Drake Diener had every reason to feel sorry for himself.
What started as stomach pains toward the end of his senior season at DePaul didn't end until October, terrifying his family, confusing his doctors and putting his dream of playing professional basketball on hold along the way.
The former Goodrich High School star had Crohn's disease — a chronic disorder that inflames the intestines and has no cure, no known cause and while not fatal, can drastically alter the lives of those it affects.
And so, Diener, who spent last summer trying to figure out what was wrong instead of trying to make an NBA roster, found himself back where he started last May, a jagged scar on his stomach a constant reminder of his several surgeries.
Not that he's complaining.
"People were saying that the timing was bad for me because I was trying to make it professionally," he said. "But I can't imagine what it's like going through this if I was 10 or 12 years old."
When he found out about Camp Oasis, a weeklong camp in Waupaca for kids ages 10-17 with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, a related illness, he wanted to help.
There had already been plans in the works for a Fond du Lac alumni basketball tournament, and Drake Diener wanted to make it for charity and donate the proceeds to Camp Oasis.
Thus the Cagers for Crohn's event was born. The tournament, sponsored by News-Talk 1450 KFIZ and a slew of area businesses, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Elementary, the old Goodrich High gym.
More than 60 alumni will comprise eight teams divided by year for a day of basketball for a cause that was, for the most part, unrelated to the Fondy basketball family until it attacked one of its own.
A scary situation
Last May, Diener's life was a blur. He was in and out of workouts, talking to coaches and general managers. Second round of the NBA Draft? Europe? Summer leagues?
He was on the verge of realizing his dream — playing professional basketball.
Then, the stomachaches worsened. He visited St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago, was given medication and told to come back if it didn't get better. It didn't, and it was assumed, after a CAT scan, Die-ner needed an appendectomy. It wasn't until surgery that doctors noticed he had a tumor the size of a woman's fist.
His prospects of being drafted vanished, but he still could latch on with an NBA summer league team.
But the medical condition never improved. It kept getting worse.
The blur increased. He was in and out of hospitals, talking to specialists and doctors — each speculating on what was wrong with him: More tumors? Cancer? Worse?
"There was never really a low point," Diener said, "because it just kept getting worse and worse."
Basketball became an afterthought. His father, Dick Diener, retired from teaching, meaning he'd have to reapply for his job as basketball coach, a post he held for 22 years.
"That put things in perspective in a real hurry," Dick Die-ner said. "When you're marching into cancer centers, basketball is the farthest thing from your mind. If you have your health, you have everything."
Drake Diener lost more weight. He dropped 50 pounds, Dick Diener said, in a few months. He went from couch to doctor to hospital to couch. Still, no answers.
"The scariest part was when you don't know what is wrong with him," Dick Diener said. "We had about two months where we could not figure out what was going on with him. It was devastating. There's nothing worse for parents than to see their kids when they are really sick like that."
It wasn't until October — four months from his first visit to the doctor — that Diener received the diagnosis. Crohn's disease.
"It was actually a pretty good feeling," Diener said. "Now, nobody wants to have Crohn's. But in the back of my mind, there were a lot of worse things I could have had."
What is Crohn's?
Crohn's disease is a chronic ailment that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract. Along with a related disease, ulcerative colitis, it is one of the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease.
There is no known cure. Because the disease affects people in different ways, the cause is also indeterminate but studies have shown that genetics may have something to do with it.
Diener said he's the only one in the family to have it, adding to the mystery of what can cause the disease.
Because of the nature of inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's doesn't receive much public discussion.
"Our mothers taught us to not talk about bathroom-related matters," said Jan Lenz, the executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. "People try to keep quiet about what it really entails."
There are some celebrities that have it. Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and pop recording artist Anastacia all have it.
"It's an equal opportunity disease," Lenz said. "It affects people from all walks of life."
Wisconsin, Lenz said, has the highest incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases in children in the world to date (seven out of 100,000).
Those affected by Crohn's take various medications, but since it affects different people in different ways, there's not one cure-all drug.
Diener said he only takes four pills a day, placing him on the lower end of the spectrum.
Diener said that from time to time, he has stomach pains, but he's avoided any major bouts with the illness. His biggest struggle, he admitted, is psychological.
"In the back of my mind, I know that something can happen at any time and I'll be back in the hospital," he said. "That's the biggest thing I have to deal with — the mental part."
Not giving up
At the same time, Diener is resolved to make it professionally, somewhere.
Since he already was exposed to the NBA Draft last year, Diener won't be selected next Wednesday when the NBA holds its 2006 draft. His plan is to latch on with a summer league team, then find his way into training camp and onto an NBA roster somewhere.
"I'm on the right trail and I'm doing pretty well," he said. "My agent says he's very confident I'll be on a summer league team somewhere. He's not sure where, exactly. He'll wait until after the draft and find somewhere where I can fit their needs."
He recently played at a camp in Orlando for players that aren't eligible for the draft but still have a shot at the NBA.
"He's generated a lot of interest," Dick Diener said. "We're pretty sure he'll be playing somewhere this summer."
In the meantime, Diener is focused on making the Cagers for Crohn's event as successful as it can be. The event, spearheaded by Brad Bestor, a standout Fondy player in the mid 1990s, will feature all of the Fondy greats, including Travis Diener — Drake's cousin and a member of the NBA's Orlando Magic.
The goal is to raise $10,000 through sponsorship, an online auction, a silent auction and other avenues.
Diener can't think of a better place to donate the money than Camp Oasis.
"These kids get a chance to see that they are not alone," he said.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Can anyone recommend a good multi vitamin? i take a b12 shot every month and i use to use Centrum, but centrum doesn't really do anything for me. what brands have you had success with? i have been sluggish latley
Can anyone recommend a good multi vitamin? i take a b12 shot every month and i use to use Centrum, but centrum doesn't really do anything for me. what brands have you had success with? i have been sluggish latley
Man...I know what you mean. I have those times as well.
Lately, I've just relied on my Remicade to give me an extra boost. I took a generic vitamin (got it at the grocery store) along with my B12 shot for a while.
For some reason, I stopped taking both...really haven't notice a difference (I'm not recommending you do that).
I've tried to exercise more too...not a whole lot...I just walk the dogs around the neighborhood a couple times a day...that seems to help.
It's hard to get out and exercise, especially if you have no energy, but if you can motivate yourself to take the first step and go outside, you might feel a little better.
It's tough...I know where you're coming from man.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
It's been a few years since I was on any medications, but when I was seeing my Gastro regularly, he would always tell me to take Praterna (sp?). It's a pregnancy vitamin if my memory is correct. Might be worth reading a bit on if you haven't tried it yet.
Ever get nervous to go places due to the bathroom situtation? or cancel plans because of that? For instance i live in florida and my friends like to go to this secluded beach that doesn't have any restrooms, but i never go cause i feel uncomfortable bein there is no restroom.
Sucks cause i am single now and going to start dating and it is makin me nervous cause what if we are to stroll on the beach or somethin. sucks
Sucks cause i am single now and going to start dating and it is makin me nervous cause what if we are to stroll on the beach or somethin. sucks
Does it suck? You are damn right it does! I used to not go out or cancel plans due to similar situations too but at that point you are letting it control you instead of the other way around. Take a chance man, sometimes it will work out and sometimes it will be disasterous but it's just the risk you have to take sometimes. Best of luck!
Which came first,
the bad idea or me befallen by it?
Ever get nervous to go places due to the bathroom situtation? or cancel plans because of that? For instance i live in florida and my friends like to go to this secluded beach that doesn't have any restrooms, but i never go cause i feel uncomfortable bein there is no restroom.
Sucks cause i am single now and going to start dating and it is makin me nervous cause what if we are to stroll on the beach or somethin. sucks
Yeah...sometimes at work I have to be out on shoots all day away from bathrooms.
I had to rethink how I did things...if I know I'm going to be away from bathrooms for extended periods of time, I take Immodium or I cut back on large meals. Usually that does the trick.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
I was watching Erin Brockovich on Sunday and noticed a Crohn's Disease reference.
Never noticed that before...it was a small mention, but nevertheless.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
"Inside Job"
It's said that religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have gone there and lived to tell. If that's the case, then Mike McCready is a humble spirit living in the material world.
He's endured a serious entanglement with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It is one of the most painful ailments the body can endure and it can strike without warning. He's stopped smoking in the past year and now is in full freak-out mode aerobically on stage. But it took work, inside and out.
"When I start complaining about my situation, I have to know that people are in far more painful situations than I am. They are stronger than I am in many situations, like a fifteen-year-old kid in a wheelchair."
The emotional track "Inside Job," from Pearl Jam, is the first song to which McCready has penned lyrics.
"'Inside Job' was searching for some type of spiritual solution. To be able to write that song and then have everyone in the band want to do it was fucking awesome," he relates.
But first he had to give it to Vedder. Despite their longtime friendship, McCready was nervous that Ed wouldn't approve. "I was nervous because I had written the lyrics out, knowing that he had a lot of shit on his plate," he laughs. "It was like I gave him a full dinner, another extra course."
McCready then did something he rarely does. He sang to Vedder. "It was pretty nerve wracking," he confesses. "But he was into it. It was cathartic to actually put some lyrics down and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed by it."
Today, he knows that whether he'll have a good or bad day is dependent on him and part of ensuring a good day is by helping someone. "It's important that these issues are talked about. These are very embarrassing issues for someone who is 15 years or 40, when you shit yourself. And it really fucking hurts right before it! And it gets worse than that," he says candidly.
"If my coming out and talking about it helps anybody, then it's all in a day, even more so than the band. It's more important."
"I think we have an example of a musician who exorcises some demons on a nightly basis," says Vedder. "In a way, it allows anyone who attends the performance to do the same. He's channeling things that are positive and he's channeling things that are negative. It's fairly deep what he's doing, considering his back story and what he has overcome."
Jeff Ament, who has shared a side of the stage with McCready since the beginning, marvels at McCready's complete transformation. "A lot of it was us not giving up on him. We knew what a special talent he was and what a great person he was. It's amazing how much further he has taken it, beyond getting sober, beyond dealing with Crohn's. He's totally gone beyond all that stuff," says Ament. "He's a big part of why it's a totally different band: It's because he is 100% there and has been for the last couple of records for the first time. There is a complete connection in the band now. All the time."
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Although many people are afraid of surgery, it is an option that allows you to regain control of your life and not plan everything around the availability of restrooms etc...
7/92 Shoreline (SF); 10/93 San Jose; 10/94 Shoreline Bridge School Benefit; 6/94 Sacramento; 6/94 SF Polo Fields; 11/95 San Jose; 10/96 Bridge; 11/97 Oakland (Stones); 7/98 Sac; 10/99 Bridge; 10/00 Sac; 10/01 Bridge School; 6/03 Shoreline; 10/03 Bridge x 2; 10/04 Bridge; 7/18/06 SF
&
HONOLULU!
"Inside Job"
It's said that religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have gone there and lived to tell. If that's the case, then Mike McCready is a humble spirit living in the material world.
He's endured a serious entanglement with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It is one of the most painful ailments the body can endure and it can strike without warning. He's stopped smoking in the past year and now is in full freak-out mode aerobically on stage. But it took work, inside and out.
"When I start complaining about my situation, I have to know that people are in far more painful situations than I am. They are stronger than I am in many situations, like a fifteen-year-old kid in a wheelchair."
The emotional track "Inside Job," from Pearl Jam, is the first song to which McCready has penned lyrics.
"'Inside Job' was searching for some type of spiritual solution. To be able to write that song and then have everyone in the band want to do it was fucking awesome," he relates.
But first he had to give it to Vedder. Despite their longtime friendship, McCready was nervous that Ed wouldn't approve. "I was nervous because I had written the lyrics out, knowing that he had a lot of shit on his plate," he laughs. "It was like I gave him a full dinner, another extra course."
McCready then did something he rarely does. He sang to Vedder. "It was pretty nerve wracking," he confesses. "But he was into it. It was cathartic to actually put some lyrics down and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed by it."
Today, he knows that whether he'll have a good or bad day is dependent on him and part of ensuring a good day is by helping someone. "It's important that these issues are talked about. These are very embarrassing issues for someone who is 15 years or 40, when you shit yourself. And it really fucking hurts right before it! And it gets worse than that," he says candidly.
"If my coming out and talking about it helps anybody, then it's all in a day, even more so than the band. It's more important."
"I think we have an example of a musician who exorcises some demons on a nightly basis," says Vedder. "In a way, it allows anyone who attends the performance to do the same. He's channeling things that are positive and he's channeling things that are negative. It's fairly deep what he's doing, considering his back story and what he has overcome."
Jeff Ament, who has shared a side of the stage with McCready since the beginning, marvels at McCready's complete transformation. "A lot of it was us not giving up on him. We knew what a special talent he was and what a great person he was. It's amazing how much further he has taken it, beyond getting sober, beyond dealing with Crohn's. He's totally gone beyond all that stuff," says Ament. "He's a big part of why it's a totally different band: It's because he is 100% there and has been for the last couple of records for the first time. There is a complete connection in the band now. All the time."
PBM
PBM, thanks for posting this! I love the first paragraph of that article, really says a lot
PBM, thanks for posting this! I love the first paragraph of that article, really says a lot
Yeah, I thought that was a great line as well.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Just wanted drop an update. i have been doing well. i had surgery back in March and my wife and i seperated around the same time. I was a mess there for a while but i have turned it around and am doing well now. I have been exercising regularly and eating as best as i can(i am still human ) Got off my ass and started going out and meeting women again. it's hard being 30 and single but i am in no rush. i just want to do my own thing for a while. I hope all is well with everyone. much love
Glad to hear things are getting better for you. I've had numerous down-times over the past few years and it seems that dealing with stomach problems tends to intensify things.
I'm doing well too. Other than not getting the best of sleep (seems like I'm up twice a night going to the bathroom), things are going great.
PissBottleBoy will be here in a few months...that has really inspired me to get off my butt!
Cheers,
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Hope you all are doing well, PBM and everyone else. I just found this thread and have read a lot of the posts. It is great to hear everyone's inspirational story of dealing with these problems head on, and the inspiration Mike has given everyone.
I've had some as-yet undiagnosed medical problems as of late, going on 8 months now. They've finally manifested in some kind of intestinal/abdominal problems, as far as I can tell. I'm going to a GI doctor and getting an ultrasound next week. I've been having many of the symptoms of this disease, so I'm pretty nervous about the next few weeks. I just want some answers, one way or another.
That said, I envy all the courage you all have and I hope to hear more about your progress in the future. Best wishes and good health to all!
24 years old, mid-life crisis
nowadays hits you when you're young
You might suggest a colonscopy. I had no idea about anything realted to Crohn's prior to my diagnosis. A co-worker suggested that I see a gastroenterologist...I'm glad I did...he was able to diagnose my problems after having an endoscopy and colonscopy.
Just something to think about. Keep us updated on your progress.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Thanks for posting that it was very cool. Mike is great.
Mike is god. :cool:
Seriously, he is an inspiration story and hero-worthy. After the substance issues he's overcome, the band turmoil and then Crohn's. Being able to raise awareness and have control over it in his personal life, while rocking out in the best band in the world. Just wow. The man has the strength of many. He is to be commended and appreciated.
24 years old, mid-life crisis
nowadays hits you when you're young
You might suggest a colonscopy. I had no idea about anything realted to Crohn's prior to my diagnosis. A co-worker suggested that I see a gastroenterologist...I'm glad I did...he was able to diagnose my problems after having an endoscopy and colonscopy.
Just something to think about. Keep us updated on your progress.
PBM
Thanks man. Hopefully the digestive doc will set up a game plan for me on what I need to do. I'll definitely keep you updated. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, but I've got guns blazin', ready to take on whatever I have. :cool: How's your status?
24 years old, mid-life crisis
nowadays hits you when you're young
I'm new here but just stumbled upon this thread which caught my eye. My son was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago. He ended up having blood transfusions from blood loss (didn't tell me what was going on - embarrased I'm sure) and has been doing okay since. He has had a few relapses but nothing as bad as it was to begin with.
I'm new here but just stumbled upon this thread which caught my eye. My son was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago. He ended up having blood transfusions from blood loss (didn't tell me what was going on - embarrased I'm sure) and has been doing okay since. He has had a few relapses but nothing as bad as it was to begin with.
I did something similar. I was 14 when i first got sick. Didn't say anything to anyone. Ended up having blood tranfusions when it finally caught up with me. I hope things are going well for you and your son. It is a hard disease to have when you are young(or old for that matter)
I'm not sure how many folks take Remicade, but PBW and I came across some handy information on Friday.
Each time I get a Remicade treatment at the hospital, I am charged $1600 for the medicine.
However, if my insurance company purchases the medicine directly, then it's only $60. I just have to let my insurance company know the date of my next treatment so they can make sure to have it at the hospital for me.
Considering that I've been getting Remicade for the past two years now (every 8 weeks), this is going to be quite a relief to us.
Again, it's something to look into if you take the treatments.
Cheers,
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
I'm not sure how many folks take Remicade, but PBW and I came across some handy information on Friday.
Each time I get a Remicade treatment at the hospital, I am charged $1600 for the medicine.
However, if my insurance company purchases the medicine directly, then it's only $60. I just have to let my insurance company know the date of my next treatment so they can make sure to have it at the hospital for me.
Considering that I've been getting Remicade for the past two years now (every 8 weeks), this is going to be quite a relief to us.
Again, it's something to look into if you take the treatments.
Cheers,
PBM
It's disgusting what ridiculousness the hospital charges for even the simplest of items like an aspirin ($25). I'm glad you found a way to go around them and work with the insurance company to get your medicine.
It's disgusting what ridiculousness the hospital charges for even the simplest of items like an aspirin ($25).
I don't understand why there is such a discrepancy in price. If the medicine can be obtained at a cheaper price, then why is it marked up so much.
The sad part is when I make a valid attempt to pay my bill monthly...they want a bigger payment.
There is a problem with the system.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Researchers scanned the entire genome of 6,000 people and identified a handful of genes that increase the risk of developing Crohn's disease, according to a report Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.
The study confirms the often debilitating inflammatory bowel ailment has a strong genetic component. Previous studies had identified two genes involved in the disease.
"I think at this point we have probably up to about eight or nine genes, depending on how you define it," said John Rioux of the Montreal Heart Institute and the University of Montreal, who led the team of Canadian and U.S. researchers.
The researchers said the findings showed genetics play a crucial role in the disease, although environmental factors also are involved. For example, smoking raises one's risk.
Pinpointing the genes that predispose people to Crohn's disease, the researchers said, could help lead to new ways to treat it.
The disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and arthritis. It is commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
"We have been working toward this for over 10 years to try to put all the pieces together," Rioux said in a telephone interview. "To finally get to this stage where we can look at the entire genome and actually discover a handful of genes, it's very, very gratifying."
Scientists previously had some indications of a genetic component to Crohn's disease. It tends to run in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups, especially people of central and eastern European Jewish descent.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Ken Griffey sidelined by colon problem.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. was expected back in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup Tuesday after recovering from diverticulitis.
The right fielder was out of the starting lineup for the last four games of a homestand last week. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning of a 9-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Griffey confirmed that he was diagnosed about six months ago with diverticulitis, or inflammation of the colon.
"It's just a condition that I have," Griffey said. "I've got to watch everything that I eat. There are certain foods that I have to stay away from. It's something that a lot of people have, and it's uncomfortable."
Griffey expects to be back in the lineup for the start of a series Tuesday in St. Louis. Griffey is batting .275 with seven RBIs and no homers. He missed most of the Reds' spring training games while recovering from a broken left hand, an injury sustained in December.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
I've been writing some emails to various folks within the CCFA to try and get some local chapters set up in smaller communities across the country.
I live in western Kentucky and sadly there is no local chapter in Kentucky...the Kentucky chapter is based out of Indiana.
Most of the events the CCFA hold are in larger cities and would require travel for many folks in rural places.
I would like to see CCFA events become similar to what Relay For Life has for the American Cancer Society.
It's something I'm trying to work on...hopefully, we can spread awareness and create support for those in smaller communities.
PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"
Comments
Drake Diener had every reason to feel sorry for himself.
What started as stomach pains toward the end of his senior season at DePaul didn't end until October, terrifying his family, confusing his doctors and putting his dream of playing professional basketball on hold along the way.
The former Goodrich High School star had Crohn's disease — a chronic disorder that inflames the intestines and has no cure, no known cause and while not fatal, can drastically alter the lives of those it affects.
And so, Diener, who spent last summer trying to figure out what was wrong instead of trying to make an NBA roster, found himself back where he started last May, a jagged scar on his stomach a constant reminder of his several surgeries.
Not that he's complaining.
"People were saying that the timing was bad for me because I was trying to make it professionally," he said. "But I can't imagine what it's like going through this if I was 10 or 12 years old."
When he found out about Camp Oasis, a weeklong camp in Waupaca for kids ages 10-17 with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, a related illness, he wanted to help.
There had already been plans in the works for a Fond du Lac alumni basketball tournament, and Drake Diener wanted to make it for charity and donate the proceeds to Camp Oasis.
Thus the Cagers for Crohn's event was born. The tournament, sponsored by News-Talk 1450 KFIZ and a slew of area businesses, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Elementary, the old Goodrich High gym.
More than 60 alumni will comprise eight teams divided by year for a day of basketball for a cause that was, for the most part, unrelated to the Fondy basketball family until it attacked one of its own.
A scary situation
Last May, Diener's life was a blur. He was in and out of workouts, talking to coaches and general managers. Second round of the NBA Draft? Europe? Summer leagues?
He was on the verge of realizing his dream — playing professional basketball.
Then, the stomachaches worsened. He visited St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago, was given medication and told to come back if it didn't get better. It didn't, and it was assumed, after a CAT scan, Die-ner needed an appendectomy. It wasn't until surgery that doctors noticed he had a tumor the size of a woman's fist.
His prospects of being drafted vanished, but he still could latch on with an NBA summer league team.
But the medical condition never improved. It kept getting worse.
The blur increased. He was in and out of hospitals, talking to specialists and doctors — each speculating on what was wrong with him: More tumors? Cancer? Worse?
"There was never really a low point," Diener said, "because it just kept getting worse and worse."
Basketball became an afterthought. His father, Dick Diener, retired from teaching, meaning he'd have to reapply for his job as basketball coach, a post he held for 22 years.
"That put things in perspective in a real hurry," Dick Die-ner said. "When you're marching into cancer centers, basketball is the farthest thing from your mind. If you have your health, you have everything."
Drake Diener lost more weight. He dropped 50 pounds, Dick Diener said, in a few months. He went from couch to doctor to hospital to couch. Still, no answers.
"The scariest part was when you don't know what is wrong with him," Dick Diener said. "We had about two months where we could not figure out what was going on with him. It was devastating. There's nothing worse for parents than to see their kids when they are really sick like that."
It wasn't until October — four months from his first visit to the doctor — that Diener received the diagnosis. Crohn's disease.
"It was actually a pretty good feeling," Diener said. "Now, nobody wants to have Crohn's. But in the back of my mind, there were a lot of worse things I could have had."
What is Crohn's?
Crohn's disease is a chronic ailment that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract. Along with a related disease, ulcerative colitis, it is one of the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease.
There is no known cure. Because the disease affects people in different ways, the cause is also indeterminate but studies have shown that genetics may have something to do with it.
Diener said he's the only one in the family to have it, adding to the mystery of what can cause the disease.
Because of the nature of inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's doesn't receive much public discussion.
"Our mothers taught us to not talk about bathroom-related matters," said Jan Lenz, the executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. "People try to keep quiet about what it really entails."
There are some celebrities that have it. Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and pop recording artist Anastacia all have it.
"It's an equal opportunity disease," Lenz said. "It affects people from all walks of life."
Wisconsin, Lenz said, has the highest incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases in children in the world to date (seven out of 100,000).
Those affected by Crohn's take various medications, but since it affects different people in different ways, there's not one cure-all drug.
Diener said he only takes four pills a day, placing him on the lower end of the spectrum.
Diener said that from time to time, he has stomach pains, but he's avoided any major bouts with the illness. His biggest struggle, he admitted, is psychological.
"In the back of my mind, I know that something can happen at any time and I'll be back in the hospital," he said. "That's the biggest thing I have to deal with — the mental part."
Not giving up
At the same time, Diener is resolved to make it professionally, somewhere.
Since he already was exposed to the NBA Draft last year, Diener won't be selected next Wednesday when the NBA holds its 2006 draft. His plan is to latch on with a summer league team, then find his way into training camp and onto an NBA roster somewhere.
"I'm on the right trail and I'm doing pretty well," he said. "My agent says he's very confident I'll be on a summer league team somewhere. He's not sure where, exactly. He'll wait until after the draft and find somewhere where I can fit their needs."
He recently played at a camp in Orlando for players that aren't eligible for the draft but still have a shot at the NBA.
"He's generated a lot of interest," Dick Diener said. "We're pretty sure he'll be playing somewhere this summer."
In the meantime, Diener is focused on making the Cagers for Crohn's event as successful as it can be. The event, spearheaded by Brad Bestor, a standout Fondy player in the mid 1990s, will feature all of the Fondy greats, including Travis Diener — Drake's cousin and a member of the NBA's Orlando Magic.
The goal is to raise $10,000 through sponsorship, an online auction, a silent auction and other avenues.
Diener can't think of a better place to donate the money than Camp Oasis.
"These kids get a chance to see that they are not alone," he said.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/Lizardkings1/CCFAarticle.jpg
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
Nice!!!!
And you all did a TERRIFIC job, too!
It was very good seeing you and Mandy again in Cincy.
She's glooowwing!!!
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
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Man...I know what you mean. I have those times as well.
Lately, I've just relied on my Remicade to give me an extra boost. I took a generic vitamin (got it at the grocery store) along with my B12 shot for a while.
For some reason, I stopped taking both...really haven't notice a difference (I'm not recommending you do that).
I've tried to exercise more too...not a whole lot...I just walk the dogs around the neighborhood a couple times a day...that seems to help.
It's hard to get out and exercise, especially if you have no energy, but if you can motivate yourself to take the first step and go outside, you might feel a little better.
It's tough...I know where you're coming from man.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
Good luck.
www.ccfc.ca
www.ccfa.org
Sucks cause i am single now and going to start dating and it is makin me nervous cause what if we are to stroll on the beach or somethin. sucks
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Does it suck? You are damn right it does! I used to not go out or cancel plans due to similar situations too but at that point you are letting it control you instead of the other way around. Take a chance man, sometimes it will work out and sometimes it will be disasterous but it's just the risk you have to take sometimes. Best of luck!
the bad idea or me befallen by it?
Yeah...sometimes at work I have to be out on shoots all day away from bathrooms.
I had to rethink how I did things...if I know I'm going to be away from bathrooms for extended periods of time, I take Immodium or I cut back on large meals. Usually that does the trick.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
Never noticed that before...it was a small mention, but nevertheless.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
"Inside Job"
It's said that religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have gone there and lived to tell. If that's the case, then Mike McCready is a humble spirit living in the material world.
He's endured a serious entanglement with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It is one of the most painful ailments the body can endure and it can strike without warning. He's stopped smoking in the past year and now is in full freak-out mode aerobically on stage. But it took work, inside and out.
"When I start complaining about my situation, I have to know that people are in far more painful situations than I am. They are stronger than I am in many situations, like a fifteen-year-old kid in a wheelchair."
The emotional track "Inside Job," from Pearl Jam, is the first song to which McCready has penned lyrics.
"'Inside Job' was searching for some type of spiritual solution. To be able to write that song and then have everyone in the band want to do it was fucking awesome," he relates.
But first he had to give it to Vedder. Despite their longtime friendship, McCready was nervous that Ed wouldn't approve. "I was nervous because I had written the lyrics out, knowing that he had a lot of shit on his plate," he laughs. "It was like I gave him a full dinner, another extra course."
McCready then did something he rarely does. He sang to Vedder. "It was pretty nerve wracking," he confesses. "But he was into it. It was cathartic to actually put some lyrics down and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed by it."
Today, he knows that whether he'll have a good or bad day is dependent on him and part of ensuring a good day is by helping someone. "It's important that these issues are talked about. These are very embarrassing issues for someone who is 15 years or 40, when you shit yourself. And it really fucking hurts right before it! And it gets worse than that," he says candidly.
"If my coming out and talking about it helps anybody, then it's all in a day, even more so than the band. It's more important."
"I think we have an example of a musician who exorcises some demons on a nightly basis," says Vedder. "In a way, it allows anyone who attends the performance to do the same. He's channeling things that are positive and he's channeling things that are negative. It's fairly deep what he's doing, considering his back story and what he has overcome."
Jeff Ament, who has shared a side of the stage with McCready since the beginning, marvels at McCready's complete transformation. "A lot of it was us not giving up on him. We knew what a special talent he was and what a great person he was. It's amazing how much further he has taken it, beyond getting sober, beyond dealing with Crohn's. He's totally gone beyond all that stuff," says Ament. "He's a big part of why it's a totally different band: It's because he is 100% there and has been for the last couple of records for the first time. There is a complete connection in the band now. All the time."
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
http://www.colonsurgeryinfo.com
Although many people are afraid of surgery, it is an option that allows you to regain control of your life and not plan everything around the availability of restrooms etc...
&
HONOLULU!
PBM, thanks for posting this! I love the first paragraph of that article, really says a lot
Ryan
www.ccfc.ca
www.ccfa.org
Yeah, I thought that was a great line as well.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
ccfa.org
http://organicconsumers.com/
Glad to hear things are getting better for you. I've had numerous down-times over the past few years and it seems that dealing with stomach problems tends to intensify things.
I'm doing well too. Other than not getting the best of sleep (seems like I'm up twice a night going to the bathroom), things are going great.
PissBottleBoy will be here in a few months...that has really inspired me to get off my butt!
Cheers,
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
I've had some as-yet undiagnosed medical problems as of late, going on 8 months now. They've finally manifested in some kind of intestinal/abdominal problems, as far as I can tell. I'm going to a GI doctor and getting an ultrasound next week. I've been having many of the symptoms of this disease, so I'm pretty nervous about the next few weeks. I just want some answers, one way or another.
That said, I envy all the courage you all have and I hope to hear more about your progress in the future. Best wishes and good health to all!
nowadays hits you when you're young
You might suggest a colonscopy. I had no idea about anything realted to Crohn's prior to my diagnosis. A co-worker suggested that I see a gastroenterologist...I'm glad I did...he was able to diagnose my problems after having an endoscopy and colonscopy.
Just something to think about. Keep us updated on your progress.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
no more shows
Mike is god. :cool:
Seriously, he is an inspiration story and hero-worthy. After the substance issues he's overcome, the band turmoil and then Crohn's. Being able to raise awareness and have control over it in his personal life, while rocking out in the best band in the world. Just wow. The man has the strength of many. He is to be commended and appreciated.
nowadays hits you when you're young
Thanks man. Hopefully the digestive doc will set up a game plan for me on what I need to do. I'll definitely keep you updated. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, but I've got guns blazin', ready to take on whatever I have. :cool: How's your status?
nowadays hits you when you're young
I'm new here but just stumbled upon this thread which caught my eye. My son was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago. He ended up having blood transfusions from blood loss (didn't tell me what was going on - embarrased I'm sure) and has been doing okay since. He has had a few relapses but nothing as bad as it was to begin with.
take care
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Each time I get a Remicade treatment at the hospital, I am charged $1600 for the medicine.
However, if my insurance company purchases the medicine directly, then it's only $60. I just have to let my insurance company know the date of my next treatment so they can make sure to have it at the hospital for me.
Considering that I've been getting Remicade for the past two years now (every 8 weeks), this is going to be quite a relief to us.
Again, it's something to look into if you take the treatments.
Cheers,
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
It's disgusting what ridiculousness the hospital charges for even the simplest of items like an aspirin ($25). I'm glad you found a way to go around them and work with the insurance company to get your medicine.
This is my kind of love...
♥♥♥
I don't understand why there is such a discrepancy in price. If the medicine can be obtained at a cheaper price, then why is it marked up so much.
The sad part is when I make a valid attempt to pay my bill monthly...they want a bigger payment.
There is a problem with the system.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Researchers scanned the entire genome of 6,000 people and identified a handful of genes that increase the risk of developing Crohn's disease, according to a report Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.
The study confirms the often debilitating inflammatory bowel ailment has a strong genetic component. Previous studies had identified two genes involved in the disease.
"I think at this point we have probably up to about eight or nine genes, depending on how you define it," said John Rioux of the Montreal Heart Institute and the University of Montreal, who led the team of Canadian and U.S. researchers.
The researchers said the findings showed genetics play a crucial role in the disease, although environmental factors also are involved. For example, smoking raises one's risk.
Pinpointing the genes that predispose people to Crohn's disease, the researchers said, could help lead to new ways to treat it.
The disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and arthritis. It is commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
"We have been working toward this for over 10 years to try to put all the pieces together," Rioux said in a telephone interview. "To finally get to this stage where we can look at the entire genome and actually discover a handful of genes, it's very, very gratifying."
Scientists previously had some indications of a genetic component to Crohn's disease. It tends to run in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups, especially people of central and eastern European Jewish descent.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. was expected back in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup Tuesday after recovering from diverticulitis.
The right fielder was out of the starting lineup for the last four games of a homestand last week. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning of a 9-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Griffey confirmed that he was diagnosed about six months ago with diverticulitis, or inflammation of the colon.
"It's just a condition that I have," Griffey said. "I've got to watch everything that I eat. There are certain foods that I have to stay away from. It's something that a lot of people have, and it's uncomfortable."
Griffey expects to be back in the lineup for the start of a series Tuesday in St. Louis. Griffey is batting .275 with seven RBIs and no homers. He missed most of the Reds' spring training games while recovering from a broken left hand, an injury sustained in December.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
I live in western Kentucky and sadly there is no local chapter in Kentucky...the Kentucky chapter is based out of Indiana.
Most of the events the CCFA hold are in larger cities and would require travel for many folks in rural places.
I would like to see CCFA events become similar to what Relay For Life has for the American Cancer Society.
It's something I'm trying to work on...hopefully, we can spread awareness and create support for those in smaller communities.
PBM
Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
Oh I miss Griffey
Those were the days
-Gandhi