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/
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