In this blog I have done my best to keep my personal thoughts, opinions, and interactions with my parents limited as I don't want to make this about me. In fact, I even try to refer to them as anything other than my parents because the purpose of this blog has been a way for you, the reader, to interact with them (not me). But today, I have decided to share this with you for a reason...I am asking you to choose something that you know you should do or that you have wanted to do, but have for one reason or another made excuses not to do. I am asking that you just "do what needs to be done" regardless, at least for one week. Allow his fight and the fight of the many others who battle cancer to inspire you, to remind you that when pushed you can endure so much more than you realize. Allow his fight to serve as a reminder of all that you have to be grateful for, for all that you are capable of that so many others are not. I am asking you to complete the following statement and make it a commitment ...
If Pop Pop can fight cancer, than I can ...
(no matter if I am tired, if it is raining, if I am busy, if I feel like giving up...I will do what needs to be done!)
What will it be for you? Are you willing to commit? Please let me know how Pop Pop is inspiring you.
FYI, Friday proved to be a bad day. The blood test revealed he was in need of more 3 bags of potassium, magnesium, phosphate, saline, and platelets. His leg, for some unknown reason, is not working well (he is having difficulty walking at times). Saturday and Sunday were more or less the same, he continues to have limited energy and no appetite. Tomorrow, Monday, he will have a series of exams. He begins staging, the phase when a number of tests are done to see if the chemotherapy treatments have been working. We continue to pray for the exams to show him as cancer free! Also the doctors are testing to make certain that he is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, there has been serious concern about his kidneys.
Please pray for all those who have fought and those who continue to fight their own personal battle against cancer. Our lives have been touched and inspired by many family and friends:
Julio Cordoba, Tia Olga, Carlos Holub, Mercedes Barragan, Vicki Kennedy, George Kennedy, Tobby Litt, Serafina Cammarata, Magnolia, Aziz Barragan, Fernando Santos, David Hoereth, Albert Walton, Randy Thompson, Julito Jimenez, Leonor Jimenez, Julita Acosta
Alan Lougee, Alba Lucia Maya, Alfonso Leano, Arcecio Nieto, Arden Zebley, Debbie Eckert, Denice Kardas, Dyana Eckstein, Ed Kalchek, Fred Campos, German Ortiz, Gloria Espinosa, Henry Oward, Jesus Leano, John Semock, Julian Leano, Karen Battista, Kenneth Zeitler, Landa, Lisa Moran, Mary Claire Satterly, Mary Leslie, Mary Pollucci, Mc Pheeters, Owen Fincher, RC Klein, Rona, Ruth Gallop, Susana Bolaos, William Bunn
Papi,
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me well before getting sick!! I draw from your strength and example everyday trying to be the man you raised me to be. I pray that my girls will look at me in the same way that I look at you!! You have always been my hero and my mentor.
I pray everyday for your health and your life. I know the decision to fight was not an easy one to make. I also know that worst is yet to come. If there is anyone who can beat this and fight this all the way, it's you! We are with you everyday. KEEP FIGHTING!!!! Everyday is a gift!
We love you Papi!!!
Gordito, toda la familia estamos horando y estoy segura que con la ayuda de Dios y con su optimismo y con las bendiciones de nuestro padres desde el cielo, esto va ha terminar pronto y con un feliz final, no decaigas mi gordito lindo, te quiero mucho mucho
ReplyDeleteHumberto .. Lucy...
ReplyDelete... I can only hope to have half the strength that you demonstrate everyday.
Its funny how they say that God knows what he does... it amazes me that after more than 20 years of not seeing or hearing or knowing anything about you, I was blessed to have been found by Lucy...
You are amazing and inspiring.... exactly how I remember you both ... time has done nothing but amplifiy your virtues... God bless you both; this battle will be won and we will celebrate!
Elizabeth
papi, it was so great visiting with you yesterday. i'm glad you went on a ride with your son and got to spend some time with harrison and caroline (and me, too!) I can tell that you're tired. I'm sure youre tired of feeling lousy, but keep keeping your face towards the sunshine. your inner strength and love and wisdom carry each of us every day. xxooxxoo love you, papi. allison
ReplyDeleteJimmy and Family
ReplyDeleteNobody knows the real struggle of a cancer patient other than one has either been directly affected by it, or have had a close loved one affected by it. Most recently my brother had AML (leukemia) and doctors were not optimistic. He underwent many rounds of chemo and then went into remission for over almost a year when he relapsed. Doctors were not very optimistic and his best chance of surviving was a bone marrow transplant which he got from my sister. He had thought about giving up almost daily after these chemo rounds and after being in the hospital for months at a time. He had any and all complications that can arise from chemo, infection, water in his lungs...he was even intubated once and we almost lost him. He cried almost daily and wanted to give up almost every single day, but those around him gave him the strength that he needed to fight and that is what got him through the months of struggle and pain. He has been cancer free for over 16 months and although he still has limitations in many ways, he is alive, happy, and thankful as are we all. I hope this message can at least give you some extra hope to know that you and your family hold so much power with fighting this illness, more than any doctor or study can ever show. The mind and the hearts of loved ones are what will make you conquer this battle, and you WILL defeat it. Every day you will be more tired, in pain, and some days you will want to give up. When you have moments like that try and read this post and the posts of all of those who love and care about you to get your spirits up and to keep you fighting strong even when you're so tired you don't want to because that's when you need to the most. Adrian and I have you all in our prayers and we know that you can make it through this. If anyone ever tells you otherwise just ignore the crap out of them and know that your spirit and the love you have surrounding you are enough to get you all through this time! We love you all and can't wait to see you all in December =) You get to see my growing belly by then! Stay strong and lots of hugs and kisses from Miami. xoxo
Pop,
ReplyDeleteNothing I do will ever compare to your fight against cancer. Everything I think of seems very simple to do and not worth mentioning on this blog. As always, your courage and determination inspires me to never give up on anything I do.
Thank you for being in my life and everything you do for us.
Su hijo que lo quiere mucho, JuanCa.