I depart for the hospital in four days. While my miracle of a wife gets me and us prepared for everything, I just think about today, and the day we return to DC. Sometimes I think about days in between, which turns on a spigot of serious sadness, overwhelming gratefulness and then love.
We just returned from a long two days in NY. Liza and I were there for a battery of tests, consent forms, and preparatory procedures, including my first tattoo! Doctors actually tattooed my chest and back to delineate my lungs; like utility company neon orange markings on the road. I get full body radiation for four days and the lungs are covered for protection, hence the tattoos. Who knows? I stopped asking most questions long ago.
Once again NYC is feeling like a small town. A couple friends picked us up at the train station Monday night (yesterday's appointments started early so we had to go up the night before), we went for pizza (there really is such a thing as NY-style pizza and it's good), and then they dropped us off at the hospital's hotel. When we got to the hotel, a college roommate was outside waiting for us. Liza and I are lucky souls. Monday was all smiles.
We were gone for two days and never spoke to the boys, as they were with their Grammy, Grampa, and Auntie, and having more fun with us gone. Eli never asked to call us. God bless him.
We are so lucky to have all of you helping us on this home front. You make our lives as comfortable and as easy as possible. We are amazed every day with your selfless, generous, outpouring of love and support. With the recent decision to use Sloan Kettering for the transplant, many, including your friends and family (strangers to Liza and me), have stepped-up beyond our imagination. We are grateful beyond words. You are our heroes.
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David Holder
(202) 270-3174
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
T Minus 4 Days
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21 comments:
Darlin' Dave,
I'm glad you and Liza and the kids have so many people offering you help and support. I will be racheting up the prayers and will be thinking of you constantly. Knowing who you are, I can't imagine that this won't go well for you.. you are the mighty warrior!
Leeann
David,
You are a Hero to all of us:)
David
You are sooooo fortunate to have that situation with grandparents!! Similarly, Cov and Ellie would swap out William and me for their Nini and Papi any day, anytime. It's almost weird that they just KNOW who my parents are to them and how much they are loved by them.
The tattoo sounds funky!!
Glad things went well in NY. Focusing on today and your homecoming sound like a good idea. All that in-between stuff will ultimately be a big blur.
Thanks for keeping us posted, as always! Love, Dana
David,
You are our Gift, our Hero.
We'll see you in NY for cocoa and bagels.
Nothing but love -- Sal
You are indeed a hero - a bright one at that! Even if Eli didn't ask where you were, I am sure he gave you a big hug and a smile when you got home. Focus on that homecoming in a couple of months. It's going to be wonderful.
Love,
Emma and family.x
Hi Dave,
I was a year behind you at Friends. I met your dad at Sarah Ehrlich's wedding and he filled me in on your current fight. Just wanted to let you know my family and I are thinking of you and your family as you head up to NYC. I have two kids the same age as yours, if we were closer, they could all get together for a playdate :)
Enjoy your next few days at home, and know that so many of us are thinking of you.
Take care,
Dianne (Shelton) Hull
dianne.hull@comcast.net
Maybe your next tatoo should be a giant battleship on your chest...or Liza's name on your butt...just a thought! Love ya bunches,
Jenny G and The White Boys
We think about you and read your blog every day, brother. Keep up the great work.
I look forward to seeing you on the AU hoops court in May. :)
Love,
Marty, Sarah, and Gabe
Hey Dave:
I guess my move to DC (although closer to you) has kept me out of the loop, I just heard you were sick. I am sitting here at my desk now reading your blog (and wiping the tears from my eyes). I hope you beat this real soon. If there is anything at all I can do to help, please let me know (I could even run by your place in DC and water your plants!). Your blogs are beautiful and so full of love and all things warm - I am sure you've been told that hundreds of times... I'll be watching out for you!
- Logan (Helman)
Dave,
Haven't seen you since I was filming you playing guitar back in high school. I wish you all the best. My prayers are with you.
-Dave T.
David -
Found out about you from the Friends alumni news. Super happy that you have a great family and friends network; wish you good luck and all the best. We're all pulling for you.
Best,
Kurt Schwarz
Dave,
This is my 3rd attempt at posting, if this doesn't go through, I will email you!
I have been keeping up with you via wex(aka Robin). Don't tell him, but he is a pretty great guy.
I want you to know that bmtsupport.org has you in thier thoughts and prayers as you take this journey. I love your attitude, it will serve you well.
Please feel free to join our chat anytime you can.
Michelle
www.bmtsupport.org tues, thurs and sat @9P EST
Dave-
On April 24, Franklin High School is teaming up with Franklin Middle School to raise money and awareness of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Our charity basketball game has raised $8,000 for cancer research over the past two years. We'll all be thinking of you this year, so keep hanging on.
I've been following the blogs, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I couldn't help but offer one piece of advice about kids: Don't get too bummed out your kids didn't call you, everyone knows, "What happens at Grammy's, stays at Grammy's."
Your friend,
Trip Mallonee
Dave,
I am a Friends School student who was in your sister Annie's class. I just want to wish you all the best. I hope you feel truly stronger soon. Good luck and God Bless.
Dave,
I too, was in Annie's class at Friends and my family knew yours from the Suburban Club. I just heard the news from an Alumni email and just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you and your family all the best. Looks like you have an amazing support system and tons of love flowing your way. Take good care.
Carolyn Hecht
Look on the bright side - you will never again have to wonder where your lungs are! :) To me, your spirit is a breath of fresh air and a tattoo showing off your wonderful, breathing, living, fighting, beautiful lungs couldn't be a more appropriate thing! (And, heck, it's the UT logo, so I'm sure Andy, Paul and Martine might think it's so cool they might have to go get one, too - you're a trendsetter! - ha ha.)
In all seriousness, someday you'll look back at those "battle scars," Mr. Warrior, and you will undoubtedly be amazed at how far you have come!
It was so great to see you and the fam today - even if just for a few minutes - and send you off on this trip. (I may just have to stop by tomorrow for an encore goodbye.) Know that we will take good care of E, Reedy and Turtle Park. Though Reedy today proved he is quite capable of looking out for himself. :)
It's so great to hear that the Dave Holder Fan Club reaches so far and so wide ... but how could it not?!
Remember, just come back in time to cook your special chix at the pumpkin carvin' - K?
Big hugs from our whole gang - we're rooting for you!
XO
CMF
We'll be thinking of you while you are in new york - you will be in great hands at sloan. We look forward to seeing you when you get back to DC. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see you before then when we are up in nyc!
Love, Becky and Alan
David, keep up the good work! You're our inspiration.
And once Sal treats you to those bagels and that cocoa, we're taking you all out for some real NY cuisine, pastrami on rye.
Sending hugs to our gorgeous niece and the munchkins.
Love, Shelley and Shel
Dave,
So glad to hear you are well taken care of in NYC. We will be thinking of you and sending you all our love. We'll be there April 4-6, so please let us know if we cam do anything.
4rrrrrr (that's a note from Miles).
Miles says: Dear Dave, I hope you like New York.
xoxo,
Jenny & Miles
Your positive energy is felt in all messages. Stay strong and keep laughing.
-CD
i miss you lots. i saw Elizabeth at the wedding and I just want you to know you are deeply deeply missed. I hope I get to visit soon - your cousin Jane
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