Never a dull moment!

Its been about two weeks since our race. There are a few people I would like to recognize who completed the race. First there is Pooky (Trystan Wong) a 7th grader at Kamehameha school who did the race as a class project. I thought how compassionate he is to learn all about ALS and motor neurons for his class project and then, there was Chad who has a muscular dystrophy disease and completed the race happily with his mother. Both of them filled my heart with joy so thank you thank you thank you!!!

Since we last blogged we have had tons of visitors. Besides our regular friends that comes to visit, I have had my college classmate Lei come to visit me from California. It was fun catching up on 25 years of absence. Crazy but Fun! Then their was Rosa who happens to be at a conference in Kona and found out about my situation. She promptly found my number, called me and flew over for the day to spend some girl time after not seeing each other for 15 years. It seems like a day has not passed us by as we picked up our friendship from way back then.

Wow Lau lau!

Share the care, Violets Web, is finally coming to fruition. Last week we had Sandra come over to give me a massage and ouh was it nice! We are expecting another massage therapist to come this week. We also had Fran prepare some food for us and the caregivers. Fran surprised us with a delicious risotto and salmon dish. Thank you to Sandra and Fran who is starting to spin the web. Thank you also to Bev from the Big Island who came over with her daughter Carlee to spend the weekend with us. If any of you have any questions about share the care please call Natalie at 258-9388.

Three weeks has past since getting the G-Tube. It has been a slow getting used to the tube feedings. I take in approximately 900 calories of tube feeding and then eat between 500-600 calories by mouth. I did not realize that I would have to eat all day to get in enough nourishment. We are still adjusting the amount and time of each tube feeding and sometimes I get a little nauseous or I feel sick to my tummy. Hopefully we will be able to resolve this problem soon. My gastro doctor said the peg looks beautiful and to return in one year. Whew!!!! We will be getting back in the water in a couple of weeks so be ready water people!

This Thursday we will not be having swim day but, we will have tea and reading by Bill and Punkin at 10:30 am here at my house. Come up and join us to all my swim friends and anyone else.

On the last note I want to share that Daniel made the cover of the new Surfing Magazine that is coming out soon.

You would never guess who helped me with today's blog. GLIZZA! She is covering for Malia, Spike and Daniel today and will leave back to Bali this week.

Good Night Bella! Goodnight Ruby! Goodnight Spike! I LOVE YOU!

God Bless You All!

Aloha,

VI

A Big Mahalo!

Thank you Natalie for posting the pictures of the run! Thank you HURT and MDA for making this run possible. Thank you all for supporting this event and bringing your high energy that made you all glow happiness. Thank you to all who donated food and drinks for all. We appreciated every drink and morsel.

On the day of the run, we were blessed with the most beautiful day in Kaaawa Valley! Approximately 220 runners, walkers, moms and tots, dads, families and costumed creatures lined the start and off they went on the 3.7 mile trek into the beautiful valley guarded by the majestic green Koolau mountains on either side. The view is breath taking! The 3.7 mile trek route is rather challenging as the HURT motto is "You wouldn't want it to be easy". The course marshals dressed in costumes such as Spam, girl in pj's, Ling Hing Mui seeds and the bat guided and cheered the runners on their way. The cows mooed and ran scattered as runners ran through their turf. Now how many runs do you know of that goes through a cow pasture?

It's late and I will continue tomorrow. In the mean time check out these pictures and You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lLVeWu6tzY

Good night Bella and Ruby. Good night Spike.

God bless and aloha

vi

Photos from Vi's Adventure Trek and Run!

Thank you to everyone for making today such a success!

Vi's First Blog Back

It's been twelve days since the insertion of the PEG Tube. Thanks for all your calls, concerns, love and support. I sailed through the simple procedure which could have turned bad, on the wings of my angel. Thanks to my great Doctor, everything went with no problem.

I apologize for not blogging, however, the last week I've been feeling a little depressed. I know that I am feeling this way because I haven't felt the ZEST that I usually feel and now I have this tube protruding out of my stomach that needs to be hooked up three times a day. Wouldn't you be depressed too? Just imagine I have always loved cooking, eating, shopping for my own fruits and vegetables which I am not able to do anymore. I am trying to be positive and look on the brighter side of how to enjoy eating, cooking, and smelling and caressing the fruits and vegetables.

The highlight for our family this week was the engagement of Daniel and Natalie! Sighhhhh....FINALLY! We love you both, Daniel and Natalie, and wish you both continued love and support.

We are all looking forward to our Adventure Trek and Run on Sunday which will have approximately 300 participants. Be sure to dress in a funny costume! We are looking forward to seeing you.

Goodnight Spike! Goodnight Bella! Goodnight Ruby Rose! Nana loves you!

Aloha, Vi

Photos from The Last Swim Day Before Vi's Operation

Thank you everyone for making last Wednesday's, late afternoon swim so wonderful! We had such a great time and I know Vi did too! She's doing well and we promise she'll post a blog soon!
- Natalie

Update on Vi's G-Tube operation!

Hello everyone! So, I'm sure you all must be going crazy wondering how the operation went today so I just wanted to write a quick message and let everyone know that the operation went really well, no problems. It got off to a late start, about an hour later than expected because the prep time took a bit long, but the total operation didn't seem longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Vi was in recovery for a few hours as they searched for a hospital room for her to stay the night. Jan is there now with her for the night and she will be checking out and back home at 11:00am tomorrow. She was in a bit of pain after but overall was just really sleepy. Thank you all for your blessings and positive thoughts. I know Vi will want to write another blog and tell you all about the experience when she is back home. But, for now, you can all rest easy knowing it went well.

Natalie

The Day Before The G-Tube

Today, Wednesday, is hopefully not the last day of swimming even though tomorrow I go in to have the G-tube put in. We had swim day this afternoon which ended with a picnic of scrumpaliscious food. Everything from KFC to Indian food and imported olives from Italy and, of course, Hawaiian food! Thank you Jeannie, Heidi, Aunty Karen, Malia and Spike, Tina, Elaine, Rene, Roy, Sandra and sister, Lorenn, Jan, Daniel and Natalie. The day was just beautiful with an occasional gusting trade passing through. At first, the water looked cold but it turned out it was warm. We swam and chatted as usual. It was nice to have Jan there to experience swim day. Hopefully, I will be able to continue swimming and return back to the water in approximately 6 weeks. Until then, it would be nice to keep meeting at the beach and hang out. What do you gals think? After I get the G-tube in, I will still be able to eat, however, it is called recreational eating as I will be getting most of my caloric intake through the G-tube. Oh well! I am ready for the transition and going with the flow. So this is a little video for you my friends and I truly appreciate all of your love and support. My family has also been over the moon for me. There is nothing else I can say that can truly paint a picture of their love. I will be having the G-tube put in at 11:00 at Queens and will stay the night for observation. Natalie, Jan and Daniel will be with me and you may call Natalie at 258-9388 for updates.

Goodnight Spike! Goodnight Bella! Goodnight Ruby Rose! Nana loves you!

Aloha and God bless,

Vi