I had to miss the Mike Alstott Family Foundation Charity Weekend last year. I remember it looked like I was going to be able to make it when the tumor grew in my abdomen, requiring that emergency round of chemotherapy. Big bummer. Doing fun stuff for charity is my jam and this is an annual assembly of awesome adults. Athletes, media personalities, sponsors, and volunteers combine to make it one hell of a good time. Last year, I was discharged from the hospital on the last morning of the Alstott Weekend. I remember that because John Senning called me on his way back and we talked for about an hour. I distinctly remember starving and not wanting to get out of my car & interrupt our conversation, so I hit Taco Bell. I emailed their corporate office later that day to compliment the attitude of the dude working the drive-thru.
As this year’s event kept growing closer, Rich (the organizer and head of the MAFF) texted me, making sure I’d be able to make it. I saw no reason why not. I wasn’t sure whether or not I could or should swing a golf club due to the port in my body. The placement didn’t seem to be obtrusive to a swing, or at least my version of one, so I went to the driving range on Friday to see if I could handle it. My first few swings were okay as I took a short iron and made some 3/4 swings. No concern for the port, so I tried mid-irons and driver. Not great, but certainly not life-threatening. Finished with a wedge and then looked down to see a blister already forming.
I think I mentioned here the weird skin thing on my fingertips after one round of chemo. They were peeling along with the bottoms of my feet. I was never really prone to blistering before, so I reckon there’s another gift from cancer treatment. Pretty soon, it got raw like an Eddie Murphy comedy special. I got a bandage and some ointment (having to type that word is almost as funny as saying it) and hoped for the best.
Well, I did my best…but I guess my best wasn’t good enough. More on that in a few.