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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2011 > June > 26 > Entry
The road to recovery
I’m sorry that the lights have been out on my Through the Arch blog the past few weeks, but as my column in today’s newspaper explains, my attention has been forced onto other matters.
Just over two weeks ago I had open heart surgery. My wife and I had been down in Miami on vacation when the tightness I’d felt in my chest before we left continued to increase. Finally, after five days my wife said that was it. We were cutting the trip short and going home.
Some 36 hours later I was undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery at Miami Valley Hospital.
The only reason I’ve told you this is that my absence from the sports pages was going to become more and more obvious. I talked it over with my editor and we decided I should explain.
Last July, when out of the blue I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that was not the case. I’m lucky. It is treatable, survivable and I’m in great hands at Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital, which I now visit just once every three months. With the CML, I was going to be able to continue writing without a break, so I figured no explanation was needed. I said nothing about it to some of my family, many of my sportswriting buddies and most of my co-workers.
I guess the biggest thing was that I just didn’t want to be known as “the sick guy” or have my health become the topic of conversation every time I bumped into someone.
This is not to say there haven’t been private moments where I’ve been scared or depressed, but I’m finding more and more how good continues to eclipse all that. I’ve really been buoyed by my family, my friends, my Oregon District neighbors and especially my wife, who is a lot tougher than I am.
I’m mending well, though they tell me it will be several weeks before I can lift more than a gallon of milk or drive a car or go back to work full time. They say when I’m healed I’ll feel better than I have in years. In the meantime I’ve got to make some other changes, too.
I’m trying to eat heart healthy now - this after a lifetime of press box food. If you have any heart healthy food tips - (and does anything at fast food restaurants meet that standard?) - let me know.
I’ll be truthful, I miss writing for you all. While I was in Miami Valley I came across a few stories, one involving Terrelle Pryor, another with Dirk Nowitzki and one about a successful UD athlete who is in quite a different career, now. I’ll tell you about them soon.
I’ll try to stay in touch a little better in the weeks to come.
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Comments
By Ed Fowler Jr
June 30, 2011 1:59 PM | Link to this
Well I’m on this golf course in Harrisburg, PA and I get a text from Turf and he tells me of your condition and to go on-line to see your comments…You truly are an amazing man and your wife is awesome. The next time I hear from Turf I would love for all of us to get together….Arch..Your are in our Prayers, heart and mind….Take it easy my friend and keep smiling!!!
By Glen Clark
June 29, 2011 5:06 PM | Link to this
Tom - four years ago my mother-in-law had an angioplasty & a stent put in at the ripe old age of 94. She said she felt better than she had in years. When the doctor said ‘Margaret, we’re not sure you should still be driving’, she said ‘I don’t see why not, the car does most of the work’! Margaret had her 98th birthday this year, but she has given up driving. Take care of yourself, we still have to talk over that Croatia trip - Glen
By Glen Clark
June 29, 2011 5:03 PM | Link to this
Tom - four years ago my mother-in-law had an angioplasty & a stent put in at the ripe old age of 94. She said she felt better than she had in years. When the doctor said ‘Margaret, we’re not sure you should still be driving’, she said ‘I don’t see why not, the car does most of the work’! Margaret had her 98th birthday this year, but she has given up driving. Take care of yourself, we still have to talk over that Croatia trip - Glen
By Tony Grossi
June 28, 2011 3:53 PM | Link to this
God bless you and get well, Arch. You are in our prayers, good man.
By Jimmy Jack
June 27, 2011 2:21 PM | Link to this
Mr. Arch; I can honestly say you’re about the only thing I miss about that place! Whether picking you up at the airport or the time I almost had to break into your house…It was always an adventure. Like a previous comment, drink as much water as you can, then drink some more! (and limit your sugar intake). Keep in touch friend………
By James
June 27, 2011 2:20 PM | Link to this
Mr. Arch; I can honestly say you’re about the only thing I miss about that place! Whether picking you up at the airport or the time I almost had to break into your house…It was always an adventure. Like a previous comment, drink as much water as you can, then drink some more! (and limit your sugar intake). Keep in touch friend………
By Turf
June 27, 2011 12:37 PM | Link to this
Arch, I knew something was up when I did not see your articles for some time. You take it slow for a while and I bet you will feel better after going through all this. I will be thinking about you and my prayers are with you. Turf
By Jaft14
June 27, 2011 10:49 AM | Link to this
Get Well Tom, I had 5 bypasses a year ago (at age 50), do what the Docs tell you! Cardiac Rehab is a must. I do feel better than I did and it was hard changing the diet, I sure do miss my bacon and sausage.
By Fifties Fan
June 26, 2011 10:44 PM | Link to this
Tom: Get well soon. My wife has had a major stroke and open heart. Through prayer, she is doing well and still working. Enjoy your work. We are praying for you.
By doug aldstadt
June 26, 2011 8:13 PM | Link to this
hang in there and continue to recover check out PELOTONIA @ The James—my son and I will ride in this fundraiser this August last year over 4000 riders raised almost 8mil for the James!
By Bob
June 26, 2011 11:59 AM | Link to this
Take care of yourself. We’ll still be here when you’re ready!
By mike e
June 26, 2011 10:46 AM | Link to this
when your name is mentioned the thought comes “what a treasure dayton has” … the Oregon district crew, arts, horseracing and punchers all wish you a speedy recovery! personally i hope you consider writing a novel at some point all the best
By FLYER5
June 26, 2011 10:14 AM | Link to this
Get Well Arch. One simple way to cleanse your body and keep it cleansed is to drink a lot of water. It will speed up your metabolism in the warm weather. It is the sustenance of life. I drink 1-1/2 to 2 gallons of half-strength Crystal Light every day. I feel marvelous..Hope this helps.
By jeff
June 26, 2011 7:52 AM | Link to this
good luck arch, rest alot and google heart healthy diets. the key is not snacking at the games. its hard but once you get used to the routine its ok
By jeff
June 26, 2011 7:52 AM | Link to this
good luck arch, rest alot and google heart healthy diets. the key is not snacking at the games. its hard but once you get used to the routine its ok
By Randy
June 26, 2011 7:43 AM | Link to this
Best wishes for a quick & complete mend Arch!!
By Joe Hand
June 26, 2011 5:48 AM | Link to this
Hi Tom, Rgis comes to you from an old friend from Church. The last I saw you was at a UD basketball game and you told me then about your leukemia. Brenda and I have been praying for you. Thank God your lovely wife “nagged” you into cutting your vacation short to seek medical attention. She and the doctors saved your life, and certainly your readers will all appreciate having you return to writing your-ever-so-interesting stories for the DDN. God has blessed everyone with certain gifts and you have used your gift of writing so well. Your readers are literally addicted to reading your columns. That is why God (and your wife) will get you through your heart recovery period so you can return to using that natural talent He has blessed you with. When it comes to eating, the key for my heart health has been lots of fruit, veggies, and fish. As far as any restaurant eating, I always go on line to check out the nutritional info before we visit the eatery. I know what I will order before we even arrive. All chain restaurants have websites with nutritional info. That has been a lifesaver. My continued prayers for you, Tom, and your wife. Love to you both from Brenda and me.