4 Months Post Transplant • 08.29.10
Has it really been 4 months since my last post? I feel like it was just yesterday that I came home from the hospital. Time is flying by! That is definitely a good thing. I recently went back to read my most recent post, thinking I was going to have to tell everyone my horrible experience in the hospital but it seems that I already did that, so I guess I can talk about all the good things that have come of late.
After about a month
of being out of the hospital, still bald as a baby’s behind AND with no eyebrows , I went to my old stomping grounds and started to work at Johnny Rocket’s again. Fast forward to today being my last day there because I am going back to school soon. In hindsight, working at Johnny Rockets was the BEST thing for me. When I came out of the hospital I was sooo depressed just sitting around my home. Every time I looked in the mirror I startled myself, I was having horrible nightmares and I couldn’t sleep. All I could think about was that, I want to be normal. So I got back on the horse, got a job and started working. Once I got over the fact that everybody stared at me (come on people, what’s so unusual about looking like the guy who played the character from the movie, Powder-remember that guy??) It turns out that as uncomfortable as it was, being in public with normal people, having a normal job, and making money was the first step back into the life that I wanted to reclaim. Within 45 days of my transplant, and a little hair here and there, before I knew it, I had myself a military haircut! My eyebrows came in about day 60, and then it was just, “hey that’s kinda of interesting my eyebrows are blonde.” It didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was that I was doing what I needed to do to be happy.
Then I received a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was at game 6 and game 7 of the LA Lakers final. On the floor, in the pressroom, working the game! I ran media cards forphotographers, (I have connections). Not only was I living a dream by being in front of the 8th wonder of the world, Kobe Bryant, but I also got to live the close-up rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers!, I got to witness the most intense, amazing championship ever! I even got to kiss and hold the trophy at the end of the game. We are talking about a life changing experience! Yeah chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant can change your life too, but this was the f-ing Lakers for crying out loud! It is Kobe Bryant! It is the 16th title! And it was over the Boston Celtics! Shall I go on? Anyway, once I got off cloud 9, I started working a second job at my usual summer camp, which I will finish by next week. I have spent my whole summer Monday-Friday with the kids at the summer camp (and my friends), and Saturday and Sunday’s at Johnny Rockets. My mom calls me crazy, but let’s be real, she gave birth to me, I had to get it from somewhere (hint hint). I don’t know what made me keep going all summer long. I think it was just that day-by-day routine. I felt more and more normal and forgot about the horror of that stem-cell transplant. Yeah, there were moments here and there that reminded me, but being with my friends, playing outside, interacting with people everyday (that weren’t nurses) was really what made the difference.
One of the hardest parts about being in the hospital and recovering was that I turned 21 in this process and wasn’t able to celebrate the way I had “dreamed” of. Yeah, everybody wants to do Vegas with their f
riends, go buy a drink, get carded, and have a blast. I was no different. This was kind of an ongoing theme while I was in the hospital. It was so important to me, doing Vegas, that 25 of my closest family and friends all came to Las Vegas with me in July, and we spent 3 of the most bitchin days at the Bellagio. In the pool, gambling, eating delicious foods, laughing and sharing stores. Las Vegas was so much fun. As luck would have it, I did win some money and rolled the dice pretty well, but the best part was being with all of my loved ones in one area. I think we all walked away a little closer and more appreciative of one another and the closeness that we share.
My hair couldn’t be softer. It’s super straight and I have natural blonde highlights. It’s ok. Be jealous. When I went to go get my haircut, I explained to the lady how special my hair was to me and that I only wanted the sides trimmed. She was very sweet. I mentioned that I never get haircuts and it grows very slow. She then asked, “When did you get highlights? And wow, your hair is so soft. I haven’t cut hair like this in my life.” I felt pretty cool. I am super hairy and couldn’t be happier. I don’t care where it grows, as long as it does. Being bald for so long is sad. The hair is what brings me to life!
I applied for a scholarship through Cancer for College, which is geared toward getting students who have had to leave school because of cancer back to school with the help of scholarships. After a couple months, a long essay, and a few letters of recommendations, I was one of seven recipients to receive one of the highest awards. I received $4000 to school. This means more to me than a lot of things I’ve accomplished because I can now help my parents pay for school! We all know that the insurance companies won’t. In September I get honored at a ceremony and get to hang out with their biggest donor, Will Ferrell. I’m pretty excited. Maybe I’ll come back with a picture of Cuck Fancer and Ron Burgundy J
I know that Stand Up 2 Cancer is airing their next show soon, and I can’t wait to see what they have planned! I won’t be apart of this one because I will be in Paris J. I will be watching though and hope you will be too!
On another note, I am participating in a phase 1 field study for a shingles vaccine. In the 2nd year of transplant, immune suppressed patients often get shingles. They have developed a vaccine and have tried it on 700 non-transplant patients, and there have been no adverse effects. I am the first of 60 to try it for transplant patients. I am hoping it works. The only downside is that I get these gnarly shots once a month that knocks me out along with crazy headaches, a super sore arm and a lot of flu like symptoms. It’s worth it either way. On one hand I might get some immunity from Shingles and if it doesn’t (like if I’m getting the placebo), I am still making a contribution to the study for others. I am well aware that somebody 40 years ago said, “What’s a stem cell transplant?” And because of that person and the study they were in, I received the benefit.
I just want to thank everybody for supporting Cuck Fancer. I hope it has helped and touched lives in one way or another. I am thinking of going to speak for COH at certain events, when I’m ready. A lot has happened to me and I want to continue to share my experiences, support those who have supported me and help find a f-ing cure for Cancer. You guys all know; if you ever need anything, just holler.
Day +160.
Ben
