Clemson Game and Honors Completed

Thank you, Mag, always good to hear from my friend.

In that particular video, there was no script nor any questions I saw ahead of time. I was simply seated in front of the camera, the interviewer on purpose, off screen, and was asked multiple questions. So everything I said was off the cuff, literally. They cut off the questions part, so you are only seeing my answers. I don't particularly like being photographed, but I had no problems ignoring the tv cameras that were running, just pretended they weren't there, and I was simply having a one to one conversation with someone.

Now had I had the opportunity to speak to upwards of 80,000 people Saturday live, that would have been a different matter, and I may have choked, lol.

Hope you are doing well yourself,

David

Thanks for sharing. Just watched the video and you are a natural!

thank you, diane and rob.

it was really quite the experience, having never been to a college football game in my life. it was like electricity in the air. every time Clemson scored, huge fireworks went off in the sky, we were right down on that end of the field. I can honestly say, that if I really wanted to watch a game, any game, still get better views at home on television. if the stadium didn't have huge tv screens, it would have been hard to tell what was going on at times.

even though you can't officially drink in that stadium, I was amazed that most everyone around us found nifty ways to drink anyhow. some were pretty creative. at least it was a non hostile crowd.

david

thank you runner lady,

sitting here looking at my special signed game ball in its new display case, will remember this event for a long time, its a little piece of good news in what has been a long and problematic past 5 years in my pc journey. I will go through any efforts, despite my ailments, to help encourage all men to get prostate screening and at least a baseline PSA test, whether it be to a crowd of people, or talking to men, one opportunity at the time.

david

To anyone else reading what should have been an uplifting and positive thread:

I am sorry that a handful of people, not one of them members of HW PC, choose to follow me here and post what they have been posting.  It's one thing if someone is asking for direct advice, you get what you get in that case.  But with this Clemson event, I was not asking anyone's advice about anything.  Just reporting the event and trying to share the excitement that came along with it.  I took every possible step to make sure I wasn't being put in harms way in advance, even as late as Friday evening before the game Saturday.  But the things that happened were out of my control, and once I was there, it was what it was.  At that point, I made the best out of a bad situation and tried to make it work for both sides.

I am thankful to the rest of you, whom are sharing in my recent honors and experience, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Though it was about me that day (not my choice, I was chosen), I knew and felt I was representing every single man here at HW PC, just like some of you do when you have had unique opportunities to represent us or speak on behalf of the PC community.

My game ball, though sitting in my living room, belongs to each of you here too. We are in this thing together, as often said, we fight the same war - the same enemy, just different battles on different days.

As far as some of the other posters remarks, its beyond my control, but I refuse to let it dampen my flame.

David

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 9/9/2013 9:39:10 AM (GMT-6)

I just wrote a long e-mail to the marketing director.

On one hand, I thanked them for the honors bestowed on me, and for the opportunity to represent them once again. I am a big believer in their hospital system and my experience with them over the years.

I have had at least 11 operations there, plus spent a total of over 3 years in their oncology rehab program, one of the best in the nation. And I am now back in that program once again.

But I also laid out to her, all the negative things that happened, things that shouldn't have happened since they knew in detail and fully about some of my special needs. I did this, not to criticize them, but to help prevent this from happening to another patient in the future, when there is an outdoor event in the midst of summer heat and sun.

First I was told I would be in an a/c box seat, then it was changed to an open seating area, but one that was shaded, then was told that I would be in the special handicap section of the stadium. Had I known, that I would be that high up in the stadium and sitting in the open sun for hours, I would have never agreed to have done this. Plus, I was not told how much walking in the heat, sun, and hills I would have to do once I got off the handicap bus at the entrance to the stadium. The parking part worked perfect as well as the shuttle service going into the game. No complaints there.

Was also told there was a special brunch ahead of time, but that never happened either. The Clemson rep said he had no idea where that came from. But I have the e-mails and phone messages to prove that is what I was told.

It was still a great experience. I still feel honored and special for a brief moment in my life. Mistakes happen, things don't always go as planned.

I was upset because I was worried about all the things that happened wrong, because I was concerned in advance, and know my condition well. In that one event, I did everything my doctor just got through telling me not to do.

But I simply could not have known in advance. A lot of publicity and money was on the line, and I had an obligation on my end. A "no show" on my part, or if I caused a big scene once I got there, would not have been the right thing to do. We left the stadium as soon as my obliged part was over, not a moment more.

I spent 42 years of my life in the business world, working my way up to important positions such as Chief Financial Officer and senior level IT positions, my word has always been my bond. Anyone that knows me, knows that my word or a hand shake from me is as good as gold. That's just how I am, and who I am as a person. I always keep my word. And even though I can no longer medically work, I still always keep my word to people with everything. That is who David Riley is in real life.

The marketing people apologized profusely, and feel bad about what happened, and assured me, that if I am utilized in any future outdoor events for them, that they will make sure I am never in that situation again. That is all I can ask.

David

Speaking for myself, I would welcome anyone on the CP Forum to post here. You guys add a lot to our PC forum.

Mel

Thanks Jim,

No, we didn't see any of the half time show. We left as soon as the clock ticked down to zero at the half. Clemson was ahead at that point 38-7, so the outcome was obvious. I was amazed how many others exited at the half, I would say 25-30% of the stadium, the heat was getting to everyone around us, wasn't just me, especially those with young children.

They awarded a former player who had gotten the purple heart or some other medal, and the crowd went nuts too. Our U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham was there too in person, getting some recognition, he was the one that has tried to get my VA Agent Orange Claim approved (still hasn't happened), but he tried.

Yeah, would have loved to have my military record mentioned too from Viet-nam, but that's not why they had me there.

As far as me preparing for the worse, medical wise and health wise, I went beyond reasonable due diligence, its too bad it got lost in the translation. The marketing folks got what they wanted out of me for sure, guess that was their main point.

We may plan to go to another game this season on our own, but it won't be till November, and we are wanting a night game, so there wouldn't be any chance of heat being an issue. Plus, never that high in the stadium. I can only imagine what its like in the "nose bleed" section, which towered way over where we were seated. Pity those people at the top.

Still amazed that there are no railings anywhere in the stadiums, especially with such steep narrow steps, surprised more people don't fall down.

It was still worth it all to me, and to those whom I was representing. In that old clip they chose to use, would have loved to have mentioned HW by name, but didn't want to give Peter any potential liability issues, so had to keep that remark generic on purpose.

Hope you are doing well yourself. Be interesting to see what speaking engagements the hospital will come up for me next. I am ready on my end.

David

Thanks, and hugs, Barb, appreciate your kind words.

Of course if I had known the real details in advance, things would or could have been different. Even the Clemson rep told me so. He felt terrible once he learned my true condition. We discussed it in length during the time pre-game when we were allowed on the side lines. With the tight security, it was a privilege to be out there and see every thing up close and personal.

I am old enough to have come from an age, where a man's word was his bond. This was how I was taught from my own father, and his father before. No offense to the younger generation, but I am not convinced that many would know what I am talking about. I have taught my own two sons this same attribute in their lives, and proud to say, they follow their father.

I was disappointed that my oldest son couldn't go, due to obligations with his in-laws that were in place before the Clemson game deal came up. However, he came down Friday with a real bad flu bug, and had high fever all of Friday and Saturday. So he wouldn't have been able to make it anyhow.

Things just have a way of working out.

Hope you are having a better day, I am still very concerned for my special "pain buddy".

David

Hi David ,what a great job you did! wish I could come around and see you, will be in Canada next July, but on a trip, so won't be able to divert, as usual, my wife and I wish you and your family, all the best, for now and the future.

Regards Mal.

Mal, my good friend. Thanks, and boy, if you ever, ever can make it down to the States, let me know in advance, would truly love to meet you.

Aimzee, I don't like the phrase, but find it easier to use with people sometimes, they get the word "disabled", I don't like the word handicap, however. With all I have going on, I am truly disabled, but not down and out. Big difference to me. It would be hard to discuss another person's pain and their pain meds, but doesn't mean you couldn't still get some good advice there, but I see your point.

Give my best to Ron, as usual. That video clip is accurate in the sense, that if you were really sitting around talking with me, that is my normal tone and posture, kind of laid back and calm. I never really get real excited about anything, just take things in stride.

David

David:

Thanks for your kind words to me. I'm concerned about my special "pain buddy" too. Sounds like you're not recovering to well at the moment. Try to take it easy tomorrow and not over extend yourself to much. Hopefully, the massage will feel good for you and maybe help ease your pain somewhat.

As for me, I've not been well today. I just took my oxygen and heart rate stats and they aren't to good. My HR was 125 and the O2 was 88%. These aren't good numbers for me at all, I was thinking maybe pneumonia is sitting in hard, but now I'm leaning more towards my hemoglobin may be way low and I might need blood.

Heck, I don't know, I think my leukemia is just getting worse. Hubby said that my eyes are really swollen and very dark all the way around, (on top and underneath) As you know my leukemia can't be cured and there really isn't much that can be done for me. They give me blood and try to boost my white and red blood cell counts but mainly that's it.

I've been running a fever and when I get up moving I break out into a huge sweat, looking like I just washed my hair or something. Shortness of breath, some wheezing and shaky feeling. All that can be put on either problem. I put a call into my Doctor, but I get my care at a Active Duty Military facility and the Doctors are allowed 24 to 72 hours to return a phone call. I know I can go to the ER if need be, but my white count is really low again and I just hate going into the ER to many germs, if you know what I mean.

I'll send an email to my pulmonary doctor about whats going on. I do see the METC clinic Dr on Thursday to clear me for my surgery. I know they will draw labs and do an chest x-ray. I know if my hemoglobin is down in the 8's I could go up to the chemo treatment room and have them page my oncologist he'd order blood right away for me. Guess I'll see what tomorrow brings, I'm gonna go on to bed now and see if I can feel somewhat better.

I hope that the rehab goes well tomorrow for you and that you don't have a lot of pain with your massage. I hope that you can tolerate the massage it makes a world of difference in my pain at least for a few hours. If you're not feeling well enough to go to the meeting, then please don't you had a rough go of it on Saturday. You need to let your body heal itself, before pushing yourself to hard.

Have a good night and I'll look for your post tomorrow on how you did.

Hugs,
Barbara