Was feeling pretty down yesterday but toughed it out enough to make it to my niece Giullianna's 1st birthday party for an hour or so. Was happy that I made it but felt bad that I couldn't enjoy myself and made my mom and Jim leave early so that I could get home and get some rest. Despite my intention to take photos of the event I really didn't feel up to it so here is a photo that I have of her from a few weeks ago. I think that at the time she had just woken up from a long nap which is why she has the glazed over look on her face. Looks a lot like me before I have my coffee in the morning!
And here's one of Owen stuffing his face, just so he doesn't feel left out!
After leaving the party to go home and rest up for my 7:45 am appointment at the Mayo Clinic this morning we remembered that there was going to be a fireworks show at the church down the street from my mom's house. They normally have a huge show for the 4th of July but I guess another church in the neighborhood began competing with them so they chose to move it to Labor Day weekend this year. I took these photos from a lawn chair in the front yard:
I head into a long week at the Mayo Clinic with appointments starting at 7:00 am tomorrow and taking place everyday until the 9th when I will finally have about a week off. This week will be filled with shots to boost my blood counts. Meetings with the bone marrow transplant coordinators to get more familiar with what is going to take place. And the implantation of the ash spit catheter so that they can begin harvesting. I am hoping to get a lot of questions answered tomorrow when I meet with my "team" as like I said before, I am pretty nervous about the whole process.
I am not sure if this played a factor into anything but I saw that my mom posted a comment on my last blog about my going into a tough time and reaching out to others to keep in contact with me. Following that post I received many calls, texts, e-mails and posts which I am grateful for. It is so hard to explain all of the emotional feelings that someone goes through when they are faced with something like cancer but at times, despite knowing better, you tend to feel completely alone in the world. At least that is how I have felt and it is these comments and messages that let me know that I am not alone in this thing and help to keep me going! I don't want to single any particular one out as they all meant so much but Mr. Minn, your comments really brought the fighter back out of me at a time when I was beginning to doubt myself and I thank you for that!
I also want to thank Maui Divers (my employer and work Ohana for those that don't know) for their extremely generous donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Hawaii's Team in Training. My good friend John Gephart will be running the 2008 Honolulu Marathon in my honor for Team in Training and it is through donations like these that help keep the society functioning. They do great things for those inflicted with Lymphoma, Leukemia, and other cancers including offering emotional and financial support. There is a link on the left hand side of my page to John's pledge, if you are able to donate anything at all, even one dollar, I can promise you that it will be going towards a good cause...
8 comments:
Yo Dog! Keep pounding away and this cancer will be nothing but mush in a little bit. When times get hard, I always keeping going because I know things can only get easier. Things will get way easier for you after treatment. Just take it step by step, one day at a time and set little goals. Those little goals keep you moving ahead and soon enough you'll kick this thing in the A**!!! We all know you can do it!!! You are an inspiration to me so keep it up!
Aloha from Scott Y. and Christy
Wow those fireworks are beautiful...
OMG and how did Scottyee send you a comment, I sent you an email of his picture before he went on his 3 day prison encounter which he acted scared to go to. Actually Friday we kept trying to scare him and told him what stuff he would have to go through before he got married. You woulda been laughing so hard i tell you. Tomm (tuesday) i will take a picture of him. Well dude i tried my best on Friday. You did win a $25.00 movie gift card which i will send to you. BUTTTTTT konfunit it came down to two of us for the big bucks - guess who ? yup JT and me. that would be the person it would have been worth it to beat ...grrrrrr we had tons of fun and we took tons of pics in which it is in a box that will go out to you this week. Also L and I worked at the Okinawan festival and we had one of the ladies from Japan not only do a special prayer but she made something special for you to put up and look at each day otay... we love you and just know WE ARE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU NEXT TO YOU, JUST LIKE WHEN WE WERE IN YOUR ROOM WITH YOU... WE LOVE YOU AND OH HURRY BACK TO US CUZ WE HAVE TO FILM YOU FOR THE MD ANNUAL XMAS PARTY! Oh btw you still look good you are now a 15 even tho JJ won the nascar race yesterday and is now a twenty lol! GO TEAM...
Hey -- you're getting pretty good with that camera...I love the fireworks shots...they're pretty!
Not much going on over here -- D mentioned she worked at the Okinanwan Festival this weekend...KK, J, and I went. It was fun. The andagi was good and they even had something called an andadog -- Okinawan style corn dog I guess?! I didn't try it -- but it looked good!
And...despite feeling alone, Alika, I know you know and feel that we are all with you every step of the way, at every poke of a needle, and yes...at even every falling of a strand of hair. I know I am not speaking just for myself when I say that I wish I could physically be there with you...I was thinking of when you'd have to be "bubble boy" for a while and how HILARIOUS it would be for me to do the "elevator" walk in front of it to make you laugh! Hahaha...
Keep your head and spirits up buddy. You are my inspiration...my strength...and I LOVE YOU oh soooo much.
"Your turn, your turn! My turn, my turn! GUMMY GUMMY GUMMY!"
Dear Alika,
I'm not sure if my last "blog" got to you, so forgive me if I am repeating myself.
I will be thinking of you everyday this week. I know that it is a tough road ahead, and can get you down (rightfully so) at times. However, remebering Tutu's words may help. She used to always tell us we were from "strong stock". For whatever reason, this always helped me find the strength to deal with things I was afraid of.
I couldn't be prouder of you and how you have handled all that you have been through in such a dignified and positive way. Thank you for your blog! It helps me know how the doctors are treating you and how YOU are feeling. It helps me to feel not so far away.
Love you with all my heart,
Bessie
I know we have had our moments and our "sibling dynamic" for the last 29 years, but you are my heart and my inspiration. I can't tell you how proud I am of your strength and courage, your composure, and your humor. You make me laugh and cry every step of the way. I love you Leeks. You hold on to that pillow tight these next few weeks and you think of her and all the love, lessons, and wisdom she brought to us. We are who we are because of her. I love you.
xoxo.
mia
I can still easily remember cleaning your folks' home aquarium 23 years ago and hearing you go screaming through the house to the Blangiardi boys to hurry up so you don't miss HE-MAN.
You are the same age now that I was then.
You can do this.
You are much more brave than I was at that age.
When all this chemo seems too awful to take anymore, please remember something. Seven years ago the doctor at Queen's told me I had no chance to survive. Nobody ever had all of their carotids blocked and still lived through it.
After my operations in California
I did what the doctors in San Francisco told me plus I knew there were other patients worse off than me.
I was scared as hell but I survived and so will you.
We will all be waiting to help you over the next couple years when you get out of there.
Also, Hawaii's ocean is waiting for you. You just need to stay as brave as you have been so far.
(But I know it is such a pain to get those blood samples taken in the middle of the night. You think nobody understands the B.S. you are going through now. I do, and I am still here!)
Please do not get too discouraged when some of the treatments do not go as planned. You are still alive and you can beat this just like the others that have had the same treatment and they pulled through.
Also, you still have aquariums to clean in the future!
Thinking about you on the Big Island,
Marty Wisner
AHHHHHHHHHlika - so omg did you get Scottyee's newest pic - not only did he not shave - he had like 2 pots of coffee cuz he was tired-he also forgot your keys to your office holy moly and its only tuesday-do not give that boy no more extra days off haaaaa...so the newest news is someone - I won't mention her name who said she did not know how to play poker and is your boss hint hint is now hooked on the game. You shouda been there dude cuz we had so much fun. Downloaded all them pics we took holy moly it was like 140+ most of your boss "acting" and now everyone wants to play so this month - we are having a get together playin for the real stuff so oh boy oh boy i have another chance to win for you dude YIPEEEEEE "ALL IN"..
Just wanted to say i love this blog and all your family and friends who write so beautifully and so deep - you have amazing people around you because you are amazing. Marty we love your truth that it is okay to be scared - we all are one time or another however-we all have way too much more fun and things to do in life. Ever see the bucket list omg that is hysterical. It motivated me to do more, laugh more and of course LOVE MORE.
Dude WE LOVE YOU!
PS - Your goodie box is on its way so SHARE OTAY...
Alika, as you may have heard many a times, what an inspiration you are. Your courage and positivity are such traits much to be desired by many. Some say that you never truely know what you are capable of until tested...and your journey so far has proven you to be a champion. Our family thinks of you daily and sends encouraging thoughts through our prayers. Not only is John running his ass off...but FYI...my company UFCW's charity of choice for decades now has been Leukemia & Lymphona Society. In fact, we are sponsoring a skeet shoot on Lanai Dec. 4th to raise money for OUR cause. I say, our, because not only does this pain in the ass disease affect just the person, it affects the friends, family, neighbors...etc. So, keep walking the walk with your head up. We are all counting the days til you come home.
Rusti, John, & Sydni
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