All-American: Herzlich battles cancer for a future in football

Sandy: I never accepted the fact that it had to be one or the other, that live or play football. I always hung on to the belief that it could be both.

After the diagnosis, the Herzlichs returned to their Pennsylvania home. Mark was alone in his room, surrounded by reminders of all that football meant to him.

Mark Herzlich: One picture in particular, where I'm running with the football and my left leg is just like flaring up, and looking strong...Looked at it I said, "I'm gonna do that again."

Rather than choose the treatment first recommended: replacement of the cancerous femur with a bone from a cadaver, he chose the one that gave him the best opportunity to play football. Doctors would leave Mark's femur intact. After a course of chemotherapy and radiation, they would reinforce it by inserting a titanium rod.

Although weakened by the cancer treatments, Mark returned to school in the fall of 2009 and rejoined his team.

[Herzlich: You see the releases on everything?]

On the sidelines, he coached his teammates and stirred up the crowd.

Then, on October 3rd, just five months after his diagnosis, Mark surprised the Boston College faithful - and a national TV audience -- with news he'd just received from his doctor.

[Herzlich on ESPN: He said he's uh you know about 99 percent sure um that the cancer is completely gone.}

That very same day, Mark got a call from one of his football idols.

Herzlich: 'Hey Mark, what's going on. Ay-uh it's Tedy Bruschi, here. I just wanted to say hey.'

Tedy Bruschi was an All-Pro and Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. Like Mark, he was a linebacker. In 2005, Bruschi came back from a stroke to play four more seasons. Now, an ESPN analyst, he'd support Mark in his comeback.

Bruschi: When I was coming back I wish I had someone to talk to.

Pitts: There was no Tedy Bruschi for you to talk to.

Bruschi: When I decided I wanna comeback and play football, I called my doctor the next morning and said, "I want the number of the guy that's done this before so I can ask him the thousands of questions that I have." And there was silence on the other line. I said, "Doc, what's up?" He said, "Tedy, you'd be the first."

Pitts: People had a hard time with you and have a hard time with Mark. They say, "Why? Why not just walk away? You were given a second chance at life. Why not be grateful, go do something else that's less demanding, physically.

Bruschi: What do you want me to do? I'm a football player. Mark Herzlich's a football player. I wasn't gonna let stroke and he isn't gonna let cancer tell him when its time. We just weren't gonna do that.

Mark Herzlich leading the Boston College Eagles onto the field...

With a titanium rod in his left leg, Mark returned to college football in the first game of 2010 season. In the stands with family and friends, Barb Herzlich was on the phone with her mother.

Barb: Mom, he's, oh, he's running, he's doing it... Mom, he's - he's doing it. And um he was back on the field. And Mark was back.

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[tnellen]

A good and informative story. I'm not sure Tedy B was the first athlete to return to the "game" after such life threatening illness. Lance Armstrong comes to mind. Heck, I wasn't aware of Tedy B's illness till I saw the show, nor had I heard of this young man. However, Lance is known around the world. I'm sure there are other folks who have gone on after a stroke or cancer. What Tedy and this young man have done is positive, but please don't forget the others who have also survived and continued.

Here's to overcoming,
Ted

[DexGal]

My son was diagnosed with ewing sarcoma a month after his high school graduation. His friends started their first year of college and he is starting the fight of his life. It is on his pelvis wing and is the size of a football he also has three areas above the socket. There is no way to remove this we are hoping that with radiation and chemo that it will be shrunk. It is not removable he would then lose his pelvis and the loss of his legs. He is such a good son never has a day that he doesnt hug me or tell me he loves me multipule times a day. I am thankful for every second of the day I get to spend with him. Everyone has a way to deal with something like this in their life aiming for something is always important. I love you Cody and thank god for letting you be mine.....

[KirstensMom]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. I know how precious each day is...(My daughter is unable to have radiation due to the proximity of the tumor to her liver.) I totally agree, there has to be something to aim for - a goal to achieve. And for our children it is beating cancer and living a full life.
Stay strong~Lisa

[KirstensMom]

What an inspiring story! My daughter, Kirsten, was newly diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma on June 6th 2011. She had just finished her junior year at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois- she is 21 years old.
Her tumor is on her 9th rib on her right side. She has been enduring agressive chemotherapy treatments and is preparing for surgery (in two weeks) to remove three ribs. She was less phased from being told she had cancer than she was when she was told she would not be able to finish her senior year of college.
This story shows what a positive attitude, determination, thoughts, prayers and support can accomplish.
We have a goal, to get her back into school next fall. She is majoring in psychology and sociology and is looking forward to beating cancer and living a full, productive life helping others.
I am so glad we were able to see this story - we are not alone!
Good luck, Mark. My best to you and your family. ~Lisa
www.journalstandard.com/features/x268458149/College-senior-takes-a-leave-from-studies-to-battle-cancer

[JeffSurvivor]

KristensMom,
Just wanted to let you know that I am a survivor of Ewings Sarcoma - I was diagnosed in July 1987. My tumor was also on my right side, but in my 8th rib. Tell your daughter I wish her ALL THE BEST with her surgery and recovery.

[Essiern]

This story is an outrage! It was aired on my brothers birthday. He lost the battle with bone cancer at 12 years old. How can someone who has been given the gift of life actually feel that football is important. Seriously, throwing a ball around? Do something important with your life. My parents and family were destroyed by this loss and these idiots first question is " when can he play football"? I felt like I was going to vomit! You should be ashamed airing such an irrelevant story about a shallow and pretentious family.

[KirstensMom]

I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. It is a tragedy when anyone is diagnosed with this horrific disease. While going through the battle of fighting cancer, trying to keep any sense of normalcy is near impossible. Having the opportunity to live your life as you would have, if cancer hadn't been a part of it, is a real gift. It is sad to say that another person's ability to live their dream after fighting for their life is "shallow and pretentious."

[DexGal]

I know your pain my brother also died from bone cancer and my son was diagnosed in july with ewing sarcoma. I think everyone needs to aim for something to keep them from going crazy. Its a long road and noone knows whats at the end. I wish your family well and my thoughts and prayers are with you.