I will definitely keep the blog going through my first Berto's burrito. I should still have some more interesting stuff to post, although hopefully it's all good.
Today was a very exciting and emotional day. It's hard to describe how overwhelming it was to have them take off the mask for the last time. The radiation technicians gave me a special diploma and a rose for having completed the 33 radiation treatments. Everyone was so supportive.
One of my fellow cancer fighters gave me an incredible card. He came up to me one day about a week ago and said him and his wife have been praying for me even though we had never even met. Then, today, he gave me very nice congratulatory card. I can't tell you how thankful I am to people like that and to all of you who have shown me such incredible support. I truly love you all. You have made this a lot easier on me and I am forever grateful.
Steve
January in Sabino Canyon
just before radiation started- on Jen's birthday
Sabino Canyon on hike
Part of the Catalina Mountains
the cavalry on the attack
2001 emerald city invite
18 comments:
Steve, we are so happy. Thanks for the example you have been to us of courage and good humor while going through such a difficult time.
Gordon and Joan
We are so relieved that you are through this very trying time in your life. Thank you for being such a source of inspiration for all of us and for keeping such a positive attitude. I am not sure that the family could have handled this had your spirit not been so uplifting. We love you and cant wait to celebrate!
Steven,how happy I am for you. I have been with you in spirit everyday and always in awe of your courage and ability to see the positive side of everything you've been through. I hope you get that special meal very soon and then some! Your mom, your grandma and aunts will probably all be busy in the kitchen getting your favorite foods to you.
What a joyful sight that will be. I wish I could be there to share in the joy. My prayers remain with you and your family.
Love, Aunt Cindi
Today was the most difficult day to be in Phoenix knowing you'd be pulling that mask off for the last time walking down the hall with its pressure marks still on your face. Tom said Ted shaved the rest of your hair off. I want a picture. Your dad sounded very emotional. He is pretty incredible to have been by your side every step of the way. There was never any question for him. I remember when he told me he would be down there during the week and I would come down on the weekend when he came home. I didn't think you'd need, or want, that much intrusion after being independent for so long. I was wrong. I had no idea the treatment would be so debilitating. I also remember Tom talking to Dr. Ahn on the phone. I could tell it was a very serious conversation when he said, "Don't worry, Steve will never be alone. One of us will always be with him." He was 100% committed even though you're a long way from that crying baby he carried around the block in the Snuggly singing the song he made up (maybe that's where Steven got it from Jen?), "He's my little boy; brings me so much joy." Like your wise professor said, "Your parents will never stop parenting you." I know you still have an unknown road to go down through the recovery process. I hope God's paved this one rubberized asphalt smooth because the bumps on this last one were not pleasant. Congratulations on sticking with it and not complaining. Two thumbs up! Love you T. Mom
Hey Baby,
I am so exited for all of you. What a journey you've all had during the last couple of months.
I want you to know that I was on my front patio this afternoon around 3:00 pm ringing a bell. A few minutes later, Moochie called and I could hear her ringing her bells. I can't remember looking so forward for a day to come, as I have for today. I can hardly wait to see you, Jen, and you whole family back together again-whether we meet in Tucson or Phoenix it will be so wonderful for all of us to be together to celebrate,
I have always been very proud of you, but when I was ringing my bells (that I had to go through my garage, and try to find our Christmas bells) I truly felt your success.
If you have a few tough days going forward, please read some of your earlier blogs. As David and I always say, you shouldn't ever forget your roots, or what you have achieved. Sometimes we focus on the present but we should look back to the past and see what we have accomplished.
Jen, Tom, Jeanie, Dop, Breadie you always have achieved so much in the last couple of months...I couldn't be prouder of a family.
Like you for always, love you for ever.
Aunt Lynnie
Steve,
Well done. Get some rest, let your body heal, and enjoy your family. We look forward to seeing you.
Good Morning Sweetheart,
i am hoping that today you can rest, and have a good day.
I know Mother Teresa is smiling down on you, you met the challenge with stregnth, humility, and courage. You are truly a child of God.
I'll love you forever....
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
That Berto's burro is on me....
Wooo Hoooo!
Congratulations! You should be proud of how strong you have been.
Kevin
Congratulations on finishing your chemo. You have been a real inspiration to alot of us. God really does show us a lot about ourselves we would have never known until we go through trials like these...
May God continue to hold you in his arms. May you enjoy getting back to eating and enjoying what you eat. May you also look at each day as a blessing and thankful for strength and courage to overcome the cancer beast. May it never rear it's ugly head again within you.
Hi Steve, I am so very happy and excited for you! My prayers have ever been with you, a will remain with you. You are in my every thought. I am so very proud of how you have faced up to your grave ordeal with such grace and courage. Suffering and pain in our lives can be a redemptive thing. Christ Himself endured unbearable suffering and pain for our redemption. I know that He has been with you through all of this. I hope and pray that you will recover quickly now. May you eat to your heart's content. Keep on blogging. I love being able to see how things are going for you when I get into work in the morning. God bless you. Love, Aunt Diane
Moke -
Ted tells me you look very distinguished sans the hair. Hope you're feeling a ton better today. For my part, I'm feeling like a real horse's patoot this morning - I erroneously attributed the "Grace under pressure" quote to our 35th president, John F. Kennedy, when in fact, had I taken a minute to google the quote, as I did just now in a moment of doubt, I would have realized the quote comes from Ernest Hemmingway (our 33rd president). In any event, it applies so well to you. We're all incredibly proud of you, inspired by you, and today, happy for you. Can't wait to see you. Love, Greg
congratulations, steven!
i am so, so, happy for you! you have been such an inspiration.
i wish you a speedy, peaceful recovery!
lauren
Steve,
Just walked in my front door and have to say, this last trip down to Tucson was the best yet. Coming back, I was, and the "runner's high" may have been complicit, singing "Soul Man" like a bastard at the top of my lungs. I can't remember the last time I've been this happy.
Tom, you are one of the greatest people I know. Not only because you were able to keep up with someone almost 30 years younger on those 1:40 long runs through Sabino Canyon, but for reasons to profound and numerous to try to trifle with words. Thank you so much for taking care of my cousin and for allotting so much of that suffering for yourself. God knows it wasn't easy seeing Steve go through all that he did.
I understand that we're not in the clear, but I truly believe the worst of it is in the rearview mirror (like the highway patrolman that I was sure was going to nab me for allowing the A4 to go above 90). Stay strong, dude.
Ted
P.S. Tom can cook a mean pot of chili. Add that one to your list, steve.
ted
Hi Steven,
First let me comment on your aunt lynn's take on the birthday bash at the Big Bang (or was that the big bong?" Anyway, Mary and her kept yelling out it was my 77th Birthday and there really was no need for it. Not after they requested "Moon River" for me and the guy said he never sang it and didn't know the words. However,Dan and Mary gave a great performance, well maybe not Dan but Mary sure looked cute.
As the oldest of the Manos clan, I want to thank all the uncles, aunts, cousins and most of all Jen(we've adopted her) and tom and jean. Tom, you've made my heart burst with pride and Jean I think you have always known how much poppie and i love you. You guys have done a great job with your kids, and after all what is more important in life? I don't know if you actually know how many people are pulling for you. Your great Aunt, Grace, in chicago says a novena a day and Rosemary said she prays for you everytime she thinks about you all day long. I know poppie, dolores and walt are loooking after you and all the rest of the collins'. You mean so much to so many.
Your horoscope today said"if you hit an obstacle, tap into your ingenulty. There is no telling what your natural charm can do."
"I too remember driving to your house and meeting tom carrying you in the snuggly singing. Also keeping all the neighbors up in Mission Beach, or was that danny?
You have so many great friends from Brophy, Xavier and SU. I thank them all for their love and concern.
The lap of the race is over and once again you have broken the record for perseverance and determination. There were times when i had a hard time believing your treatment would ever end but then i thought of you and thought if you can do it, why can't i?
I love you Steven Manos
Congratulations!! No one will ever quite know all that you experienced,but we all know what a determined, dedicated, wonderful young man you are!The courage you showed kept everyone going.
You have shown us all so much about how to handle life's challenges.
Thank you for the blog, laughter and the tears.
May God continue to bless you and your family with His love and goodness.
I hope one day to meet Jen..she sounds like the best young woman around!!
God bless your doctors and nurses(even the more difficult ones)..I know they all learned from you..and will miss you..even though they are happy you have completed your treatments.
Celebrate....celebrate..and CELEBRATE YOU!!
L'Jeane
Now that you are done, I would like to schedule a run with you in the next week or so. If I wait any longer than that my chance of beating you will be gone forever. I know your recovery will be swift as you never let the treatment beat you down to begin with. You don't have to climb all the way out from the bottom.
So, a couple miles in the foothills next Saturday?
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