I may be away for a little bit

by **TonyIBI** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:43 am

Folks, I have an interesting week ahead of me as my life has been flipped upside down the past 48 hours. Long story short, I went to the doctor on Friday to get checked for some stomach issues that were bothering me and in doing tests for it they found something more serious (unrelated) where they found a softball sized mass on my left kidney. Lots of tests on Saturday later, they now are pretty sure it is a tumor, just won't be confirmed as benign or malignant until I get a biopsy on Monday or Tuesday. Either way the doctors are moving fast with this and I may be heading for surgery anytime between Tuesday-Thursday.

I'm pretty upfront and honest about stuff....so why I am sharing something so personal. But in the same vein I didn't want to disappear with no reason and have people speculating on where I am/went. I'll be honest though, I'm scared beyond belief right now because there are still many more questions/unknowns than answers. I go to the specialist tomorrow morning and will get a few answers, and until anything is confirmed malignant or benign I won't know for sure. I have no idea going forward how this will affect my baseball activities....but that is all secondary at this point as getting past this is the main focus.

I will continue to post and do things as normal as much as I can as I am certainly heading for lots of down time, and also have a lot of time to fill leading up to my busy week to get my thoughts off of things. Baseball will certainly be a great distraction to it all. Thanks again for readying and for your support.....and Go Tribe!

by **buck84** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:53 am

Good luck

My thoughts and prayers are with you

by **davidkey** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:54 am

Our thoughts will be with you and your family Tony. God bless.

by **daingean** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:02 am

Get well soon Tony. Praying for ya. It's good they found it now though.

by **Edible14** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:39 am

Good luck Tony.

by **MadThinker88** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:59 am

Stay upbeat Tony. A positive attitude & outlook will do more good then you realize.
The rest of us will solider on & keep things rolling. Get well soon.

Just realize we know this gives you more time to be on the phone with your contacts :lol:

by **ChadS17** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:25 pm

Good luck Tony.

by **Upper Box Woodchuck** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:32 pm

Praying for you as well.

by **petes999** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:47 pm

Good luck with your tests ... praying that it is benign ....

and hopefully it is all outpatient as I don't think Clinic has STO as a standard option for their in room entertainment :-)

by **Terry** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:13 pm

Tony, wow. I hope everything works out well.

by **GhostofTedCox** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:36 pm

Tony,
We have never met, but I feel like I know you. It's always a shock to the system when life doesn't go according to the script. As a member of a family that has faced cancer, and won, I will tell you it is very important to keep a positive attitude. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Remember, Cleveland may not have the best baseball team in the world, but we do have the best hospitals.

by **jellis** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 4:52 pm

I wish you well, and I know me and the rest of the guys will try and more than likely fall short of filling in for you while your out. I don't know anyone who knows more about this system than you

by **elrod enchilada** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:49 pm

Your site is a big part of my day Tony and I appreciate beyond words the hard work you do here. My thoughts are with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.

by **martyinnewyork** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:53 pm

Tony - the thoughts and prayers of my family are with you... and I have 7 kids, so that's a lot of thoughts and prayers!

by **rsamak** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:55 pm

That would scare the heck out of me. Wishing you well Tony.

by **Chiefroy** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:37 pm

May God bless you and your family, Tony.

by **ironmike** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:52 pm

Tony, hang in there, you'll be in our prayers here for sure.

by **A.Zajac** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:41 pm

You're the best TL. Not sure what me, or anyone around would do without you. Best wishes to you and your family! All of us will hold down fort here!

by **homerawayfromhome** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:18 pm

Tony thank you for being so up front with this. As a Bible College student I never say I'll be praying for you lightly. It's something I'm very serious about. Tony, I pray that you and your family have peace throughout this ordeal, that God strengthens you, that you recover quickly and that God gives you best doctors available to assist you. Take care of yourself and your family first and foremost.

by **TitoFrancona** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:11 am

All my best to you Tony and of course to your family. I know this is just as hard on them as it is you - if not harder.

by **artgold** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:43 am

Wow Tony, I'm very sorry to see this.

Keep your chin up pal, medical scares are always difficult (to put it mildly).

Best of luck to you, you will be in our prayers.

by **csowlfan26** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:12 am

Tony, all of your friends down here in Texas will be praying for you my friend. God bless you and your family.

by **criznit2009** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:23 am

Hey Tony really sorry to here this, you and your family will be in my prayers. Your site has been monumental in educating me all about the indians and I thank you very much for all your hard work. Hope everything ends up ok!

by **moonballz** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:55 am

Having gone thru something similar to this. It really changes how you look at things. Staying positive is key. You have great support here and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Good luck today .

by **GeronimoSon** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:24 am

Good luck with the coming tests and followup.. remember.. listen to what the doctor(s) tell you.. and don't take any crap from them.. looking forward to your return.... :clapping:

by **Rocky55** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:05 am

Tony, I see by the picture accompanying the post on the front page that you have a lot to live for. Stay strong, & God Bless You.

by **theshow** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:58 am

I echo everyone's sentiments. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

by **nubballguy** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:52 pm

Tony, just want to add my well wishes to all those here. You've built up quite a community here with your fantastic website which I appreciate immensely as I'm sure we all do. Obviously you've got a lot of people sending you positive thoughts here, stay strong, we're all pulling for you. Look forward to your fully healthy return.

by **Lloyd Christmas** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:36 pm

Best wishes Tony

by **TonyIBI** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:26 am

Thanks everyone.

I'm stunned with the flow of support. I hesitated to say anything, but as I hope people realize I am a pretty honest, upfront guy and not afraid to share things, so felt comfortable doing so. Also wanted to avoid any speculation or questions "where did he go" or "what happened?" if I were to disappear for days/weeks!

Got some great news today. Amazed how everything has gone in just 72 hours. Got first word of a "cyst" on Friday evening....then basically confirmed "softball sized tumor" on Saturday evening. Then today lots of doctor visits that were expedited by one hell of a doctor going above and beyond and with the help of others who work in the medical field who read this site. Unbelieveable how people come out of the woodwork. But in a nutshell, from the tests they have done the cancer is localized to the kidney. It is malignant, but they expect a full recovery. Will have surgery likely next Thursday, hopefully just a partial removal but if they can't save the kidney it will be removed. But I got a lot of answers and info today which really helped quell some fears. Lord knows how your mind loses it when you hear the word "cancer".

Thanks again everyone.

by **artgold** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:47 am

Good that it is localized, makes life look a lot different to you after going through one of these "episodes".

Being young certainly benefits your outlook, some day you'll look back at this and just shake your head. It will change you forever, I bet you live much more "in the moment", but that happens to anyone who has a good solid medical scare.

Good to read it didn't spread, that is critical.

by **Edible14** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:52 am

Sounds like super news, Tony. Good to hear.

by **Prosecutor** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:53 am

My thoughts are with you. My wish is that you spend your recovery in front of the TV watching the Indians extend their lead in the A.L. Central while all the affiliates get off to great starts.

by **petes999** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:14 pm

Tony -- great news on expecting a full recovery ... hopefully they can save part of your kidney and confirm that it hasn't spread next week.

Also, goes to show why everyone should do what you love whether it is a paid gig or not... as the saying goes "give and it will come back". All of us are thankful that you do this and know you don't get back what you put into it, if at all. Yet, because you give so freely of your time to keep us informed and an outlet for the losing seasons (watching the younger guys develop for the future), the favor was returned when you need it. Thankfully, someone out there could be of help to you in this time to get things rolling for you. :drinks:

by **catfish** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:27 pm

That is about as good news as you could get. You have the classic incidentaloma. You had a symptom and got a workup and the workup demonstrated a finding that had nothing to do with your symptom is life threatening but because you had the workup for this other problem is at this point fully treatable and curable. Moroever often they can do this surgery laparscopically and depending on the size of the lesion and where on the kidney it is they can also quite often save the kidney.

by **osueddy** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:58 pm

Tony,

Good to hear the good/bad news. Hang tough.

by **MadThinker88** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:58 pm

Its good to hear that its localized and treatible. :clapping:

Definitely better news then what we were hearing/ thinking back on Sunday.

That said, lets not rush too far ahead. One step at a time. Follow the doctor's instructions. Beat this thing fully and totally so it doesn't consider reappearing for a nanosecond.

by **jagon1119** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:30 pm

Tony Godspeed as you deal with all this thoughts and prayers are with you and the family

by **dc101** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm

Good luck man! I love your site and could not believe it when I read about your issue last week. You should also be commended for being willing to share such a major life issue with people you do not know. It could definitely help someone else down the road.

Again, I love this site and the work your do. God bless you and your family. I have sent my prayers.

by **OhioBaseball** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:07 pm

Tony, you do a great service to Indians fans across the country. We are all extremely fortunate to have the services you provide. Our prayers are with you. Looking forward to getting you back at full strength soon.

by **jellis** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:38 pm

I never know what to say, so I just want to express how this site is one of the best I ever have seen. You have always been a stand up guy, and I too am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

by **NCIndian** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:58 pm

Tony,

I can't say I'm the most ardent follower of this board but I was very glad to read about the good news you received today. I'm sure you will agree with me when I say to everyone that if you have something wrong with you for more than a week, or even not that long, go to the doctor ASAP not in a week or two. I had triple bypass heart surgery in 1996 after never having any problems in that area and I have also survived at least 2 diagnosed staph infections (best way to lose weight but I don't recommend that avenue!). If I had not gone to the doctor at the time I started having relatively minor symptoms, I would not be here today. Again, good luck with your surgery and like everyone else I'll be praying hard for you.

by **TonyIBI** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:46 am

Thank you NCIndian. And glad to hear you are alive and ticking after some of the things you have gone through. My surgery is tomorrow, so hoping for the best.

by **TonyIBI** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:50 pm

Ok, counting down the hours now....starting to get nervous. Just got the call, surgery is scheduled for 7:15am tomorrow morning. I am elated to get it done first thing, though with having to be at the hospital by 5:45am it will make for one long night as no way will I be able to sleep. May not even sleep at all! Just can't wait to be done with this and back "on the field".

by **hoof32** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:22 pm

Even if you can't sleep, get some rest if you can.

Best of Luck, Tony!!

by **stoike** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:38 pm

Tony....You will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially over the next 24 or so hours.

by **A.Zajac** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:09 pm

TonyIPI wrote:Ok, counting down the hours now....starting to get nervous. Just got the call, surgery is scheduled for 7:15am tomorrow morning. I am elated to get it done first thing, though with having to be at the hospital by 5:45am it will make for one long night as no way will I be able to sleep. May not even sleep at all! Just can't wait to be done with this and back "on the field".

Best of luck, Tony! Pull a Lou Brown and sneak a transistor radio in.. just remember, you can't hoot and holler and soap operas! :s_biggrin

by **daingean** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:56 pm

A.Zajac wrote:
TonyIPI wrote:Ok, counting down the hours now....starting to get nervous. Just got the call, surgery is scheduled for 7:15am tomorrow morning. I am elated to get it done first thing, though with having to be at the hospital by 5:45am it will make for one long night as no way will I be able to sleep. May not even sleep at all! Just can't wait to be done with this and back "on the field".

Best of luck, Tony! Pull a Lou Brown and sneak a transistor radio in.. just remember, you can't hoot and holler and soap operas!

Praying for you Tony..... :s_smile

Get Well Soon

by **MadThinker88** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:57 pm

Tony,
Everyone is pulling for you. I know its tough but try to relax. Laugh if you can. Kiss your wife & kids and tell them the important thing - how much you care. Its good you are going early (as this story will highlight).

When they had to 'rebuild' my left elbow in April '96 (it had been broken in a fall), I had an early afternoon slot that ended up being delayed 2+ hours. Between the nerves and anger over the entire situation I was ready to walk out of Fairview Hospital without having the procedure. When the drugs started (in order to put me under), I just quietly fumed over the entire situation. :aggressive:

I was still wide awake as I was taken into the OR. I was looking at faces (covered by their masks) in a counter clockwise motion. By the time my eyes got back to 12 o'clock, I was out. The surgery was longer and more extensive then they planned (3 hours instead of 90 minutes) so I ended up staying the night in the hospital. The next day after 'waking up', getting filled in on what happened and having the dressing changed, the doctor talked about having a 2nd procedure (prior to having the surgery, the plan was 1 and done) in 12 months.

For the record - I've never gone back for the 2nd surgery to remove the 4 inch pin and 3 inches of wire still in the left elbow. At least the airport metal detectors have stopped going off when I travel. :rofl:

Get well soon my friend.

by **jellis** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:06 pm

I think the best omen we could have for your recovery is how well the Indians have played. I now its a scary time, but if you believe in omens of any kind I have to think this year has proven that everything will turn out ok.

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