Goodbye Port

Big Nick got that crummy little port out today. It was just an out-patient procedure, but I am all-in so I showed up. The port came out without any complications. Nick came out with a wheelchair and a sleep med hangover. He was looped enough to let me take a few pictures, but not too looped to forgo our traditional goodbye gesture where he shows me how well he can bend the the three fingers surrounding his middle finger. Yep, everything is back to normal.

Before I left, I made sure to take some pictures of what your money has helped to build. They are building a huge addition to the hospital right now. Your money helped double the amount of kids PCH can treat. That's double the amount of kids that get the outstanding care Nick received, and who will have a shot at recovering like Nick did. Thanks again.

Bearded Man No More

Today I shaved the beard.

I have waited a long to able to say that. For me, it was merely 8 months of my life that I will look back on and see pictures of myself with a beard. My sons may remember it for a few years or more as the year I had a beard. No big deal.

For Nick, this year has been one of extreme ups and downs, and it is one year he will never forget. He is old enough now that he will vividly remember the many days of treatment, hospital food, nurses, doctors, IV's, the port, the lost days, the sleepless nights, fear, anger, and finally the joy.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of this kid. I have tried to show him through this little charity how much I love him and how proud I am of him, I hope he got the message. He has taught me a lot about struggle, and fighting, and giving in without giving up. To be so well rounded at such an early age is not only a testament to him but to his parents and grandparents.

For Mark, buddy...I know this has been the absolute worst year of your life in many ways. I am inspired by your example as a father, and as a human being. You very well could have snapped and no one would have blamed you. You kept your strength and composure for your son. I will never forget that. Thank you for the lesson in fatherhood.

For everyone who donated, I cannot thank you enough. Not only did your money go to help Nick, but you helped and are helping other kids you will never meet. I hope you continue to keep PCH in your thoughts and in your wallets. You helped one kid towards the cure, let's continue to help all of them now.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all of you. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I am eternally grateful.

The Fight Continues...7 Months

If you don't have the update on Nick yet, go and read it first.

This week I was looking forward to finally catching a shave from my main man Nik. I was having dreams about being beardless even. But...things happen. As much as I was disappointed, multiply that by one million and you arrive at Mark and Nik's level of disappointment. I put off blogging about it because I didn't really know what to say. Two people I hold close to my heart just had theirs all but ripped out not by what is...but what might be.

Tonight I was sitting at work, after a day filled with a lot more positives than negatives. I took a little break and just kind of poured over the day and the past week.

I talked to Mark for a bit this afternoon, and not at all about Cancer. Not one word. Earlier in the week, he was hurting more than I think he did when he first found out. I didn't know what to say, and I'm not sure anything I said to him made a difference. Today, though...much better.

Later, one of our friends (who happens to be Jake's kindergarten teacher) and her husband made a huge donation after reading Nik's story for the first time. After Cindy told me about it, I had to hang the phone up pretty quickly to avoid answering questions from nosey co-workers as to why my eyes where leaking all over the place. Like most of you they have never met Mark or Nik, but felt a strong urge to help where they could. Beautiful.

Then I remembered the donation my little niece Makayla made. Three years old. Donated $40 she saved up in spare change here and there. Incredible. When I was three I think all I was doing was learning not to take a dump in my pants and taking apart my toys. I certainly wasn't trying to help find a cure for cancer.

As I sat there with a smile on my face I thought again of what Mark and I talked about this afternoon. The big UFC fight in Jan. We talked about getting the fight on PPV because Mark's favorite fighter is on it. Fedor. Truly a scary, scary man that I would never want to fight. He is a very skilled fighter, maybe the best on the planet. The scariest thing to me about him is his refusal to give up. I'm pretty sure you could break several major bones in his body and he would keep coming at you, daring you to beat him.

See, there is a time in every fight when even the best fighter on the planet leaves himself open, maybe just for a split second. A skilled opponent can recognize that opening and exploit it, leaving the best fighter on the planet staggering or even flat on his back. At that critical moment he will make a choice that will define who he is as a fighter. Stay down, or get back up. No one would blame him for staying down, for sparing himself the pain of continuing and they would quickly forget he ever lost the fight. If he gets up, they will always remember that he finished the fight on his feet, with courage and the determination to not be beaten. The great ones never give up.

Nik, YOU are one of the great ones.

My Bearded Absence/ 5 Months

Well....since there was no news to report for a while, I thought I would just let the beard grow and grow until someone called me out. Well, one of the donors did so here I am again. The beard is full and thick, and I am sick of it. Nick is sick of that damn port in his chest, but all signs point to remission. We still have to wait until November to do the last scans/get the port out. Soooo until then the beard remains. As much as I hate it, its a daily reminder of my buddy Nick. He's a great kid who just wants life to get back to normal finally. Soon my friend, soon.

Thanks for keeping me focused and unshaven you awesome donors. Make sure you are still donating to PCH...even a little. I know the whole financial world is crumbling around you, but cancer didn't get the memo to back off until the dust settles. There are tons of kids out there that could benefit from your "just a little" and my "just a little" combined.

17 Weeks

I was waiting for Mark to update before I did, so that's the reason for this delay. I am going to make an assumption that most of you have read his blog first. If you haven't, go do that now and then come back.

So, while the news isn't what we all wanted...in a way it is. There are no signs of cancer. That's the goal. It's not time to shave, but I do feel really happy for that news. It still sucks that he has to wait to get the port out, but in due time it will happen.

As for his heart, well I don't want to get too far ahead of myself on that. I don't know enough about it right now, and until he gets a full workup I won't let it eat at me too much. He is a strong kid inside and out. He has earned the benefit of a doubt, so I doubt this is something he can't fully overcome as well. We'll just wait and see and then freak out or chillax as necessary.

As for the beard, it's literally hanging in there. It is becoming a part of me, an appendage if you will. That fact is disturbing and...well disturbing covers it well enough.

Thanks for all the donations, thoughts, prayers and spreading the good word. You guys are awesome, but Nick is more awesome(er).

4 Months

Holy Furballs! It's been four months since I have looked normal. OK, so I never really looked normal. Still, four months of looking more like a buffoon than usual. That's pretty substantial. What's more than substantial is that you guys all came along for the ride and paid for the gas. See, if it weren't for your donations I would have no reason to do this other than to irritate my wife and further alienate myself from society. Two things I am already quite capable of doing very well without a beard. You all made this worth while and continue to do so.

The future is still quite uncertain as Mark pointed out, but I remain very positive. Not because I have to for my friends, but because I have a good feeling about all this. Sometimes my "good feelings" are nothing more than wild a$$ guesses, but this time it feels different. What that all means in the grand scheme of things, who knows? For now though I am very much looking forward to what these next test results are and hoping for the best. As I know you all are too. Thanks again for your support.

Weeks 14-15

Yeah so I'm lazy. That's not big news. Heck, I started a charity by growing a beard. Something I can do in my sleep. That should tell you everything you need to know. My sincere apologies to all involved.

As for the beard itself. Wow. Where to start?

1. I have split ends, how about there? That's gross. Women get split ends. Women who have long hair on their heads. I have long hair. On my face!
   
2. Tonight, I used a blow drier. On my face!
   
3. My beard insulates my skin so well that I can put a hot cup of coffee on it and not feel anything. Seriously, I can't even feel any temperature variance hot or cold, because I have a blanket on my face.
   
4. On Thursday, I combed the beard up and out towards the end of my work day whilst wearing a tshirt with a skull and crossbones on it. I got called a pirate no less than 3 times. Two of the times people included pirate lingo such as, "Arrrgh that be a fine beard" and "Ahoy there Blackbeard, where be yer booty?" Seriously. Grown folk. Corporate environs and all. My job rocks.
   
5. When I look down, my field of vision in corrupted by long squiggly brown hairs.
   
6. It's monsoon season, which means humidity levels that make my face sweat...all the time.
7. Multiple biker gangs have approached me and offered me membership, even though I don't own a bike or plan to. (OK I made that last one up, but it is plausible.)

So yeah, it's definitely at the point where I can no longer pretend it's not there. It has become a gruesome part of my daily routine. Not that I will miss it when it's gone though. I have caught myself staring longingly at the clippers this last few weeks. That time is coming though, sooner than later I hope. Nick will have the honor of shaving it off into whatever style he so chooses. I'll wear it that way for a week, but then it's all coming off. So you also have that bit of foolishness to look forward too in the near future.

As always, thanks to everyone who has donated. You guys have touched my heart, some even touched the beard.

Week 13

Lucky 13. My second favorite number next to 3. Nick is 13. I'm 31. Today is July 13th. It all works out.

I could go on and on about what a hassle all this hair is, but compared to what Nick has been through, I would sound like an even bigger wuss. He's at PCH getting chemo and taking long naps, and giving Mark the business. That's my man. I give his father as much hell as possible whenever I am around him too.

For those that have been donating thus far, your grand total is $91.00 per person. WOAH! That is awesome! Thanks for opening your hearts and wallets to help Nick and all the other kids at PCH. Even if you haven't given $91.00, your money is going farther than you know. Either it's paying part of Nick's huge medical bills or it's going towards providing a bed, improving the facilities, or helping the folks at PCH cure this disease. That is money VERY well spent. Thank you for your generosity, it is very motivating.

Beard Movie

Try not to puke.

3 Months

That is my "Tell it to the beard" face.

I had these big plans to post big plans by now...but then I never did. Which is inexcusable so I won't try. I will get around to it later tonight. But for now, enjoy what 3 months of facial laziness can get you. Thankfully, you good people out there are making all the weird looks and comments from strangers worth it with your donations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

F THAT!

If you haven't read Mark's update yet, well go do that now and then come back. Or whatever. I am sitting here at work getting ready to leave a little early as we are out of work. Go figure. My friend is hurting inside, but there is little to nothing I can do to ease his pain. So, I'm gonna go home and kiss my sleeping children and wife and count my blessings.

I'm disappointed in this latest news, but what can I do about it? Sit and cry? F that! This all started as a way to move forward, be proactive, so that's what we'll keep doing. Only it's time to accelerate things a bit. I'll post more tomorrow when I get my mind wrapped around where to go next. For now, there are three people I need to get home to and some kick-A prayers I need to get prayed. Stay tuned.

Week 11

So there it is. Combed out to all its coarse beauty. It's so long that when I swim underwater I can feel it flowing under my chin. Gross. Still though, I get questions all the time about the beard especially when I wear my matching shirt. Spreading the word is as easy as leaving the house when you like this.

Now then, this next week is kind of a HUGE week for Nick. By "kind of" I mean "abso-friggin-lutely". This very could be the last round of treatment Nick ever has to get. That is so amazing that I don't even want to imagine it for fear of jinxing the whole thing. For most of you, the past three months has gone by as usual. For Nick, these months have meant poking, prodding, uncomfortable hospital beds, tubes, treatments, people documenting everything that goes in to and comes out of his body, hospital food, and way too much attention. But, it hasn't broken him, hasn't really done more than bore the heck out of him. That is a testament to just who he is. Tougher than cancer. Tougher than you. Tougher than me.

Week 10

I'm a day and more than a few dollars short. Vegas will do that to you. Speaking of Vegas, I met a fellow bald headed-full bearded wonder. He was walking through Caesar's Palace all nonchalant like. That's how we do, we bearded men we. I told him the lowdown on our little project here and he gladly posed for a picture with me. He told me he is two years into his beard, and my Lord...what care he must put into that thing. It is luxuriously straight. Like he took a woman's hair and implanted it on his face. Disturbing and awesome.


The other truly awesome part of Vegas was hanging our with the second coolest family on Earth, the Decker's. I'm a bit partial to them as they are my blood, but still...everyone of them is wacky-cool in their unique way. One way they are cool similarly is that they have been selling a bunch of wristbands to people up there and spreading the good word far and wide. Further, I didn't even have to guilt them in to doing it. They saw a need and stepped up. Can't beat that with a stick.

So, if any of you families out there want to be like the Decker's and get your own glowing write up and/or picture posted with my beastly self, raise your hand and I'll send you out some inventory to move. Thanks to all those who continue to donate otherwise. Nick is doing well, but there are a lot more kids to help, and more coming in every day. Keep it up!

9 weeks

Were my beard a pregnant dog, today it would be giving birth to a new puppy. Much like a puppy my beard is unruly, playful, wild, and growing quickly. Where is this going? I have no idea. No where good to be sure.

Anyway, it doesn't look like this all the time. Only when I want to scare small children do I comb it up like that. Not really. Truly though it did scare a young girl on our little vacation this week. Imagine sliding down a long waterslide only to turn the last blind corner and be met by a bearded freak of nature. I was certain Brady was going to be coming down instead of her, and she was certain there was nothing but blue water and happy memories at the bottom of the slide. Yikes. I hope her therapy bill is a small one.

Thanks for the donations everybody. Nick should be out of the hospital in a few days. Hopefully he won't have any more complications before his next round of chemo. Then we can get back to fierce videogamery.

The Dude

We got a surprise visit this morning from Nick and Mark. Not really a surprise, they did call before they got here. Three minutes before. But still. I'll take that kind of surprise any day. Nick was waiting for a bed at PCH and had some time to waste, and if you know anything about our house, it's great for wasting time in. Custom outfitted for procrastination in fact. Nick was in no mood to play ball, or play the Wii, or much of anything else...but he was in the mood to watch 300. A fightin' movie for a fightin' kinda dude. So, we skipped over the more "adult" parts and just watched some good ol' butt kicking.

Later on, I went up to the PCH and got schooled on the PS3 for a few hours. Nick was in a great mood, but maybe that was on account of the bag o' sugar I brought him. Again, I'll take it.

When I got home I stopped by the neighbor's house to let them know we wouldn't be here for a few days. Wouldn't you know it, our neighbor's wife has breast cancer. Great. Just another reminder that cancer affects everyone, everywhere. Fortunately for her they caught it in stage 1. Awesome. From looking at her, you'd never know she's been fighting it. She asked all about Nick and of course I spent way too long bragging on him. It was really awesome to talk to someone that is beating cancer and maintaining a positive attitude. Nick's not the only one, there are many, many others out there kicking the $*&! out of cancer and that is what's it's all about.

Anyhoo...thanks for checking in. Keep hitting the donate button and spreading the word. You guys are awesome.

2 Months

You get a fancy cell phone picture this week. We were stopped at Jack in the Box while Jake and Cindy ran in for a pit stop. Me and B were bored, so there you go.

So, we're two months into this, and so far we should have quite a little fund built up. $60 x uhh...how many ever of you are actually donating is...a lot. Plus we're making some good wristband sales too. Spread the word when you can, and thanks for giving so generously. You guys are awesome.

Just like that

Two days ago, he's flat on his back in all sorts of pain. Today he was sitting up, chest tube free and playing his ps3 like nothing was wrong. What do you expect though? He's not your normal cancer patient. He's Nick.

You know what?

You know what sucks? Seeing a 13 year old kid laying in bed with a chest tube sticking out of his side and an oxygen mask in one hand, and a pain med button in the other, just in case he needs it. I call BS on the universe for that.

You know what's awesome? Seeing a 13 year old kid wake up from a nap and be excited to see you. Then all he wants to talk about is video games. For a solid hour. Awesome.

Nick, I am constantly amazed at your ability to make me forget where I am when I am with you. You are friggin amazing.

For Nick

Brady and I were drawing pictures tonight and he helped make this one for his buddy Nick. Go here for the back story.

Week 7

This is the official, "I'm pissed off at cancer" look from yours truly. Nick is going back into the hospital for more Chemo this week. While it's something that's going to help him get better, I hate that he has to go through it again. Hopefully it will be the shortest 4 days he's ever had, but it looks to be a tough go-round, and that just flat sucks.

As researchers continue to look for a cure, I hope along the way they find a better way to at least treat it in the near future. Having to make people, especially kids, so sick to make them better seems damn near barbaric.

But hey, you and I can at least say we did something right? It may be a small effort, but together we are doing more than any of us alone could do. Thanks again to all who have joined in the fight.

F CANCER

THEY HAVE ARRIVED!

You now have a chance to subversively show your support for Nick and for all cancer patients. It's a simple black silicone wristband that says what Nick has been saying for weeks now. F CANCER. You decide what the "F" stands for. If you are a little more conservative, tell people it means FIGHT, but the charity was saving money by only putting an F.

They only come in one size which is Adult. On kids they might be a little loose, but just buy a bunch to wear and be all fashionable and whatnot.

The cost is $3 each. Thanks to a generous donation, ALL proceeds go directly to our favorite two charities to the right. That's right...all of your $3 goes directly to them, not to pay for the wristbands. Shipping is just the cost of a stamp. If you live within the Phoenix Metro area, pickup or delivery is FREE.

If you are reside outside of Arizona and want to volunteer to sell them for us, email me and we will get some right out to you.

If you want more than 1 there is no additional shipping charge. If you want to place a pickup or delivery order, just email.

6 Weeks

Thick and delicious. If you're into that sort of thing. I am not, so I have to keep trimming my sweet 'stache so I don't end up eating myself. Also, a small comb has been added to the list of things I keep on me at all times. Sometimes it gets all whacked out and I have to comb it down at random times during the day. The best part is, as my visage has changed, so has my Mii on the Wii. The boys and I altered my face the other day so now I am not only ugly in real life but in the digital world as well.

Now, by my (probably flawed) calculations each of you awesome folks that has been with us since the start, have donated, should donate, or will donate...$42 to either charity. That is flippin' awesome.

In the next week or so, there will be some super-duper cool "things" arriving in the mail that all of you can purchase and/or sign up to distribute for the cause. That's all I will say about it for now, but trust me...they are awesome.

When you were little...

Nick when you where about 4 years old, you, me and your Dad would hang out together A LOT. You'd ride along with us on many, many a trip to here, there and everywhere. We took you to gun shows, to the river, to the park, to The Shed, seriously everywhere. You had great patience for our antics, but hey you were just a kid and got bored sometimes. One day we were driving around and you were about done with that whole scene. So, I made up this crazy story about how I once saw a Hotdog driving a car. Turns out Ketchup was riding shotgun and Mustard was sitting in the backseat. Relish was sitting next to Mustard and kept bugging him. Mustard made Hotdog pull over so he could drive, but Relish just kept bothering him anyway. This went on and on forever. I had you rolling. From that day on, when we went anywhere, you always asked me to tell that story. You and I would add a different spin every time, getting them in all kinds of tomfoolery.

I learned a lot about being a Dad just buy hanging out with you and making you laugh. Since I take that role so seriously now, I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Sure I owe your Dad too, but he smells, and you laugh way harder at my jokes...

Jam 4 Nick

The Fellas

The boys finally got up to the hospital today to hang out with Nick for a while. They loved every second of it. They especially liked meeting Gabe, who showed them his Transformers game on PlayStation. Nick was feeling good and was even "wireless" since he is done with treatment for this week and going home tomorrow. We had lunch in the cafeteria and sat by the waterfall, which of course Brady couldn't stop staring at longingly. Nick was even kind enough to let the boys pose for a picture with their hero. Thanks for a great day Nick.

5 Weeks

At this point, shampoo and conditioner is NOT optional!

Paparazzi

I snuck a picture of Nick today while he was occupied with his PlayStation. He was feeling good, and mouthing off to me via text message the whole time. Tomorrow the boys get to pay him a visit and I'll try and get him to pose for a shot with his little bald buddies.

Reality

My visit with Nick today was a bit of a reality check for me. Before today, it was easy to play "let's pretend" in my mind that Nick wasn't really that sick and that it would all be smooth sailing. Don't get me wrong he is still doing great, and keeping his chin up, but today was the first day I saw him look sick. To tell you the truth it freaked me out.

Seeing my buddy finally start to really feel it was no less than heartbreaking. I can't imagine what Mark is going through. Just minutes before he started feeling the chemo, we were all laughing at the video of the Jam 4 Nick. I used some pretty creative filming techniques...you''ll see it soon. Before that, we were down in the recovery room with him as he woke up from his spinal tap. He flipped us the bird, made some off color jokes, flipped us the bird some more...regular 13 year old stuff. But then reality stepped in and made me realize where I was.

PCH is a place for kids who are sick. It's not somewhere they want to be, or dream of ending up one day. They are there to get better. To go on and lead long, happy lives and tell others of how things really aren't that bad, because they went through much worse as kids. The reality is some kids just don't get better, some never leave PCH. That is a tragedy I cannot fathom. Nick's floor is filled with happy smiles underneath tiny bald heads. Every single one of them is attached to an IV that is bringing them both life and misery. Still they smile. They find joy in being alive, where an adult would find despair. It's a horrible and magical place at the same time.

Nick, thank you for showing me what is truly important in this life. You have strength in you I have never seen in ANYONE before. You are fighting and winning kiddo. I want to scream to the world how proud I am of you.

I AM PROUD OF YOU NICK!!!

For all those who live in the Phoenix area, I encourage you take a visit to the hospital. Not that you need to visit Nick, you just need to see and feel it for yourself. Have lunch in the cafeteria. Walk the halls. Visit the giftshop. Make your next donation in-person. There is a very motivating energy there and I always leave renewed in my goal to kick the $&*^ out of this disease. Thanks again for joining me in this fight. I want that hospital to have a big VACANCY sign out front sometime before I kick off this planet.

1 Month

The hair is gone, the beard is going strong!

Three nobs

Since Nick has to go sans hair for a while, WE will go without hair for a while. They boys were all fired up to go bald for Nick, and I have to admit the natural air-conditioning counteracts the beard pretty nicely. Plus, my hair on top doesn't grow so well anymore...sigh. I'm an old man. Make your jokes.

Nick, you're not alone bro. This next week might get hard, but we're all behind you 110% even though that's not actually possible. We love you so much we'll make it possible.

To all you folks out there with full heads of luxurious (or thinning) hair...I challenge you to shave it off, take a picture and we'll post it on the site. Maybe it will encourage others to make even more donations...or maybe it will just be funny to look at. Either way, Nick wins.

Week 3

The weather is getting warmer and my beard is getting thicker. This should be an interesting summer. The good news is that I am feeling about 90% better which means Nick will be able to make fun of me in person soon. Anyway, for those keeping score at home...your $21 is due. Thanks again for all those who are donating or are planning to donate, or just saying some awesome prayers out there. Nick has so far not been sick and not had to go back to the hospital. He's lost a bit of hair, but otherwise he's doing great. He's the man.

Galldern

I have a cold. I thought it was allergies. I prayed it was allergies. But it's a cold. Great. So, I am pumping myself full of medicine and vitamins to get better. Why? Because until I am well, I can't go see Nick.

Nick, by the time you have to go back to the hospital I should be all better. Until then, you'll have to settle for some silly pictures and text messages. Sorry bro.

Spy Photo

Nick was caught eating chili in the cafeteria. With his Grandma. And some furry guy and his wife. Crazy, crazy stuff.

Week 2

Now we're getting somewhere. I have entered the NFL Quarterback stage of beard growth. Just enough scruff to look manly, but not so much that the ladies get grossed out. No, that is for the linemen, and will be be arriving in a few short weeks I think. So for now, my lady can still kiss me without getting all weirded out. Woo Hoo!

Thank you to all those who have donated so far. For those that haven't, now is a heck of a time. You're not doing anything else right? Probably getting ready to go do something later that will be a huge waste of money compared to throwing a few bucks at a children's hospital or a kid with cancer. Yeah, I'm using guilt but I'm shameless and I don't care.

Babysitting

Nick, that title is just for you.

Today I got to have my day just with Nick...well for the most part. His uncle Mike was there too, but he slept most of the time. I got to watch Nick eat a big calzone, followed by 4 chicken strips and a bunch of fries. He says the steroids make him hungry, but being a giant 13 year old could do that to you too. He was pretty tired, but still alert enough to beat me down again in Madden. Twice. I am officially old and unskilled. What can I say? The best part of the day was the silent trash talking we did via text messaging while we played. Seeing as how his roommate was asleep and Mikey was too, it was the only polite thing to do. Even though what we were (silently) saying to each other was anything but polite.

Anyway, thanks for the great day pal. See you this weekend.

Madden

Tonight, I got taken to school on Madden 07 on playstation by a 13 year old kid. To make matters worse, he was also getting chemo at the same time. I am talking taken-to-school dude. It was like 83-30 when I quit in the 3rd quarter. He did this to me in front of my wife. Just laid into me. Ouch. I could lie and say I was just letting him win to make him feel better, but he felt fine. Especially when he induced 3 straight red zone interceptions out of the always money Brett Favre.

Nick, I was really looking forward to our day together Thursday, but seriously...take it easy on the old guy. My game is rusty, and my emotions are fragile. I bow to your greatness.


Oh and Nicks tumors shrank by 50%.....but I'll let his pops fill you in on that awesomeness on his blog.

Garfield minus Garfield

This about sums up my progress perfectly.

The Ring Bearer

Nick has been breaking hearts for years. Check out what a little dude he was 9 years ago. That little stud was the ring bearer in our wedding and man...did he have the lady's a swoonin'. He was a little shy, but not when his Daddy was beside him. The rings wouldn't stay on the pillow, but he dutifully carried out his job, delivering us the empty pillow, while his pops carried the rings in his pocket. I was so proud of him that day as I have been every day since.

Nick, I know it might be a tough week, but just know that all of us are in your corner and we'll stay there the rest of your life. You are loved by more people than you will ever know. I'm just one of those lucky ones who gets to be by your side during this whole process. Love you pal.

FYI

I need to make something a little more clear. If you donate to PCH it's going directly for research, treatment, facilities upgrades, etc. In fact if you go their site, you can even choose where your donation goes. Of course I would like to see it go to cancer research, but the fact is, that hospital needs money to treat kids with all kinds of illnesses.

Now, if you go over to Mark's site, The Longest Day, you can donate to help with the enormous cost of cancer treatment Mark and Shannon are having to pay. It's terrible that insurance doesn't cover all the costs associated with the treatment, but it is what it is. They could also use your help, no matter how much you have to give.

So, if you choose one...don't think you are neglecting the other. They are both great choices. Also, you may want to think about splitting your donation up 50/50. You may not think it amounts to much, but if we get enough people opening their hearts and wallets...it can be.

Thank you to every one who has said, "I WILL", this past week. Just awesome. If you want your name added to the scrolling donor bar to the right, just let me know. I am doing this all on the honor system as no money is coming to me directly. If you say you are donating, I believe you, and I thank you.

Week 1

Been a week, give or take a few hours. Things are getting very fuzzy around here. This is the stage in beard growth where you like a guy who is trying to look cool, but really is miles away and several hundred degrees away from cool.

So, for those of you who are donating every week...you owe PCH or The Longest Day, some green. Mark has some good news over there as far as Nick is concerned. The basic gist is that things are looking up and you people are going to get to see what a four-month beard looks like on this old mug. Man...that could be ugly.

Oh, and one more thing...if seeing more pictures, or more frequent pictures (action shots even) of this freakshow is what opens your wallets, by all means let me know.

Nick and Mark

Good job clicking over here.

Now let me introduce you to the star of this show, Nick. My little buddy isn't so little anymore. He's as tall as me now. I've got him on poundage but he might have me on strength. He has always been such a brave kid, from the minute I knew him. Me and his Dad used to take him all over the place with us on our adventures into the wilderness and he never batted an eye. He loved it. He was all boy, all the time. I'm going to talk more and more about him later, but for now...this is Nick;

Now onto his Father, Mark. I met this gentle giant in High School. Okay Summer School. It was the summer after our Freshman year, so obviously we weren't model students during they normal school year. Myself, I was more into comic books, girls, and witticisms than schoolwork. Mark was more into lifting weights and reading about how to lift more weights, and girls of course. I'm not sure how we hooked up, but when you are both among the biggest kids in school, you either end up fighting each other or becoming friends somehow, so it was bound to happen. We stayed friends long after high school, and eventually ended up becoming roommates for a time, and then for some reason he was asked to be the Best Man at our wedding, with Nick being the ring bearer. Again...more on him later. I could fill this blog with stories about him and I just might...but here he is;


PS...that picture of Mark was taken over a thousand years ago, he is much uglier now...as am I.

Day 1

This first post will be to give you a little background on who I am, and why I am doing this.

Plain and simple, my Godson has a very rare form of cancer. As you can imagine, this greatly disturbs me, and I am unwilling to sit idly by as he fights the toughest battle of his life. So, being of very limited mental capabilities...I am growing a beard to cure cancer. WHAT?!? How can a beard cure anything besides my wife's joy of kissing me? Well, the beard is the sizzle, the money I am hoping to raise is the steak. I am asking everyone who is willing, to donate at least $1 a day to Phoenix Children's Hospital for every day I don't shave. I will continue to grow the beard until he is cured.

Pretty simple right? The kids get a little more clink in the coffer and you all get to watch me transform in to some kind of furball freak. All for $1 a day. A lot of you spend $6 a day on Starbucks or some variation on the theme. What does that net you? A little buzz, stanky breath, and the feeling that you have been ripped off. With me, I promise you a good laugh, and a warm cozy feeling. So if you have to cut back to only a few cups a week, I promise to make it worth your while.

I am taking no donations directly, just click on the PCH link to the right and they will take care of the rest. Make your donations as you want, but please just make ANY donation. It may be your donation that funds critical research that discovers the cure for this horrible disease. Think about how cool it would be to say you played a part in the cure. Then think about how uncool it would feel to say you played no part. Egads...no one needs that on their conscience.

So, sit back open your wallet, and watch my beard grow.