Letters for Thursday, December 7, 2006

• ‘Hope Lodge’ needed

• Coquis? … what about jets and snoring

• Spirit of the season

‘Hope Lodge’ needed

In September of 2005 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I now understand the challenges of “surviving” cancer. After extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatment I have been in remission for nine months. The experience was life-changing and has made me acutely aware of the challenges of “surviving” this terrible illness.

For those of us who live on Kaua‘i we are involved in a struggle against both the disease as well as a search for adequate treatment and care.

My experiences are typical of many cancer patients on Kaua‘i. I received my chemotherapy on O‘ahu once a week. For radiation therapy I had to return to O‘ahu for four weeks. My insurance did not cover the cost of airfare or accommodations during those times. The American Cancer Society here on Kaua‘i helped me with some of the airfare and also assisted me with low cost ($50/night) hotel accommodations. I came home to Kaua‘i after each chemo treatment, but during the radiation I had to stay there for the Monday-Friday treatments. Even if it had been available, I could not afford $50/night for housing for more than a month. I was fortunate enough to have a loving family from a church in Wahiawa take me in during that time. Since my wife could not travel with me I was left alone during some very difficult treatment.

The Cancer Society has been a real source of assistance, and encouragement from day one. But as great as their services have been, there remain some major gaps in services and care for cancer patients who live on Kaua‘i.

The lack of a resident oncologist on Kaua‘i is one of the major gaps that must be filled as soon as possible.

The unavailability of equipment and staff to provide radiation treatment here on the island is probably cost-prohibitive.

Housing and transportation to go to O‘ahu is an issue that must be addressed as soon as possible. Hotels providing low -cost housing are not available during peak tourist times and are cost-prohibitive for some.

There is a limited number of donated airfares available through the Cancer Society.

Some cancer patients simply do not have the financial resources to make the trips to and from O‘ahu and like myself cannot afford to stay on O‘ahu during their treatments. So, they are forced to consider the option of not pursuing further treatment. Their cancer might win this battle all because of the lack of money, housing, or local treatment options.

But of all the needs, affordable housing is the one thing I am determined to try and resolve. The American Cancer Society in many parts of the country operates a housing program called “Hope Lodge.” Hope Lodges are more than just a place to stay — they provide a home-like nurturing environment, so patients can get support from others going through the same experience. A cancer survivor’s recovery involves much more than medical treatments; it takes hope to heal. Hope Lodge offers the warmth and security of home in a setting where the love and encouragement of others enlighten and inspire those struggling to survive this awful disease.

But you cannot operate a program unless you have some kind of housing available. We need a facility on O‘ahu that could house and support cancer patients and families traveling not just from Kaua‘i but for all of us throughout the Pacific who have to travel to O‘ahu for those life-saving treatments.

I don’t know where the answer lies or who could help us make this dream come true. But, I feel the need to begin somewhere. So here is my plea. If you or someone you know might have the resources or contacts to move this dream from a need to a reality, please contact the Kaua‘i office of the American Cancer Society or call me directly at 652-3670

Lihu‘e

Coquis? … what about jets and snoring

I don’t know what coqui frogs sound like, but understand that they are noisy.

If they sound like jet airplanes taking off and landing, then we have a coqui frog problem here at Sun Village, and I hope government will expend money to eradicate the critters.

If the frogs are not to blame, I hope government will spend money to eradicate jet airplanes.

If coqui frogs sound like loud snoring from my condominium neighbors, I hope government will eradicate the amphibians. If it’s not the frogs, perhaps government will expend money to eradicate my neighbors.

Lihu‘e

Spirit of the season

I would like to thank everyone for making this time of the year special. I love the holiday cheer evident in every corner of this wonderful community that makes this already accepting and warm-hearted community the best I’ve ever lived in.

My wife and I would especially like to thank the organizers of the parade. It was great to see all of the smiling children enjoying the light-laden vehicles, the images of gingerbread men, candy canes, reindeer and the plethora of those Santa Claus hats.

What I really look forward to this time of the year is the holiday music. It’s the music that makes it feel like the holiday season. Oh, and the food! If I don’t get my yearly fill of holiday cookies, look out, I’ll go mad.

Saturday I bought a very nice tree from in front of an area store and even emptied all of the coins from my car ashtray into the bell-ringing attendant’s kettle where I was wished a gleeful “Happy Holiday.” This tree now stands proudly in the center of my living room adorned with lights, garlands, candy canes, 4-inch wide snowflakes and topped off with a tall, illuminated angel. Yes, an angel. Like the type that greeted the shepherds tending their flocks of sheep to inform them of the birth of our savior.

If I remember correctly, this Holiday Season is actually a celebration of that birth. Don’t you remember the speech Linus gives on stage when Charlie Brown was trying to organize the play rehearsal and no one was listening or following his direction?

This holiday is to celebrate the birth of the savior of all men who was to eventually die for us. What was that line, “He loved us so much, He gave his only begotten son.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be out there spending and buying with the best of you. It is fantastic we set aside a few days every year to show our love and appreciation for those close to us. We visit friends, relatives, co-workers and have a great time. We celebrate with them and show we really do care about them. We contribute in record amounts to charities and if anything, only ask for a “thank you” or a smile in return. But mostly it makes us feel good and there is absolutely nothing wrong about that.

It would be nice to see the true meaning of the holiday in all those store windows. But, it is nicer to see the true meaning of the holiday in everyone’s smile and heart we greet this time of year.

So, go buy that pair of argyle socks for Uncle Bob and give him a warm hug when you see him. It will mean more than you will ever know.

Oh, and have a very Merry Christmas.

Lihu‘e