Thanks Deron for posting the BDN article.  There is a simlar update on Jim
Baines site, I believe it can be found at Mainebeat.com.  Also it is
reported on the US College Hockey Board this morning that Maine has
recruited a goaltender for next year.  His name is Robert McVicar out of
Brandon Ontario go to

http://www.wheatkings.com/bsun/090200.htm

to read about him.  While we all look forward to another year of Maine
action I know I speak for my family when I say our prayers and thoughts
remain with Coach Walsh and his family.

Bob Fitta '83



>Walsh 'feels good' after treatment
>By Larry Mahoney, Of the NEWS Staff
>
>University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh was feeling a little "queasy''
>but he said he felt "much better'' than he did a couple of days ago.
>
>Walsh, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in June, returned to work and
>had a meeting with his new players on Monday in Orono followed by his team's
>mandatory three-mile run and team meeting Tuesday.
>
>Walsh has just completed the first of two 20-day immunotherapy cycles at the
>Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA and returned home over the
>weekend. He will begin his second and final 20-day cycle late this month or
>early next month.
>
>Following the second cycle, tests will be conducted to see if the
>immunotherapy has eliminated or shrunk the tumors.
>
>"It's so nice to be back. I feel good. My jump is back,'' said Walsh.
>"Everything has gone well.''
>
>His 20-day cycles were comprised of three intravenous drips per day for five
>days; a 10-day recovery period and another five days of intravenous drips.
>
>The medication from the drips is designed to shock the immune system into
>destroying the remaining cancerous tumors under his breastplate.
>
>Walsh was forewarned about the side effects and said "it was as tough as
>they said it would be.
>
>"After every dose, I got a terrible case of the chills and they had to put
>hot blankets over me,'' said Walsh who also later spiked a fever of 102 and
>had his heart rate jump to 162 beats per minute for an hour and a half.
>
>A resting heart rate averages 60 to 80 beats a minute.
>
>Vomiting, fatigue and dry, itchy skin were among the other side effects he
>suffered.
>
>He said the first day after the first five-day cycle had concluded, he took
>a very brief walk in the backyard of actor Kurt Russell and his longtime
>girlfriend, actress Goldie Hawn. Walsh and his wife, Lynne, stayed at their
>home.
>
>The second day, he walked for 12 minutes and, by the fifth day, he went for
>a one-hour walk. The next day he played golf with Russell and former Bear
>Bob Corkum, who will start his second season for the Los Angeles Kings later
>this week.
>
>"It's amazing how quickly you recover and regain your strength. That's
>encouraging,'' said Walsh.
>
>Walsh said Russell and Hawn have been "wonderful to us.''
>
>Russell, who lists Rangeley as his hometown and still has relatives there,
>met Walsh during the NCAA Frozen Four in Anaheim, Calif., in 1999. Walsh
>invited Russell and Hawn's son, Wyatt, a goaltender, and a friend of his
>(Gavin Scott) to participate in their practice session before Maine's title
>win over New Hampshire.
>
>One of Walsh's first orders of business was the meeting with his newcomers
>and he said it went "very well.
>
>"I told them what it means to be a hockey player at Maine. I wanted them to
>know there are certain behavioral standards,'' said Walsh who added that his
>excitement about being back coupled with the completion of his first
>treatment cycle behind him made the meeting a special one for him.
>
>"It was one of the most rewarding speeches I have ever given because it felt
>so good to be talking to a team again,'' said Walsh who also outlined his
>situation and treatment schedule for his players.
>
>Colin Shields, a freshman forward from Glasgow, Scotland, said he was
>surprised how upbeat Walsh was considering his ordeal. He said the meeting
>was "really positive'' and inspirational.
>
>"He told us what he was going through and how he was going to fight it and
>be stronger than ever. He was so enthusiastic,'' Shields said. "His desire
>to win is so great. He gives you that hunger to succeed even more. You
>realize that everything can be taken away so you want to seize each day and
>improve.''
>
>Walsh added, "If, in a small way, what I'm going through will help toughen
>up our team, that's great.''
>
>Walsh said his doctors have told him to "stay active'' and that certainly
>won't be a problem for him.
>
>"My golf clubs are ready,'' said Walsh who is looking forward to working
>with what will be a youthful Maine team this season.
>
>The Bears will start dry-land training today and take the ice on Sept. 24.
>
>"September is always the best time of year in hockey. It's an exciting time.
>The freshmen are here. They're all excited and you get caught up in it,''
>said Walsh. "We've got so many newcomers and I'm also looking forward to
>seeing the [veteran] players I expect to take big steps this year.''
>
>The team will run in Sunday's 5K Terry Fox Run in Bangor designed to raise
>money for cancer research. Walsh said he won't be able to attend due to a
>previous commitment.


Bob Fitta
Advertising Account Manager
Harvard Magazine
http://www.harvard-magazine.com
ph (617) 496-6631  fax (617) 495-0324