Daizey 0 #1 July 9, 2003 Ok guys, this is gonna be really long, but I need to vent! My friend Arnold was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago when he was still a teenager. He struggled at points, but he’s always been such a fighter. Arnold’s the type of person that tries to do the thing that everyone says is impossible. Last week his challenge was trying to live. I’ve worked with Arnold for 2 years now. I’ve seen him very sick and I have seen him very well. He’s strong-a fighter-he doesn’t want to let anyone down. This included people at work. Arnold seemed to love his job-he worked very hard. Sometimes his sickness would take him away from work but he would always be back as soon as he could. I remember once he had his stomach operated on Monday morning. Monday night he called into work saying he would be back in 2 days. Arnold was told a few months ago that he could no longer work. He had gotten an infection in his left lung and part of the lung needed to be removed. It was removed but, instead of bouncing back, he began getting sicker and sicker. He was in and out of the hospital. He had more surgeries than I could count. I went to visit him and left with tears. He was suffering-he couldn’t eat, walk, or do much on his own. There were so many machines hooked up to him….then this past Monday he hit his worst-and the doctors gave him some pretty awful news-his infection in his left lung had come back-only this time it was also in his right one. He was told he needed surgery asap in order to survive-but even with the surgery, his chances were not good. There was a good chance that Arnold would not come put of the surgery. He and his family worked with the doctors to push the surgery to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Monday night and Tuesday were spent with visitors and calling friends on the phone. His dog was even allowed into the hospital so he could say goodbye. It was not a good day. As much as it hurt everyone to say it, his friends, and even his mother began to hope that maybe this would be it and Arnold would no longer have to suffer. Somehow Arnold again challenged what so many said he couldn’t-he challenged himself to live. And somehow, he did it. Arnold went into a catscan on Tuesday night-and his infection had cleared up. His cough suppressed and he began eating and drinking real food again. Though I had heard this, I was still skeptical. I went to see Arnold in the hospital yesterday. I have to admit that my friend and I were preparing ourselves for the worst-but we waled in and we were greeted by a very energetic “Hi guys!” What a relief! The machines were gone, he no longer looked so thin-there were gummy bears next to him instead of an IV dripping nutrients. And, something I had never seen before-the beginning of hair! Hes been off chemo now and off so many of the medicines that were keeping him alive. And best of all, he told us some great news-his cancer was gone and providing the catscan went well today, he was coming home on Wednesday! We talked about our cross country trip (Mia and I sent him postcards from every state-he loved it!) and we talked about our lives. Next week Arnold wants to come to NYC with me, then the next day go to six flags. Oh and next time I go to the DZ, he wants to go-haha-now he wants to skydive! (his mother is gonna kill me! lol) I smiled and told him to tak eit easy-we had the whole summer-then he said he couldn't wait till september so he could come stay with me at school I just got off the phone with Arnold a few mins ago, everything went well today and he will be stopping by work tomorrow to say Hi on his way home! I am in such a good mood right now, and its true, miracles really do happen! *daizey* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #2 July 9, 2003 That is really wonderful!!!!!! J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbrian 0 #3 July 9, 2003 In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,593 #4 July 9, 2003 Totally cool! Sounds like he decided to live NOW, intead of in the "maybe." Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
