The Fight Of And For My Life

PNW Too

Drew Garabo — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:29:43 GMT

Day Three of our epic adventure in the PNW began with coffee and breakfast at a cool Frida Kahlo-themed cafe, where we got incredible coffee and pretty good breakfast. I will always prefer things that way, rather than great food and mediocre coffee.

We rode scooters to the Space Needle, where I contemplated whether or not it would be worth 55 bucks each…

PNW

Drew Garabo — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 02:33:03 GMT

People enjoy reading about other people's foibles, so here you go:

After a hell of a night of flying, which followed a few days of dining debauchery, my system was all screwed up. I forced my tired ass to hit Publix last night for breakfast stuff, including a new carton of coconut milk as I knew I had but a splash remaining.

I awoke this morning, groggy and weary. Like an ABSOLUTE FREAKING MORON, I used what was left in the old carton for my rolled oats.

One For Three

Drew Garabo — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:15:54 GMT

This could have been a much different post.

I feared it might be.

I write this with an incredible sense of relief, knowing exactly how it would feel had I not received the news I got today. As always, you paid subscribers will get the full info while freeloaders will remain wondering.

Checking In

Drew Garabo — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:48:12 GMT

With a few spare moments before hitting the gym, please allow me to catch you up on some things. It’s been a minute, as I am sure you're aware. I envision your email inbox, taunting you with a daily reminder that I couldn't be bothered to puke put a few paragraphs. Very neglectful and thoughtless of me.

Second Time Around

Drew Garabo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:24:00 GMT

Happy Friday! Tonight, I will make my return to the stand-up stage. A buddy of mine asked if I’d join his lineup of comics at some new joint in Brandon. I think it’s an Italian restaurant and bar. This inspired my opening joke:

Angels Above Me

Drew Garabo — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:45:52 GMT

After I completed my treatment for testicular cancer and “graduated” from the Bone Marrow Transplant program, I told the team of my desire to be a mentor to fellow patients. As I've written and said so many times, all I've been through is a waste if I don’t share my story and use my experience to help others.

Debut & Retirement?

Drew Garabo — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:26:32 GMT

What a weekend.

All my preparation, running jokes by Sarah and others, paring it all down to a 5-minute routine that would determine whether or not I could be successful at stand-up comedy. The 8th took forever to get here and it was gone in an instant.

I did 8 open mics. Countless rewrites. So many times, running through my routine with Sarah and asking her to give me honest feedback. By the time the day arrived, I couldn't wait to get on stage and see how an audience would respond and react to my attempt at comedy.

A Tight Five

Drew Garabo — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:51:07 GMT

All 8 of the open mics I did prepared me for today's five-minute gig at Side Splitters. It's been quite an experience! It’s so interesting how some jokes work in front of certain crowds and don't in front of others. Today, I will be performing in front of people who know and support me, so I want to give them my best.

Guilt Tripping for Subs

Drew Garabo — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:09:05 GMT

Damn, y’all! I was just pointing out how surprised I was that only four of you unsubscribed after radiation was over! I didn’t intend to guilt you into resubscribing. I mean, I'm happy you did…but it would be completely understandable had you bounced.

Welcome back!

This seems like a win for everyone, as it will force/inspire me to write more frequently. Without the grind of traveling to and receiving treatment, I have the time to write. There’s no shortage of stuff going through my mind, so why not use this Substack to purge it?

The Next Stage

Drew Garabo — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:01:49 GMT

Well, only four paid subscribers canceled at the end of radiation. That’s about 40 short of where I thought we’d be, so let's write!

I’ll pick things up from last Thursday. I rang the shit out of the bell, hugged my nurses, and went to work. I had plans to hit an open mic in Ybor at a place where I “kinda” did comedy last year. It didn’t go great then.

Maybe it’s the room.

I sucked. I am aware that I'm my own worst critic, but nothing I tried was “hitting.” I was the first comic, but that is a weak-excuse. I was pissy, as failure doesn’t sit well, and got Sarah out of there with a quickness.

Naturally, the night went from bad to worse.

44/44

Drew Garabo — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:38:06 GMT

Whether today's treatment is the 44th or 45th, we have reached the end of Radiation Road. It was a rather smooth road to travel, except for a hiccup or two caused by my diet. Once I eliminated spicy food, dairy, and most fried foods…things were remarkably easy.

I am so grateful for my treatment team. I’ve grown close to them these past few months, and while I will not miss the drive and daily obligations…I will miss them.

As usual, now that I am about to dive into some concerns, it’s time to part ways with the free subscribers (who probably delete these emails before reading anyway).

43/44

Drew Garabo — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:16:42 GMT

There was a festive feeling when I arrived early for my radiation appointment yesterday. I’ve been hanging with this crew for 9 weeks, so we’ve gotten to know each other quite well. From Lisa and Monica up front to my radiation techs, Rose and LaTonya, I try to bring smiles and elicit laughs whenever I walk into the place. Actually, to be more accurate, I try to inspire laughter even before I walk in.

I’ve mentioned before that St. Joseph’s isn’t in the most desirable neighborhood. Therefore, patients need to be “buzzed” in by the front desk. Every time, I make faces at the security camera, pressing my face against it and trying to make the ladies laugh. If they’re not giggling when I walk in, I feel I have let them down. Fortunately, they’re laughing nearly every single time.

When I was talking to Rose about the music for my session, LaTonya asked me what I had against Prince! She said, “You’ve played James Brown & Sly Stone…what about The Purple One?” I assured her that The Kid was and always will be one of my favorite performers. Since it was the anniversary of Purple Rain’s theatrical release this week, I asked for “Baby I’m a Star” and “I Would Die 4 U.” The music was louder than it had ever been, and it was a singalong party in the radiation room. Glorious.

I’m not going to argue with the schedulers, but I went back and double-checked to see if I had missed a day or doubled up on these Substacks. Nope. So, tomorrow will be the conclusion of radiation with session number 44. I can definitely live with that. The synchronicity is crazy. Why? I’ll explain to those of you who made the financial investment to be paid subscribers. To you freebies: look at all the complimentary paragraphs you received today! Lucky you.

42/45

Drew Garabo — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:32:04 GMT

You won’t hear me complain about having to work a six-hour day, as most people work significantly longer than that. However, hosting a six-hour talk show on the radio is quite a challenge. I wish I had to do it under better circumstances.

My dear friend, John Senning, lost his best friend yesterday. I’ve never witnessed a relationship like John and Brody had. Brody was more than a dog. He and John were connected in a spiritual manner. The heartbreak we sign up for as pet owners is brutal, but worth it. I hate that Brody is gone, but I am glad he is at peace and no longer suffering. I know John and Danielle will get through it, but I also know how tough it is on them. I’m honored to fill in for him through Monday.

I’m so confused about something that I’ll share on the other side of this paywall. Regardless, this is my final week of radiation and I am super psyched about that. I cannot wait to enjoy spicy food again with minimal repercussions! There’s a Royal Thai date in our future.

41/45

Drew Garabo — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:16:23 GMT

It’s early in the morning on the final week of my radiation treatments. Crazy how quickly 9 weeks have gone by, right? I don't know how I thought it would feel, but it is incredible that I get to ring the bell on Friday.

Today is an epic day. The reason has nothing to do with my cancer. It involves someone else’s. I will elaborate just as soon as I place the customary paywall here, to respect and protect the exclusivity of being a paid subscriber.

40/45

Drew Garabo — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:52:43 GMT

Wow. How did we get here so fast? I’m not the world’s authority on reducing fractions, but it sure does seem like we are 8/9 of the way there. That’s an odd fraction that I don’t think I've seen before.

Home stretch. While I won’t miss the drive or the radiation part, I will absolutely miss the staff at the radiation center. They’ve all been so helpful, supportive, and uplifting.

Some medical and heartfelt stuff to share, so here’s the paywall to keep those pesky freeloaders away!

39/45

Drew Garabo — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:35:43 GMT

Let’s begin with the good: I woke up alive this morning. So did my mom, on the date of her birth. These are blessings I don’t take for granted.

The rest? Read on, paid subscribers.

38/45

Drew Garabo — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:16:03 GMT

First, the great news: mom is home from the hospital and feeling good. That’s the most important thing you’ll read in today’s post. I feel so grateful and happy that she is still with us. There’s nothing but good news in today’s entry, so don’t misread that first sentence and think that there is bad news looming. It’s all good.

I spent the morning at Taco Dirty, a cool build-your-own bowl restaurant in trendy south Tampa. There are so many wonderful things happening with work and charity stuff, and this is one of them. I’m going to be a “celebrity server” at their Riverview location on August 1st, and they will match the day’s sales and make a donation to Bay It Forward so we can provide electronic distraction/comfort/joy for kids undergoing treatment for cancer. This partnership with Ciccio Restaurant Group (Fresh Kitchen, Jay Luigi, and Taco Dirty) is going to be freaking awesome.

Yesterday, we had a meeting to confirm that we are doing a charity golf tournament through the radio station! I’ve wanted this for so many years, and now it’s finally happening. Working title is the “Drew S. Open,” and we have a golf course secured. Proceeds are going to Bay It Forward, and we are partnering with the Childrens Cancer Center so we can do even more good. This is the shit for which I live.

My stand-up set is a week from this Saturday. I’m about to divulge some privileged information, so here comes the paywall!

37/45

Drew Garabo — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:42:40 GMT

Week 8 is going great! No side effects, other than decreased appetite (which isn't so bad). I am focused, happy, and grateful as hell to be alive.

But…this post isn't about me.

Per usual, I'm gonna place the paywall here as I am about to delve into some heavy stuff. Free subscribers, please have an awesome day.

36/45

Drew Garabo — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:40:03 GMT

Fresh off another fantastic weekend with Sarah, I find myself with but a small handful of radiation sessions remaining. Amazing. We had a lovely weekend, mostly just relaxing except for a concert on Saturday night.

Last night, I gave it another shot. You free subscribers may not know to what I am referring, and that’s by design. It’s a super secret project that’s outside my comfort zone. Here come the details.

35/45

Drew Garabo — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:34:10 GMT

A frequent theme of my writing is realizing and appreciating how fleeting life can be. With what I've been through, I feel compelled to share my experiences and thoughts with people so they can live in the “right now.” Whether or not it's effective, I feel like I am doing something important by sharing my words.

I’m about to delve into something pretty heavy. Yet another reason to separate the wheat from the chaff. I’ve never understood that expression, as I’m not agrarian by nature (though I am naughty), but it seemed to fit here as I once again erect a paywall to prevent you freeloading sons of guns from reading my impactful words.

My buddy and client, Greg Snyder, dropped dead of a heart attack while leaving the gym last month. No warning signs, no indication, just-boom. Dead. That’s how it goes, sometimes, but it still feels so cruel.

Yesterday, I attended a Celebration of Life for this wonderful man. A hearty crowd assembled to share memories, show support, and listen to words spoken by his family and friends.

I posted about it on social media, but I refrained from sharing my thorough feelings as I didn’t want to make it about me. That’s why this Substack exists.