No Mud, No Lotus .. Rob’s Cancer Fund

Aloha, beautiful souls.. friends, family and all our loved ones!

 

My wife, Jojo, and I were recently given a diagnosis of advanced stomach cancer. I say “we” received the diagnosis because although it’s me with the cancer inside me, this has definitely rocked our world in every way, and Jojo is going through her own extremely trying time, as anyone whose partner has had cancer will tell you.

 

We are blessed with amazing doctors and nurses, and the treatment plan includes a combination of chemotherapy and surgeries, as well as some non-traditional modalities including immunotherapy, and incorporating a holistic approach as well. We are embracing and confronting this from every angle possible. We beat cancer once before, when I had neck/throat cancer in 2016, and we will do it again. We’re full of faith and hope, and we are holding the vision in mind and heart of us walking through this and coming out on the other side, stronger and brighter than ever. As the title of this fundraiser says.. without the mud, there can be no lotus flower. It literally grows out of the mud. So we will grow from this mud and blossom into the most beautiful lotus flowers ever!

 

We have been overwhelmed in the most wonderful way by the outpouring of love and prayers from so many of you already, ever since we first got the diagnosis a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately the diagnostic process itself has been daunting and, despite our having decent insurance, it has wiped out the modest savings we had. Now we are faced with the upcoming enormous costs of treatment, as well as the current overwhelming burden of daily living expenses. I won’t be able to work for quite a few months, as I go through this long and extensive treatment. As many of you know from seeing our posts and pics here on Facebook of the big dog packs Jojo and I have been hiking with for the last couple years here in Hawaii, it was definitely a two-person show. With me having to step away from work to begin treatment, Jojo isn’t able to carry on with the dog packs without me. She has had to make a major shift in her work life and is supporting us both at this time.

 

The suddenness of this diagnosis has created an urgent need for us to ask for help, and we are deeply grateful for any and all help you can offer us. Your dollars will help us stay afloat with the daily and monthly expenses as well as begin to tackle the mountain of medical bills that are beginning to pour in. I didn’t know what target amount to put it in for the fundraiser, but from past experience with cancer treatment, our expenses will be way beyond the $30,000 goal amount I used here. Again, any and all help is welcomed and received with our eternally grateful hearts, and we will joyfully pay it forward by sharing the love in our hearts with life and with all of you, and with all who cross our path once we’re beyond this challenging time.

This part of the journey is yet another avenue for us to grow closer to God and to use this experience to be of even greater service to others, so we’re actually seeing it as a beautiful gift and opportunity. Thank you for sharing in this gift and in this ride with us. They say it takes a village, and we’re already feeling the immense love of our village. We love you all and we’re so grateful for the gift of you in our lives!

 

Mahalo,

Rob & Jojo