As reported today on Fox Sports, Eric has been  given the green light  to particpate in the 2008 Beijing  Olympics !   I say alright !!  Having been diagnosed the day before quailifying, had to be hard enough, but as I personally  know, just being diagnosed is a shocking experience. Imagine that it comes the day before you are  fighting for a spot on the USA Swim Team. Wow.    

Protocol says that any confirmed mass on a  " Little Buddy"  the "buddy "  should be removed   in 24-48 hours. You just make the 2008 Olympic team to represent your country . What do you do?  This is something that you have dreamed of, trained for, and worked very hard  to achieve, and you make both "clubs" at the same time.

The Team Doctors , and his agent Evan Morgenstein  called  the agent for the most  Famous Face of Testicular Cancer, 7 time Tour de France Winner  Lance Armstrong and asked  for the name  of the expert of this disease. Dr   Einhorn at Indiana University.  After careful consideration , and hearing the full facts  and chances and possiblities , and having everything explained to him, including all  risks, Eric decides to try to go for it. He had weekly blood tests and regular scans to monitor  the situation, and Eric was on the team on a "week by week basis".   So this morning, when I open my e-mail, and got the good news  that he was good to go for the Olympics,   I was thrilled !    That's 2 wins already. 

I had asked Eric if he minded  if I started this blogg, as I wanted to provide people a place to send messages of support  that he could read. I hope everyone will use this space to send him your best wishes, and messages of support and encouragement.  He readily agreed , and expressed he could use all the support he could get. I am sure we will hear from Eric as he has time, but I assure you, he will read your messages.

 A little disclaimer here so we can get it out of the way...  My concern, and concern of others who know about this disease,  is that it is true that if you feel a lump, and it is confrimed by an Ultrasound, it should be removed   within 24-48.  Testicular cancer CAN  spread very quickly  so as with all cancers, early detection and treatment can mean all the difference. TC is a very curable disease when treated properly by an expert, so we do urge anyone that feels they have a problem to seek immediate  medical advice.  Eric DID  seek  immediate medical attention,   It was only after careful consideration  and consultation with the expert and his medical team, was the choice made by Eric  to try to participate. It was his choice based on his information from his Drs regarding HIS  condition...There are variables based on each individual .  So he did the right things . Kudo's to his girlfriend  !!!

 Having received the news today  clearing  him to compete , he can now  focus on swimming and living  and enjoying his dream. I hope that our messages here can be of support.  Eric is one of us now.  He is a cancer survivor. He deserves our collective strength  and support as he represents the United States of America in the 2008  Beijing  Olympics. 

For information on Testicular Cancer  I urge  you to visit the Testicular Cancer Resource Center  at  http://www.acor.org/tcrc/