Angela, Dominic and Dan at the Georgia Aquarium
My name is Dan Gennari and I started this blog in January 2009 as a way to stay in touch with family and friends after being diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. Over the months of treatment that followed, I learned a lot from the blogs of other cancer survivors and frequently found comfort in reading about their experiences and recognizing that they were similar to my own. During those months I also re-discovered how much I enjoy writing. I had always written for fun as a creative outlet when I was younger, but a career and being a parent sidelined that hobby until this year. After a few months of chemotherapy, I transformed this site from a blog just about my cancer experience, to a story about all the aspects of life that I feel are worth writing about. That said, cancer remained, and still remains a major subject on the blog, as it has played a major role in my life. Here is the summarized version of my cancer story.
After being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, I began chemotherapy for what was supposed to be a treatment protocol of 12 treatments (6 cycles) administered every other week. That was to be followed by approximately 4 weeks of radiation treatment administered 5 days per week. I mentally braced myself for this exact set of planned treatments and was ill prepared when unpredictable factors forced changes to be made. My first mid-treatment PET Scan showed a big improvement in the metastatic growth of the cancer, as it had resigned itself to only the large tumor in my chest. but that tumor had not shrunk as much as my doctor wanted it to. The doctor mentioned the possibility of extra chemotherapy at that time. Eight weeks later, he confirmed that possibility when the next PET scan again showed very little change in the size of the tumor and a continuance of live activity. I was very depressed to get this news, but figured I had no other choice. In those final eight weeks, I developed peripheral neuropathy caused by the Vinblastine in my chemo cocktail. It affected me by causing a numb tingling feeling in my hands and feet, much like when one of your extremities “goes to sleep,” except it persisted all the time. A final PET scan in September 2009 showed the same progress as before…the tumor had shrunk by less then half a centimeter in diameter and was still lighting up on the scan as an active cancer cell community.
Instead of getting the radiation I had thought I would get, it was recommended at this point that I pursue a bone marrow transplant instead. I sought out an uber specialist in this type of treatment at Emory University and she wanted to take a step back and biopsy the tumor to make sure that we were in fact dealing with Hodgkins Lymphoma. They biopsied four separate pieces of tissue and could not find any sign of active cancer cells in any of them. At that point, she recommended that we wait a few months and repeat the PET scan to see if the cancer really is dead, or if it starts growing back. This summary makes the time between then end of chemo and the final recommendation from the oncologist seem simple, but in fact, it was two and a half months of non-stop guess work, worrying, testing, consultations, and traveling back and forth to different cancer centers. The chemo was the hardest physical element to deal with, but all the back and forth and weeks of uncertainty during this time of researching options for the bone marrow transplant were far more stressful.
It was during that time that I started to identify some of the deeper feelings I have about cancer and want to get more involved with the cancer support community. Prior to the BMT prep time, I was just trying to plod through the chemo and intended to get that part of life over with and never look back. But I now realize that the problems I faced are not singular, and they are not easy and not everyone has a complete support network like I did to get them through it. In fact, not everyone does get through it. I read many stories about people who had unexpected twists and turns in their cancer treatment and ultimately died. I realized that there was not much more than fate between those instances and my own mortality, and realized that I seem to have been spared the most horrific and painful elements of cancer treatments, and for that I am incredibly grateful and wish to contribute in some way back to the community of survivors.
The ”Me” that exists outside of cancer
That was a lot about the cancer in my life, but that does not tell my whole story. I am a lot of other things besides a
Dan and Angela at Mondavi winery
cancer survivor. I am a Dad, a Husband, a Son, a Brother, a Business Owner and many more things. My wife Angela provides the best motivational speeches for me when I am feeling bad about myself. She does not put up with any pitiful feelings because she knows I am tough enough to handle what the cancer goblins were dishing out. She was good at knowing just when to give me one of those pep talks. She is an incredibly bright woman and I would not trade her for the world. She introduced me to healthy eating, meditation, positive visualization and encouraged my return to writing.
My son Dominic is still just a little guy and does not really know what was wrong with me, but he did become very in tune to the fact that Daddy had to go to the doctor a lot. We always played a game where he would look for the band-aid after I had been to the doctor. Sometimes it was in the bend of my arm from a
Dominic - My Little Man
blood draw or IV, sometimes on the back of my arm for a shot of something, and every other week I would have a bigger piece of gauze on my chest wear my port had been accessed for chemotherapy. He is a fantastic little man and although Angela gave the motivational speeches, Dominic was my constant reminder of why I needed to get healthy again.
The rest of my support team consisted of my Mom and Dad, who probably burned through a full set of tires driving back and forth from Detroit to Atlanta to be with us and help around the house at various times through the year. My Mom moved in with us at the beginning and stayed for about two months to help keep order and sanity in the house. Then they opened their house to me and Dominic in September when we thought it would make sense to get radiation done at Karmano’s Cancer Center. No radiation ever got done, but who knows what kind of damage a two year old did to their house over 5 weeks!
My mother-in-law Renita was right here in Atlanta, and frequently babysat for us either on planned weekends, or sometimes on a moments notice when my fever would start to rise and I had to check into the hospital (just like with plumbing and car repair, these little setbacks only happened at night and on weekends!). She also gave us a brand new juicer so that I could pulverize bags of carrots, apples, celery and other fruits and vegetables to make fresh organic juices. I have actually made some that taste pretty good!
There are a lot of others who have helped this year and I want you to know that everything you did was appreciated. Laura, for the persistent offers of getting your bone marrow tested to see if you are a match. Aunt Karen and Uncle Ray for your continuing support and surprise dinners! And to every single one of you who called, wrote, sent funny emails, posted comments to my blog, sent gifts, visited and showed me how you cared, I thank you. I don’t take any of that help lightly and fully intend on doing something to pay it forward.
17 comments
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Your Cousin says:
January 25, 2009 at 7:24 am (UTC -5)
You kick Mr. Cancer right in the nuggets and when he bends over to rub them, you knock that f*cker out!
george says:
January 26, 2009 at 9:00 pm (UTC -5)
I have only confidence that you will put all this stress behind you in the near future. You have the faith of many behind you. Stay strong, and don’t lose hope. I’m sure you know the best to do at this moment is to rest positive.
Godspeed my cousin.
– george
Renita says:
January 28, 2009 at 2:10 pm (UTC -5)
People tell me all the time that I have the best Son in Law around. Not only do you take care of Angie, Dominic and your company (VenueQuest) but you also take care of my “house” needs. I have so much that needs to be done, wood floors, tile upstairs, yard work, etc. Dan, so hurry up and get rid of that Cancer. Both you and Angie know that I am here whenever you need me. I am just 15 minutes away.
Joe and Barbara Jean says:
February 3, 2009 at 12:19 am (UTC -5)
Dan, many prayers for you and your family.
Martine says:
February 4, 2009 at 1:48 am (UTC -5)
I just found out the terrible news. My brother gave me your website. Danny I’m so sorry to hear about what has happened. Be positive, and stay strong. You are in my prayers.
Love you!
Martine
Annette, James & Mikalena Gennari says:
February 4, 2009 at 2:05 am (UTC -5)
Dan, you and your family are in our prayers, we love you and are with you in spirit as you kick the crap outta Mr. Cancer.
Bryan Collinash says:
February 4, 2009 at 3:05 am (UTC -5)
Hey Dan, I was very upset to hear of your situation. I know we don’t talk all the time, but you are in my thoughts and prayers! Get well soon buddy, and I hope to speak with you in the near future!! P.S. Very cool and informative blog!
Steve Trocano says:
February 11, 2009 at 1:12 pm (UTC -5)
Dan,
I know we haven’t been able to “catch up” since you and Ang moved back to Atlanta, but know that we are here for you and your family. Anytime, anything. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. No matter what, stay strong and know that there are a lot of people here for you if you need us….
kathy schwartz says:
February 14, 2009 at 8:05 pm (UTC -5)
Dan, you are in our thoughts and prayers every day. Stopped at church today to say an “extra” for you. In case you don’t remember, we are old friends of your Mom and Dad.
Love to you and your beautiful family,
Kathy and Fred
rachel ward says:
February 22, 2009 at 1:36 pm (UTC -5)
dan – this is terrible news and hits so close to home. you’re so young and it could be anyone of us or our husbands. it’s so unfortunate that this happened to someone as wonderful as you, but i know how strong you are and that you will make it through with flying colors. we’ve known you for a couple years now, since angela and i were pregnant with dominic and rylee. you know dominic was rylee’s “boyfriend” before you moved back to atlanta. and to think we just saw you a few months ago when you visited tampa and you, angela and dominic were all happy and glowing. crazy how life works. i just want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, today and always. you’re an amazing man, husband, father and friend and this is just a chapter in your life that will put a kink but you will pull through, no problem. stay strong and remember how many people love you and are praying for a speedy recovery. your friends from grand hampton – bradley, rachel & rylee
Matt, Jessica, Luke and Eli Klasnick says:
February 28, 2009 at 9:51 pm (UTC -5)
Dan,
We wanted you to know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. We are sending you strength and courage to battle through this chapter in your life! With an amazing wife and awesome son, nothing can get in your way.
Your friends at Grand Hampton~
Matt, Jessica, Luke and (new addition) Eli Klasnick
Joe and Barbara Jean says:
March 24, 2009 at 8:53 pm (UTC -5)
Dan,
Rest, relax, let our prayers for you and your family carry you.
Joe and Barbara Jean
Joe and Barbara Jean says:
March 28, 2009 at 9:30 pm (UTC -5)
Dan,
We are all in there praying for you. Your Uncle Joe lights a candle in your name ever week. Rest, rest all you can. We all have yout back on prayer…………….
Joe and Barbara Jean
Ellen De Baets says:
June 17, 2009 at 12:12 pm (UTC -5)
Dan, I am just reading this and I can not believe what I am reading! hang in there buddy! I know you are a strong person. Next long time vacation should be Belgium! Beer, chocolate and your old co-worker … whats else do you need! Hang in there. Many hugs from me xo
Kevin says:
September 16, 2010 at 8:09 pm (UTC -5)
I am a dad just like you with two girls, 6, and 8. My Dad has NHL and has fought multiple majors cancers for 21 year. He is getting ready to start his ICE treatment next week.
Keep fighting and keep sharing your story. You are an inspiration to all.
admin says:
September 19, 2010 at 9:37 pm (UTC -5)
Hi Kevin. Wow, 21 years! That is bravery and I have to assume all out determination to keep fighting no matter what. Is he using ICE in preparation for a stem cell transplant?
Dan
dangennari says:
February 25, 2009 at 11:37 pm (UTC -5)
Thanks Rachel. That was really nice. I know this is all going to turn out fine. It has to.