THE INSPIRATION

SURVIVING

Dick Ticcioni

In early spring of 2001 at the age of 51, I discovered a small lump in my groin. I wasn't too surprised, having spent the weekend before pulling a rope on a lawn mower that did not want to start. I thought I had pulled a muscle. A couple of weeks later the lump was larger. I was now convinced I had given myself a hernia.

I knew I could not afford the time to have it fixed with my busiest season at work just ahead of me, I would have to wait until August before I could get it corrected. With every week the lump grew larger and more uncomfortable. On August 1 I saw my doctor and he agreed that it looked like a hernia but that it didn't have the feel of a hernia. He referred me to a surgeon to perform a biopsy. Being the picture of good health my whole life, I had to ask...what is a biopsy?

Two days later I'm with the surgeon for ten minutes and he tells me; "I think we're looking at Lymphoma"...I had to ask, what is Lymphoma?

Five Days later the tumor was removed. CT Scans revealed the cancer to be at stage 4. The Oncologist I was referred to, believed that because I had no other health complications, and with the advancement of new drugs that we had a good chance of eliminating this from my life. On September 10th I began an aggressive chemo therapy campaign. On December 13th, just three months later, I was informed that I was in remission.

The Oncologist, Dr. David Blake told me, "attitude is everything, and you have had the right attitude all the way".

INSPIRED

Cory Zimmermann

At the time, Dick and I had been working together, at a firm in Milwaukee. Everyday, we started with a morning chat by the coffee machine and spent almost every lunch hour together. We had become very good friends.

In August of 2001 he found out that he had cancer. I was very shocked and sad. I spent many hours researching the cancer to find out what his chances were of surviving. I wanted Dick to know that I was there for him and, as his friend, would do anything to help him through this time.

About three days after Dick got the news I was home sick with a 102 degree fever. I had lost my voice and was feeling guilty that I had a cold and he had cancer. I felt horrible, but knew that by this time tomorrow, I would be feeling better. Only if cancer was the same.

Those feelings inspired me to write "This Time Tomorrow". That night I went into my studio and recorded almost the entire song including the vocals. I couldn't speak, but somehow I was able to sing. The song was about going through the stages that I could only imagine, he was going through. I've been through some horrible times in my life and those emotions helped me write this song. I wanted it to give Dick hope for tomorrow and that I, as best as I could, understood what was going on in his head.

Since I wrote the song back in August of 2001, Dick went into remission. With that amazing news I was inspired to do a music video to bring attention to his incredible recovery. And give hope to as many other people that I could. I know that it is just a music video, but in the right hands it could make a difference and inspire.

Dick is here today, in remission, for two reasons. 1) his amazing attitude during and after chemo and 2) cancer research. Without the advancements in the past 5-10 years his chances would have been slim. But when you combine these two elements your odds increase greatly.

Dick is my true inspiration. Powered by ZYMM - ©2003 This Time Tomorrow

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society