The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB's Pat Sullivan Fighting The Battle
10/20/2003 12:00:00β―AM | Football
Oct. 20, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB offensive coordinator Pat Sullivan sat down with the media for the first time Monday to discuss his ongoing battle with cancer. Since being diagnosed in early September, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn has courageously continued in his duties as a member of the Blazers' coaching staff and maintained his determination to win the fight.
COMMENTS FROM UAB COACH Pat Sullivan
(On when he became aware of the cancer) "This summer, I was down at the lake around the fourth of July with my family and I had what felt like an earache. I came back and had a little swelling in my gland and I went to see Mike Jones (UAB Head Athletic Trainer). I got treated for swimmer's ear with some antibiotics. After about a 10-day period I went back to Mike and told him the swelling in my gland had not gone down. I didn't feel any different than I had in the last 20 years. I had been working out and doing great. Through Mike's persistence I went to see the doctor and we did a needle biopsy and it came back non-conclusive and that's when we later found out that I had cancer.
(On exploring various options on where to have his cancer treatments...he also looked at the Shands Clinic in Gainesville, Fla. and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston) "There was some mixed signals about where the treatment was going to be and the various things. Hubert Green called and he's had the same thing I had. He went to Shands. (Steve) Spurrier called and he knew the doctor. Through a friend we got on a plane and we went to Shands. Through another friend, Matt Crawford, we went to M.D. Anderson and saw their top guy. Then obviously, here at UAB, which is one of the top places in the world, we ended up talking to the people.
"As it turned out, what they had here at UAB was the best option for me. Dr. Kirby Bland and Dr. William Carroll, I cannot imagine being in better hands that what I've been in. That's where we've started the treatment. I'm going to have three rounds of chemo. I've had one and I'll have my second one tomorrow (Tuesday). I was supposed to have lost my hair by now. I haven't, but it's getting real close. I was telling Watson (Brown) I got about two handfuls out of the shower this morning. Wednesday or Thursday, I imagine it will be gone. I was supposed to have side effects. I haven't had any side effects. I've been able to come and be with the players and coaches. That's what I want to do. I'm not going to over do it. I come in after I get up and I leave after practice. I enjoy being with the players and the coaches.
"About the first of December, I'll have the radiation and the chemo and that's where they'll go in and try to target things. They told me to gain weight and I've put on about 10 pounds. I've been eating like a horse.
"I want to thank Watson (Brown). The way he has helped me get through this, I really appreciate it. I have been, so, so fortunate with all the friends I've heard from. All the people, the thoughts and the prayers, it's been overwhelming. The team said a prayer for me shortly after I told them about my condition and I truly felt at ease and a peace about everything. Through these kids, I'll be able to beat this thing. I can't thank them enough. It's been special. I appreciate the players and coaches. My family has really helped me get through it all. Jean (Sullivan), she's my partner. We going to whip the thing."
Q: How do you walk the fine line of wanting to be with the team and not wearing yourself down physically?
A: It goes back to Watson (Brown). He has been so great. When I get up in the morning I come in to work. I don't have to be here early and I go home after practice. When I go home I go to sleep. I'm not going to over do it. He (Watson) doesn't want me to over do it. I've been very fortunate. I haven't had any side effects. I've gained about 10 pounds. They (the doctors) want me to do that. I'm about to lose a lot of weight. I go to the doctor this afternoon and I'm anxious to go because I can physically feel how much it has shrunk. I'm anxious for them to look at it this afternoon and then go to treatment tomorrow.
Q: After a lifetime spent in a sport where you can't and shouldn't show fear, when you first heard this news did you feel fear or were you scared at all?
A: Sure. You're scared. I can truly say that I didn't want my family to have to suffer and they are not because I'm going to be so strong and whip this they aren't going to have any problem.
Q: What have the doctors told you about the prognosis?
A: It's very serious. My health is good, which is good. It's somewhere, 65-70 percent chance. We were at TCU last weekend and the policeman that took us around when I was out there for six years, he just had it. He's just gotten done. We've talked to quite a few people. I'm going to whip it.
Q: Does losing your starting quarterback (Darrell Hackney) not seem as important now?
A: It's pretty important. You coach for them to have success. Darrell (Hackney) is doing well and I hate it for him. He'll bounce back because he's strong. There are some other kids that have an opportunity. They will do well.
Q: What is your schedule like tomorrow (Tuesday)?
A: I'm going to do my blood work and go see the doctor this afternoon. It takes about four and a half to five hours. I'll sit there and read a book and Jean (Sullivan) and I will talk.
Q: Were you a long-time dipper or smoker?
A: I did use smokeless tobacco. I used snuff. I will never again. I'll be a strong advocate for not using it. We all think we are invincible, but we're not.
Q: How long did you use smokeless tobacco?
A: It's ironic. I quit about the first of July and I put it down. I had gone through two-a-days, gone through everything. There are a bunch of coaches over in the office right now that are irritable and chewing straws, sunflower seeds and everything else, but that's good. I had two of the coaches at TCU come up to me and say that they are chewing on straws. Stacy Searles called me from LSU and just on and on and on. So, maybe something good will come out of it.
Q: What is it like for you in a game right now in terms of that being kind of an oasis away from everything and do you think you'll be able to continue going?
A: I hope so. It's great to go. That's what I enjoy doing, being with the players and the coaches and hopefully winning. We've got challenges coming up. These kids will respond.
Q: Have you had Alabama fans give you good wishes?
A: It has been so overwhelming. One of the first couple of people to call me was Mike Shula, Ray Perkins, Mike Gottfried, Coach (Clem) Gryska, Johnny Musso, Phillip Fulmer. It's been overwhelming. Obviously, David (Housel), and Coach (Pat) Dye just left the office this morning. He came by to see us. My teammates have called. It's just been overwhelming.
