I wrote before how I thought that homemade gifts were the best ones. Well, one like this is a very close second. When I read this card, there was a huge smile on my face – someone helping Hope Lodge is a gift to me and anyone who has stayed there. If you’ve been thinking about it, you can read more about Hope Lodge here and (if so inspired) make a donation here. Thank you to my awesome friends who made this donation and to all who support the Lodge!
I know I keep just about everything, but I’m not sure why I kept this little scrap of paper. Maybe something inside me knew that Hope Lodge was a special place and I was meant to find it. With it, I found this announcement for a reunion weekend at Hope Lodge that my future manager gave me at that 2nd interview. I didn’t attend the reunion weekend, but I was soon hired after my second interview. And, it didn’t take me long to figure out Hope Lodge was the perfect match for me.
Tonight, I was reminded of that during our Hope Lodge holiday party. Former guests, volunteers, Hope Lodge weekend managers, my family, and friends all came and had a great time. My dad played some tunes on the piano and took turns with a group of Westboro High students who played some string instruments. St. Luke’s provided a lot of the tasty treats, and my sister brought a yummy plate of Sweetnins. Just a great night overall, and reminded me I have a lot to be thankful for.
Thank you to all the Hope Lodge guests (past and present) that inspire me, and for everyone that supports us!
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m very lucky. Not only do I have great family and friends in my life, I have a job that I love. Hope Lodge not only lets me help people; it gives me a reason for why I had cancer. My family and friends see that, and they in turn have supported the Lodge ever since I’ve been here. Skating for Hope would not have happened without their help, and these holiday parties at the Lodge wouldn’t be as fun. Looking forward to seeing a lot of my favorite people on the 13th!
These are the only two business cards that have been issued to me – I hope it stays that way.
It’s always nice to be reminded why I do what I do, and know someone appreciates it. Thanks, T!
In May of 2010, Worcester’s Hope Lodge celebrated 25 years of being open and serving cancer patients and their caregivers. Not only was it the first time (since I’ve been here) that we served alcohol at a Hope Lodge event; I was the bartender. It was the second time that I’ve been lucky to hear 3-time cancer survivor Joyce Kulhawik speak at one of our events, which was a very inspirational way to open the celebration. When former guest Tara spoke and mentioned how spending time with me helped her deal with cancer, it was a nice reminder for why I do what I do (and my eyes watered up a bit). Also, my two awesome sisters were there to support Hope Lodge. It was a great evening and although I’d like to say I hope we’re open for 25 more years, I really hope we find a cure before then…
I would have blogged about this Van Halen ticket on the 6th, but I was away from the then powerless Hope Lodge. Four years ago, when I had just started working at the Lodge, I was able to go out at night with any guests who wanted to do something. We went to movies, hockey games, and the occasional concert. The rational was that we weren’t a medical facility so if there was an emergency, anyone at the Lodge could dial 911 just as easily as I could.
So, when a guest told me he wanted to go see Van Halen, I told him I would be glad to. It was a great show (see set list), and the first time I had ever seen VH. David Lee Roth was back touring with the band, and Eddie’s son Wolfgang played bass in place of Michael Anthony. They rocked the place, and for a couple of hours the Hope Lodge guest and I forgot about cancer.
Even though I can no longer leave Hope Lodge to do evening activities with the guests (unless everyone goes), we still have fun sharing stories, watching movies, and playing games. And even though I love working here, I try to do as much as I can to fight cancer.
Lately I’ve been working with 15-40.org to raise awareness and share my story. Last week, I spoke to students at the Bancroft School in Worcester, and told them how I learned to listen to my body and not ignore symptoms. The Worcester Sharks are having a 15-40 night on January 7th, and today I helped shoot a video promo for the game with Sharks (and former BC) player Nick Petrecki and Stephanie, another 15-40 spokesperson. It was a lot of fun, and everyone left with new15-40 gear (like this sticker), and they had Sharks hats for Stephanie and me. Keep your eye out for the video at Sharks games in December, and buy your tickets for the January 7th game!
Like I expressed in my EA Hockey video, a lot of times it’s the little things that make me happy.
Today, even though I returned to a still powerless Hope Lodge, this note was waiting for me on top of a brownie that was so good it made me moan in between bites. Thanks again to Katie K for making those amazing brownies for Hope Lodge and the weekend manager who saved one for me! Mmmmmmmmm, brownies.
Like I wrote for the AHL All-Star Program and Ticket, the Worcester Sharks were the first organization in the community that I contacted to try and make a connection with when I started at Hope Lodge. I was put in touch with Mike Myers, and he immediately told me Hope Lodge could get free tickets to any game we wanted. Awesome.
The Sharks also helped out when Mike designed a pink goalie mask for Thomas Greiss to wear for the month of October. It was auctioned off at $5000, with all money going to Hope Lodge.
A couple of months later, we had a 17-year-old guest staying at Hope Lodge. He wanted to go to a Sharks game, but they didn’t have any home games scheduled for when he was here. So, Mike Myers and Sharks player Riley Armstrong came to visit him at Hope Lodge. It was great, and you can read that whole story here.
I wondered if Hope Lodge would still get free tickets when the AHL All-Star game came to Worcester two years ago, and we did. I think the highlight for me was watching former BC Eagle Cory Schneider setting a record by making 18 saves on 19 shots in the All-Star Skills competition.
Not surprisingly, the Sharks helped Hope Lodge with Skating for Hope. Finz made two appearances, and the Sharks provided games and prizes to keep the event going.
Tonight, they continued their generous donations by giving me an invite to the 2011-2012 opening night pre-game celebration and tickets to the game. I took my friend Patrick, and we each got a goodie bag with a Sharks pennant, schedule magnet, and t-shirt. There was also free food and dessert, and Fins was walking around greeting everyone. The only thing we had to pay for was drinks; and the $4.00 sodas seemed pricy even after getting everything else for free.
The game had just about everything I could ask for: A lot of goals, fights, and 4 former BC players (Benn Ferriero, Nick Petrecki, Stephen Gionta, Peter Harrold). The Sharks beat the Albany Devils 6-1, and after I beat Patrick 10-2 in his first game of PS3 NHL12 Hockey. Thanks again, Sharks!
As you could probably tell from my blog last year, fashion isn’t really my thing. Unless, of course, it helps Hope Lodge.
Tonight, the Looks for Hope fashion show raised money and awareness for Worcester’s Hope Lodge. The duds came from Ike’s Den in Shrewsbury and Men’s Wearhouse, and the support came from everywhere (as you can see in the program).
Niche Hospitality, who brings Hope Lodge guests free dinner every Monday night, supported with raffle prizes and two owners modeling. Also modeling was local boxer Jose Rivera.
Host Stephen Donovan was hilarious for every suit and dress that was staged, whether the model was a former Hope Lodge guest or a doctor.
The highlight for me came when a Bay State Savings Bank rep announced that for every “Like” their Facebook page gets in October, they will donate $1 to Hope Lodge.
Thank you to Audrey for putting on this event, and thanks to everyone who supported it!
I’m not sure if being a movie-loving-brain-cancer-surviving night manager of Hope Lodge makes me an unfair or the prefect person to review 50/50, but here’s what I think…
This movie was really funny – I laughed out loud along with everyone in the theater. I could relate to many of the scenes, and it showed how valuable humor is when faced with life’s most difficult challenges. I wondered how close it was to the true events screenwriter Will Reiser experienced, and was amazed when I found out that Joseph Gordon-Levitt took the role just two days before shooting started.
As a cancer survivor, I loved the messages of 50/50:
· Cancer doesn’t care how old you are
· Cancer makes sure you listen to your body and see a doctor when something seems wrong
· Family, friends, and laughter are all great weapons to take into your battle with cancer
· Even with a positive attitude, there are times when those negative emotions need to be released
· Even though there are many types of cancer and treatments, cancer patients/survivors all share a bond that is powerful when faced with this disease
Even though I think they could have made Gordon-Levitt’s character Adam look a little “sicker” (I think most people lose their eyebrows with chemo), 50/50 did a good job balancing the serious side in between the laughs. It succeeded in telling a more personal and real cancer story, while Funny People was more of a comedy with a touch of cancer. Whether or not cancer has affected you personally, 50/50 is a movie that I think everyone can enjoy.
Five years ago, I wasn’t working at a job that I love like Hope Lodge. I was doing temp work at National Grid, and I was not happy. My job was to send letters to people who were way overdue with their electric bills. But not just anyone – my letters went to the elderly, low-income families with infants, and people with medical conditions. The law in Massachusetts protects these groups from having their power shut off, but only to a certain extent. I sent letters to people who were already struggling with life in one way or another, and remind them that they were way overdue and owed National Grid $1984.52. I could feel little bits of my soul escaping with each one I sent. I understand that someone had to do this job, but I knew it couldn’t be me. I barely lasted 3 weeks.
When I quit, I had no idea what I was going to do. I didn’t want to teach, and I knew I didn’t want to work in an office like National Grid. But, I kept thinking postive thoughts. I kept telling myself there was something out there for me. Then, I found Hope Lodge.
I keep this parking pass right by my apartment door, so I can see it every time I leave. If I’m having a bad Crohn’s day or I have to go shovel 2 feet of snow off the Hope Lodge parking lot, it reminds me how much I love working with cancer patients. National Grid made me feel like I was spreading hurt into the world, and Hope Lodge gives reason to my life. Even though I would never want to work another minute sending overdue electric bills to people, I’m glad I have the experience as a reminder for how lucky I am every day…
So, it’s been 19 years since I was last in the hospital because of my cancerous brain tumor. Awesome.
Last night, one of the Hope Lodge guests was feeling the wrath of his disease come over him at the dinner table. He told us at least at the end of the week, he would be done with this round of treatment. When I told him that today would be my 19-year out-of-treatment mark, his face lit up and he thanked me. More awesome.
Rather than scanning the entire 13-page discharge summary, I’ve included the front page and a couple of highlights:
If I didn’t want to talk, I must have been pretty damn sick – especially with all those nurses taking care of me. 
I’m glad that it’s on record I was playing video games while in the hospital. That was my way of saying f- you cancer, I’m still going to have fun. The real highlight of this last hospital stay was when the radiologist came in to tell me what I knew was coming. He said they wouldn’t be doing radiation (as was planned) and my treatment was over. The doctors had no explanation as to why I didn’t need radiation, but I wasn’t going to argue. My physical battle with cancer was over, and 19 years later I’m still fighting it with Hope Lodge and 15-40.org.
Even with September 27th being a big day for me, I’m not alone in celebrating today. Google turned 13, and professional t-shirt wearer Jason Sadler of I Wear Your Shirt is celebrating his 1000th day of t-shirt wearing. Congrats to both of them for their revolutionary and visionary success! I hope to do the same in my crusade against cancer…
If you ask me what my least favorite season is, I’ll tell you summer. My Crohn’s and skin don’t mix well with a hot sun, and there’s no hockey. The Summer of 2011 was a different story and made me wonder if it might make a move out of the number for seasonal position.
First, the Bruins won The Cup for the first time since I’ve been alive. I started the day at what had become my usually Wednesday hangout: Buffone Arena’s hockey rink. I skated from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, and played a public hockey session from noon until past 2:00. I then skated and shot the puck around until about 5:00, when the rink manager Nick asked me if I was ready to go watch the B’s win The Cup. I had been waiting my whole life. That night, I watched with my Michigan-converted-Tim-Thomas-worshipping girlfriend and thanks to her, I went to my parents to celebrate with my family. Easily one of the best days of my life.
In between The Cup victory and parade, the Skating for Hope committee met to continue preparing for the event. My team had just won it all, but there was just over a month to get ready for the big day/night/day.
Saturday, June 18th was the day if the Bruins Cup Parade, and my girlfriend and I headed into Beantown early to make sure we got a front row position. Although I had to sacrifice missing my 3rd trip up to Burlington, VT to play in the 32-team wiffle ball tournament simply called Wifflefest, there was no way I was going to miss the parade. Seeing the first shimmering glimmer of The Cup making its way towards my position was the first time the B's ultimate victory started to sink in. And there Lord Stanley was, being held by Timmy Thomas who had Captain Z by his side. Still, unbelievable enough to doubt if it was really happening. But it did. And I’m pretty sure Adam McQuaid saw me wearing the “Darth Quaider” T-shirt my sister Carolyn designed. Sweet.
Skating for Hope preparations continued and with the suggestion of a friend, I even tried to get The Cup there. On July 30th at 10:00AM, I took to the ice at Buffone Arena in Worcester. With a lot of great people behind me, I was able to make it through the 24-hours, played in 3 hockey games, and we raised a lot of money for Hope Lodge. All of the committee members and volunteers took responsibilities while I lived out my fantasy of being on a rink for an entire day. I played hockey with BC and BU Alum that can play about 4,385 times better than I can, and saw some taking the ice for their first times. We had a great Saint John's /Westboro High Alum game in memory of Danny Manning and Greg Montalbano. Family, old friends, new friends, and people I had never met came and supported the event. Even though my words can’t really capture how amazing it was for me, this collection of pictures and clips should give you an idea.
In the month of August, donations for Skating for Hope continued to arrive in the mail and online, and the total amount of money raised by Skating for Hope continued to increase. After a week of rest, I slowly introduced myself back to exercise and not having SFH on my mind. I took time to start writing thank you notes to people that helped, but knew to make them all personal it would take time. At the end of the month, I had another date with Lord Stanley. After stopping at Hampton Beach, NH to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd, I drove through the night up to PEI and arrived there late on a Saturday morning. It was a beautiful “PEI Day”, and my girlfriend and I caught up on our sleep on the sand The Island’s north shore. Saturday night included quick stops at Cow’s, the Charlottetown cannons, and a few races at the CDP (or whatever it’s called now). And Sunday was another Cup Parade. Although on a smaller scale than the Boston celebration, the Adam McQuaid Stanley Cup Festival was just as enjoyable and well worth the trip. I think the best quote of the weekend was JB’s thought about PEI as she was enjoying the beach: “Why would you ever leave here?”
After a 2-day workweek back at Hope Lodge, we celebrated my sister-in-laws birthday with a game night that included my dad mistakenly acting out Christopher Lloyd when his Cranium card said Christopher Walken (video to follow). Then, I went up north again for a full week on PEI. This time, I went with my mother and younger brother, and even though the good weather alternated each day it was a great week full of fun times. Labour Day was gorgeous, and the rest of the week I chatted with a Stanley Cup champion, drive up The Island’s west coast (from West Point to North Cape), went to the PEI Potato Museum, listened to Celtic music by Cynthia MacLeod, Gordon Belsher, and Richard Wood, and finished the week going to the Buddy musical. It went by too fast, and I’m already missing PEI.
Last week was one of recovery from a very intense, unbelievable, and magical summer. I’m ready to skate, play hockey, watch hockey, plan Skating for Hope II, and finish writing thank you notes to all the people who helped with Skating for Hope – thank you for your patience. And, thanks to everyone who made this summer a very memorable one!
So, I forgot about the fees that www.myevent.com charged for each donation, so the total is a little less than what I thought. (Maybe next year, ACS will give me a website?) Still, I was very happy when I gave these checks to the Hope Lodge manager. Thanks again to everyone who helped make the first event such a success!
I have a lot of heroes. Jon Stewart and Denis Leary come to mind immediately. Cam Neely, Eddie Vedder, Matt Groening, and Seth McFarlane make my list, too. There is also Michael J. Fox, Howard Stern, Oprah Winfrey, Extreme, Mike McCready, Tim Thomas, Adam McQuaid, Conan O’Brien, and Mike Birbiglia.
But these are people I have never met or only met briefly. Although they have helped me strive to be a better person, they have not shaped my life as close to the heroes that I know – Luckily, I have a lot of these heroes as well.
At the top of this list is my family: My parents, siblings, aunts and uncle, cousins, nephews, niece, and in-laws. They have supported me through think and thin and have shown me what unconditional love is. Many of my friends have been there for me through my toughest times as well. My “best buds” Andy, Glen, Matt, Patrick, Carl, and Scott always make me feel lucky knowing I have them in my corner. I also have cancer-related heroes: Justin Horton, Danny Manning, Greg Montalbano, and all of the Hope Lodge guests fall here.
There are also groups of people who are my heroes: Doctors, nurses, firefighters, teachers, and people in the armed forces. They all work at difficult jobs and help people every day.
Tonight, I found out one of the Hope Lodge weekend managers acted very heroic recently. As you can see in the article below (or online version here), Steve helped save someone’s life last month. When he’s not saving lives or helping Hope Lodge guests, Steve works with special ed students that have severe emotional and behavioral issues. Like all of the heroes I listed above, the world would be a better place if there were more people like Steve in it.
I’ve written about it before, but I wish the news had more stories like this one instead of those filled with violence and sex. I’m sure in reality the good stories outnumber the bad ones, but I think until people stop watching the news as it is, they won’t change what is reported.
Thank you to Steve and all of my heroes for inspiring me…
After reffing the 1:00 BC Alum game at Skating for Hope and talking to kids about his cancer experience / cancer prevention, “Stewy” left this picture that is now framed and in the living room of Hope Lodge…Thanks, Stewy!
Tonight was the last Skating for Hope committee meeting before things kick off Saturday morning. I tried to concentrate as much as I could, but I really have been getting stressed, excited, pumped, and worried all at once these past few days. I know it’s the first year of Skating for Hope, but I want it to go well enough so people will want to come back next year. I know it won’t be perfect and will be a learning experience, but it’s hard to tell that to yourself when it seems like you have 94 thoughts in your head all at once. Once I get going on Saturday, I’m hoping the stress will slowly leave. I know once I feel the puck on my stick for the first game, I should be A-O-K.
Some notes on these pucks:
I think the Celebrity Hat Trick puck was a stocking stuffer one Christmas.
I ran down the aisle at warm-ups of a Hockey East championship game one year, and grabbed the HE puck…I think we may use this one on Saturday.
Info on the 2005 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees is here.
Here’s my blog about the “Gahden’s” Last Hurrah.
On October 21st, 2007, the Worcester Sharks had a “Pink at the Rink” game, and I got to drop this puck for the ceremonial face-off (those guys just look a little bigger than me!). In addition to this game, their goalie wore a pink mask for all of October that was auctioned off for a $5000 donation to Hope Lodge.
The Boston College Hockey was the first of my favorite teams to win a championship, when they did in OT on April 7, 2001.
In case you didn’t know, I love the Boston Bruins and they won The Cup this year.
Sorry to brag, but I got paid to watch Slap Shot tonight. I watched it with three Hope Lodge guests, and two of them had never seen it before. Luckily, no one in the group was offended by the language and humor of this movie – the best hockey film ever made, in case you didn’t know. I pointed out Paul D’Amato to them, and told them how he was from Worcester and donated a raffle prize to Skating for Hope. There was a lot of laughter in the Hope Lodge basement tonight…take that, cancer.
For more about Slap Shot, you can check out the trivia, goofs, and quotes from the movie as listed on www.imdb.com.
“I’m listening to the F’N song!”
