Thank You From The Family

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78530&id=773524929&l=f38da159da

譚家宜的遺願

身為母親的我已經竭盡全力，身為女兒的她已經全力以赴，身為朋友的你已共度一段難忘的歲   月。大家的心都在震動，感歎生命的脆弱無常。雖然家宜在紅塵裡的出現與離開是如斯的短暫，她的精神，勇氣，鬥志卻永遠紮根於我們腦海之中！我們實應以她為榮。
若我們節哀，她的靈體思維便會變得穩定。若我們看破生死，她便可突破陰陽。若我們放下悲傷，她便可超脫痛苦，飛越天界，不再輪回受苦。請不要為家宜的離去而傷感。請助我實踐她的遺願，保持幹細胞捐贈的推廣，拯救無耐的華裔血癌病患者。家宜臨終訴說，血癌並非絕對的絕症，乾細胞並非絕對的難求，但時間是絕對的殺手。
馬利蘭州移植告吹後，家宜不甘在多倫多坐以待斃。她言行一致，三日內移居溫哥華。先喜柳暗花明，在溫找到佩對作移植。後悲化療後，心臟過弱，力不從心，移植再道告吹，終踏上人生最後的旅程。
雖然家宜往生極樂，但過去一年自願者對推廣幹細胞捐贈所付出的勞力並無白費。加國血庫豋記網站的官方語言，歷年只有英語法語。現已加入漢語。加國血庫測試綿花捧歷來有限額管制，故去年我們雖付現金向美國購買及求助。現在加國血庫無限量免費供給綿花捧以支持推廣活動。
請再一次鼓勵你身邊的家人親戚朋友，付諸行動，豋記為幹細胞捐贈者，救救仍在死亡邊緣爭扎的華裔血癌病患者，給他們一生存希望，讓他們能與家人繼續一起生活。
譚家宜母親
2009/4/29

MEMORIAL SERVICE detail

Order of Service
Visitation
May 6, 2009 (Wednesday) 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Richmond Funeral Home
8420 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC, Canada V6X 1K1
Tel: +1 (604) 273-3748
Memorial Service
May 7, 2009 (Thursday) 10:00am
Richmond Funeral Home
8420 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC, Canada V6X 1K1
Tel: +1 (604) 273-3748
Crematorium
May 7, 2009 (Thursday) 11:45am
Vancouver Memorial Crematorium
5505 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5W 2Z3
Tel: +1 (604) 325-8251
Lunch Reception
May [...]

Carolyn is now in peace.

1970 – 2009
At 3pm on April 23, 2009, Carolyn was set free from the suffering of this world, with her Mother & brother, Uncle & Aunt by her side.
The past two and a half year has been such a physical and emotional roller coaster for Carolyn, her family, her friends,  and everyone who became part [...]

New Year. New Home. New Hope.

New Year.
The original plan was for my Uncle Lawrence from Vancouver to spend a month in Baltimore to help Mom out before and after the transplant.  When things fell through and we had to return to Toronto, my dear Uncle insisted on spending the month in Toronto anyway to help out and spend Christmas and New [...]

Have a magical Christmas from Carolyn and Madellina!

 
Click here for your local Registry’s link and REGISTER TODAY to help Carolyn and Others.

Update: It’s time for Plan B

Before I give you my update, I want to send our love to the family and friends of Emru Townsend and Hector Arenas.  These guys were amazing individuals and fought an incredible fight and they will forever be in my heart.
I want to congratulate Graham Barnell and his family on returning home to Melbourne after months [...]

Update: Three Times the Charm

Each time after being knocked out by chemo, the recovery really is like the Sun breaking through after a storm for me.  I know it’s cliche, but the least challenging physical ability that we completely take for granted suddenly become the most “ginormous” achievement.  Like the first time I feel awake enough to watch TV (instead of sleeping) in bed.  Eventually realizing that maybe [...]

What’s next?

Wow, it’s been a month since my last update.  It’s hard to explain, but some days time seems to go by reeeally slowly (especially when you are sick in bed but can’t fall asleep), and then other days you check the calendar and think to yourself: Oh my God, it’s been 4 1/2 months since my [...]

A little story I shared with my teammates the day before last year’s marathon

This was my speech at the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training’s team dinner (Sept 29, 2007) the night before the Toronto Scotiabank Marathon where I walked 21K in 3 hours and raised $15,000.
On May 2, 2007, I went for a walk after dinner and at the Starbuck’s at the end of my street, I came [...]

This 2nd round sure hit hard!

Well, it has been a crazy few weeks for me.  It started out nice because my Uncle from BC was here during my week of chemo and provided the much needed company and relief that I think my Mom needs.  My brother also flew in for my birthday, but unfortunately I was so weak and [...]

My Birthday

My birthday was not very eventful, as side effects were kicking in, and I was pretty tired.  It was simple and sweet though – my family were there and that was all that mattered.

Second round chemo begins

So, my doctor told us yesterday that we should strike again while I am in remission ie. I will be starting my 2nd round of chemo next Monday….Ick! The good news is, it will be outpatient this time, so while it will be a pain treking to the hospital while I’m sick and weak, at [...]

White blood count is back!

All the good vibes from the drives on the weekend really did help on the health front as well!! Last Friday my blood work didnt show much increase in my white blood count so my doctor did a bone marrow biospy to make sure there are no leukemia cells in there crowding up space. Needless [...]

It has been a blurr of a few weeks

It has been a blurr of a few weeks since my last update. My mouth has healed, and finally able to chew and eat solid food. Although my taste has not recovered entirely, it is WAY better than it was and I am able to enjoy eating again. I realized now that not only was [...]

Been pretty weak this past week

Been pretty weak this past week. Probably a combination of my blood counts now down to minimum and me not being able to eat solids. My doctor confirmed that the preliminary search of the International Pool is negative. I’m really hoping that all the awareness we have created will translate into a significant increase in [...]

Ｂlood count dropping

Ｍy blood levels are continuing to drop. My energy level is up and down. My hair is starting to fall out, I guess it’s shaving time!

Neutrophil at 0

My neutrophil (ie. immune system) today is down to 0.0. It’s a waiting game the next 3-4 weeks. Now we have to wait for my blood counts to regenerate, and hope that I do not experience any strong side effects in the meantime.

The 1st day of 1st round of chemo

April 28, 2008: the 1st day of 1st round of chemo