It's not whether you get knocked down...

"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."-Vince Lombardi

This quote has been running through my mind many times through out chemo. The getting knocked down part i thought was how towards the end of every chemo I seem to feel somewhat fine. I get to the hospital for chemo and the chemo just slams me down and then i don't feel great. I love to think of this quote as motivation to get better and make that little extra effort to feeling better.

Sunday night I was fortunate enough to get the chance to get an Avs jersey signed by all the players after their game against Vancouver in the locker room. This was awesome. I got to meet all the really nice players and re-visit my buddy Ian Laperriere. These guys were really great again and most of them signed my jersey. I went into chemo with this great excitement.

This last round of chemo has really been difficult. We had the same thing as last time. On the first day I stayed there for about six hours. The next two days are generally about one to two hours. What could be expected I felt awful during these three days of chemo and threw up constantly. I am still not feeling great and usually I am atleast a bit recovered by now. I have broken my own record for throwing up so much during chemo. I am still throwing up even today. My stomach has been wierd and I have felt very very weak and dizzy.

On Thursday I went in to get my port de-accesed and get this other shot I have to get after every chemo. I still didnt feel great that day but something brought my spirits up a little bit. We ran into the Avs this time they were visiting the hospital. It was really cool how i was sitting there in my wheel chair waiting to get out of there and all these amazing players were there still remembering my name! All the guys were still great. I really noticed a few that stood out and talked to me. My buddy Ian Laperriere was there and we were able to talk about how I was doing. Through all these Avalanche things I have been doing it has really occured to me how awsome of a player, guy, and leader he is. Ben Guite was also a really nice and awesome guy as well. All of them were really great and I really look up to all of them not only as hockey players but leaders as well.

Last night I went to my hockey team's game. I still felt really crummy still so I sat up in the bleachers with my dad clutching my puke bucket.

Clearly this chemo has been the hardest chemo but I am also hopeful that this is the last one.

If this is the last chemo I get to start radiation therapy on December 29th.

I am now looking forward to skating a bit with my team this week, Christmas, and hopefully the phone call from one of my teamates that we have won the Phoenix tournament.

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.

I am so lucky to have so many great friends and family.

Thanks,
Tristan

What an amazing week!

Wow! What a great week I have had since the last week of chemo. It started about monday when I practiced with my team. Unfortunately by the end of practice that night my stomach started to get really wierd and I threw up in the car on the way home. The next day we went into the Dr. for my regular blood tests and my blood counts were fine which was awesome! However I didnt get cleared to play in my tournament this weekend. Tuesday night I went and practiced with my team again. This time I felt much better after and didn't throw up. This already was a great start to my week knowing i went through two practices with my team.

Wednesday night we started our tournament. We played a pretty decent game and came away with a win 2-0 against the Jr. Eagles. I was glad my parents still let me go and cheer/lead my team to victory. Wednesday night I found out from my parents that Saturday night I would get to go out during the Avalanche game and stand on the blue line during the national anthem with the starting line up. When my Dad finally got done describing this to me I was completely speachless. I was in so much shock and I was so excited I got the chance to do this.

Thursday (Thanksgiving), we spent with our good friends the Soichers. This was really fun because they have been there so much for me and there a great family to be around. I was also glad that I had most of my appetite back from chemo and was able to eat decent food! After our big meal my mom took me to my friend Christian's hockey game. This was really fun because its AAA hockey and I know alot of kids on the team. These guys have also been there for me and it has been really great to get to know some of these kids closer.

Friday, we spent most of our day running back and forth between Denver and Westminister for my hockey games. In our morning game we lost a close game to Ft. Collins 2-1. Our next game we came out hard against Foothills and beat them 3-0. I really would of thought after all that I would of been really tired and not feel to great by the end of the day but overall i felt great for all that I did that day.

Saturday, was a huge day. Saturday morning we had a game against Casper up in Westminister, where the tournament was. We came out pretty hard again and had another win 3-0. Because of our loss we were waiting on other games to be played and what not to see where we ended up with points to make it to the championship. Between the game that morning and the big avs game that night I was busy with friends coming over to get rides and friends hanging out.

That night I rode to the pepsi center with my Mom and my hockey friends. This was really exciting. When we finally got there it took us a bit to sort out where my team was seating and where my other friends were sitting and it took us a while to get me into get my stuff on. Finally we got every one in.

When I finally got dressed I waited in this hall way for the players to come out into this tunnel thing so they could go onto the ice. At this point I was pretty nervous but it was still amazing. As they came out I gave each of them high fives onto the ice and then I followed right in front of Ian Laperreire (assistant captain). When I got out there i felt like I was on top of the world. I took one short lap around them turned around on the blue line towards the opposite side and looked all around me. Then I turned around to the flags. Ryan Smyth talked to me for a bit out there which i found really really cool. They sang the national anthem then I got off. This was truly the experience of a life time and I had a great time it was so great!

I then went up and watched the game with my teamates and friends. About half way through the game I got a text from my team (I wasn't sitting with them then) saying, "WERE GOING TO THE SHIP!!" (championship). This was really the icing on the cake having a great night with my friends, and family!


The next day we drove up to Westminister for the championship game against Littleton. Our two teams were really even they beat us once and we beat them. It was a great game and we battled to the end. At first we went up 1-0 then they tied it. Then we went up 2-1 then they tied 2-2. Then the last 6 seconds of the game they scored. Truly a heart breaking loss but we played really well. Its a tournament and we already beat them in league where it really counts!


Thanks to everyone who made Saturday night possible it was really amazing!

Thanks to my hockey team for being there for me Saturday and for having a great tournament!


Thanks to everyone else for your prayers and thoughts!


I am so lucky to have so many great friends and family!

Thanks,
Tristan Close

(P.S. pictures of saturday should be coming soon!)

Chemo - half way done (or more)!!

Chemo went as well as it could be expected. I really did not feel to great during it and it was a tough time. The first day was the toughest. I went in around 9:30 and i had about 6-7 hours there. I was put into a room and for the most part i rested and played x box. Something that i have realized during chemo is that anything you eat or crave during it, you never want to eat again. The next day it just sounds like the worst thing ever. The first day was definitely the roughest day. Days 2 and 3 were okay. I only had about 1-2 hours of chemo and it was mostly getting in and out pretty quickly. Over all it kinda sucked but I find small little things to look forward to during chemo like getting home and resting. I was not able to get to my hockey practices this week but I am probably most definitely feeling good enough to go to them this week.

When I am at home i can mostly keep my pain under control. I have had quite a bit of nausea and haven't been able to walk due to dizziness. This week I am doing my tutoring Monday and Tuesday and hopefully hockey practice.

Tuesday i have a blood test to test my counts depending on if i can play in my hockey tournament this weekend up in Hyland Hills. The Dr.'s said not to plan on playing.

I am very excited that chemo is over half way done (so we think). I am also hopeful radiation therapy will go smoothly so i can go back to school and hockey. Going through all of this it really makes me think how grateful it is to just go to school and have a normal day and see all my friends. I really miss that but I am hoping its not too long before that can happen.

I will try and write more now that I am on chemo break again!

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

-Tristan

p.s- If any of you get a phone call from me asking if i can stay with you don't act surprised, my parents are pretty fed up with me.

Once upon a time...

not so long ago, there lived two little boys. Now these little boys were neighborhood friends, the kind that play roller hockey in the cul-de-sac, and watch Av's games on tv. They even went to some games together.

Time went by and the boys stayed friends through moves, different schools, and a one year age difference. They shared a back fence and some very memorable times. One of the boys got sick and his hair began to fall out. So the other boy, who likes to make faces, decided his hair had to come out too.

And so it did.

It took 3 people and two sets of clippers to get that unruly hair off. Now the boys share one thing in common. Smooth lids. But not smooth enough for the funny-faced one.

Nothin' says lovin' like the first time your dad takes a razor to your skull. You just don't ever forget the first time.... Ahhhhhhh......smooth. Boys, the ladies like to rub their hands all over the velvety smooth lid. He highly recommends it.
And they all lived happily ever after........ Not THE END but the BEGINNING.

Scroll down to see all of the other bald and beautiful men....are you next? Email your picture and we will add it to the rest!

Twas the night before chemo and all through the house...

Relaxing before the big event...

From Lenina
(Tristan's Mom)

Tristan's hair started falling out on Friday. As awful as that can be - especially given that he has great hair (!) he and Chris (Tristan's Dad) both shaved their heads Saturday morning. Lest it be just a ho-hum experience, my good friend Leighann, owner of Leighann's Hair Studio and Spa in Greenwood Village, pampered them and comped the services (Thank You!!).

Chris (Dad) goes first

Caleb (brother) waits patiently

Not so sure...

Almost Done!

Bald and Beautiful...

We have Chemo tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. We will update during that time to let you know how round two of chemotherapy goes. As always, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

The 18 day break part 3

Yesterday (Monday) and today has been going pretty well. I have not been throwing up at all and only having a few headaches. Although i have been very tired during the day and have felt like sleeping quite a bit.

Yesterday was a really fun day because i got to go and skate at my hockey practice. It has not really occurred to me until this past week how great my hockey team is. Although we spend a lot of our game time in the penalty box and could be known as a bunch of goons, they have meant a lot to me. These guys have put a smile on my face so much in the past couple weeks its been awesome. Its been really fun to get to watch them go out and play even though i haven't been able to help them out there. I would really like to thank all of them for all their support during this time. They have truly been great! I can't wait to get back on the ice with them!

I am also excited yesterday our coach picked captains and assistant captains and I was picked as one of the assistant captains. This meant a lot to me and this is just the motivation I will use to try to go to our games still even during chemo!

Today, I woke up with a small headache but it was fixed right away with medicine. I have no chemo therapy this week and the only hospital visit i have is Thursday to test my blood counts.
So this week i am having math/English tutoring every day for about two hours a day.

I am also hoping to skate at my next hockey practice which is Thursday.

Thanks all for your prayers and support!!

-Tristan

Counting our Blessings...

From Lenina (Tristan's Mom)

I got a card in the mail a few days ago that had 3 pairs of shoes on the front. The inside said "Do any of these shoes go with my stress?" I laughed. As they say, laughter is some of the best medicine when life challenges are rather serious. Thank you all for your cards, calls and prayers.

Tristan is doing remarkably well given all that he's been through. Although he still appears somewhat pale and weak at times, he went to both of his team's hockey games this weekend (sat on the bench with the team but didn't play), he had some friends over at various times throughout the weekend, and is keeping up with both of the classes that he's taking through the home hospital program. The nausea has mostly subsided and last check, his blood counts were good and no blood transfusion was needed. We've been forewarned that this could all change drastically and almost instantly, but for now, we thank God that at least for this day, he is doing great. (relatively speaking of course!)

One of the most amazing blessings in a situation like this is the tremendous support of friends and family. There have been so many random (and not so random) acts of kindness - it would be impossible to recount them all. I pray that God will bless each of you who have so kindly reached out to us. One of the most incredible examples of this support is my brother, Trenton, whom many of you know as "the cigar guy". He shaved his head last week in support of Tristan. What an awesome uncle!

Before...

Shave and a hair cut...

After...
Hey - is that a ginger ale in your hand?

Tristan really enjoys reading all your comments on this blog - so keep them coming! They are a tremendous encouragement to him.

I am so grateful for all of you. I deeply appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and kindness that continues to come our way. Thank you - and many returned blessings to all of you.

Humbly,

Lenina