By Diego Reynoso
diego@southerntorch.com
This week I had treatment. I had missed a week of treatment because the side effects were bothering me. The burning sensation in my hands was unbearable and I could not get them to close, well they could but man did it hurt bad. Also the skin was shedding so bad that it would leave like an open wound. I’ve tried everything under the sun to help. Lotions, cream, ointments and home remedies. I have heard from everyone some form of idea to help. I appreciate everyone’s advice and tips. Nothing goes unnoticed believe me. I seem to manage it some but man does it still find ways to get worse. I mention this because I went Wednesday to take off my pump. I signed in as usual and returned to the lobby to wait. I wasn’t feeling too good so I decided to stand. It was hot in the lobby and I figured by standing close to the outside door I could manage the heat. As I was waiting the door opened to the back where the chemo lab and doctor rooms are. Two women proceeded to exit. I glanced up at them and noticed the older woman, probably in her late eighties, was walking slow and looked dizzy. She was using a cane and the other woman was trying to help her as much as she could. Unfortunately she was around the same age and wouldn’t have been able to help if she would have fallen. They stopped at the front desk to set up a time for the next visit. The older woman with the cane leaned up against the wall for support. After they were finished at the front desk they continued to walk through the lobby. She didn’t even make it ten steps before she became dizzy again. She grabbed the wall and immediately I went over to help. I asked if she needed a wheelchair. She looked up and grinned and said “please”. I took off with quickness even though I was feeling bad. I imagined my grandmother when I saw this woman. So to me I wasn’t gonna let her walk to her car. I helped her into the chair and told her friend that I would take her out if she would pull your car up. After she went outside I asked her if she had treatment? She said no just a doctor visit. But she started informing me the reason for the dizziness wasn’t from treatment, it was from Parkinson’s disease. I was in shock really. I mean, I know to have cancer is a hard thing to cope with but to have such a hard disease like Parkinson’s also is unimaginable. I think at times with all my side effects that cause so much pain and sickness this woman has to endure two life threatening diseases. I know what I go through is hard and I am thankful for all the people in my life that help me. I just don’t know how I would be able to handle what this woman is going through.
It made me realize that while I may have it bad some days, there is always someone out there that might have it worse. So always be helpful. Someone you know or even a stranger might need help once in a while. And a small gesture like holding a door or in my case getting a wheelchair to help someone to the car could go a very long way.
Supports Team Diego!
By Joseph M. Morgan
joseph@southerntorch.com
As most of you know, in 2012 at age 32, Diego was diagnosed with colon cancer. After the diagnosis, Diego underwent surgery to remove the cancer followed by several months of radiation and chemotherapy. In the four years since, Diego’s health has fluctuated back and forth as he has gone in and out of remission. But two things have remained constant over those four years—first, his need for costly ongoing medical treatment and chemotherapy—and second, a display of courage and strength beyond words, a strength that has humbled and inspired us all as he has refused to give up and continued to fight this deadly disease with every ounce of his being. It was in the spirit of that strength that two years ago in an effort to help raise funds to pay for the expensive treatments and mounting medical bills, TEAM DIEGO held a t-shirt fundraiser with the slogan “I AM STRONG” to help relieve some of the financial burden on Diego and his family. We could never put into words how meaningful and helpful that experience was, not just financially but emotionally and some days even physically. You lifted all of our spirits and gave Diego and his family the strength to continue fighting and the ability to help cover his expensive treatments with heads held high.
More importantly you lifted Diego up every time you wore that shirt. As most of you are aware, sadly a few months ago Diego’s cancer returned, requiring additional medical treatments and an aggressive chemo again. That’s why TEAM DIEGO recently decided to hold another t-shirt fundraiser for Diego and his family. The last t-shirt design was “I am Strong,” a slogan that couldn’t be more fitting. Your support helped provide that strength—you helped make it a reality. We are calling on your support again now. Our new slogan is “We are Unstoppable.” Help us make this slogan a reality. Prices for all regular sizes are $15 with special sizes like 2X and 3Xat $20. Thanks again for all the support and hope you enjoy the new design. We are now taking preorders beginning today. Contact me here or if you have our personal info you can that way.
