Update on Dobber’s Battle with Cancer

Dobber

2017-08-23

 

Further to my announcement on June 10 (here) that I have bone marrow cancer (called Myelodysplastic Syndrome or MDS), I have an update.

I finished the first round of chemotherapy and after 35 days in the hospital I was released to be with my family for six whole days. The 35 days were as you would expect – I’m sure you know people who have gone through cancer treatment and are aware of the hardships so I won’t get into that. Just know that the point of it was to get my blast counts down below 10% so that I could have the stem cell transplant (I was at 18% – blast counts are the cancer cells). The good news – the treatment got me below 5%. So the transplant will proceed.

On Thursday, August 24th I go back into the hospital for more chemo and this time they’ll throw radiation in there for good measure. This is to destroy everything in my bone marrow. If just one cancer cell survives, then the cancer will return in a few months. So it all has to be killed. I have a perfect stem cell donor match from the world registry and on August 30th a car will pull up to the hospital and someone will get out with the donated stem cells. They’ll run it up to my floor and give it to me right away. After that, it’s a three-week wait until the stem cells turn into bone marrow (healthy bone marrow) and then start producing good blood. I’ll be recovering in the hospital until late October. I will be in near-complete isolation in a sealed room. My wife will be able to see me (in a gown, gloves and mask), but not my kids.

In late October I will return home for what will be six to eight months of recovery, most of which is just regaining my strength and easing back into day-to-day life. If the cancer doesn’t return (key months will be January to April) then I’m cured. If it does, then back to the drawing board. I won’t share the survival odds with you that were given to me – but a year from now when I beat this, I will share them with you at that time.

 

What this means for the site

– The Midseason Guide is officially cancelled. I won’t be up for doing that in early January. Next year!

– However, I should be back to do some regular Ramblings by January.

– There will be rankings posted on September 1st and 2nd. After that – no rankings at all until November.

– I have pulled the Draft Kings deal. It is just too much to coordinate right now. Next year!

– The site will run as always. Expect Steve Laidlaw to return in mid-October.

– The Guide will be updated as it always is by my very capable team, so don’t worry about stale data – we’re on it.

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– Refunds, in case you accidentally bought two Guides or something, will be handled in late October. So there will be a delay in getting refunds.

 

What can you do?

Not much, really. I have had several generous offers to start a GoFundMe drive, but my family is doing okay for now. And in fact, when you buy a Fantasy Guide 100% of the proceeds go to me and my family (other than what I pour back into the site). So that’s the same thing as a GoFundMe page, except instead of charity – I give you something (Guide and Draft List) back for your money. But I really appreciate the offers.

I also appreciate all the kind words and sentiments. I read them all and they deeply impact me. Especially the cancer survival stories. Very inspiring at a time when I need the inspiration.

 

Thank you for your continued support and clicks. I’ll keep fighting – this time I’m heading into the postseason and I plan to take home the Cup. I’ll catch up with you in late October when I’m out.

 

 

 

40 Comments

  1. Terry 2017-08-23 at 13:51

    Godspeed, Dobber. You will beat this.

  2. noglovenolove 2017-08-23 at 13:55

    No one has ever said winning the Cup was easy. Keep fighting and bring home the hardware, you’re a sure thing for the Conn Smythe too.

  3. Kristofers Knesis 2017-08-23 at 14:05

    Sending love.

  4. MidwesternNewEnglander 2017-08-23 at 14:14

    Good luck and much appreciation for filling my days with hockey analysis.

  5. brad park 2017-08-23 at 14:32

    I don’t know you, but I love the site, and I’m rooting for you.,

  6. Thomas 2017-08-23 at 15:33

    Good luck. We’re all behind you.

  7. howard burns 2017-08-23 at 15:38

    good luck man!!

  8. MarkRM16 2017-08-23 at 15:48

    I’m going to buy the guide anyways as a thank you, and to help out the site while you’re away. I hope other fans follow my lead and either buy the guide or cancel their refunds. Best wishes.

  9. Invictus350 2017-08-23 at 16:33

    Thanks for the update. Just keep that positive energy rolling :)

  10. R xman mcd 2017-08-23 at 16:45

    I hope for the best for you and your family. Stay strong and you have my continued support.

  11. Mike Devlin 2017-08-23 at 17:25

    Stick on the ice, Dobbs. You got this.

    .

  12. Bruce Allen 2017-08-23 at 17:42

    3 years ago I found I had Prostate cancer which had spread to my Lymph nodes .The biopsy of the tumour was 9/10 or pretty much as serious as it gets .Today after two years of treatment I am clear .It may return but for now ……Hopefully your treatment will be as successful and you will be back kickin Butt. Good luck !

  13. seb 2017-08-23 at 18:11

    Keep your head up dude! Good luck

  14. Pool Fanatic 2017-08-23 at 18:15

    Thanks for the update Dobber, I’m on this site a lot, I think about you a lot.

    Praying it all goes as planned.

  15. Pool Fanatic 2017-08-23 at 18:44

    Cancer patients want a way to fight cancer, something you can do, anything….
    Giving advice is not my thing, but I am asking you to read ‘The China Study’ (if you haven’t already) by Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

  16. Guitar333 2017-08-23 at 19:14

    Dobber – I have been a long time fan of the site, and most of all you. Best of luck and look forward to your return!

  17. Todd Chelian 2017-08-23 at 19:48

    Prayers to you and your family Dobbs. Wishing you all the best.

  18. Marc Edge 2017-08-23 at 20:35

    Good luck, Darryl.

  19. fotht 2017-08-23 at 20:43

    Wishing you all the best! Kick cancers ass

  20. Don Landry 2017-08-23 at 20:51

    The odds don’t factor in truculence, and you have boatloads! Keep fighting brother!

  21. Don Bernath 2017-08-23 at 21:09

    No hockey drafts in heaven (I assume) so stick around. Best wishes

  22. Mike Norwood 2017-08-23 at 21:36

    Given the passion and commitment you possess, as shown to us every year through your hard work, I can say with confidence that cancer has picked the wrong guy to fu&k with. Give it hell buddy, everyday until it’s totally destroyed, give it hell!

  23. Frederic Morissette 2017-08-23 at 21:51

    I wish you the best Darryl

  24. Martin 2017-08-23 at 22:36

    Attitude is half the fight… and you’ve got it ! As a cancer survivor myself, all I can say is keep up the spirit… IF I could send you strength, I would, but as it is, love will have to do ;-)

  25. hockeyknight 2017-08-23 at 23:59

    I’ll look forward to your Midseason Guide again next season Dobber. All the best to you and your family. JT

  26. Aaron Gaither 2017-08-24 at 00:27

    Keep up the good fight Darryl. Praying for your recovery!

  27. Jim Brown 2017-08-24 at 03:43

    Dobber – I have purchased your fantasy guide for the past four years but I have never commented on this site before. I have been a regular blood donor for about thirty years now, but never have taken the time to see if I could be a bone marrow donor. The blood bank charges $125 to be tested for being a bone marrow match and I selfishly never took the time or invested the money to see if I could help someone. When you asked what we can do…there is a lot. We can each take the time to find out if we are a match for someone in trouble. Your donor made a conscious decision to try to save a fellow human being. This is something we all can do. I hope to provide such a service to someone in the near future. You will be in my thoughts.

  28. Fabrice 2017-08-24 at 04:58

    Keep it up Dobber, go grab that cup and get back to us top shape!

  29. Franco 2017-08-24 at 06:38

    Good luck to you and your family. You sound like a strong person and I bet this gets you thru. Looking forward to positive news in January! Ps. My friend went thru the same cancer and is a survivor 8 years later!

  30. Ben 2017-08-24 at 09:24

    Fight the good fight Dobber. We are behind you.

  31. Doug 2017-08-24 at 10:24

    All the best Dobber, keep positive! We are all rooting for you!

  32. Mathieu 2017-08-24 at 11:53

    This battle will be won one step at the time. We’re all rooting for you.

  33. Timothy 2017-08-24 at 11:57

    Stay strong! An inspiration to all!

  34. agentzero 2017-08-24 at 22:07

    The whole community you created is with you, Dobber. Just keep fighting.

  35. Woodrow 2017-08-25 at 04:35

    Darryl, I have been on this site for years and I have always admired greatly what you have brought to this community. Your endeavours, drive and passion have made this such a great fantasy hockey site. Although time constraints don’t allow me to comment much these days, I always look forward with great anticipation to all that is available to every reader. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family my friend as you recover. Keep up the good fight!

  36. DaveH 2017-08-25 at 07:02

    All the best in your treatment and recovery Dobber. We’re all pulling for you.

  37. Michael Hurka 2017-08-26 at 11:31

    Wishing you and your family all the strength and hope in the world.

  38. jamie abbott 2017-09-15 at 17:12

    Not sure if you will see this…My 5 year old daughter went through this exact procedure, with donor cells from the registry. You are in hell right now, (15 odd days in) waiting for your graft to take. Hopefully you aren’t experiencing too many nasty side effects (she got a horrible case of mucositis). She had MDS from her rare genetic syndrome.

    She is 3 years post transplant and doing amazingly well. You will too. If you have any questions from someone who has lived this, and basically became a specialist with all the studying and investigating…reach out and I’ll answer anything.

    Hold tight, around day +24 you’ll see amazing improvement.

    You’ll be in my thoughts!

    Just came across this…and obviously bought the draft guide.

  39. Kip August Kaufmann 2017-10-28 at 13:34

    All the best in your recovery you will beat this. I have Thyroid Cancer not even close to what you have gone through but I have had many mind dives within my inner self. In the same year I was diagnosed my Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and my Dad with Prostate cancer. My parents thank god are cancer free and I am on a long journey of 12 years fighting my Thyroid Cancer. Gods prayers to you and your family as you battle back to recovery. Go Dobber Go!!

  40. Brian Costello 2018-01-16 at 16:11

    Hey Dobber. Thinking of you and sending strong positive vibes. I know you’re in these key few months now that we’re in 2018 and wishing you well. Keep fighting. Wishing you well. Brian

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