6/13/2016
Day 10
Robert DiBlasi-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Words from Tammy Diblasi:
My husband Rob is a wonderful man. He had just decided to take a break from his career in order to go back to school. Things were going well - our two boys were in school and keeping us busy. We were expecting our third child, a girl, in the early Spring of 2001. Once day my husband noticed that his neck was quite swollen. He showed it to me, but I wasn’t very concerned. I thought he might have a virus or something. He was more concerned, and he went straight to the doctor and through a series of same-day appointments, we were told that he had cancer. I was 7 months pregnant and we were in shock. Rob had his first chemotherapy on a Thursday and our daughter was born that Sunday. It was chaotic and joyful and scary all at the same time.
To make a long story short, Rob was being treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma with the standard chemotherapy and after a few cycles, the doctors determined that the chemotherapy was not working. He was referred to Johns Hopkins for a bone marrow transplant. During his 4 months stay in Baltimore, I watched my husband as he coped with the treatments that would harvest his bone marrow and begin the chemotherapy that would obliterate his immune system. He never complained although I know he was in pain and I know he hated each and every time that he had to have a needle.
After his bone marrow transplant, Rob seemed to be recovering well. Then, with no notice, his liver failed. Without a miracle, he didn’t stand a chance. Fortunately, we were at one of the best hospitals in the world and they tried an experimental therapy that got his liver going again. Even though Rob was in a great deal of pain, he never complained. Luck and God were on our side and 4.5 months after going to Johns Hopkins, Rob came home to complete his radiation treatment.
Rob’s cancer diagnosis was 14 years ago. When we got married 25 years ago, we knew we’d have some ups and downs. We never though that the “sickness and health” part of our vows would come up. It was a very difficult time for our family, but Rob was quietly strong and committed to beating cancer and so it was easier for me and the kids, in a way. This experience taught us to live in the moment because you never know how many more “moments” you will have. Rob is very quiet on the subject of his cancer, and I know he is very happy to still be here to enjoy our family and our life. His strength has strengthened me as well and I’m so lucky to have him by my side.