offers little to no value as a betting interest at 1-1 or lower. We'll see how it all plays out, but of course I'd love to see a Triple Crown winner. So here's to hoping he wins.

Also, it's official: though I'd be attending graduation regardless, we were all a little unsure of whether or not I'd actually be graduating - but I am. Made moves, finished the work required, and gettin' that paper. Cha-ching. Employers literally can't stop sending me job offers; it's gross.

Also, good news: I think I'm back on Katie's good side. For a while there she was a bit annoyed with me, mainly due to my role as her personal groomer, giving her baths. As you can imagine, Katie enjoys baths just about as much as she enjoys the vacuum...maybe even less. Nothing a few treats and a cup or two of food can't fix, eh? Great broad.

Have a great start of the weekend everyone. Catch ya later.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

May 15, 2013

Delayed this blog post a bit to ensure accuracy of information coming in. Would hate to give anyone false hope out there, you know? Good news - Nicky Mo is going to Commencement. After discussions amongst the entire team down at Sloan, I've been told it's a risk worth taking - just be ultra-careful, Purell like you have OCD, grab that diploma and skedaddle. I can work with that.

For those curious, the Modico Country Club is freshly manicured. Yes, my game tailed off with the jungle-like fairway conditions earlier this week. I've bounced back to form though, naturally. Can't be stopped. Except by a some trees on a few holes. They've been known to cramp my style.

Status quo on all other fronts. Feeling great in the middle of this second week off from chemo. Chilling out with Katie, getting out and cruising around, and eating like a champ much to the docs' delight. Gotta get fat to battle the chemo apparently...I can dig it, I guess. Now I'm getting hungry, thinking 5 Guys for lunch. Yeah, that sounds good. Later everyone.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

May 11, 2013

The mumps. So lame. Docs decided it wasn't a good idea for me to head up to school for Senior Week festivities due to a recent outbreak of the mumps on campus. What are the chances? The mumps! Bleh. Graduation still seems to be up in the air. Doc Wex will make the call sometime next week to see if it's even possible for me to sneak up there for just the commencement ceremony. We'll see.

What else is new? Absolutely, positively nada. Nasty weather has shut down the course at the Modico Country Club, which is tragic. Can't even pitch and chip around the compound with this rain. Although I'll have to have a chat with the head groundskeeper, the fairways are getting a bit unruly with the length of the grass...barely even playable at this point.

Katie's straight chillin' like a villain for all those curious. Snoring in my face regularly; highly standard. Happy Mothers' Day to all you mothers out there. Catch ya later.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

May 8, 2013

Just realized now it's been like forever since I've blogged out. My bad homeslices.

NHL playoffs in full swing. You know my tushion has been planted in front of this beaut of a television watching the proceedings. It's just the right thing to do, though it's real tough to stomach the fact that it lasts until early- to mid-June or so until the Stanley Cup is awarded. Seems so long/drawn out. But given the fact that we were shorted half the season with that whole lockout gig, I'll take it.

Life is so boring without chemo, I simply don't know how you guys do it. Like you guys actually have energy to go out and work and do stuff? What's that like? Sounds gross. Although on a bright note I've had a pretty good energy level lately, moving back into the double digits with my hemoglobin levels as of Monday. Watch out world, I'm feeling some kind of physical endurance event just around the corner...or maybe just graduation. Maybe that will be an endurance event of sorts though...

Let's keep it going with these Rangers, and though they were necessary, hopefully the rain showers have hit the road. Until later.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

May 5, 2013

Cinco de Mayo, and the Derby Hangover.

If times were different I believe I'd currently (yes, 11 AM) be casually sipping some variety of Corona to toast the remembrance of the Battle of Puebla. Don't really know what it's all about, but they say it should be toasted and, well, therefore toast it we shall.

The Derby Hangover. Yes. The best horse won, which really can't always be said when it comes to the running of the Kentucky Derby. But for a fan of the sport that follows it much, much more than just the 5 weeks that span the Triple Crown, it was awesome to see racing royalty finally get a winner. Unfortunately, I tried to beat the favorite with Normandy Invasion, a respectable 4th, but think his jockey moved a bit too early. On to the Preakness (the first time in 3 years I won't be in attendance...sigh).

Finally done with the two week chemo. Felt like forever, but I really feel that was because I had to be down there everyday for the past two weeks just to see how it went. Now that it went well, with only some nausea, it looks like I can do 8/10 days from home - with Mondays being administered at the hospital. That's a real nice deal. Hopefully it all works out.

Hope everyone has a nice, relaxing weekend...catch you during the week.


Thursday, May 2, 2013

May 2, 2013

Sweet day. Started out a bit slow, I think I'm getting so stealth with how I slink into the dark corner of the recliner section down at Sloany Ketts that sometimes they forget I've checked in at the front desk. Case in point today, when I got the sideways look from a nurse who just so happened to walk back into my domain and asked how long I'd been there. It was a solid hour, but I was so caught up in re-reading The Count of Monte Cristo that I lost track of time. Oops, kind of, I guess, in a way. I don't know maybe I wasn't in a rush to get chemo or something cut a brother some slack.

Just witnessed Largefoot use a harness to help Katie get her creaky old bones up the stairs to bed....pathetic yet hilarious. The things we do for our pets...but honestly I feel like this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of things we'd be willing to do for the wondermutt. Perhaps one of the next steps will be some sort of breath mints, holyyyyyyyyyyy fish breath.

Another gorgeous day, absolutely necessary to get out and see some local high school baseball, grab some sun, listen to a little country music, and cruise around town. One more day of chemo, tomorrow morning, for this cycle - then the needle comes out and all bets are off. This week has been much better than even last week, with the chemo not really affecting me much even in the way of fatigue. The taste in the mouth lingers, sure, but honestly it's quite manageable in the big scheme of things. The trick will be to find some compound that cures both my taste issue and Katie's breath issue...scientists are currently hard at work looking for it.

People have been talking soooo derby to me lately. Kentucky Oaks tomorrow, Derby on Saturday. I am such a child for these days, just really exciting racing. Hope everyone gets a chance to catch 'em, and good luck if you bet. Talk to you later everyone.