BRING IT ON...2008

well i was thinking about a new way to say happy new year and with a little help from word perfect i came up with some new ways of saying it..... so have a joyful, content, blissful, exultant, ecstatic, cheery or delightful new year either way it is from the bottom ...no from the top...ahh.... make that from my entire heart....i wish you all nothing but a peaceful and loving 2008 (oh and by the way it is going to be real easy to convert the 7 into an 8 when we write the wrong year for the first few days).... oh how the little things in life get me through..

like i said in the begining ......BRING IT ON........

...P.S .... craig (naot) & joel (fad)..we shall walk with you in your fight.......and fight with you in your "walk in the park"

peace
tom

2007.....WHAT A YEAR

first off i just want to wish everyone on the planet a joyous and spectacular Christmas and new year and belated Hanukkah......forget all the hype and and pressure and really enjoy what is going on around you .....i still forget to do that sometimes and i really do want to enjoy this time of year ...hey i know its cold and wet in NY and not easy to be comforted in these crazy times....however we must understand that life is truly a remarkable gift.. and not just a gift under a tree or after lighting a candle...as this year winds down another chapter in my life is coming to a close....i cannot wait until the next one begins.....in the words of michael douglas in romancing the stone ..." whooooo what a ride"..........cannot wait to see what is in-store next year.....because if this is all that is gonna be thrown at me ................man what a piece of cake.......

my dear friends and family who seem to still check in once in a while........rock on..live on....make a difference......a special shout out to all the loose lucy gals this holiday season......you really do make a difference in peoples lives.....tom

"MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU"

I was going to say things that we already know ..that this is a time to take hold of what we have ..who we are.... and be thankful for all the good in our lives.....it really seems that this journey of life has amazing highs and crazy lows for so many people i have been fortunate enough to cross paths with.....i do know this and i speak from my heart....there is a connection that has happened that allows me to continue understand the true meaning of what love and friendship means...we sometimes take for granted even the breath that we are allowed to breath...we sometimes take for granted the food that we are being fed...we sometimes take for granted the love that is given our way....but i do know this ...i have tasted your love and friendship to the max and each and every time you have risen to join me in my battle to remain on this planet..you have lifted my spirits by your continued love ,cards, phone calls and e-mails..i did not know if i would ever feel like myself again...but there is a new bounce in my step these days....there is a new light at the end of my tunnel and all of you have been holding the flame........thank-you from the bottom of my heart and neo- bladder.....

tom......146 lbs and gaining.....turkey here i come........

ANATOMY OF AN ILLNESS

sounded like a good title to me...well i did get home on saturday and i tell you 5.5 days in a hospital is just about the perfect time...i mean any more and well let's just say we would have to go there this time.....surgery went well ..my intestine was twisting around inside me due to some scar tissue that formed on the outside of the intestinal wall and attached itself to some other part of my body ....freaky stuff.....the area behind the twist was severly swollen 6" had to be cut out and that will take some time to calm down so i should feel "normal" in about three months.......in the meantime....... i am real sore..how sore you ask..well like i just finished telling one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world...it only hurts when i sneeze,cough,smile,walk,sit,run,ride a horse, a minibike, or regular size bike, swing a bat,catch a football, play my guitar (no that hurts other peoples ears),yodel,canoodle,skinny dip,mountain climb, change tire, and lastly high five just about anybody with a little gusto......

what gets me when all this started...my intestine was perfecly fine....and then i kinda asked it if it would not mind if we ripped some of it out to build me a pouch ....i mean come on can you imagine how humilated it felt ...this was one way to get back at me i guess.....will hopefully i learned my lesson and will leave it alone for a while...untill next time
Tom

GREETINGS FROM SLOANE..PART 3

this will be short and sweet....surgert went very well....intesines were VERY dialated (stretched open) causing my food to hang around to long in the tube...this was caused by scar tissue that twisted my intestine from th eoriginal surgery ( happens quite often).....all looks good from here..a little weak and getting stronger daily....thanks for the visits call and e-mails...means so much to me.....i am just so glad i have all of you in my world......
tom...should be home soon

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

my favorite flower..birds of paradise

hELLO ALL,

well it looks like the rumour is true ..i need some more surgery...scar tissue is building up in my small intestine and if nothing else they will try to clear that up so i can get back to living normally...it has been quite uncomfortable some days in the digestive area...it appears that my intestine behind the blockage has fallen asleep and causing me all sorts of problems...well it is time to wake it up ..or take part of it out....let's get on with it......

surgery is monday the 29th...at Sloane kettering....will try to update from there.....

looking foward to all expenses paid vacation in nyc......round the clock nurses....room service.....i don't even have to take out the garbage....they not gonna know what hit them.....i am returning to the scene of the crime...........( man i bet the insurance companies hate the cheffo name....

see ya ..tom

516-946-1134...cell

e-mail thunderbyd@aol.com

...

ANNIVERSARY..........

2007 leukemia fund raiser "walking tall for the cure" over $4,500 raised

oct 13 2005.....the day i was told i had cancer......

i still remember those words like it was yesterday....."mr. cheffo, we have even a bigger problem you are going to have to have your bladder removed......but the good news is we are going to be able to replace it with a piece of you intestine"..you can only imagine my reaction " are your freakin kidding me" was what i think i said.....well two years have gone by and i would be amiss if i didn't mention it here in the very format that got me through most of the dark days...you see when i was able to write about my day it took a huge load off what my body was going through....i still remain humbled in the reaction and support of family and friends...

well i am here to say that my NEO_BLADDER is working fine although i am still not gaining weight (due to the fact that scar tissue has built up in my intestines) that is a conversation for my next blog....(looks like they need to go back in to fix it)...stay tuned for PART ll OF "MY WALK IN THE PARK"...............part one was such and adventure part ll is gonna be a piece of cake........

all my love

tom.........

I'M BACK

well it has been a longgggggggg road trip 6 trade shows...two footwear clinics all in 7 weeks... and i still have the energy to type this out......i have come a long way...but enough about me....just kidding.....ct scans this week are on the plate.....gotta keep getting checked out ........so i am getting on the soap box again ..please get a check-up yearly it is still the best way to beat this thing.....if you are feeling a little off take the time to figure out what is wrong......if you don't like your doctor ..find a new one......if you need advice just ask....i am living breathing proof that early detection saves lives.......don't ignore a lump and think it will go away......wear sun screen...give up cigs.....drink less and love more.....or is it drink more and love less...ahhh i forget.......october is the month i was diagoneed almost two years ago.......what a long strange trip it has been.........live......love.....long.....

tom

HOW YOU DOING?

This question has been asked to me asked to me a lot lately ......i used to answer it with one simple statement when i was recovering from surgery "i will be ok ....someday" well that someday has arrived...

most days i feel Like .....confident...defiant....rambunctious.....worldly....anchored..... rebellious....hippieish.....and down right ornery (even hitting that softball like the old days)


The story is now lengendary...... enduring what no single family should ever have to .....surviving the thunderous events that would crumple most to their knees...... doing so with dignity and pride.....
this would not have been possible without the love and support of so many people.....I have said this before.....I will spend the rest of my life re-defining what friendship should be...the people in my life have shown me one simple truth.....one that was passed on from my parents to my children.....if you are sincere in your way.....if you can endure the hardships and allow them to feed your soul to spread good will throughout the world.....it will come back to you in the form of love and support and in a sureal sense that you will live inside all those you have touched......
this has been the most difficult blog i have written ...being ever so careful as to be sure to translate the fact that "this walk in the park" we are all on cannot be walked alone.....doctors....family...friends...complete starngers....have held hands each and every day in a way that has made a difficult situation bearable.. the waiting rooms of our hospitals are filled with people looking for the answer.... if they only knew when looking at me that all of my world was sitting along side me....step by step.......they would see what i have seen......they would feel what i have felt....they would know what i have known...... that i am truly honored to have taken my "walk in the park " with you.........

the battle we are in now will be fought with the same passion we have been preaching............seek out the internal terriorist and destroy it's will to live inside the body......it really does not have a chance with the network we have built.....

my dear friends and family....."LONG MAY YOU RUN"...TOM

I WILL NOW ATTEMPT TO PUT THESE JOURNALS TO GOOD USE.....LOOK FOR THEM IN A BOOK STORE NEAR YOU...IMAGINE?

WOW

casy and dad...man i remember when i had hair......

has it been a month since i last blogged ...wonder if there are any of the 100's of friends and family out there still checking.....i do hear comments here and there that it really made an impact on some of your lives...i know it did on mine......and for that i will be forever thankful for having you in my life at such a crossroads......we are at another crosroads again and dealing with it as best we could...i do send bi-weekly updates on sues condition and if you are interested in getting it just e-mail me at thunderbyd@aol.com

as far as i am going ...well i am still adjusting to my new "body and bladder"....it does thae time i am told....i seem to have more energy and am thankful for that as i will be traveling soon and will need all the strength i can muster to keep up with the youngins........

man i missed my dose of bloggin......might just have to get back into it.....

happy trails....to all

tom

FATHERS DAY

Hello everyone sorry i have not posted ...... i have been a little busy these days....needed to post just to wish everyone happy fathers day........if you could see my kids and how they pampered me tonight....great food and fun talks...... well it makes the new trail we are on a heck of an easier one............

just letting everyone know we are attacking the problem head on......and i swear it does not have a chance against this family........

i will leave you with this.......

the tears we have cried were cried by all

the love that we felt was felt by all

the hope that we share has been shared by all

the fight we will fight will be fought by all

we are not alone

love ya

tom

MEMORIAL DAY

JUST A REMINDER ....HONOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND LEFT THEIR LIVES BEHIND FOR ALL OF US.........................

just left the scene of the crime..... SLOAN KETTERING NYC ...where i had my surgery over 1 year ago....seems it was years ago.......left some blood and some other fluids...got a clean bill and made another appointment for next year......what a difference from the last time i was in there......i look around the waiting room and can always spot a rookie....uneazyness in their chair...concerned look on family members.....the look in their eyes..."whats next"....ahhhhh rookies gotta love em......i feel like walking over and putting my hand on their shoulders and saying...........look at me ..i made it ...so will you ..............well as most of you know the cheffo family will be in for another fight for the next few months and i will be sending e-mails to family and friends about the situation.....every few days or so,,,,,,,in the mean time "if you can't be with the one you love...love the one your with" (s stills).......hug your kids and pets extra hard tonight..........blog you later.....tom

GOING STRONG

you be the judge......on how i am feeling these days......

10 hours of work
1 hour soft ball practice
3 hours coaching basketball
all in one day...............yahooooooooooo

i am getting there,,,,,,,still climbing uphill some days....but i can see the the plateau down the road

oh yeah had a blast at the merlefest..
read vansmans comments from last post ...........tells it all......

sad news to post a good friend of vansman's Neal Van Winkle's young son has been diagonesd with leukemia.....aghhhhhh it hits home when i hear that ...the Van Winkle family has set up a blog to keep family and friends posted.....Neal is a Rep For Vans footwear and the father of little Branbon..please send the great vibes their way ......check out the site....what a batttle Brandon is fighting...what a battle he will win.............. www.caringbridge.org/visit/brandonvanwinkle

MILES AND MILES OF SMILES

mERLEFEST HERE I COME......BIGGEST BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL IN NORTH CAROLINA IS STARTING THURSDAY...I WILL BE THERE SLINGING SHOES AND DANCING WITH MY FAVORITE HUMANS......

THERE IS A SAYING IN THE BLUE GRASS WORLD ..MY GRASS IS BLUE.......AND FOR TWO DAYS IT CERTAINLY WILL BE......

SAM BUSH HERE I COME...........................

HAPPY BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY BLADDER

WELL I MADE IT .....ONE YEAR....RELIVING THE "ORDEAL" THE LAST FEW DAYS...AND RE-READING THE BLOG AND WONDERING HOW I MADE IT PRETTY MUCH INTACT.........IT WAS THE DEEP ...DEEP LOVE FROM ALL MY WORLD THAT DID IT.....

WAS GONNA RE-PRINT THE INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT WERE SAID ABOUT ME DURING THAT INFAMOUS DAY.....BUT A LITTLE HUMBLED TO SAY THE LEAST....SO IF YOU WANT GO TO ARCIEVES AND CLICK ON APRIL 12TH.... BE MY GUEST .................. THE REST IS HISTORYTHANKS FOR EVERYTHING..II WILL CONTINUE THIS JOURNEY......WITH ALL OF YOU BY MY SIDE..

RE-PRINT...APRIL 11 2006...ONE DAY BEFOE SURGERY

Tuesday, April 11, 2006
TILL THE MORNING COMES
ok this is officially my last blog for a few days.....so heres what i have to say.........nothing.......that's right i am saying nothing...you guys have said it all....your phone calls...e-mails...gifts.....poems...prayers and promises (sorry.... john denver song snuck in)...your amazing strength to support my family in such a way that could never be equaled ........as i continue to say nothing about how today i was talking about my surgery as if it were happening to someone else .....but i figured it had to be me in this situation.....there had to be a reason why i have been surrounded by the likes of you.......my network of family and friends ........ co-workers....business associates is second to none.......it has to be me tomorrow because i would not want this to happen to any of you whom i love so dear......so raise your glass tonight.......take a look at the moon tonight ...it would be an honor if everyone looked up at 1 :00 pm tommorow and thank the earth for keeping us alive and bringing all of us together...you all have spent so much energy on my journey...relax tomorrow...i am in good hands..............WE ARE LOCKED AND LOADED TO BEAT THIS THING....ALL FOR ONE ....ONE FOR ALL...... to sue, casey, chris, maggie, cocoa mo, stormy and reese ( can't forget frida fish)...it has be a heck of a ride....thanks for steering the ship........Dad & TC....SURGERY 12:45 WEDNESDAY..........MAY BE OUT LATE IN DAY MICHELE WILL UPDATE BLOG...HER WORK pHONE # 516-465-6268
# posted by tom cheffo @ 8:02 PM 7 comments

RE PRINT OF BLOG APRIL 10TH 2006

T MINUS 36 HOURS...TILL BLAST-OFF
well my friends the time has come...i will be in the hands of a gifted surgeon( if he screws up do i still have to pay him ?).....one small set back today....i spiked a fever (SUNDAY NIGHT FEVER) up to 101.5.......plus i am fasting and craving a cheese-burger like you would not believe..MED RARE...NO PICKLE....SWISS CHEESS...SIDE OF FRIES...CLOW SLAW..........dr said take two tylenols and call me in the morning...really thats what he said......funny guy.......i love him....i love you guys....i love the crack in the sidewalk these days......what can i say you have made it up until this point a journey to remember........one i will tell my grandkids about.......i plan on one more blog before wedesday and michele will take over.....be kind to her.....she tells me everything.........thanks for the phone calls..... gifts....love....hope...peace.....cards.....music....prayers....yeah yeah all that is good but not one of you snuck me in a chese burger today........and to think i get to fast all over again tomorrow......call me at home around three tomorrow and you will see exactly how ornery i can be...............THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS..( on one of chris from nomatic state of mind shirts).....I LOVE YA.........TOM

To all I love

APRIL.....

back top front,,, brother mike,my dad,brother dom,mom....and me.......check out that turtle neck and beatle hair cut...

well the anniversary of my surgery is coming up real quick...never was one guy who was big on that stuff but hey what the heck gotta celebrate some things April 12th ..one year has passed...i have to say it has been an eventful one.......spent the first few months just getting to know my new body......still some hurdles to jump..but all in all happy with the outcome....all ct scans were clean.....always a in-tar-resting- moment waitng for the outcome

up date on life

Allman shows at the beacon are amazing still
Mets are kicking off the season tonight........
College basketball was fun to watch
Sandal season is coming
Skywalk is open at the grand canyon
Merle fest in Carolina is at the end of the month

Passover starts monday.......

Still have one more night of the allman brothers to go to

hug a piece of the earth today........it feels so good...........

will have a birthday party for my bladder on April 12...one year old....clowns..horses......the whole 9 yards.......

tom

HO HUM-ANOTHER CT/SCAN

KING OF THE WORLD
RED ROCK LAS VEGASFEB 2007

had a ct/scan at sloane kettering this week........

wow going back to the scene of the crime as paul cartwright puts it was ......ummm a little unreal at first ...but i settled in drank some stuff...poked my veins....put me in a machine...just your ordinary run of the mill day on this earth......said hey to some familiar faces....some not so familiar ones and noticed that they added a new area...added some more nurse stations....must be big business this cancer thing.........get my results on monday....expecting the best...excepting nothing less...........

keep dry my fishing buddies........rock on my allman brother peach heads........

tom.....

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

sent by my cousin maryann..

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

HAPPY ST PADDYS DAY

ALL IS WELL ..FOLLOW UP VISITS NEXT WEEK RETURNING TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.....WILL KEEP YOU POSTED

PEACE

MILE HIGH

melting ice caps

just got back from denver and i have to tell you what a beautiful city denver is..i mean i have been there before but never before seen the mountains a beautiful as they were last weekend..... oh yeah i was there to work and that was biz as usual...people happy to see me.....intrigued by my surgery....almost a surreal existence sometimes.....like they can't believe i made it and just want to touch me....gotta love it...just gotta love it

i happened to rent " the inconvenient truth" the movie al gore made about global warming and i think we owe it to ourselves to see this movie...it is a real opening of the eyes so to speak...not to get on the soap box but it is just an amazing movie and it has to make you think about how we live.........the fact i was watching the movie 35000 ft above land on a plane that was burning fossil fuel..well it just kinda made me think.........

love and peace...tom

FEB 15TH HAS COME AND GONE

red rock las vegas..2007

ok here is why i wrote that date feb 15th down..that was my last chemo treatment a full year ago.......(seems like only about 365 days have past) hehhe ...but a weird thing happened last week in vegas..a waitress notice my tye dyed braclet and asked what was it for and i kinda said something like "it is for me" and to make people aware of bladder cancer..she smiled and said she was a survivor (she was only 32) and she survived ovarian cancer.....and her last treatment was a year ago...you quessed it Feb 15th..... we smiled and realized these moments were meant to be,,,,,,so to my new pal kristy....we will be forever linked to that faithful day in Feburary.......

i am still not quite there (where i have no idea) and i do not think i will ever be....but those of you who know me know that i love this life and cherish it even more.......i still get phone calls everyday just checking up on me top see how i am......i am forever grateful for your love and friendship....see ya all at the concerts coming up...ALLMAN'S at the beacon,,,will be peaking

row s seat 26.......rock on......tom

53 AND COUNTING

thanks brad for bringing up my birthday....loved spending it with you and our wonderful customers ( well most of them anyway).....driving through the farms of iowa was an awesome site with some snow on the ground and the clean and i mean clean air..(so clean it is see through)....
celebrating everyday is where my head is now......hey i know it cannot always be zippy-do-da fantastic everyday....but hey if there is one or two moments that make it worth while...then bring it on........loved seeing all my buds this week.....adam ..be as you are.,...fad...alan and donna and joel...love ya....blue sky......phil you rock...loose lucy's crew....as close to family as i can get......you all make the road........roadable....

my co-workers......what can i say....it has been a heck of a year.......you make me want to come back to the office........oh yeah michele at work is turning 30 friday.....our little girl is all grown up...love ya kiddo.........love you all..........mucho...tom....good luck rachel.......we will miss you.....

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

GREETING FROM ...LAS VEGAS NEVADA

WISHING YOU A HEALTHY AND HAPPY VALENTINES DAY...........GIVE YOUR VALENTINE A HUG FROM ME.....HUGS ARE FREE.....COME TO THINK OF IT SO ARE SMILES.....SO SLAP A SMILE ON FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS ALSO......IT KINDA FEELS GOOD.............PEACE....TOM

WHAT A ROAD TRIP

key west...fl... sk sent me this great photo

miles and miles of smiles.....loved seeing everyone....loved being told....but you look so good......better yet i felt so good (most of the time) after two beers mexician food and a birthday cheese cake for gary and michele..well let's just say i did keep it all in....bearly......i cannot believe 9 months have passed since my bladder was replaced and everyting is feeling so much better......head is clearer.....pain is at a mimimum....like they said...one year from when that first knife went into me and i will be like my old self...........but in the mean time heading back to vegas for another trade show and hopefully i hit 4 jacks again on the video poker game,,,,,,i came home with more money than when i left...like i said.i am the luckiest man in the world and you are all the joy of my life.....

tom............bob,gene , lisa and doug......fight the fight.....we are with you my friends..........................

LEAVING ON A JETBLUE AIRPLANE

heading to utah......strange but beautiful place....salt lake is situated in a valley surrounded by the wonders of nature.....i love just getting up and looking out at the mountains and wondering how it was all those years ago.....ok now you know what i do during my free time.....will be checking in from the road....seeing most of whom i love to see in the next two weeks......the journey continues...........

after utah heading to Vegas...more on that later

tom

WHITE STUFF ON THE GROUND

woke up..got out of bed...draged a comb across my head...ok beatles thing going again....what a great band.....anyway where was i ,....oh yeah it snowed a little and it was so beautiful on the ground ......it melted soon after.....but nice while it lasted.................heading to utah...then to vegas....trade show /muscic/////friends...continuing my victory tour......so much stronger this round......looks like the doctors were right it will take a year to feel like my old self agin ...a whole year....wow.....april 12th will be the day....the day to celebrate..........the day i will finally be able to say.."it's been a year' far out.........so from the florida keys..to the mountains of maine..( are there mountains in maine?).......to the red woods and the rio grande......watch out americas....here i come and you never know where me and my neo-bladder will appear......so when you least expect it......poof i will be there......go new orleans saints...help your city heal........the world is watching......to my buddy gene.........saddened by the news,,,,you will be in all of our thoughts........gene begins the fight this week....he has been a dear friend for 20 years....and so much apart of my lfe..i love ya pal...if your reading this...24/7 i am here for you.............................tom......enjoy the sunsets..i hearkey west has some beauties,,,try buffets new land shark beer.......outstanding......

NO SNOW

STILL NO SNOW IN NY ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER IS TURNING.........LET'S SEE HOW LONG THIS CAN CONTINUE......SNOWLESS IN NEW YORK..........PRICELESS

FLA HERE I COME

ah well the jets played pretty good so gotta give them a pat on the back (not a new england pat that is)...heading to orlando to a national trade show and some of my best buds in the universe will be there.....so here i come.......and let the sun shine ..perfect timing as the weather gets a little colder in New York....i mean it was only 72 degrees on saturday..what's up with that.....down to low 40s today ..feels more like winter.....nobody has won our snow pool at work ...looks like it will be lou and he has 2/14...see ya on the south side of the good ol usa.......good luck danielle on your bat mitzpah saturday...can't wait to party with the rockmans.................tom.........

J-E-T-S...JETS JETS JETS

ok time for some football...playoff football...due or go home...imagine any other job like that....if you don't make the sale your going home...or if you can't fix the plumbing your done...get outta here.....playoff football....win and move on....so here's what we have to do....root for my jets......i promise if you do a thousand miracles will befall on to you....(ok maybe just a couple)..i know that is going to be rough on you new england fans.......but hey a man has to try to do what ever it takes.....so i know where i will be at one o'clock.......right in front of my tv.......smiling just happy to be here watching "the game"...........considering if i would have lost the last "lifes" battle i would have been sent home for good...and we all know how that game ended up...i won and i got to move on......enjoy the weather in new youk..it cannot last....heading to orlando tues.....as willie nelson says.....on the road again...i can't wait to be on the road again,,,,,.....