Written May 2, 2010 7:02am
GAME ON!Check out Pete, Lea and Gang pre-race with us! They put an entire GAME ON! Team together to run The Broad Street in Philly in support of our main man! We LOVE you and couldn’t have a better team beside us!
Good running gang…be safe, have fun and well see you after the finish!
XXOO
The Cooches!
Written May 19, 2010 8:34am
Good News, is good news
Yesterday we met with Dr. Langer, Dean’s Medical Oncologist, the main man driving the boat, to check in Dean’s treatment and look forward to what might be next. After reviewing his latest set of scans he was VERY PLEASED with how well Dean is responding to the combo of drugs he is giving. Not only did it halt the tumor growth, but the primary lung tumor has reduced in size substantially! We spent quite a bit of time reviewing his films, which is pretty cool I must say, and discussed the second round of treatment. I am happy to report that we are on cruise control through the next two rounds until we meet with him again in late June. We both left there with a skip in our step and a big exhale. It really is the pause that kills me!
Nobody prepares you for the strange energy that builds around these crucial appointments. We always set out with the best of intentions to have a great day in the city, with an mid day appointment, ending with a late lunch at Parc. Sounds dreamy, right? Inevitably, each time, we scramble into the city, eat pizza for lunch and rush home. I am beginning to wonder why there is no bar in the Pearlman Center. Seriously, I think I’m packing roadies next visit…I couldn’t possibly be the first one to do that could I? Maybe just a few margaritas?
Today, Superman left with a splitting headache –a side effect of the-Alimta-and went on his way to a four hour telecon. then rewarded himself with a paddle in the chilly Atlantic. I haven’t checked the surf report today but I hope God rewarded him with a nice juicy wave, leaving him stoked until he can get his head wet again.
Dean has been so amazing through this all, keeping his head up and forging through his treatments. They have been leaving him pretty run down about half of his days, and feeling a bit queezy a lot of the time. Ask him any given day though and he’ll say, I’m GOOD! He continues to inspire me and remind me of what is truly important in life. He forces me to slow down, take a deep breath and sit back and watch. The lessons are endless, and I am so grateful.
In the meantime we are having a great time preparing Cooch’s Big Wave Jam. What started as a simple backyard jam has been given wings. Out angels have organized a wonderful day. The festivities will begin at 12noon on Saturday, June 5th at PJ Whelihans in Cherry Hill, NJ. Dean’s Band In The Red will go on at 4. It has been so much fun (for me) the guys are working hard on their set list and they sound TERRIFIC! We have 4 other bands joining us for the fun that day and I’m certain it will prove to be a great day. 100% of the proceeds will help offset the additional medical costs for Dean’s treatment.
I have heard through the grapevine that the auction is coming along terrifically! Some of the items I’ve caught wind of are weekend beach getaways, an autographed Flyers jersey (the entire team!!) just in a Channel Island surf board Phillies gear and many, many other items! Anyone interested in tickets, which will also be sold at the door can contact Lea or Lisa at jacovini@msn.com or HURLYL@ameetingplace.com
Ok… so this is a long one…sorry for the rambling. Please keep up the prayers and well wishes… They are keeping us all afloat! Look for Dean running at Friday night’sChicken Run’s at Midnight a local fundraiser for out little friend Mia, who is courageously bouncing back from her bone marrow transplant. GO MIA! You inspire all of us, each and every day! We LOVE you!
Xx
Nic and Dean
Written May 12, 2010 10:51pm
It’s offical!
Cooch’s Big Wave Jam
Saturday, June 5th
12-6pm
PJ Whelihan’s Cherry Hill, NJ
Didn’t know Dean was in a band??
Join us for an
In The Red reunion-featuring you favorite keyboardist-Dean Cuc!
Also joining them will be:
The Jimmy Lee James Band
She’s Trubble
Red Dust
and The Joe Grassi Band
I’m sure the day will be a blast!
(All proceeds from the event will go toward offsetting the cost of Dean’s medical expenses.)
For tickets and more information please contact Lea Jacovini jacovini@msn.com or see the attached flyer!
Many thanks to the gang for turning Dean’s wish to get the band playing again come to fruition! We had no idea that it would turn into a full blown event! You are truly amazing!
Cant wait!
GAME ON!
Written May 9, 2010 9:02pm
Fingers crossed and big prayers for improving reports with this weeks round of MRI scans.
We will meet with Dr. Langer next week for the results and a follow up to the first half of Dean’s Chemotherapy. We have Round #4 next Tuesday…until then.. we’re plugging away as usual.
Each and every day Dean continues to amaze me with his bright spirit and positive outlook.
This weekend’s sunshine and big win against Haddon Heights didn’t hurt either…especially when both S and G scored game winning goals!
We had a lovely day in Philly today.. lunch at Parc and some window shopping down Rittenhouse…our favorite!
Will keep posting as I have more news!
GAME ON!
xx
N
One more down…3 to go!Deano made it through his 3rd round of Chemo!
We spent last Friday afternoon over at the Pearlman Center, the usual bloodwork, iv chemo and the like…
(Met for a quick lunch at Parc first!!!)
Saturday was packed full of soccer games and 40th birthday parties and all went well…
By Sunday, it was a day of rest as was Monday and part of Tuesday.
Fortunately the soccer fields were closed due to rain so Coach Dean didn’t have to miss any practices!
By Wednesday, he was sick of feeling sick, so back to Penn we went for some fluids, and anti-everythings…quick MRI to check on brain and home for the night.
His appetite has been minimal…curbing nausea with good ol’ PB&J. Good for any growing boy!
Your well wishes and prayers keep us going every day…
The beautiful weather is helping as well…
Big weekend of family and friends ahead…
-Two games Sat morning…
-Dean looking forward to a good paddle on Saturday with his Bro Tom.
-The gang running Broad Street for him and
Sophia’s Communion on Sunday…
Keep sending the love—shoot him a text!
We have the best family and friends anyone could ever ask for!
GAME ON! We’re going strong!
xx
Nic and Dean
PS Save the date…Sat June 5th Cooch’s Big Wave Jam! Details to follow…
Written Apr 18, 2010 1:25am
WOW!
I cant believe it is the middle of April, already!
I am sorry for not updating sooner, things got very busy here once Spring Soccer season kicked in!
Things are going so well here in the Cucinotta house. Dean is just about finished up with his 6 week radiation treatments…seriously, it’s been that long??? He is still going strong, practicing yoga each day and getting in the water as often as possible.
We’ve been so blessed with his ability to forge through his treatment, still only missing a half day here and there for appointments.
Hes become a master juicer, and swears he can taste the energy in his kale, carrot, apple, ginger juice each morning! Trust me, it looks as gross as it sounds. If anyone has any other juice recipes…send em along!
Friday we are headed to HUP for his 3rd chemo treatment with Nurse Susie and have our fingers crossed for another side affect free weekend.
For those of you around long enough to remember the band days… In The Red will be reuniting along with some other fellow musicians..Saturday June 5th to jam out, dance and have a little fun. We’d love for you to join us…more details in the works. They did a little practicing tonight and it was a real pleasure to see the dynamic of Dean and Tom doing what they love.
Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you who have supported us in so many ways. We are forever grateful. I know I could not do this with out you. Yourpositive energy and well wishes surround us each day.
Blessings,
Nic and Dean
Another One Bites the Dust!Its been over a week since returning from Cleveland and things are rolling along, rather well.
Dean completed his second round of chemo on Friday (yay!) and so far so good. It was a long day- but all in all- pretty ok.
Superman has no side affects to report, other than the inability to sleep-from the steroids. The upside to this side affect however? He’s seen the sunrise over his favorite summer surf break in OC!
We went to Easter Mass in Longport-lucky us to be surrounded by friends and family at every stop this weekend! Had a terrific boardwalk ride and some great beach time with the Burkeys!
The girls had a ball surfing with Dean…CRAZY!!! 48 degrees and smiles on their faces, until their feet went numb…then it was off to a hot shower. I sat myself in my beach chair bundled in a down throw-letting the sun warm me face while my feet were all snuggled in!
Quick pizza dinner at Mack and Mancos mmmmmmmmm…..then home.
It was a very restful, soul feeding, fun loving, smile filled, prayer centered weekend, and we are so grateful.
Easter Blessings to all of our friends out there, near and far-even if you are eating matzah!
xxoo
Nic and Dean
Cleveland Rocks!
Actually it is pretty cool here.
We arrived in Cleveland yesterday morning just after 9am.
Dean has his radiation treatment at HUP then we rushed off to the airport for a 7:30 flight.
Cleveland Clinic is top notch! We thought we had it good at HUP!
The staff and facility are absolutely amazing. All buildings are connected by skywalk and they are all about their patients and families. Think Disneyland of hospitals. There is beautiful artwork, classical music ensembles playing in the lobby and free yoga! Seriously!??
We met with both the nuero-oncoligist and neurosurgeon yesterday and got the green light for the gamma procedure today. 3pm and all done appointments?
We decided to head to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Elvis to Eddy Vedder and everyone in between, topped of with a Bruce Springsteen exhibit on the top two floors! It was a perfect ending to a very long day.
Geez… if were using vacation days…it might as well be fun!
Today was another early day, but it looks like we’ll be out of here soon. Heading over to have the docs here take a look at the oncology part of Dean’s treatment while were here. I figure.. why not?!
8:30 flight home to Philly tonight…will update everyone again this weekend!
xxoo
Nic and Dean!
Written Mar 23, 2010 8:45pm
Written Mar 21, 2010 8:43am
Aetna denied Pittsburg as it is an out of network hospital.
Seeing as we have no out of network coverage and the procedure costs upwards of $40K we are looking toward Cleveland Clinic.
Calls, emails and letters have been sent.
Fingers crossed for a quick approval and pre certification.
Everyone great here!
This weeks treatments went well and the girls got a wonderful surprise from Aunt Juls…Taylor Swift tickets! They were sooo excited and it was a wonderful gift to see their tiny lips singing along with each and every word.
Deano git in the water twice this week…once in LBI once in OC and his smile is contagious!
Stay tuned for more about Cleveland!
Well post as soon as we hear!!!!!
LIVING IN THE WINDOW 