#TEAMCLAVIJO
Some of our members share what it means to them to be #TeamClavijo
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#TEAMCLAVIJO?
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WHY I'M #TEAMCLAVIJO
BY JEWLZ TODD
I lost my dad on August 26, 2012 to a malignant brain tumor. His condition was terminal once we got his diagnosis, but we always hoped for a miracle. We did, in a way. He spent the last 16 months of his life fishing, walking, enjoying time with friends and family, everything a retired man is supposed to do (minus the chemo part)! We never had to hospitalize him for secondary illnesses as a result of his weakened immune system, and he had a good attitude. Despite having cancer, he was still leading a fairly “normal” life.
One of the biggest things about having a family member with cancer is you always have to be ready to adjust to a new normal. I struggled to figure out what this looked like after Dad passed away. Soccer became a constant for me because it was so preciously normal. Coming out to tailgates, watching the games, practicing with friends and playing my indoor matches were a break from my grieving. I came back from his funeral in Georgia (where my mom, sister and aunt live) and my boyfriend and I immediately went to the FCD/Leon friendly. After an emotional and chaotic week, everything was normal and okay, even if it was for a few hours.
I don’t use this word often, but I am extremely blessed to be a part of the Beer Guardians. Our #beerfamily goes above and beyond for one of their own, whether it’s a member of one of the supporters groups, front office, or a player. For me, I was given an opportunity each week to enjoy a little normalcy, to be with friends and watch a game I so dearly loved. I miss Dad every single day, but being with my soccer family makes the loss just a little more bearable.
This is why I’m #TeamClavijo.
WHY I'M #TEAMCLAVIJO
BY BRIAN PRICE
YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'LL HAPPEN, AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF US.
I will never forget the phone call I received from my mother one fateful Friday afternoon in February of 2004. As my parents were on their way to meet friends for dinner and a movie, my father began staring blankly ahead. My mother finally got him to pay attention enough to pull their vehicle over, but he had begun speaking in a much slower and detached tone.
She got out of the van sitting on the shoulder of the busy highway to switch places with him, but as they passed one another at the back, my father collapsed. He was much bigger than my mother, and she was trying everything she could to get him off the ground, but she just wasn't strong enough (my mother had a heart attack and two strokes in 1984, so she doesn't have very much strength or dexterity in the left arm/side). Luckily, a good samaritan had seen what was happening, pulled over and helped my father back into the van. Mother was frazzled but alert on the phone, and I advised that she take him to the emergency room. I lived in Dallas at the time (about an hour away from where they were), but I told her I would immediately head that way. I have to laugh a bit as I remember my father's words as she handed him the phone, "Well," he said in a somewhat slurred drawl, "your mother is under the impression that I need to go to the hospital."
I laughed for a moment, thinking of how strong my father always was, then said, "Well, Pop... she's right."
We found out that my father had Stage IV lung cancer that had spread to the liver and beyond. We also learned that he had been living with an absess in his abdomen that was about as big as a grapefruit. We saw many doctors, none of which could give us any kind of good news. Our final doctor stated, "I can't fix you, but I can buy you some time."
At that point in life, my father had a few more milestones he wanted to reach: the birth of his first grandson, the birthdays of his two sons and his wedding anniversary. He made it to two of those four, his body finally giving all it could give the morning of July 28, 2004. I still can't believe it has been ten years, and I miss him just as much now as I did the very second he passed.
I have had many other family members and friends affected by various forms of cancer, and I've always pledged to do anything and everything in my power to help bring an end to this time-stealing monstrosity. It's never easy for anyone involved, whether it be the person battling the disease or the people providing support. However, if we're strong together, we can accomplish anything.
This is why I'm #TeamClavijo.