Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Day One

I checked into the Mayo Clinic this afternoon at 1:00 pm. They gave me a huge room which is great but unfortunately I don't have a view of anything. The day has been spent meeting with the doctors and nurses and going over everything that is going to be happening while I am here. I am being filled with fluids as I write this to keep me hydrated and I will also be given two drugs one to prevent seizures and another to protect my liver. They weighed me the second that I checked in and will weigh me everyday at 4:00 am and then again at 4:00 pm. It is essential that my weight remains the same while I am in here as too much weight loss is not good and any weight gain at all can be a negative sign of one if the chemo drugs. Other than that I have just been getting settled into my new "home," it is probably a bad sign that I already want to break out of this place as I am going crazy but my mom has confiscated my wallet so there will be no taxi rides to the airport for me :(

Starting tomorrow I will begin the chemotherapy at 8:00 am and be given one of the drugs every 4 hours for the first three days. Following that I will have the remaining three drugs over the last three days. They have stressed multiple times that these drugs are not going to be fun, in fact one nurse said I am going to feel like I have been beaten by a Louisville Slugger, but what does not kill me will only make me stronger. Below are some pictures of me in my room:






















18 comments:

Anonymous said...

So Very Proud of You!!!! Together we will beat this.

Just a reminder to friends and family Alika can Not have flowers or plants in his room. Thank you to all for all the prayers and support!!!

Mom (Debbie)

Anonymous said...

Dude is that a flat screen tv lmao hey we could all fly stand by and camp out with you that room is bigger than my living room and kitchen put together.

Your mom is my kind of mom, i would take your wallet and then some away from you - you "better listen you d@Ng kid, just like at work when i tried to get you to drink carrot juice, you no listen" lol...

Lori is leaving for Japan this week and it is you know who's bd next week we can't wait. we are gonna be so nice to him NOTTTTTTTTTTTTT we are having a competition of who can think of stuffs to do to him...SHHHHHH don't tell. (Hey SYEE you better not be reading this).

Thank you mom deb for your reminder no flowers or plants cuz that is what i have in my office too so dat be easy for me to remember. We miss your son terribbly BUTT that is okay cuz he has a surprise for you when he is done. He is our shinning star at MD for he shows us what you can do when you set your mind to it.

DUDE DO NOT FORGET we are there with you every day! Wish we could send you pics on here or can we?

LUBS YOU and HUGSSSSSSSSSSSS from da office

Anonymous said...

Dude is that a flat screen tv lmao hey we could all fly stand by and camp out with you that room is bigger than my living room and kitchen put together.

Your mom is my kind of mom, i would take your wallet and then some away from you - you "better listen you d@Ng kid, just like at work when i tried to get you to drink carrot juice, you no listen" lol...

Lori is leaving for Japan this week and it is you know who's bd next week we can't wait. we are gonna be so nice to him NOTTTTTTTTTTTTT we are having a competition of who can think of stuffs to do to him...SHHHHHH don't tell. (Hey SYEE you better not be reading this).

Thank you mom deb for your reminder no flowers or plants cuz that is what i have in my office too so dat be easy for me to remember. We miss your son terribbly BUTT that is okay cuz he has a surprise for you when he is done. He is our shinning star at MD for he shows us what you can do when you set your mind to it.

DUDE DO NOT FORGET we are there with you every day! Wish we could send you pics on here or can we?

LUBS YOU and HUGSSSSSSSSSSSS from da office

Anonymous said...

oops omg i did that two times - its okay that is a double reminder hahaha

Scott said...

hey little bro...
keep smiling through this next few weeks - I send you my energy and strength...
love you
big bro

Agnes said...

Your blog made me laugh and cry at the same time! I'm so so proud of you for being so brave and so strong Alika! I know it'll be rough the next few days but we are all right there beside you...always...every day. KK sends her hugs and kisses and says "GET BETTER AND COME BACK SOON UNCLE ALIKA!"
LOVE YOU PLENTY BUDDY!!!

Unknown said...

Howzit, Alika,

Your dad keeps me posted and you are in my prayers.
It was Mac who first told me that Iolani was "cool" for da wahine, and my daughter did go there, graduating in 1995.

I hope you received the OBAMALAND T-shirt -- you have the only one in the AZ area. Speaking of which,
GO CARDS, with the great Kurt Warner at QB. (You are much better off following that team, my friend, instead of Dallas, which will really make you SICK :)

Your dad and I go wayyyy back and he helped me again on this newest book. He knows lots of stuff for a coast haole! Seriously, Mac is one of those most akamai, and sweetest, people I know.

Hang in there and IMUA!

Aloha from Kaneohe,

Ron Jacobs
whodaguyhawaii.com

samnagle said...

Stay Strong Alika! When you get better you'll have to come up and play a round at Bandon Dunes.

- Sam

Anonymous said...

Hey Alika,

Just wanted to drop a line a let you know I was thinking of you. Stay strong.

Love,

Jane

Anonymous said...

Alika,
I check your blog everyday, and never know what to say ... so stupidly I say nothing.
I just don't know how to express my feelings and how remarkable I think you and your family are.
You are such an inspiration, you blow my mind (how old am I .. does anyone say that anymore) every time I read your posts.
Stay strong and thank you!
Love Lee

Anonymous said...

Hey Alika,
Lei said she got to talk to you recently. We should definitely get together when you come home. We're all glad to hear that everything is moving forward with your treatment. Just wanted to send you some strength during your transplant. We know you have plenty, as you have shown so far, but heres a little more! Thanks for keeping us updated here at home. Take care,
Emma, Lei and Koa

Rayne said...

We've been thinking of you often. We hope your treatments are going well. We'll be sending you all
of our love & energy.
Love, Rayne & Len

Anonymous said...

Alika,

From the family: You are the biggest part of our everyday thoughts and prayers. Your strength is a constant reminder of what can be achieved. We could not be more proud!!

Love to you and the family.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alika

I miss you!!! Work has been crazy but it is so nice to be able to see pics of you on this! Hope you are staying strong and know that so many people love you! Can't wait till you return. So many things have been going on but know that you are always in my thoughts . . .

Tricia

Anonymous said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers, Alika. Love you, Travis

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone - just wanted to let all know Alika had his stem cell transplant today and all went well. He will up date his blog soon and give you all the details. The Chemo has caught up with him so he isn't feeling so hot - but I know he is battling back with all he has!!

Mom (Debbie)

Anonymous said...

Debbie Thank you so much for the update ..... what a relief that it went well. Alika has spoiled us all with this amazing blog. I don't know how he does all he does, taking care of all of us in a sense.
Love to you all!!!!!!!!!

Geoff Bush said...

Okay, okay, Alika. Hold da Mayo. Just think how lucky you are you wen stay Mayos Arizona an not Minnesota. Da grandkekis come by today for pre haloween festivities and they had to carve frozen pumpkins! Frickin snowed on da patch where we go pick em. More bettah you stay warm an get well. If you got any extra stem cells senem here. I think we gonna need em sometime this winter. Hey, but shave ice stay good! No complain here ... you lookin good. Alohas from the tundra. Bushman