October 27 -- Life is a Rollercoaster

To all,


I am doing okay, not to worry.


I am sorry you have not heard from me since October 2nd. Considering what I last wrote, one would wonder what's up.


I really appreciate everyone's concerns and support. That is what makes me stronger in my battle. You are a championship team.


A lot has happened since October 2nd, both the ups and the downs.


I was pretty scared the night of October 2nd when I was in such pain and vomiting 5 times. The morning of October 3rd I woke up, being thankful I was in no pain.


God had given me a test and I overcame it. I had a similar experience on October 5th but I only vomited once. As Liz said to me that night, we learnt 4 nights earlier, I can overcome this. The unknown, of what is happening and how will it end, was gone.


When I saw my oncologist on October 7th, he could not believe how good I looked. I had passed my two tests and was moving on.


On October 8th I had my 2nd round of chemo, post operation. The drug dosage was changed slightly.


It was a safe drive to and from Montreal with my Formula One driver. We got to Montreal on October 6th in record time. I believe it was due to seeing the day before the movie "Rush" as a Family outing.


Unfortunately starting October 12th I had experiences of a real lack of energy. All day October 12th I had no energy and half days October 13th and October 14th and all day October 17th.


During this time of lack of energy though I was able to visit Dr. Richard on October 13th, a wonderful friend of the Family and the one who removed a herniated disc of mine 15 years ago. We have similar challenges and it was great to compare notes.

We spoke to my oncologist the night of October 17th about my lack of energy and it was decided to postpone my chemo for a week. So I did not have chemo the week of October 21st.


Liz and I are off to Montreal in a few hours to see my oncologist and to have Schwartz's on Monday October 28th and to do my third round of chemo post operation on Tuesday October 29th.


Postponing chemo gave me a week off and I took advantage of it. I had several meetings with individuals, went to a 90 Elgin meeting, visited the 90 Elgin job site and went out to 2 lunches. It was invigorating.It was a nice holiday for me.


I realized that though I have to get my body back into shape, I also need to get my mind more active, contribute to what is going on and help make decisions.


I also have realized that I am happiest when helping others, be it Family, Friends, staff, people looking for advice and most importantly helping people in need.


So why is life a roller coaster? Life like a roller coaster has its ups and downs.


You get on a roller coaster to have a fun experience and on the way you have some scary moments. When you get off though you are happy you took the ride.


The last 8 months I have had my ups and downs. Definitely not the best way to lose 60 pounds and several items from my body.


But now I look good in my new Harry Rosen clothes, I have learnt so much about life, I have spent unbelievable amount of quality time with Liz and the kids and have realized what my purpose in life is post operation. To help as many people as I can and to help to make our community be a better place to live in.


I am working on my goals for 2014. I just need to get my next 6 rounds of chemo out of the way.


I am looking forward to a Family vacation in Florida for 2 weeks December end. I have not told my oncologist about the vacation yet.


So, I am doing okay, thinking positive and I am very happy with my championship team. Not to worry I would never trade anyone, you are all great.


The Raiders just won their game today, yahoo!


Be healthy, be happy and cherish what you have.


All the very best,
Arnie.

October 2 -- Update: For Better Or Worse

To All,

Hello, it's me.

I am feeling I am not back due to popular demand since Liz has been so good with her updates.

The feedback on her writing has been incredible and rightly so.

Today though I want to pass on my thoughts.

It has been 9 weeks since my operation. I have started my "chemo after the operation" which may last until mid-January with 7 more 2 week cycles.

With the remarkable support of Family and Friends, I have maintained a positive attitude.

Everyone knows that the battle with cancer has its down times and I am no different.

I have had the body pains, the complete lack of energy, the fuzziness in my head, the diarrhea, the unwillingness to get out of bed.

I have had my 5-10 minute cries wondering why me? When will it be over? I just want to be happy and enjoy life.

Well with the loving hand holding of Liz and the meaningful conversations with Rabbi Bulka, I get through it.

Last night was my worst night since I have been sick.

I was throwing up for the first time and in severe pain from 11:30pm to 1:30am.

Remarkably I did an unmanly thing, after the first time I threw up I went and woke up Liz to ask for help.

Liz was there helping me walk back and forth to the washroom from my bed, holding me up as I was in such pain, my knees were buckling.

Providing me towels to wash my face, Kleenex to blow my nose, water to rinse my mouth as a threw up and providing a pillow and blanket to help keep me comfortable as I laid on the floor.

It was not pretty by no means and Liz was there as always helping me out, whatever it took.

I contemplated going to the hospital as the pain was so severe but wondered what could be done there.

Once the vomiting stopped and from shear exhaustion I was able to go to sleep.

I woke up at 4:45am feeling a whole lot better. I am okay, no pain.

My first thought was to thank God to be alive today and for the 31 1/2 years of marriage with Liz.

I will review with the doctors what happened and come up with a game plan.

But to me that is just technical, a solution to a problem. Solutions to problems occur every day.

What is more important to me is knowing that Liz is there for me and that we will overcome whatever road blocks are put in front of us.

This will be over and I will be happy and I will enjoy life. I look forward to enjoy the next  31 1/2 more years of marriage.

And why me? This challenge has taught me the importance of being healthy, the importance of being happy and the importance of cherishing what you have.

With so much love for Liz,

Have a great day,

Arnie.