February 14, 2006

Scarface

Say hello to my little friend.

These are my future stem cells:

say hello.jpg


This is Bro #1 who is so kindly giving me his stem cells:

jim chillin.jpg


This is Bro #1, kindly giving me stem cells, making a goofy face, while watching The Big Lebowski, fueled only by a frozen burrito and some Hawaiian punch, stuck with his arms straight at his sides, unable to move (or pee), for FOUR plus hours:

jim goofing off.jpg

I came by and fed him some Snickers bites in honor of Sarah.

My brother is awesome. I know this isn't an easy thing to do. It's inconvenient. Painful. Uncomfortable. He's a peach. I can't even begin to describe how humbled I am by this. How much I want to tell him I love him, and how those words simply fail to honor how I feel about him. I sat there and took a few pictures, but had to wipe tears from my eyes. Just like I am right now. Blah. There is no crying in cancer ass kicking!!!

It's the start of my new life. It is a hu-mang-ous day for us. For all of us.

Thank you, bro. I love you.

I am doing this.

Posted by debutaunt at February 14, 2006 10:26 PM
Comments

Your brother looks a whole lot better in that
bed then Shoshie did. He is really cute :)

As much as you love him, he loves you even more
if that is possible. We all wanted to be the
one for Sarah.

I don't have any words to make you less scared.
Anybody in their right mind (which we are not) would be scared. All I can tell you Deb is the
following. I wasn't the patient, I was the
sister. I know all of Sarah's "troops" (that's
what we called ourselves) were honored that
we could help her. We laughed and we would
laugh some more. You talked about no live flowers, some of our laughs were over the really
(not) attractive fake flowers Sarah received.
Be very afraid of what comes in plastic.

Love,
Lisabeth

Your angel Sarah is not going to blink on
her assignment.

Posted by: Lisabeth at February 14, 2006 11:16 PM

We thank him too --
and our words of thanks aren't enough.
I hope I would be able to do something so huge for my brothers, or someone elses brother for that matter.

Posted by: blackbird at February 15, 2006 02:53 AM

I'm not an expert, or anything. But those are some damned fine-looking stem cells. I say this thing is a GO. Praying all the time, love.

Posted by: Susie at February 15, 2006 07:34 AM

Yay for your brother! Yay for his gift! Yay for YOU! It's ok to be a scared. We're thinking of you and praying that all goes well. Hang in there, Deb.

Be BRAVE. You can do it.

Posted by: CircusKelli at February 15, 2006 08:27 AM

Deb,
Can you delete what Lisabeth said about how
BAD I LOOKED. I had serious bad bed head.

Oy your brother is handsome. Tell your brother
he is such the mensch which is the highest compliment "we" pass out. I am certain you have
heard the word-the literal translation means a
decent human being. But when we say the word, it
means so much more to us. Woo Hoo for the handsome brother. Giving the gift of life!

Love,
Shoshie

Posted by: Shoshie at February 15, 2006 08:32 AM

How exciting! Props to the good brother and to brave Deb for getting ready to go forward on this path. Woo Hoo!!!!!!

It's gonna be good. It's gonna be alright. And we are here and pulling for you all the way!!!

Posted by: sally at February 15, 2006 09:39 AM

Deb,
What you are experiencing is a true testament of love for both you and your brother. It is an experience few will truly have. I must agree, those are some DAMN good looking stem cells, and your brother sure is handsome, and.... was he singing out loud in that picture? You CAN DO THIS!!
Love,
Cami

Posted by: cami at February 15, 2006 11:25 AM

10 out of 10 doctors polled "best looking cells"
we have ever seen.

Thank God for family!

Nikki

Your brother looks like he needs another blanket
in that picture.

Posted by: Nikki at February 15, 2006 12:07 PM

I pressed the button to soon. I have too comment
on the Shoshie and Lisabeth side show here. Can you tell they are real life sisters?

I feel like I should put them both on a time out!

Nikki

Posted by: Nikki at February 15, 2006 12:09 PM

What this comment thread needs is some Big Lebowski:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/quotes

The Dude: Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber.

There are actually Big Lebowski festivals that happen all over the place. That movie is genius. Especially upon repeat viewings.

http://www.lebowskifest.com/fests.asp

BTW, WTG Jim, you rock!

Posted by: Sis#1 at February 15, 2006 02:30 PM

Hello Deb,
Kami sent us over and I am so happy she did. You are totally going to kick this cancer's ass. We will all be praying for you.

I work for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I will make sure that my office is thinking good thoughts for you.

Oh and your brother totally rocks.

Stay positive.

Posted by: Missy at February 15, 2006 04:20 PM

This should make you feel all warm and fuzzy.


http://www.thesuperficial.com/archives/2006/01/26/david_hasselhoff_is_hooked_on.html

Love,
Shoshie

Posted by: Shoshie at February 15, 2006 06:06 PM

Hi Deb, I came over from Kami's site. Four years ago, my son's four-year-old best friend came down with a version of leukemia. They took her to Children's in Memphis. We would go up to see her whenever we could. Finally she got to come home and just go back for her check-ups. About a year ago, we had her No-Mo-Chemo party. She is in complete remission! If she did it, so will you. I wish you all the best and my prayers will be with you. I'll be checking to follow your sucessful journey.

Posted by: Dick (No, really) at February 15, 2006 06:44 PM

Hey Deb, I came from Kami's too.
Your Bro is the best, and you should just give him more snickers to show your love. :)
Im sure he knows how much you love him, otherwise he wouldnt be there!
Good Luck on your fight and your in my prayers!

XXX
Michelle

Posted by: MIchelle at February 15, 2006 07:05 PM

I'm certain that your brother is more than happy to do this for you. God bless you and him. I cannot imagine the strength you must have to go through this.

Good luck.

Posted by: Tammy at February 15, 2006 07:05 PM

Brothers are awesome. Eric's brother donated to him last fall.

But then, what exactly do you get for your donor? There's not a gift out there that really says, "Thanks for the tissue donation!"

Those cells are smokin' and they'll be doing their things for you soon! We'll be thinking of you here.

Posted by: amanda at February 15, 2006 07:27 PM

Good luck! I'm glad that I was referred to your site through Kami. Prayers coming your way.

Posted by: Football Widow at February 15, 2006 08:10 PM

Came here by way of Kami ...

Praying hard you kick cancer right square in the ass!

Love your blog =)

Posted by: Erin at February 15, 2006 08:24 PM

Deb,
I have been AWOL for a week, but I am back now.
Your brother looks like a pro in that position.

I wish I had a magic wand and could make this all
go away for you. I don't have a wand but I do have confidence in you. I watched what Shoshie
posted. You should look at that, if nothing else
we can all wonder if he's on crack now.

Hugs and Kisses
Rachel

Posted by: Rachel at February 15, 2006 09:01 PM

I came by 'cause Kami said you needed lots of hugs and support.
So add mine to the incredible number of people who are sending prayers up for you all.

Posted by: Robin at February 15, 2006 09:20 PM

You can SOOOO do this. I'm rooting for you and those stem cells!! Go cells!!! Go Deb!!! Kick cancer's ass!!! A big hug from me to you and your wonderful brother. Great siblings are priceless.

Posted by: Nap Queen at February 15, 2006 10:12 PM

Came by way of Kami =)

Tonz of positive thoughts and prayers coming your way. You WILL beat this. What an awesome brother you have

Posted by: Mommy Me at February 15, 2006 10:57 PM

Kami sent me by to wish you well.

I hope all goes well for you. We will be thinking of you.

Posted by: Shelly at February 16, 2006 12:02 PM

he is awesome. i'm so glad he is doing this.

Posted by: Sarcastic Journalist at February 18, 2006 09:04 PM