Comments on: How Do You Know When to Stop Fighting?

By: need stop fighting

need stop fighting — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:44:38 +0000

need help

By: not good

not good — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:25:24 +0000

Does not work

By: brian

brian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:35:50 +0000

michelle,
i don’t know you, but i’ve heard through many mutual friends about you and how you’ve made such a positive impact on their lives. i trust that God has a plan and that you are still taking part in it right now- though it’s hard to see- very hard. i hope you know that a lot of people are praying for you and that though it can be easy to give up now- God will never give up on you.

By: Nancy Yu

Nancy Yu — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:34:17 +0000

You’ve always been a source of inspiration to me. You’ve taught me what it means to stay strong and have faith, thank you. So please continue to stay strong and have faith, you’ll be in my prayers.

By: Russell

Russell — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:22:27 +0000

Van, Michelle… I can tell you that I am filled with hope for you. Why? Because people give up or they don’t. That was the time when the vast majority of the people on Earth would give up… and you did NO such thing.

Now, while you are looking to holistic medicine, may I please suggest that you have a look at curezone.com? There is an amazing amount of info there, and so many tales of recovery that it is becoming difficult to marginalize. I found out about this in studying the case of a woman who, diagnosed with MS, pronounced incurable, of course, went researching her troubles only to find that her symptoms were that of someone else who had discovered that foods containing Aspartame (Nutrasweet) caused the gradual onset of the symptoms.

She (you guessed it) stopped drinking diet soda and eating yogurt containing it and her incurable MS went away.

Here is a link to a documentary on the woman in question:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6551291488524526735&ei=oLNRSrO4HYnSrALE8fTGDg&q=sweet+misery&hl=en

… Don’t give up.

By: A N N A

A N N A — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:59:37 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story with a stranger. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m wishing for a miracle.

By: Ha

Ha — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:52:52 +0000

Idk what to say. Wish i can do anything to help…sending +++++ energy your way.

By: Erin Kinch

Erin Kinch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:24:58 +0000

Thinking of you both today and sending positive energy for the next step in your journey.

By: D :)

D :) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:57:43 +0000

Dear Michelle and Van
Like so many of your supporters we have never met, but we think about you and have you in our prayers and hearts!
By “we” I mean myself and my husband Mike.
When we look at the both of you what tugs at our hearts the most is that we think “wow that could be us”…ohhh some ten years ago, but still
And we are amazed by your maturity and strength!
We are both registered bone marrow doners thanks to you!
And I think we secretly hoped one of us would be the “one” that would help Michelle but hopefully one day our efforts will come to fruition!
We wish we could do more!
We will continue to pray and hope for a miracle!
Hawaii HEARTS Michelle!
D and Mike

By: Pomp

Pomp — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:33:11 +0000

Michelle, my faith is in you. I can’t tell you how much your bravery and accomplishments have meant to me. My dad had died of cancer so I am familiar with some of the chemo treatment hell you are going through. Don’t focus on the amount of “estimated” time the doctor had given you because he may have triggered emotions in you that may affect your body negatively. I see strength in your character and actions, so I believe you can find other positive ways, medical or spiritual, that will push you through this. I know you haven’t seen or heard from us, but all of us kids from the temple are with you and are standing behind you during this time. Van, I know you don’t know me but you’ve done a great job in supporting your woman. Outstanding. And I can only wish that I can be half as honorable as you have been with Michelle.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:42:05 +0000

in my prayers. never lose hope.

By: Sadie

Sadie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:49:42 +0000

I think the answer is that you don’t stop fighting. You fight and fight until you don’t think you can fight any longer and then somehow, you find the strength to fight some more.

You never know what each day will bring. Some will bring horrible news. Like Monday. Some will bring awesome 90’s parties. And some… those really great ones will bring new medical advances and treatments. Imagine the first person to receive chemotherapy. What if they had stopped fighting the day before? So keep fighting and keep living and keep praying and keep exploring and remember that improvements are coming, new treatments are coming and a cure is coming. So keep going Michelle, until they are yours.

You can do this. You can keep fighting and all of your many fans and supporters will hold you in our hearts and send you strength to keep going, keep living and keep fighting.

You got this girlfriend. EFF CANCER!!

Thinking of you always.

<3 Sadie

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:37:38 +0000

Like many others, I’ve been a long time lurker of this blog since volunteering at a drive here in WA that some of your fellow Bears organized. I lost a dear friend, Glory Hom, to leuk almost two years ago and your battle hit close to home. While it’s true that Glory fought tooth and nail until the very end, what remains with me still today is not that battle but that she always seemed at peace with her decisions, her life. I hope that you find peace and that your mind can will your body to be strong. Miracles do happen – as long as you are at peace, everything else will fall in place.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:47:11 +0000

Michelle,

I just wanted to add that since your blood type is AB, soy foods (especially fermented) are beneficial for killing certain types of cancer cells. This isn’t the case with everyone or for other blood types. This information is from “Eat Right for your (blood) Type” by Dr. Peter Adamo, a lifestyle I am currently experimenting with. According to the book, blood type A and AB have the highest rate of cancers than other blood types, and various foods, supplements and lifestyle can be engendered to prevent the susceptibility. I know there’s a lot of information out there about what can or cannot help…and its all very confusing. However, Information = Power. And I hope something will help. Fermented soy can be found in tofu, miso soups. from high quality japanese stores. I also encourage you to look into macrobiotic diet.

By: HB

HB — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:08:59 +0000

Michelle and Van..I know you will come out of this..I will go the the temple here in NJ and ask God to take this horrible disease away. You have a whole life to live and grow old with Van. Please hang in there and don’t give up hope. You can do it..I know you can..am another of your anonymous fans. Sending lots of love and healing thoughts your way.

By: A fan

A fan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:27:27 +0000

Dear Michelle,
I have been following your story but have not posted a comment before. I hope you know how much you have inspired others by your grace and will to live. Our thoughts are prayers are with all of you. Your wonderful spirit and the love that surrounds you will help you make all the right decisions.

By: Viva

Viva — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:20:39 +0000

Michelle & Van,

I’ve been in and out of the hospital since April 09 because I have AML too. I haven’t had a chance to read much of your journal. I am not sure the type of chemo/transplant you went through. I am currently on the AML clinical trial where the hematologist used higher dosage of chemo to blast off leukemia cells then stem cell transplant afterward (-5%). The trial is currently on phase 2 and fairly new with FDA approved. Maybe this might help you too.

A friend of mine, her Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. His doctor told him that he might get to live 2-3 months. Instead he lived 3 years longer. That was decades ago.

So please don’t ever give up hope and keep on fighting! We both are in our 20s, we have a whole life in front of us! Best of luck!

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:38:52 +0000

57 comments already, and I’m sure there are more messages of love making their way towards you right now. I wish you the strength to continue, the best of luck, and all the happiness in this world and beyond. You have made a difference in many people’s lives, and you will continue, no matter what. Thank you for everything.

By: Janice

Janice — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:14:17 +0000

“be the change you want to see…” yes these were Gandhi’s words about changing the world, but it’s really about changing ourselves. Be life. Be health. Be love. Be happiness. Van and Michelle, this is for you both. I’m not crying because I know this isn’t the end. No Michael Jackson tribute songs for you, unless you dress up like him and dance =) I hope these posts give you a small idea of the inspiration you have provided to and the impact you have had on so many people. And I hope our energy gives you energy. It will be done. You are in my thoughts every day. <3 you. jc

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:15:34 +0000

After posting last night, I realized one thing I forgot to mention. You may want to look into seeking treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center or City of Hope (both in CA). Both are exceptional facilities in the treatment of cancer. City of Hope has an AML research team. Keep up your fighting spirit!