I'd like to share a bit about Dennis with you folks.
In early November, I came to Austin for a football game. Dennis offered me tickets, (I already has my own,) so he offered for me to come up and sit with him and go into the club on his passes. He also asked if I'd like to come up to his suite to sit with his wife and mom. I declined the offer on the suite, but TexPimp and I went up and sat with him the first half. What a treat! He knew there were some health things going on, but he did not dwell on that, only mentioned that things were about to get a bit dicey, and he had all the faith in the world that the news would be good and he would be around for a long time. We had a fantastic visit. He was very interested in me, my wife and kids, how college was going for my daughter, how my son was doing in football and baseball and what his plans were for college.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving. He was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. The prognosis was not good. If he made it to Christmas, then that would be considered a huge success. Dennis and I continued to stay in communication. He would update me on his doctor visits, his treatments, and mainly he would talk about how things were going in my world. Always the selfless, caring person. He never once in our communications had a "woe is me" attitude. He talked of doing things around the house for his wife, and getting to see his daughter come home to visit after finishing up at Tulane.
Here is Dennis' story from his CaringBridge site.
Dennis’s StoryDear Family & Friends –
As many of you know, Thanksgiving last year I was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is common and very treatable. Typical treatment could include surgery, iodine treatment and then you're done. An expectation of a normal life is very high. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is different than other thyroid cancers. It is aggressive, fast growing, very rare and one that research has not yet found a cure for. Yikes. This news shattered my world and challenged me to walk the talk of my belief through God and prayer. It was a challenge for me, the likes I have never known. What this journey is teaching me, or as I believe, the Holy Spirit told me, was that I would need more than just me alone on my knees in the Word. I needed a prayer army for this battle - and through you friends and family, the Lord is providing us that prayer army. The army began to rally behind me and as each of you told me you were praying for me my confidence began to reach new heights. Prayer will do that. I began to look for that miracle, not out of desperation, but rather as a Holy Expectation.The Lord can heal, and one better act and be ready for it.
I have completed three weeks of radiation treatment (twice a day) with chemo once a week and that ended the first week of January 2015. Shortly after, I had my regular follow up with my oncologist. Just when I thought we were finished with the appointment, the doctor said he wanted to tell me about something he had found in my gene profile, a mutation. While I was going through the tortuous routine of radiation, he had sent samples of my cancer to labs affiliated with MD Anderson. A lab reported that I had a rare mutation. What does this mean? Some cancers that have mutations, need the mutations to survive. If you kill the mutation often you kill the growth of the cancer. But I wasn't home free, not by a long shot.
No, I still needed a research physician to have found a drug that has shown some success in dealing with this extremely rare mutation, inside this rare cancer. As we sat there in consultation with my oncologist and his attending physician, I asked the question "is there anyone working on this?" That's when the attending physician spoke up and said matter of factly "my husband." This doctor explained how her husband is leading clinical trials on this mutation and has been working on this since 2012. I not only got chills, but wanted to drop to my knees. Surreal. I started the clinical trial February 6, and we are hopeful this experimental drug will significantly slow the progress of the disease. I have a long way to go and some of the side affects will be difficult, indicating my continued need for the prayer army's help.
So GOD is there - a rare cancer, extremely rare mutation, and somehow, just somehow there is someone already working on finding the right drug.
Yes,I believe in miracles. I believe in the power of the Lord to connect people’s lives.
We've set up this Caring Bridge site to keep you informed, and to allow those of you who have expressed a desire to help us to have a convenient means of organizing that.
Dennis Lawrence
February 11, 2015
I share this with you because today has been bittersweet. Dennis, being Dennis, took this journey as a way to hopefully help others in the future that were afflicted with this disease. When he made it to New Year's Day, it was a victory. He continued on his path, staying positive. The bitter part is that we lost one of the truly "good guys" last night. Too young to go through the pearly gates.
Here's a bit of the things he would share with me, most of them are pretty humorous.
1/30: RE: Jet Pack Guy
Dennis:
Good riddance
Looks like it's going to be Super Bowl from my hospital bed. Belmont sent me a freaking huge basket from Harry and David.
Me:
Sorry you're in the hospital for Super Bowl, but you'll be well taken care of. Ask for Jello Shots!
2/9: RE: Hospital Release
Dennis
Got a B-Pap machine to help me sleep. I qualified for the Clinical Trial. Jeff this will give me a fighting chance.
I've lost just short of 50 lbs, mostly muscle. But I'm still here and fighting. So thanks for the prayers. They are being answered.
Me:
I could not be more happy to hear this news. Hang in there, get ya some good Tex-Mex and have an extra sopapilla for good measure!
Dennis:
Oh gosh, wish I could eat Tex-Mex, but my throat isn't near there yet. I haven't had any Q yet, but I'm helping host a BBQ Cook-Off between 7 different couples. Wish I could participate because I'd kick each and everyone of their asses. Especially because all the other guys are aggys. I may make a killer cobbler because.....well, just because. Actually I should have you smoke up something and send it down here and take credit for it. It would just leave them in awe. Oh, and where do you get good sopapillas in Houston? I actually loved Pancho sopapillas because you could just eat them til you exploded!
4/1
Dennis
Happy Joe Biden Day!
4/7: Dennis sends me a text message meant for his wife to pick up meds from the pharmacy
Me:
Are you saying I need drugs?
Dennis:
Oops. Meant for my wife.
Me:
I mean, I'm open to getting a new fix if it means I can view the world in pretty colors and foresee the future.
Glad to receive THAT text meant for your wife...and not some pic of your junk. We may have a problem if that happens. Haha.
Dennis:
Full day of appts at MDA. I'm so tired I didn't pay attention. Sorry.
Me:
No worries. I'm actually laughing pretty hard right now.
Dennis:
Glad I didn't ask you to pick up my penis pump. I'm sure it's just waaaaaaaaay too big for you.
Me:
Well, obviously you haven't seen me in my speedo.
Dennis:
No, and thanks for planting that image in my head. Now I'm going to have to slam the door on my nose to clear it. Wonder what the fine nurses are going to think about me now.
5/1:
Dennis:
Having blood drawn here at MD Anderson. They actually called for a patient named Ima Hoe.
5/7:
Dennis:
So things have changed...again...somewhat. Moving surgery to Wednesday. Main problem is I have to lay completely still on the table for two hours. Due to my condition I cannot have anesthesiology other than local.
Me:
You're an actor. Who do you need to study to be a cold fish for 2 hours?
Dennis:
Hannibal Lechter comes to mind. Wait, do I want to go there?
Me:
I was thinking Dracula, ya know, sleep all day, awake at night. Buddy you have a whole passel of folks sending prayers to the Big Guy, (and I don't mean TexPimp,) on your behalf.
Dennis:
No. I've gone through a lot to be able to sleep at night! But this is fun. Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves left me cold and unmoved. Obviously Spock in Star Trek comes to mind but I can't go that Geek!
5/15
Dennis:
At the Astros game with my friend Carl. Amazing seats. Fourth row. Behind Home Plate. Right behind the Bushes, if there were here. If you get the game up there, YOU WILL SEE ME!
5/28
Me:
Who's buying the bourbon?
Dennis:
Sorry. Don't drink bourbon. Waaaay too sweet for me. I'm a Scotch Guy. That said, I had to sign an agreement that I wouldn't drink.....at all..while on the Drug. Yup. I've got a full bar, about a thousand dollars worth of Incredible Beers and I can't drink them. Sooooooo, if you're in Houston, come on over and have a Beer or five on me. Won't cost ya nuthin'.
I'm sittin' here watching the Buffett concert we're missing . He's here in Houston tonight. Had I been able to go it would have been my 57th Buffett concert. At least. Confirmed because I do have that many ticket stubs. Yes. I'm a Parrothead. Just go to Margaritaville.com TV. Almost as good as being there!
Dang I can't wait til football season and seeing all you reprobates!
This is just a small sampling of our back and forth, and as you can see, he didn't ever lose his sense of humor. Gonna miss that guy.
