Cancer and Sports Part 1 Of Many

I figured that the experts are telling fans everything they want to know about everyone so why repeat or in some cases argue with the experts.   I want to tell you about the healing properties of professional sports.   Many of you have read my blogs from MD Anderson in Houston.  My husband's chemo has begun and so have the Eagles, Flyers (preseason) and Phillies (almost playoffs), PSU Big 10 football and there is always golf.  In addition we have fantasy football leagues (and pick 'ems and suicide leagues) and home run derby.

Cancer is a strange thing - we lost Eagle's coach, Jim Johnson, to it this year along with a host of stars like Patrick Swayze and Farrah Fawcett.  When there is the diagnosis we dread,  the family and the patient go crazy.  This is what happened in my house 3 weeks after opening a new business.  We had to find the right docs and the right treatment centers and 3 months later here we are...and we have had a great distraction- SPORTS!  My husband is currently reading sports books about the late, great Harry Kalas and Bill Simmons, The ESPN Sport's Guy while receiving 8 hours a day of lifesaving poison.

What would we do without sports?  If there is a game on, Jeff perks up and is so there!  When we got to Texas and saw the Astrodome and Reliant Field from our window and Astros vs Phillies (in town to lose 4 straight) I could see a visible change in Jeff, and in me.  There it was...sports, heros, athletes and history, The Thrill of Victory and (G-d Forbid) The Agony of Defeat.  We are a part of all of this.  It is in our blood - we are fans! As long as there is a game on we will find the energy to watch it and cheer for our teams and players.

For those of you who are around people who cannot figure out why you scream at the TV and wear fan clothing, tailgate and buy autographed stuff...tell your friends it may prolong your life and definitely will save you sanity in a crisis.   Rather than discuss the chemo we are now discussing Brad Lidge and the closer situation with the Phillies.  My husband is scheduled to play golf with Bill Giles and is doing everything to convince the docs he is able - even with the pic line in his right arm.  If he has an ounce of energy on September 30th, he will be on the course with the Phillies' Chairman.

I have  been angry at many athletes and feel they need to be better role models for our kids.  At the end of the day , they are who we all want to be...strong, determined, able to overcome injury and adversity to defeat the opposition.  In our home Cancer is the opponent and these athletes give us hope that we too will be strong and determined nad able to overcome adversity.  As we root for our teams and our favorite players, we are silently rooting for Jeff.  When there is a win, we all win and for a few minutes...we just forget about everything but cheering!