2013 Photos

To All,

Happy New Year and all the very best for 2014.

Due to circumstances, I have not been able to see most of you during the last 10 months.

So I thought I would send you photos from 2013.

Photos:

1. A meaningful and very thoughtful gift to Liz from Kim for Liz being my lifesaver. 
   
   
   
2. My Harry Rosen Model application photo. 
   
3. Solidarity Buzz cut: Keenan Hodgson, Nepean Raider captain, Me, Michael. 
   
4. Me sleeping at the table while Liz is talking to me. 
   
5. Michael and I relaxing in Naples. 
   
6. My Birthday Cake, less calories. 
   
7. My thoughts about cancer. 
   
8. Relaxing by the pool in Naples. 
   

Hopefully I will be able to see you in 2014 in the near future.

Be healthy, be happy and truly cherish what you have.

All the very best,

Arnie.

January 3, 2014

To All,

Happy New Year.

Wishing you and your loved ones all the very best for 2014.

I am doing okay.

We all arrived home safely on January 1st and I had a chemo treatment yesterday.

The chemo knocked me out, but I am doing okay.

I did wake up today at 3:45am so I will have a shluff this afternoon.

We had a great family vacation enjoying family, the warm weather and our swimming pool.

Liz's Brother's Family visited for 3 days.

It was great to see 9 cousins get along so well.

The kids went to a Florida hockey game and the infamous Dolphin's football game.

We went out for dinner 8 nights, something I have not done for the last 8 months.

It was great to be out and appreciated the understanding of everyone of realizing my limitations.

I had to leave dinner earlier some nights due to being very tired once dessert came along.

We  had a great Christmas Eve dinner for 18 cooked by our daughter's boyfriend.

I went to 2 movies which I have not done so frequently in the last 8 months.

I really enjoy movies but probably I enjoy eating popcorn more.

On the plane home I thanked Liz for a great family vacation.

She said "No problem" and then offered me a lifesaver candy purple or yellow. I took purple.

Then I thought to myself, "Liz is my lifesaver."

It is so important to have a great spouse and remarkable and understanding kids on one's championship team and I have a great Championship team.

It is also so important to push oneself to enjoy life as it is very easy to not make the effort. The rewards are meaningful.

Have a enjoyable weekend and hopefully it will warm up.

All the very best,

Arnie.

December 20 -- TGIF!

To All,

TGIF!

Why, because we are going to Florida tomorrow for a Family vacation. 

We will be back January 1st as my next treatment is January 2nd.

I am looking forward to enjoying Family and the warm weather, what a great combination.

I had my 6th chemo treatment post operation last week and it was my 2nd treatment in Ottawa.

What a pleasure to go to QCH for my chemo.

I am doing okay, though I have been bit tired the last few days.

I had an appointment with my oncologist yesterday and my blood work fromWednesday was good.

Through my last 10 months I have learnt a lot about life.

I have realized it takes effort to be healthy and be happy.

It is so easy to not keep a healthy life and it is so easy to be negative and not be happy.

One should put the effort to be healthy and to be happy as there are such great rewards.

In regards to cherishing what you have, it is all about love and expressing it to your loved ones.

It is also about saying "I am sorry" and I have said that a lot to Liz.

I am truly blessed with such a wonderful and caring wife and remarkable kids.

I am also truly blessed with such a great Championship Team.

The responses I receive are so uplifting and give me the added strength for my battle against cancer.

Cancer can be beaten with love and a remarkable support team.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday with Family and friends.

Be healthy, be happy and cherish what you have,

Lots of love,

All the vey best for 2014,

Arnie.

December 3 -- Life is so Wonderful

To all,

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.

I had a great last 4 days.

Life is so wonderful.

We are in the midst of celebrating Hannukah, the holiday of light as we
light candles for 8 nights but also the holiday of celebrating miracles.
If you believe in miracles, miracles will happen. I believe in miracles.

Liz and I were able to celebrate with each of our Families wonderful
Hannukah parties on Saturday. At noon Liz's 4 siblings and one cousin came
in with their children for the Adessky annual Hannukah party. Irv and
Zelda's 15 grandchildren were present with one by iChat. Lots of food and
lots of fun.

At 5:30pm we moved to Savta's house to have another great Hannukah party.
Savta's latkes and apple sauce were amazing. Zeev and Sara's 11
grandchildren were present With one by iPhone. Much fun had by all.

Saturday was just an amazing day of celebration and fun. I am so glad that
I had the energy to celebrate such wonderful simchas.

Saturday night was an unbelievable proud moment in my life. Just recently
I had my head shaved as I was losing my beautiful soft curly hair. Michael
and our Raider billet Keenan shaved their heads in solidarity for me. I am
so proud of these two you would not believe. This remarkable meaningful
gesture gives me such added strength in my battle against cancer.

The weekend was good for the Nepean Raiders also as they won Friday night
and Sunday afternoon. Coach Peter is definitely turning the team around.

Yesterday was my 57th birthday and I had a wonderful day. I had a birthday
lunch with Liz at Boston Pizza. I am enjoying the simple meals. Liz made a
roast beef birthday dinner which was great. I was able to enjoy mushrooms
provided by David. In the afternoon I had a nice visit with my good friend
Stevie. A great birthday!

Life is truly wonderful.

I am blessed with such a great Championship team. But really we are all
blessed to have each other.

I wish everyone a wonderful life, life is to be enjoyed.

Be healthy, be happy and truly cherish what you have.

With much love,

Arnie.

November 27 -- I am happy

To all,

I am happy.

Last week Liz and I met our new Ottawa oncologist. TOH and the QCH were able to arrange to have my chemo treatments moved to Ottawa. Yesterday was my first treatment in Ottawa.

This makes my life, Liz's life and my kids' lives much easier. I am very thankful to TOH and to the QCH.

I will miss the great people at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal who have provided much support and love for the last seven months. Many, many thanks to them.

I am very impressed with the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre. It is a well-built and a well-designed facility. But more importantly operated by a well organized and remarkable staff. The nurses were great and very thoughtful and thorough. My thanks to them.

Special thanks to Dan and Barbara Greenberg whose leadership was instrumental in the creation of the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre. I, amongst so many, are benefitting from this important and needed facility.

I am happy.

Be healthy, be happy and cherish what you have.

Lots of love,

Arnie.

November 21

To all,

I am doing okay.

I have had my 4th chemo treatment post operation. My next treatment is scheduled for next Tuesday November 26th.

With this last treatment I am getting a better understanding of what my energy levels are during my 2 week cycle. With this knowledge I know when I am able to meet people and participate in meetings.

Rest assured, I am listening to Liz when she tells me I am over doing it.

I have learnt that from 5:00pm to 8:00pm are my witching hours. I eat dinner and usually fall asleep at the table hearing Liz say " Arnie, go up to bed, don't fall asleep at the table". So eventually I go upstairs.

Recently I volunteered to do a video for the ORCF.

The link to the video is:   http://review.bellmedia.ca/view/650815249.

I felt the need to tell my story. The hope is I will be able to help others in their battle with cancer.

Cancer can be beaten with love and strength and with a championship team.

Many thanks to everyone for your love which gives me my strength to do battle with cancer.

Be healthy, be happy and cherish what you have.

With much love,

Arnie.

November 8

To Family and Friends,

I hope all is well.

I am doing okay.

I have completed my 3rd chemo treatment after surgery. It was felt that I
needed 8 chemo treatments post surgery. This is insurance for me so I can
not complain.

Liz and I are off to Montreal Sunday to see my oncologist on Monday and
have my chemo treatment on Tuesday.

This present 2 week cycle has gone well. My major lack of energy is the
first weekend of my 2 week cycle after I get my Neulasta injection from
Liz Friday afternoon.

I have been able to attend meetings this week and interact with people. I
do have to watch that I do not overdo it.

I hope to go to shul this Shabbat.

You are all part of my Championship Team and my very sincere thanks to
everyone.

I will succeed in being a Champion.

All the very best,

Be healthy, be happy and cherish what you have.

Arnie.