Alpen-ites. Tomorrow it begins! Yes, tomorrow, Alpen will be admitted to the hospital to begin the inpatient portion of his bone-marrow transplant.
As such, Alpen-ites, I ask each of you to spend a little time tonight gathering your thoughts, prayers, intentions, and wishes that this bone-marrow transplant will heal, protect, and ultimately free Alpen from disease.
Today, rather than focus on the possible risks, uncomfortable side effects, or frustrating restrictions that come with this treatment---let us instead focus on the possibility, blessings, and opportunity that lay within this treatment.
Today, let us feel deep gratitude for the kind and generous stranger that traveled across continents to donate their marrow to Alpen.
Today, lets us revel in our good fortune that Alpen being treated at the best hospital with the best doctors---with our family's most trusted and brilliant doctors close by.
Today, let us count our blessings that unlike thousands of others in this country, Alpen has health insurance and that finances have never decided whether he has access to the best and most advanced treatments.
Finally, today, let our hearts expand with joy and our mindseye linger on the possibility of a cure within this treatment.
Now this is not to say that we should place any unnecessary expectations on this treatment. Though we most certainly will hope for the best, we must be sure to maintain a certain agility, openness, and grace for whatever terrain lies ahead.
However, today, we set forth our intention and determination that this treatment will begin auspicously without obstacle and will yield the highest benefit possible to Alpen.
Onward! To a cancer-free existence!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Alpen Has Left the Building!!
Alpen-ites:
Yes. It is true. Alpen has left the building! Suresh Uncle and I just got back from the airport. Whew! It was a hectic morning to say the least--complete with a trip back to the house for a forgotten coat, luggage/trunk puzzles, short-term parking hassles, nail-bittingly stressful bag weigh-in---all while we were running late! BUT we made it. And after a special airport breakfast (and love) delivery from Nayan & Harsha....Niru Aunty & Alpen are safely on their way to Boston!
Boston Team....you are up!
Now let me just tell you Boston, I'm not trying to brag, but Miami has sent Alpen off with his heart, pockets, socks, luggage, ears--everything---filled to the brim with love. For the last 10 days, Alpen has been literally been surrounded, engulfed, smothered by support, love and laughter. There have been planned and improptu lunches, dinners, concerts, hang-outs sessions, beach excursions, car rides, and all around good times.
Alpen has flown kites, talked politics, changed tires at midnight, packed (and re-packed) his bags, Bahama-Breezed, both appreciated/critiqued live music (classic Alpen), gone swimming on the coldest day of the year, enjoyed homemade arepas, treated Suresh Uncle to lunch at his favorite Italian restaurant, made suprise visits to the DDA, stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, and of course laughed laughed laughed so heartily with many of you.
Big ups to Mazen, Monique, Hearns & Louise & the kids, Gi & Marcia, Nas/Xandino, Tony, Joseph, Emerson & Carolina, Subhash & Nilu, and of course Rashmi, Murthy Uncle, Maytri Aunty, Nayan, Harsha, Baa, and Suresh Uncle for fortifying Alpen's spirit and soul with so much love and protection!
And so Day 1 of this journey begins.
With each other's support we are all ready to face what lies ahead with determination, optimism and joy.
One last thing: as you know, Suresh Uncle will be working very long hours for the next few months at the Indo-American Store. Please remember to pick up the phone every now and then to give Uncle some extra love & check on him (305-382-7570). Or if you are local, stop by sometime and see him---bring him some tea, or a snack, set up Skype for him---just let him know that we are here with him!
Alpen's first doctor appointment is tomorrow. More from me after that.
Much love Alpen-ites. Much love.
Yes. It is true. Alpen has left the building! Suresh Uncle and I just got back from the airport. Whew! It was a hectic morning to say the least--complete with a trip back to the house for a forgotten coat, luggage/trunk puzzles, short-term parking hassles, nail-bittingly stressful bag weigh-in---all while we were running late! BUT we made it. And after a special airport breakfast (and love) delivery from Nayan & Harsha....Niru Aunty & Alpen are safely on their way to Boston!
Boston Team....you are up!
Now let me just tell you Boston, I'm not trying to brag, but Miami has sent Alpen off with his heart, pockets, socks, luggage, ears--everything---filled to the brim with love. For the last 10 days, Alpen has been literally been surrounded, engulfed, smothered by support, love and laughter. There have been planned and improptu lunches, dinners, concerts, hang-outs sessions, beach excursions, car rides, and all around good times.
Alpen has flown kites, talked politics, changed tires at midnight, packed (and re-packed) his bags, Bahama-Breezed, both appreciated/critiqued live music (classic Alpen), gone swimming on the coldest day of the year, enjoyed homemade arepas, treated Suresh Uncle to lunch at his favorite Italian restaurant, made suprise visits to the DDA, stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, and of course laughed laughed laughed so heartily with many of you.
Big ups to Mazen, Monique, Hearns & Louise & the kids, Gi & Marcia, Nas/Xandino, Tony, Joseph, Emerson & Carolina, Subhash & Nilu, and of course Rashmi, Murthy Uncle, Maytri Aunty, Nayan, Harsha, Baa, and Suresh Uncle for fortifying Alpen's spirit and soul with so much love and protection!
And so Day 1 of this journey begins.
With each other's support we are all ready to face what lies ahead with determination, optimism and joy.
One last thing: as you know, Suresh Uncle will be working very long hours for the next few months at the Indo-American Store. Please remember to pick up the phone every now and then to give Uncle some extra love & check on him (305-382-7570). Or if you are local, stop by sometime and see him---bring him some tea, or a snack, set up Skype for him---just let him know that we are here with him!
Alpen's first doctor appointment is tomorrow. More from me after that.
Much love Alpen-ites. Much love.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Were BAAACK!!
Alpenites!!
We are back in session. As most of you know Alpen is heading off to Boston on October 25th for a Bone Marrow Transplant. So the time is ripe to re-ignite this blog....here are some recent pics of Alpen and the family for your viewing pleasure while you stay tuned for more posts.....
Love,
The Alpen Repor(t)
Raksha Bandan with Rashmi, Purvi & Sush
Family Pizza Night before Sush moved to Chicago
Alpen's Three Moms
We are back in session. As most of you know Alpen is heading off to Boston on October 25th for a Bone Marrow Transplant. So the time is ripe to re-ignite this blog....here are some recent pics of Alpen and the family for your viewing pleasure while you stay tuned for more posts.....
Love,
The Alpen Repor(t)
Alpen at Krupal & Mira's Wedding
Raksha Bandan with Rashmi, Purvi & Sush
Family Pizza Night before Sush moved to Chicago
Alpen's Three Moms
Suresh Uncle enjoying(?) pizza...
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