Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Well its been building up inside of me, For oh I don't know how long....

I don't know why
But I keep thinking
Something's bound to go wrong

But she looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
And she says "Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright





Eric's PET Scan was performed the wed before christmas. This was the first scan that was being performed and would really determine how much cancer was in Eric's body. yes we already knew Eric had Colon Cancer that had spread to his liver. And his liver contained multiple tumors (too many to take out in one liver resection). And yes he had already been diagnosed as Stage IVa (Stage IV is as far as this train goes just for a frame of reference, and IVb is the last station you can get off at). But this was going to determine how extensive the damage is OUTSIDE of what we know.

Well needless to say they made us sweat it out over the Holiday weekend. Eric was anxious and thought this was bad news. We had the Pet Scan performed in Princeton, as opposed to Memorial. They told us a preliminary report would be available within 24 hours, and alas it was not. So automatically he took this as bad news. I on the other hand, took into account the holiday...but that's a whole other story....

Anyway back to the PET. On Monday Eric has his systemic chemo treatment, which includes bloodwork and a visit with Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee is a super sweet doc, who really takes the time to talk to his patients. Usually we wait forever, but lucked out because of the blizzard, many people cancelled. Speaking of which, that blizzard really made it a bitch to get to Princeton, but I digress...

So Lee did his normal assessment, and looked at Eric's blood levels. HE platelets are back to normal, and the only negative in the bloodwork, if you could even consider it a negative, is that Eric is SLIGHTLY anemic. But this is to be expected with liver surgery. So he is getting ready to send us to Chemo, and I kindly remind him, "Don't we have PET scan results?" He honestly forgot to tell us. At that point I knew it was good news.

Essentially the scan found that the Cancer is contained to the liver. The lungs, lymphnodes,spine, and other organs were all clear. The only area that "glowed" was an extremely small inflamed area under the armpit. And they honestly think that has to do with Eric's Eczema, and would not be following a natural pattern of disease for Colon Cancer. So they are not too concerned about this area. The tumors also appear to have shrunk slightly, so Chemo is working. We were elated!!!!! And it is a weight off of Eric's shoulders. This gives him yet ANOTHER reason to keep kicking the shit out of this cancer!

The chemo still sucks. HE is starting to really feel the effects of it. HE is extremely sensitive to cold. Cold weather, cold drinks, cold surfaces. HE has to drink room temp liquids, or it feels like hards of glass are ripping apart his throat. He has to wear gloves to open the fridge, he got out of shoveling in the blizzard (although I think that was planned). Eric is having constant pins and needles feelings in his hands. Thats the neuropathy, and it gets worse with every treatment. His spirits are good though. He handles it like a champ! He still has a head full of hair (knock on wood) after 4 chemo treatments. This is Eric at Monday's treatment. He may still lose his hair, and that's ok. I am hoping that while he loses his hair, he will pick up a Scottish or English accent and I can finally bring to reality my fantasies about boinking Sean Connery or PAtrick Stewart. Yes I has a thing for older men who are bald with Accents. They are just so hot! I'm weird I know.

Eric's treatment Progression:








As always, thank you for your continued support and prayers. And remember Keep BELIEVING!!!!!



Monday, December 20, 2010

Discounted Sahara Sam's Indoor waterpark/Team Eric Dial FUNdraiser


Thank you Marcy for setting up this fundraiser. It looks like so much fun!

********
Help our Friend POLICE OFFICER ERIC DIAL, while taking advantage of a REDUCED price for great family fun!

Proceeds from each ticket sold from the event link go directly to "The Eric Dial Fund". If you can't make it to the event but still want to buy a ticket, they are good for any day and never expire. THINK: CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!!!!!

**The regular price for tickets is $29.99 Sahara Sam's has ever so kindly REDUCED the ticket price to $20.00 per ticket, with a significant portion of the ticket cost going directly to The Eric DIal Fund!!!**

The Snow date is the following Friday 1/14

Tickets are currently available at this link: https://tickets.saharasams.com/default.asp.

The login is ericdial

A little about our hero: At 34 years old Eric did not expect to be diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer...but here we are. After presenting to the ER with what they believed was a blood clot in his lung, Eric, an otherwise healthy Police Officer, husband, and father was told he had colon cancer that had spread to his liver.

We are now in beginning the biggest fight of our lives-to beat cancer.

Please join us in showing support for Officer Dial and his family; his wife Jeaneane Kozlowski-Dial, and sons Mark Dial and Logan Little.

Follow his fight :
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Eric-Dial/168015779883207?v=wall

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/useofforce

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

It's Been awhile....

I had to put the blog on lockdown for a short period of time. Apparently SOME people decided to twist what I was writing, and make issues. I waited until a point where I felt the offending parties would loose interest in not being able to access the blog. So now I am back...with lots of updates, which I will take the time today and tomorrow to really try to get into.

Toddles for now...working on a PET SCAN update....

Saturday, December 4, 2010

When you're down and troubled and need a helping hand...

**Originally Drafted December 6th...but I finally posted.

And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring , summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a freind.


It took me a full week to think about what I would say about the Benefit that was thrown for Eric. Even a week later, I still have trouble. It's not that I do not have a ton of amazing things to write, and so many people to thank, it's just that there is so much that I want and need to say, that I do not think my words can do it justice.

I guess the best way to do that is to recap the night, and give thanks for all that was done.

The night started off with some special surprises for Eric. He had already been told that we were getting picked up in a limo/luxury car by his Captain Mike McCarrick. What Eric didn't know is one of my best friend Nichole's stepfather Jeff, an Officer in the group Warriors' Watch Riders, and Nichole's Mom Kim made arrangements with members of the organization and Eric's Motorcycle Club, Bullets LEMC, to escort our ride from our house to the FOP. This was quite an honor, one usually bestowed upon heroes in our military when they come home.

Knowing that the riders were coming around 6, I told Eric we should wait outside for our ride. While waiting he heard the roar of a group of wheels headed our way. I said to him, "Sounds like somebody is having fun." A few moments later about 20 bikes and 4 cars roll up to our house. Keep in mind it was a cold night, so these man and woman went above and beyond to show their support for my husband. Many of them started out as strangers, but they are now friends...





When we arrived at the FOP we were taken back by all that had been done for Eric. From the grand entrance:

To the people that just kept pouring in.

Eventually they had to open up the FOP Lounge because there were just too many people. My uncle, Joe Conklin, put on a performance as well. It was all so much! We were literally overwhelmed by the amazing love and support shown by so many. There are so many people to thank, I know I am going to miss someone, but here are just a few...

-Capt. Mike McCarrick & The Officers of the 2nd Police District
-John McNesby, FOP President
-Steve Weiler, FOP VP
-Bullets M/C
-Warriors' Watch Riders
-Cpl. Vince Nowakowski
-Officer Tom Loglisci (Video)
-Officers Jesberger & Mroz (Music)
-Officers Alley & Murphy (planning/organization, donations, set up)
-Doreen Devlin & her "Basket Elves"
-Members of the Kozlowski, Dial, Grace, Conklin & Conway Families
-Joe Conklin (Comedian)
-Sgts McLain & Barclay
-Lt. Macartney
-Soooo many businesses: Sears Hardware Doylestown, Home Depot, Sears, Lowes, Cheapcarribbean.com, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, Nick's Roast Beef, Field House, Galaxy Tans, Atlantic Tactical, Philly Heating & AC, Barb's Harley Davidson, 92.5 XTU...so many more that I can't even think of the names...
-Mike Ruth- TV, Conway Cousin's- Ipad, Frain Family- Vacation in the Catskills

There is so much more I could write but I do not even know where to begin. All I can say is thank you for your love and support, and being the helping hand that we needed as we are down and troubled...