Thank you KMBC 9...

Grandma: Part 3 The Conclusion

Kerry's grandma finally received a green light from the U.S. to enter the country. We have been told that all the paper work is done and waiting for her at the U.S. Consulate in Honduras. We are grateful. It took some time but it appears that it worked out, we just need to get her here quickly. Kerry isn't doing so well.

Kerry has been on a ventilator and her situation hasn't improved. The doctors told Claudia that she needs to get better soon or problems could occur. So I ask everyone to say a prayer for this young girl. I went to see her today and she is sick. He poor little body is so swollen. I hardly recognized her. A drastic change from last week. I wish I would have taken a picture with here months ago when she was feeling healthy. I'll just wait until she gets healthy again I guess. My connection with the family is solid and I feel they appreciate me and the effort I've put into helping them get their grandmother/mother here.

It must have been in March or April when Claudia told me she needed help. That was when I decided I would try to help Claudia bring her mother here from Honduras. It sounded easy but the reality is there's so many laws, rules, and regulations that getting anything done is a toss up. Although I tapped resources and worked hard for the family, it was Christina Jasso who did the paper work and followed up. It would have never happened if it wasn't for Jasso.

Today I went by First Watch and grabbed Claudia a cheese omelet, sausage, and a biscuit. When I arrived at CMH the waiting room was packed. Kerry's family and friends were gathered there. Christina Jasso was taking one person at a time back to Kerry's room. She was giving Claudia a break. Her kindness is so inspiring. I think she has to be tired too. This fight has consumed her and she's become attached to Kerry and the family.

The best advice I could give anyone who might face a tough battle with sickness is find the good in the situation. This journey with Kerry has opened my eyes to the random kindness of strangers. The outpouring of support from people who have never met her is unbelievable. The experience has renewed my faith in my fellow man/woman. I was blessed with the opportunity to see good things happen in the midst of an ugly thing called cancer.

I'm done writing about Kerry and her family. It's time for them to move forward privately. My objective was to get a Visa for the grandmother and it looks like we may have succeeded. Since I'm done with my part I am going to concentrate on my family now. For those of you who wonder why I've been writing so much about the family, it was because they needed their story told so others would intervene and help at this desperate time. It worked. I hope that Kerry wins her battle and I encourage everyone to say a prayer for this beautiful child.

Not alone anymore...

I want to tell everyone that Kerry Magana is getting assisted in the Visa campaign from Ted Kennedy and his office. It seems that Mr. Kennedy is part of an oversight committee that monitors immigration issues and this is one of the things, Kerry's situation, that they can help cut through the bureaucratic red tape and intervene. Thank you Mr. Kennedy.

The things that have happened since all this started have been incredible. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. The person responsible is Christina Jasso from the Guadalupe Center in KC. She took this case on as any other but has moved from a social worker to become part of the Magana family. I joke with her almost daily that if ever become sick or in need of an advocate that she's my girl.

Christina stays at the hospital when she needs to. She delivers food and support daily. I'm sure her family has considered posting her picture on milk containers because she is always helping this family in moments of crisis. Recently there has been many moments.

I believe that it's a blessing when one gets to see acts of kindness first hand. This has truly been a blessing to me. We go through life so often consumed with our own world and seldom take up the cause of our fellow human beings. This is unfortunate because there are so many of our neighbors who need help, not just a handout. I have had my share of downs and I have been lucky to have the right people or person come to my rescue.

So this weekend, this month, or this year I ask you to keep an eye open for someone who needs your help. It might be someone fighting cancer, someone laid off from a job who needs some networking, or a neighbor that needs a ride to work to feed his or her family. For me it was a family battling sickness alone that put me in the mode. Alone. No one should have to do it alone. I have enough resources for the both of us.

This situation has been a growing experience for me. It has led me to new people, new door steps, and a new way of thinking. I encourage everyone to step out of that comfort zone, that routine and experience the incredible feeling you get when you make a difference. I can't say what will happen with this case, but I do know that this mother of a very sick child is not alone anymore. That might be her blessing, knowing she's not alone anymore!

An update on grandma...

We have been blessed with an outpouring of support from the community for Kerry. The KC Star article has really helped us. For me it's nice that other people became aware of this situation. I kept going up to the hospital doing as much as I could but we needed help from the public. The letters and offers of help have been uplifting and has made all this worth it.

Kerry is still out of it as she breath's with the ventilator but we pray she improves. We received a call from the Immigration Dept. asking for additional paperwork so we think it is moving forward. Just how much it's moving forward we'll have to wait and see. A phone call is better than no calls.

When I heard the news about the call I felt so good I can't explain it. I got chills. This help we've been trying to give had a starting point but the end seems to elude us. It has been frustrating. I'm hopeful we can get Kerry's grandmother here now that it has been publicly printed, televised, and talked about. I guess anything good takes work. Say a prayer for Kerry and keep your fingers crossed for grandma.

The newest member...

I'd like to introduce you to Champ Quijas. Champ joined us today as the newest Quijas family member. We wanted to get Christian a companion soon. Champ is one year old and we adopted him from Wayside waiffs. I wasn't sure if we should have a grace period before we jumped into a different dog but I was out numbered. So here is our new dog. Champ Quijas.

This dog likes to ride in the car, doesn't jump on you, and likes the cats. He's a good dog. I hope he doesn't eat the furniture or pee on the carpet. I guess we'll see how it goes. I can't wait to take a walk with him tomorrow.

On a lighter note...

My TV's were featured in the F.Y.I. section Of The Kansas City Star Sunday. The restaurant is Re:Verse on the Plaza and it showed my stainless steel tile design I put on the walls along with InAd's captivating technology.

It was a pleasant surprise when the newspaper called sometime back to ask us about restrooms. Who would have ever thought that I would become an expert in restrooms? Life has a funny way of pulling you out of one thing and putting you in another. Maybe my life was destined to be in the pisser! Ha!
Well it is nice to get recognition every once in awhile. Although they failed to mention InAd TV in the article it is nice knowing that we did a makeover on those restrooms and someone noticed our work.

I sometimes think that I did something here in Kansas City that hadn't been done before and it makes me feel good. I created a TV channel in the oddest place but it has caught on enough that I'm getting offers to expand into other cities. Who knows in the next 3 years I could have my channel playing in 50 states and I could be bought out from Viacom, Clear Channel, or CBS for a Kazillion Dollars and then I could really help change some lives. Starting with my own!

Red tape ties up Honduran grandmother’s attempt to visit teen with cancer

By MARY SANCHEZ
The Kansas City Star

If Jenesis Magana could cure cancer, she most surely would.
She’d take her background as a Kauffman scholar, her fascination with biology, her dedication to the robotics squad and figure out a thing or two. For now, though, she’s marching her tiny frame through the curvy corridors of Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Her older sister, 15-year-old Kerry Magana, is lying sedated on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Kerry has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her body is rejecting the bone marrow doctors injected in September.
And Jenesis is angry. At anyone or anything having to do with her sister’s illness. She even questions medical procedures done or not done.
“I watch those TV shows,” Jenesis says. “There is always one doctor who ” disagrees with all the others and says, ‘No, I think it is this.’
Jenesis makes the remark as a statement. But it is a plea. Where is that magic doctor who will save her sister’s life?
I have no words to explain that her sister’s cancer may not be stopped, no matter how brilliant the doctor. She knows anyway.
Jenesis understands a lot for a 13-year-old. She knows why I’m there, the newspaper lady her mother, social workers and a family friend were told to call because their best bet for getting her grandmother here from Honduras is to embarrass the government into doing the right thing.
This part makes no sense to Jenesis. Or me.

Staffers with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and Sen. Kit Bond, a public policy official with the National Council of La Raza, even connections inside the highest levels of the Department of Homeland Security — all said they would try to help. Ultimately, everyone offered the same advice: Get a splashy newspaper story done.

Kerry and Jenesis’ mother was born in Honduras and is now a legal permanent resident of the U.S. She has repeatedly applied for a visitor’s visa so her mother can come help the family, the last time with the help of a local immigration attorney. The doctors at the hospital and social workers have written letters of support to the U.S. Embassy in Honduras.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has told her that the grandmother didn’t have enough money in her bank account, then that she had too much, another time she was told she had reapplied too soon after a denial. The last time she was turned away without an explanation.
“I want my mother to see her grandchild while she is still alive,” Claudia Cabrera says, in a rare moment of raising her voice. “What do they want, her to die first?”

A single mother, twice widowed, Cabrera is exhausted and anemic. She has passed out twice at the hospital where her daughter has been since Aug. 25.

Nightly she covers herself in a long yellow sterile gown, plastic gloves and a mask to tend to her daughter, changing bedclothes and diapers regularly because of the extreme diarrhea, keeping Kerry’s open sores covered with ointment, begging her to stop fighting the ventilator.

Needless to say, I believe in the power of the printed word. And government bureaucracy is nothing new. Nor are backlogs and the complicated workings of the nation’s immigration procedures. If something is wrong with the visa application, the family needs to be told.

Ridicule by media should not be necessary to restart government cogs. That’s offensive when the issue is bureaucratic. It’s cruel when a young girl’s life may be ending.

When she rises to anger about her situation, Cabrera believes if she were wealthy, she would be able to secure the visa.

Well-placed connections have not helped. Michael Quijas befriended the family after meeting them through his daughter, who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer but is in remission now.

Quijas graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School at the same time as Julie Myers, now head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He has tried to call her office, seeking advice or intervention.

“It’s so frustrating because we’ve tried everything,” he said.

Quijas is among those told that multiple stories done by Kansas City Hispanic News were nice, but not enough. Not even the segments by KMBC-TV reporter Maria Antonia would do the trick. Quijas helped package the stories, along with photos from Kerry’s 15th birthday quinceanera by the Dream Factory, to send along with medical documentation and hundreds of dollars in fees for the latest application — an expedited visa.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says such a visa “usually takes 90 to 120 days from the date of this receipt for us to process this type of case.”

So, at a time when most children her age are being tucked into bed, Jenesis is pacing the halls with me, unloading her frustration. Upstairs, her mother is curled into a ball, sobbing. She has just been told that the ventilator isn’t helping the way doctors had hoped.

Earlier, her mother had taken a pink cell phone from her bag. She tried to show that day’s photo of Kerry to Jenesis, a visual update on her sister’s condition.

Jenesis sharply turned her head away, buried her face under the crook of her arm and began to cry. She hasn’t entered Kerry’s room for a week.

And she doesn’t need a photo to understand what is happening.

Start with a prayer.

I went to see Kerry Magana today. I brought lunch to her mother and got to spend some time with Kerry. She is very sick and depends on a ventilator to bring oxygen to her lungs. She is fighting and I ask everyone to say a prayer for her. We have a Kansas City Star article coming out this Monday. If you get a chance please pick up a copy and look for the Mary Sanchez column.



It is hard to comprehend how tiring it must be her mother. Sickness can wear you out just because of the sickness but throw in that Claudia has been there at CMH for 2 months straight. Kerry is in Intensive Care so what comfort Claudia had in the Bone Marrow floor disappeared when they moved Kerry. Claudia has to sleep with a mask, gloves, and sterile bib. The sounds and beeps from all the machinery would keep anyone awake but toss in that you have to make sure the oxygen mask stays on Kerry's face. So tough.



Claudia has to be there 24/7 so she hasn't worked. She has to feed herself while she is there. That food costs money and I know it can add up quickly. So sad. I can't believe that no one has offered her some sort of food voucher at the hospital. Another tough element in all of this is that Kerry's 13 yr-old sister is having to survive by herself. This means eating alone if her brother is working. She is 13 yrs-old and needs things like all other kids her age. Her shoes have went bad and I know that there's no money for shoes. This young child is frequently at the hospital with her mother and often wants to eat. Her mom doesn't always have the money to feed both her and her daughter. I couldn't imagine. How much can one person take?



It is so easy to listen to these stories and tune it out. If I had to do this alone I would break. If you only knew how stressful it is to spend weeks or in this case, months in the hospital. Those of us who had partners it was still hard as hell. To fight alone is unimaginable. The heartbreak, the financial burden, the fright!



Someday I hope I can advocate for families like Kerry's. It is my calling. I hope someday that I can make enough money in business to free me up to do these things. If anyone can help this mother in any way please do so. Start with a prayer.

Any help is appreciated

I went to visit Kerry Magana tonight. She is very sick and went on a ventilator today. It was hard to see her fighting for her health. I stayed only a minute but I'm glad I went to see her. Seeing a child depend on machinery to breath really makes you conscious of how delicate and fragile life is. Without your health nothing else matters. All that other stuff is insignificant.

It is so upsetting that Kerry's grandmother cannot be here to help comfort the family. The government and their rules are so flawed. This mother of Kerry's has been sitting bedside for almost 2 months trying to be strong but she is worn out. I wish her mother, Claudia, had some relief. We are at the mercy now if someone knows someone in Immigration to help us. This case just isn't going anywhere. We need help.

I ask anyone reading this to please help me if you can. I am looking for a miracle, an angel to step up and lend me a hand. If anyone knows someone or if you know someone who knows someone then please call me or email me. I will provide you any info that you need if you can find someone to look at our file in Homeland Security/Immigration. We are desperate for any help. Time is of the essence.

Trying to help, and coming up short is troubling. You so badly want to ease some pain but it isn't happening. It is tough for me because I know how hard and exhausting the fight is when it involves your child. To help bring someone here to help split the time at the hospital would be worth more than gold. Staying in the hospital for months and listening to the beeps from the tools keeping your child alive is a nightmare and can drive you insane. You have to stay healthy for the fight but how could one person do it. We never stayed more then 2-3 weeks, I can't imagine being there for 2 months. It was only by splitting shifts at the hospital that me and Tammie survived the time we did at CMH. It breaks my heart to think about Tammie and Kaylee fighting alone. It might be that thought that motivates me to do all I can for Kerry and Claudia.

One last Slim Jim...

Today we had to put our beautiful dog to sleep. He was so sick and in pain that we moved the procedure up a day. I stayed up last night until 4:00 am with him because he couldn't get comfortable. His body and spirit went on a major decline since this last weekend. It was tough to watch.

I had to be a CMH this morning at 10 am and we did our thing there. Kaylee had some tough chemo and a hurtful spinal tap. I left CMH somewhere around 3 pm so I could decide what my plan was going to be with Garth. Christian stayed home from school today so he could spend some time with his dog. It was really hard for Christian. But after watching the dog shake uncontrollably he too thought we should end his pain immediately.

It was around 5:30 when he went to sleep. I thought I was going to have to do it alone but Christian said he wanted to be there with Garth. So we waited for Kaylee & Tammie to get home. Kaylee wanted to see him off before we headed to the vet. She has so much going on with her health and her recovery that her view on health issues with the dog is a little less sympathetic then maybe Christian's. When Kaylee arrived home she had an Arby's Roast Beef sandwich for Garth. After he ate that, me and Bubba took Garth through the bank drive-thru to get some of the doggie biscuits they give out. We then proceeded to Quiktrip for one last Slim Jim for the big guy. It was all sad but comforting knowing that we gave him a great last meal.

We cried on the way there but pulled it together when we got in. The wait was somewhere around 30 min. before we were called in. The receptionist kindly informed me when we checked in that Laura Horseman, a great friend of Tammie and me since high school had paid for the procedure. Laura is an animal lover, animal advocate, and animal trainer that knew the condition of our dog and wanted the suffering to end. We have never had to do this before and Laura wanted to make it as easy for us as possible. We thank you Laura for thinking about our family and your generousity was greatly appreciated.

Christian was told he could wait outside but he told the Dr. he wanted to be there. Garth was always afraid of the vet and being left there so I regret that I took his collar off right before the procedure. He looked at me with confusion. I wish I wouldn't have done that. They sedated him and he was very calm. I held him and kissed him and told him how much I loved him. Christian looked the other way until the Dr. told him to come and say goodbye. Garth was very still but when Christian walked up he made eye contact with Christian and that was it. We said our goodbyes and left. Christian wanted me to hold him like he was a little kid again. He wanted the security of his father's hug! Well I gave it to him and he unknowingly returned the love to me by holding me too. I was sad and hurting as much as anyone. The most touching thing for me was that Christian traveled with me so I wouldn't have to do it alone. He is such a kind hearted person. Even though this appointment was the most painful thing he has ever had to do, he went to make sure I was OK! Garth was the best dog any family could ever have. Thank you Garth for watching over my family, I love you.

Today is a tough day. My daughter has to get all her work done in CMH today. Ugly chemo, spinal taps, and hunger. Kaylee is starving and she can't eat until her spinal tap is complete. I brought her in at 10 am for a full day of treatments. If it all went well we would have the chemo then we would follow up with a spinal tap around 2:30 this afternoon. Then after all that was done we would get some food in her belly. The trouble today is everything is getting pushed back because the nurses weren't able to get any blood out of Kaylee's port. Blood work starts our day, usually. This happened last time but a nurse manged to get the blood flowing. Not today!

We have to get blood work done

Amazingly empty...

I'm writing again. It's amazing how I can't find any thing to write about or how I could care less to write when things are back to normal. I say normal in relevance to our lives. My daughter does chemo nightly at home and we still have to journey downtown to Children's Mercy Hospital for spinal taps and aggressive treatments once a month. We will continue like this for years until they say she has completed her protocol but we are normal today for what life has dealt us as a family.

I write when I need to release something. My confusion today is my dog and more importantly my son. My dog is sick and the mood around here is sadness. We've been through so much that this sickness with the family pet is just another marker in our lives. My son was almost unable to go to school today because our dog is sick and he knows what fate he is going to meet in a day or two. I feel terrible. We had to call the school to inform them if he didn't get all his homework done or if he breaks down there's a reason. The school was nice enough to send an email to all his teachers so they would be aware of his state. They came up with the idea and I think they are wonderful to do such a caring thing. I guess it was a preventive measure of sorts.

For me I'm just relieved to have Kaylee feeling great. I was in the trenches for such a long time that I'm grateful for the moment. My son tucked his pain and sadness away when it dealt with Kaylee. He grabbed his dog a little closer and worked his way through his sorrow with the dog. He literally said it was the dog that helped him get through the days and nights when mom and dad were at CMH fighting for Kaylee's life. Now he has to let go of his preserver and I'm sure he feels scared that his post, the dog, is leaving him.

I know all this may seem goofy to most but it makes you realize how dynamic everything is in one's life. A dog. A sister. A family. Security. I feel that I've had the opportunity to see deep inside what makes a family tick. Although it is easier to say that everything works in harmony when it could be me that disrupts that flow. Do I do all that it takes to be the best man? Not always. Do I still gamble on bad decisions? Sometimes. Do I take for granted that an engine or life must run on all cylinders if it's to function normally? Most of the time, but not all the time.

Life has a way of letting you peek in sometimes so you can get a feel of what good or bad lies beneath the surface. We've had that peek and sometimes I measure myself by it. There should never be anything out there that can shake me because I've been shaken too hard. But I do get nervous or scared about things that have zero importance when it comes to the things that I've seen. But somehow I still get fears over business deals. I'm self employed and I get scared over bills and insurance policies. I get those insecurities and I often have people tell me that if they'd been where I've been then they could conquer anything. Well it seems that it should work that way but often the sickness and heartbreak opens your eyes to the vulnerability of your state. So again I say life is funny. What you think would make you the strongest person ever, sickness in your child, can also make you want to become just a normal provider with a normal routine to secure a normal existence.

As simple as it would be to live my life like an ordinary person at an ordinary job, well, it's just not me. I have my eye on doing things my way on my terms. So if doing it my way means that I have to worry just a little more than others waiting for a paycheck from the Human Resource Department then so be it. Some people are meant to be butchers, policemen, and doctors. I was put here for something else. I just have to follow through and steer my course. But enough about me and my path, today it's about Christian Michael Quijas and his dog named Garth!

A tall man's hand

I was just at the grocery store moments ago and passed a short woman trying to reach the top shelf in aisle 3. The product this woman was going for was soy sauce. Me being just 5' 10" I didn't attempt to help this 5' 2" lady. I didn't do it because I was snubbing or ignoring her helpless grasp but I did it because it was too tall for me. As I was watching this lady come up short an extraordinarily tall man came to this woman's rescue. He not only reached the soy sauce, he could see on top of the shelf and rescued lost bottles that had fallen far back.

The reason I mention this unusual observation is for a reason which I'll share in a moment but I have to explain my day first. I was getting ready for work this morning and I was all alone with Garth our dog. He looked so uncomfortable and sick. His weight and muscles in his neck and limbs have disappeared. I took him in 2 weeks ago for blood work and all sorts of other things. The tests all came back negative. The blood work found no cancer and the Doctor has no explanation for the major weight loss. So I felt OK, I guess, because they had no explanation. But I could tell that something was wrong. I gradually saw the decline happening more and more the last 2 weeks but we had high hopes for him. He is 10 years old and I'm realistic about Labs and life expectancy but I have family members scratching for alternatives to the fact that he is growing old. One of my teammates here believes its a chicken bone lodged in his throat. Another has it due to sadness. All sorts of reasoning but the truth is he is old.

I decided to take him into the Vet immediately today because I love my dog with all my heart and felt like I had taken the Vet's word that there was nothing wrong out of convenience. I could do the x-rays and send him to the university for open chested this or that but where does it end. So I had my son go with me to the appointment and the doctor said that his tumor we removed months ago had grown inward into his spinal column and has damaged and infected his nervous system. He is in irreversible pain and sickness.

I asked Christian to step out of the room as me and the wonderful Doctor talked it over. She said it was time to let him go. My heart broke and I could hear my child sobbing in the other room. I explained that I had to take Garth home for all the rest of the family, and so we decided to wait until Thursday so we can spend a couple of days with him. They administered pain medicine for the delay. I can't tell you how hard it is to see my boy cry uncontrollably all night long. He knows it's for the best but he is young.

We decided on Thursday because we have Children Mercy spinal taps on Wednesday and Kaylee is going to be occupied and sick Wednesday. I know that we all have responsibility towards our families and I take pride that I look out for us. I might take more pride in the fact I have a family I get to call my own and a family I can make the decisions for. Believe when I say that I don't make the decisions solely but I initiate the action when I see it needs tending to. Today I wish it wasn't one of those situations but it is what it is. We have to do what's best for one of our family members and unfortunately it means he won't be with us anymore.

So back to the tall man. This man's height was an advantage and definitely an asset at a time when needed. He lent a helping hand to a fellow human being who needed it. I had to lend my hand to my son today because he needed me as he felt more sadness then he has in sometime. I was lucky to be there for him to reach that place he needed me to. It wasn't the top shelf but it was a certain place that needed a special hand to lift his spirits. I can't make miracles happen but I am lucky enough to be called dad and be the one that my child hugged and held as he worked through his hurt. For that I felt honored and I felt like a father who did his job for the day!

John Rossi Ireland

I'm writing a book. My book is called Inflicted. It has to do with my daughter and our journey but it also deals with me. I'm making great strides on my novel and have found that I am going through a reflection period as I navigate through my life. One of the things that I keep coming back to is the influential people who helped shape me and guided me when I was in desperate need of direction. One in particular was John Rossi Ireland.

John Ireland lives in San Diego and he was my boss. I was hired on at first to be the family driver. From there it lead to the shopper for the resort John owns in Cabo San Lucas. The resort is called Rancho Leonero and it is north of Cabo. A shopper is someone that does the purchasing for the resort. Boats, fishing gear, linens, and almost anything you could imagine. Then I became his assistant. Assistant might be too formal but I was like a son who did whatever I was told. John was gone out of the country on average of 3 weeks out of the month. So I was the guy that made sure things were taken care of in the States. I would move his daughter into college, I would pick up jewelry for his wife's birthday, or any other chore one might need someone to do if you were a busy man.

John was the biggest business man I have ever came into contact with. He had his hand in so many business deals that it was amazing just being in the same car, room, or plane. The influence was priceless. His business savvy was next to none but the kindness, generosity, and positive role model went well beyond admiration. It became qualities and attributes I set my sights on. I wanted and still want to live my life like he showed me. His actions and demeanor deeply impacted me and made me. He taught me that business accomplishments are only a fraction of what a man is measured by.

John taught me that being successful in business can happen to anyone but living a good and righteous life is something that takes more work. He believed if you treated everyone with respect and in a fair manner then good things would follow. My first impression of John, before I knew him, was that he made his money because he had money. But it was his teachings to me that money can be made from all walks of life. Good people, bad people, and lucky people can all catch a break. It was his belief that only fair and good people can sustain those good fortunes. If you do bad then it will eventually catch up to you. If you make all the money in the world but don't sleep well then you are only working on borrowed time. A well rested man dedicated to his family can preserve his wealth, health, and reputation by treating everyone with dignity.

John couldn't and wouldn't tolerate pompous individuals. If you thought you were above his limo driver, Michael Quijas, or any of his employees then he would tell you. I remember him telling one passenger that I was more important to him then any business investor because I looked out after him and his family. It made me feel good that he consider me the guard of the family Jewels. His family!

Well I wanted to share my story about the best person I've ever come across in my journeys. I never really got to say thank you to John because he would never have it. Sometimes you can offer someone a slice of bread if they're hungry for immediate relief or in certain circumstances you give someone something that lasts a life time. My time with John was a well of knowledge that has shaped me and directed me to be a great man. So John Rossi Ireland I thank you for teaching me how to be a better man, father, and husband. Thank you.

The picture above was taken on June 23, 1998, exactly 9 years to day that we got official results of Kaylee's cancer. For the record, I was suppose to hold that fish in the air when the picture was taken but my arms wouldn't allow it because I fought that fish for some six hours.

20 Years...

Tammie had her 20 Year High School Reunion on Friday. It was a blast! It was held at the Cashew downtown and we had such a good time. I have to admit that I have had so much fun with Tammie lately. We had the event this weekend and we enjoyed ourselves. We also went to the Earth, Wind, and Fire concert a few weeks ago and it was the best! Last weekend we went out with Tammie's brother and sister-in-law and ended the night at my sister's house with a bonfire and drinks poolside. So much fun. Life is fun when you enjoy the company you're with!

Her class looked really great. Everyone told us that they prayed for Kaylee when they heard about her and the sickness. I think Tammie was really glad to see everyone. Tammie looked really nice and her smile was there all night. I went to the same high school so I knew everyone too. It was a night to remember.

I was so glad that everyone asked about our kid. Everyone had their pictures of their kids and it was nice seeing every one's family. I'm amazed how people start families and move across the country and start extensions of their family tree. We all live life and hope for the best. Life.


I love to see people who are enjoying life. I also like to hear stories of perseverance. So many people talked about their divorces or their first marriage and it's nice to see people who move on and have nothing but good things to say. I kid you not, I didn't hear one bad story from anyone. Everyone had great things to talk about. We had plenty of drink, conversation, and good company to last a while.

Well it is time to go. We hope you have a great day and a terrific week. Please say a prayer for our little friend Kerry Magana, we hope she gets well enough to leave the hospital soon.

So what do you do?

I'm happy to announce that Kerry Magana is doing great. My good friend from the Guadalupe Center, Christina Jasso, gave me the news today. I was scared to call because I wasn't really wanting to deal with bad news if there was any. A weak position to take but I avoided all calls from the hospital this weekend. So if you called and I didn't answer SORRY!

Tammie's 20 Year Class Reunion is this weekend. I haven't decided whether I'm going or not. It sounds fun but I'm not sure if I'm up to it. I'm wanting to go in a way because my reunion was tough with Kay in the hospital but then I remember it was painfully boring for me. Not the people but the whole "so what do you do now?" I do like that this one is at a bar instead of the reception hall ours was held in. I can camp out at the bar if I get socially detached! Who knows. Have a great week and love the one your with.

Please include Kerry...

I want to ask everyone to pray for Kerry Magana. Kerry is having a difficult time right now and can use prayer. Her fight is tough right now and we need her to get through the next couple of days and a helping hand from God would and will be nice.

I have been keeping my distance from the hospital because it is emotional for me. We spent so much time there last year fighting major sickness that I hate to see hurting. We were there yesterday for Kaylee's treatments and I couldn't make my way up to see Kerry. I have to do my part for her outside the hospital. I work better outside the institution than inside.

Kaylee is feeling sore from her spinal tap. Her little back is hurting from the procedure. Her taste buds are wacky from the chemo she has to take. Kaylee does chemo everyday at home but travels to the hospital to get an ugly dose of something called methatrexate once a month. Kaylee never complains.

We were talking earlier about Kerry Magana. When we started our fight at CMH Kerry was a patient that we looked at as a kid on the fast track to recovery. To see her now makes you realize that this disease is totally unpredictable. I hope she doesn't suffer with this sickness to much longer. I want the health she deserves to return. I want her bone marrow transplant to be successful and I'd like to see her back to school.

If you want to help a beautiful kid, a kid who could be yours or mine, say a quick little prayer for her. When we were down and anyone asked if there was something I needed, I quickly responded that a prayer would be nice. So tonight I ask you to do the same for my friend Kerry Magana.

Checking In...

Hello there. It feels like an eternity since I last wrote anything. We are doing fine and Kaylee is feeling really good these days. I just wanted to fill you in on our progress. I have been busy with my business and trying to do good things.

Kerry Magana received her bone marrow transplant last week. I have been trying to help as much as I can. I am including the latest story in the KC Hispanic News.

http://www.kchispanicnews.com/images/v12n01/kchnv12n01.pdf

Everyone has been so good to the family and everyone was helpful to me. We still haven't received word back about Grandma but we are waiting. I feel we will get her here. Well I have to go before I start drifting off. If anyone would like to help this family in any way please let me know. I think any assistance is helpful. Kerry is going to be in the hospital for weeks and her mother is not working much.

LSW Titans...

Kaylee started school last week. She is so happy to be back with her friends and her routine. I like watching her get her little life back. I have to admit that I missed taking her to and from school last year but we have a new year ahead of us. I guess the Quijas family is getting back to normal.

Christian is in eighth grade this year. He doesn't like his schedule or team as they call it but what do you do. Christian is such a good kid. He never causes any problems for us and has never got a detention or anything. So we have the start of yet another school year. Amazing.

I can't tell you how nice it is to pick Kaylee up from school. Kaylee told me she loves school and you can see it when she walks out of the doors. Her attitude is so wonderful and refreshing. She is scared to drive to school right now but I'm sure she'll get more comfortable as the year goes on. That's about it with us. Have a good day tomorrow and enjoy your family!

Me and InAd TV...

Hello at 1:18 am in the morning. I am switching out software in computers remotely and I'm tired. I have limited time to work on my restaurants. They are open on average 14 hours per day and I have a certain window of opportunity to work on them. So I usually start really late or real early. I hate early morning but I wish I had it in me.

I wish I was one of those people who could wake at 5:00 am with coffee in hand and knock out some work, but it's not me. I'm up really late and sleep til 8:00 am. Although I had to be in early today because I had computers to fix. I rolled out of bed at 7 and headed to the office. It was much earlier then usual. I put a hat on and bolted out the door. I may have been there earlier but I couldn't find any toothpaste in this house. If one of the kids get low they will steal ours. Today I made my way to Kay's bathroom and couldn't find any. Went to Christians and there was none. So I ended up finding some Hello Kitty toothpaste in Kaylee's drawer and did my business. I wouldn't suggest Hello Kitty toothpaste!

I cringed all day thinking about my writings from last night. I censor what I write but didn't last night. It is best not to broadcast your problems or struggles, especially when it is there for everyone to read. But I finally looked at the blog and decided to leave it where it is. It seems so fake to think I have to always act or put out the perception that I'm doing good. I am doing good but I have problems. We all have problems, but today my problems seem larger than usual.

I so want to succeed at this niche business I've created. I am number one on Google when you type in digital restroom advertising. I have so many companies who call. AMC, Exxon, Live Nation, JE Dunn, McDonalds, Truck Centers, and Businesses across the US. I just can't seem to land that one job that will take me where I need to go. I believe that I could start a nationwide channel in restrooms. While you're doing your business I'm doing mine. I put content in front of you while you have a moment to kill. I can outfit office parks with TV's that run information to employees. My systems can be updated immediately and can be subsidized with outside advertising. Hospitals can tell you about blood drives and Volunteers while the Pharmaceutical companies pay for my systems so they can have a stage to tell you why you should use their product. I need someone who can help me land these deals or help me educate those people who make decisions.

So if you know that person who might have that thing I need please pass on my info. There has to be someone out there who believes that they can make things happen. I have something here but need to mine it out. Digital is the oil and steel of our time. The market is wide open for creative minds. If you know a Rockefeller or Carnegie let them know about me and InAd TV.

10 Out of 30...

Moments ago I went into Kaylee's room because I could see her light on under the door. I was letting the dog out and it caught my eye. It is after midnight and she should be a sleep. I went in and there she is sleeping on the end of her bed. The lights were on and the TV was blaring. I turned everything off and looked at her as I left the room.


Kaylee had chemotherapy today and I'm sure it has made her sick. This is her life right now. This is what she is dealing with tonight at 12:16 am on August 21, 2008. All my problems went out the door when I walked out. I have nothing to worry about. This is a fact but hard to accept because I'm only human. I still worry and get consumed even after looking at this beautiful child fight to get comfortable in her bed. I mean I worry about her but my hyper-focus on the sickness is gone. It has transferred over to me and my personal problems. All my thoughts are consumed with this business that has out grown me.

I fired everyone at InAd TV. Everyone. I am by myself running this company. The burden, yes burden has me thinking. Is all this worth it. You try to make a living doing something you dream up but it becomes work. This last few years have been all about passion. Now it's about sales, software, and sleepless nights. I worry tonight because I have software in 30 restaurants that is malfunctioning. At least 10 of the 30 have called within the last 12 hours. The other 20 will start calling tomorrow. I hate to go to sleep because the morning will be here too soon. I'm supposed to meet a billboard company at noon, give a speech an hour before that, and be at my office by 1:30 to test drive my new website for my new company called 10freeappetizers.com . I have a screen out in Fuel and a TV out in Mickey's Irish Pub that needs tending to. I am supporting the Crossroads Music Fest and need to have videos up and running by tomorrow. The list goes on and on. What do I do?

I have investors who want to question my decisions and my direction. I can never ask for anything because I can do it all my self but I'm starting to question my limits. When does a person say too much? Does everyone carry the same load? Maybe I'm venting and you too have a kid who has cancer, maybe you too do business with a company like the Cordish Group who just spent $1,000,000,000 on a development in downtown KC and don't understand software issues, and maybe you too spent all morning with Steve Dunn from JE Dunn Construction trying to land some skyscraper digital business. Maybe you carry the load better then I do. Maybe I complain and you don't. Maybe, just maybe, we all carry a load.

I know that my daughter is tossing and turning from a shit load of chemo she had to take today. So my days aren't that bad if you compare them to others. I have direction and I have purpose but sometimes the load feels like it's getting heavier and heavier. I'm only human and facing trying times but it will all work out. I should feel fortunate that my tossing and turning tonight is from stress and not poisonous medicine pumped through a port implanted in my chest. I guess I should be grateful.

Purposeful Evening...

It's almost 11:00 pm and I'm still at the office. I have so many things to send out, respond to, and follow up with. I think all those things mean the same thing but you get the picture.

I thank God I have somewhere to be. I have a family member who is going through a tough time and he's lost. I hate to see people get lost. We all have to have purpose or confusion sets in. I wish him the best and I hope someone gets through to him. I've come to the conclusion that you can only be saved if you want to! If I didn't have purpose then I'd be lost.

Check out Kaylee's commercial below. I keep playing it because it is so cool. Take a look and have a good night. Try to find purpose and love the one you're with!

Cool and Happy...

I had a good day today. I was all over the city fixing computers. I was with a friend early today and I commented how I was sick of running around. I have to be here, there, and everywhere. I worrying about my salesmen, I worry about my locations, I worry about the computers scattered through out the city. I worry about 100 plasma & LCD screens. I worry about the advertisers, I worry about advancement, I worry about investors, I worry about bank loans. I worry about my restaurant owners, and I worry about health.

Although today, during the course of my day, I came to the conclusion that I enjoy doing my thing. If I was doing it on someone else's clock then I'd be miserable. But sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side. You do your daily thing and it seems like your neighbor's grind is more appealing than yours. Relationships, work, or possessions can be viewed the same as well. They have have something that I want. Or do they? It doesn't always happen to me, it isn't something I dwell on, but every once in awhile I start eyeing everyone else and their thing.

It didn't take long for me to snap out of it today though. My home was so comfortable when I arrived home. The air condition was nice and cold. Tammie had brats on the grill and Christian had both of our golf clubs ready for a twilight tee time. Kaylee was getting ready to head to a friend's house and all the pets greeted me at the door. It doesn't get any better then that.

We might not be the richest family, we might not be the happiest family at times, but we are family and we are comfortable. I think providing comfort for your family is very important. If you have comfort sprinkled with some love then it is all good. What more could a man ask for? Well my advice to you is this. Be happy with what you have and if you feel it isn't right then try to change it. Set your thermostat low, have plenty of charcoal or propane, and keep your eye on the ball. It's those people who search for things outside their home that ultimately find out that the grass is the same across the street or around the block!

Hitting the Road...

Hello my friends! I am laying in bed tonight fighting to fall asleep. I am going through the stage where I want to stay up late and sleep a little later. No good. I need to be at the office earlier these days and it is hard.

Kaylee is feeling good. She had a spinal tap last Wednesday and it caused a headache that lasted nearly a week. Kaylee's poor little head was hurting badly. Today she is feeling better. Kaylee is getting ready to start school in August. We are excited. I forgot to warn everyone that Kaylee got her Driver's License a couple weeks ago. She has been enjoying her freedom that comes with the privilege of having a license.

Kaylee got the Jeep Cherokee but wanted a little Mercury Cougar. I assured her we will explore her options down the road but the Jeep will work fine for now. I think Kaylee is a great driver and I'm so excited to see her go down the road. I might have missed the beauty a year ago of just watching things, simple things unfold, but now I observe with appreciation. Take my word when I say "slow down and enjoy the ride!"

Lights, Camera, Action...

http://www.kmbc.com/video/16981761/

Did you see Kerry's interview? If not then click the link above. It was on tonight at 6:00 and 10:00 pm. It was nice and hopefully someone will see it and be touched. I think a lot of this is political. The hospital has worked hard and the Social Workers have also done an amount of work on this case but it just sat there. It was fragmented. It needed a dad who is fighting sickness with his kid to get in the ear of the people who can help assist in this case. If you write the letters then you call the recipient to get an answer after you send the letter. If no one calls or writes then you call and write again.

I thank Sara Visomirski at KCTV 5 for sending my email to Maria Antonia at KMBC 9 news. They both are alumni at the University of Miami and Sara sent her my email. I have done advertising and promotions for KCTV 5 for almost 3 yrs now and called in for a favor to Sara. Sara immediately sent the email on Sunday and we did an interview on Wednesday. That is getting things done quickly, thank you Maria and Sara.

Maria is such a nice woman as well. She is professional but caring. I'm sure she had her heart tugged by this little girl too. We all want our kids to be comfortable. When you see a child missing that comfort or when you see a young child having to do things you couldn't imagine your kid doing it really hits home. It makes me want change, assistance, or solutions for any kid fighting such a circumstance. Please keep reading because I might need some help from you soon!

KMBC 9 News...

Maria Antonia traveled to Children's Mercy Hospital today and interviewed Kerry. It is scheduled for tomorrow. I do not know what time but keep your eyes open for it. I was not included in the piece. I had my gel in, teeth flossed, and my shirt ironed but it didn't matter. It was all about Kerry.

I am so proud of Kerry and her mother. Kerry is not feeling well so everyone had a mask on. She wasn't bothered by it. Her mother Claudia had her hair done and was excited. I was in and out because Kaylee was getting treatments. We were at the hospital all day. It was boring. We sat for hours waiting for our spinal tap. Well I didn't get a spinal tap but you know what I mean.

I want to thank everyone for their input on how to help. I want to also thank Randy and Stacy Sharp for actually getting this going. If it wasn't for you and your emails I might not have started this campaign. I want everyone to know that sometimes we all need help. My voice is strong enough for Kaylee and Kerry. I just want comfort for my kid and Kerry. I can't imagine Kerry needing something and someone not being there for her. I can't save the world but I can start with a beautiful little girl named Kerry Magana!

Grandma: Part 2

I want to update everyone on my Honduran efforts. I am filling out paper work for Kerry Magana's grandmother's Visa. I have Congressman Emanuel Cleaver on board to write me/us a letter of support. I secured Senator Bond's office yesterday. Today I made contact with Claire McCaskill and hopefully she will sign a letter as well. I have countless businesses ready to submit letters as well.

I feel grateful that so many people have offered to help. I need more though. I need everyone to sign a letter, a signature or something to show the Consulate that Kansas City cares about their children. I started a website called caringforkerry.com that should be up soon. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can get signatures? Would I write the letter and put it in a blog then have the end user copy, paste, put it in a email resend it to me through email? I am up for any suggestions. I need thousands of signatures. I need to get it going asap. I'm tired and could use any help.

KMBC 9 is doing a story tomorrow on the situation. Thank you Maria Antonia. I only wish I could figure out the signature campaign. Please feel free to email at michael@inadtv.com if you can help me figure it out. I pray we get this little girl's family here.

Goodnight,
MQ

Angels, Curves, and Potholes...

If there was any reason why my family had to be struck with cancer, childhood cancer, I would suspect that it was for me to do something good with it. At first I thought that I had done something terrible to deserve such a diagnosis. My child was paying for something I may have done. I went over every scenario and came to the realization that God doesn't give you more than you can handle and he certainly wouldn't have a child endure this pain for the sins of her father.

Friday I traveled to Children's Mercy to get some documents from Kerry Magana's mother. As I sat with her mother I asked her if she ever wonders why God would do something like this to us. She looked at me and said her faith was still in place and she believes that God has delivered her angels. He has put sorrow and hard times at their door but also supplied people like me to help in her journey. People like me?

Claudia explained that we have seen each other over the coarse of a year but never really talked. She explained to me that the last time we saw each other she needed someone and it happened to be me that appeared. That particular day as we talked and held each other as our daughter's lay unconscious getting their treatments, her home was being burglarized. She obviously didn't know it at the time but got through it later that day knowing that I had joined in on her fight with this sickness and paper work needed to get her mother here. Our conversation and my commitment to her and her family helped ease her pain. So was it a coincidence that we happened to land at the same hospital with the same diagnosis? I can't answer that but I do know that I have a voice and strength for both little girls and I intend on using it to help in our fight to recovery.

I'm aware that I can't save the world, just as I'm aware that I can't fix every pothole in the country. But this situation, this little girl has crossed paths with me and I'm determined to lend my hand. I ask you to do the same. It was normal for me a year ago to hear the sad story and for me to tune it out. Well it has occurred to me that things don't happen by mistake. My kid got sick. I had to learn to live with the fact that our surroundings such as the hospital presents death. We hear about it, we see it, and we fear it. Is it coincidence that I'm writing about it and your reading about it? Maybe one of you are supposed to help Kerry Magana. Maybe through a chain of events it was destined for you to be touched by my story, by these children's stories. I believe everything happens for a reason.

I'm going to put together a letter I hope each of you will copy, paste, and sign and resend to me so I can forward it on to the Embassy in Honduras. This little girl needs a voice. A nurse told me,"You can't expect every parent whose kid gets struck with cancer to be as a caring as you and me." I'm sure it was supposed to be a compliment but I then realized she was talking about Kerry's mom Claudia. She minimized this poor woman's lack of communication, tough economic hardship, and support as non-caring. Well let me tell you something. If I was still in Los Angeles, a single dad, with 2 other mouths besides Kaylee to feed I'm not sure I could do it. Oh, throw in I couldn't speak English well, little or no job skills, and no family or support system. Would all that adversity discount my love for Kaylee? Not at all.

We are given a certain path/road. Some of these roads will be scattered with potholes and blind curves but it is essential to know that hope, faith, and an occasional angel will help guide you through the toughest terrian and on to a smoother coarse.

Caring for Kerry...

The story about Kerry Magana came out this week in the Kansas City Hispanic News. Click the "Caring for Kerry" title to read the entire story as it appears in KCHN.

I ASK YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS STORY OUT TO THE MEDIA. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP PLEASE SEND THE ARTICLE OR BLOG TO THEM. I NEED THIS STORY TO BE SHARED. I NEED THOSE DECISION MAKERS IN HONDORUS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN KANSAS CITY WHO CARE ABOUT THIS LITTLE GIRL. I NEED YOUR HELP SHARING THIS STORY.


Kerry Magaña is 15 years old and fighting for her life. She is battling leukemia. Her fight for life is taking its toll on her body and spirit leaving the once energetic teenager tired and wishing that her mother could be at her bedside as she faces her cancer treatments. Stress and anxiety rule Claudia Sabrera, Kerry’s mother. She struggles with the need to be in three places at once. As a single parent, she must be at work so that she can provide for the other two siblings in the family household. When she is not at work, she feels that she must be home with the other children. She can’t leave them alone. She has no family to help her care for them or Kerry. Sabrera has had to make hard choices lately. She has missed work to try to be at the hospital with Kerry. Now her work hours have been cutback. The family is in turmoil and struggling to make ends meet. Sabrera does not know where to turn. Kerry was diagnosed in 2006 with ALL Leukemia and was in critical need of a bone marrow transplant. Following treatment, Kerry’s leukemia went into remission. While trying to find a bone marrow donor, she had a relapse in December 2007 and the family faced a life or death situation. Her daughter battled the disease and it appeared that the treatment had worked. While she was in remission in February of this year, Kerry worked hard to educate the Latino community about the importance of Hispanics registering as bone marrow donors. She attended the three hour bone marrow drive held last February at Bales Baptist Church in the northeast area of the city. Her future looked bright when a bone marrow donor was identified, but before the transplant could take place, her cancer returned. She is currently recuperating from her latest bouts of treatment. She is scheduled for a transplant on August 11. The cancer is beginning to take its toll on the young teenager. She is tired and disheartened. Previously, the spirited teenager was a beacon of hope and high spirits, spending time in the hospital visiting other children in the cancer ward. She would talk to the parents and the children about losing their hair from the cancer treatments; she would introduce the children to members of the hospital staff and try to make both the parents and children at ease while they were going through their treatments just as she was. Michael Quijas met Kerry while his own 15-year-old daughter was in Children’s Mercy hospital diagnosed with leukemia. “We would stay weeks at a time at Children’s Mercy on the pediatric cancer floor. Kerry came into the room and she talked to my daughter. At the time Kerry had no hair and my daughter was beginning to lose her hair. She sat down, they talked, and she showed us what it was to wear a wig. … She helped my daughter out and her visits with us and with the other children and families was priceless.”
While at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kerry has a social worker and a Child Life Specialist assigned to her. “Their job is to reduce the stress and anxiety that accompany the hospitalization and other aspects of health care here at the Hospital,” said Jessica Salazar, Manager of Media Relations at Children’s Mercy. “They will meet with the child and help them and guide them through what they are dealing with as a patient. They will prepare the child for medical experiences, they advocate for patient and family rights and they normalize the environment
for the patients.” Even though Sabrera knows that Kerry has hospital staff with her as she goes through her medical treatments, it tears at her heart knowing that she cannot be there to comfort her and reassure her that everything will be fine. “This is difficult for me and for her. She is preoccupied with getting ready for her operation and I am preoccupied with worrying that she is taking her pills. I know that her sickness makes her very tired to where she just wants to lay there and sleep and sleep. I want to be the person that is there to make sure that she takes her pill, make something for her to eat and give her food.” At the same time, she is aware of the needs of her other children. “It is something I cannot control. I cannot be guarding the kids for 24 hours. I can’t break myself into pieces to be everywhere. … I have not lost my faith but this is very hard, to get out of work, come home to cook and take care of the kids and then go to the
hospital it is difficult. … I want things to be stabilized.” As a parent, Quijas understands what Abrera is experiencing emotionally and knows how important the familial touch is. “Just to have
that family member there to rub her back when the child is getting sick, to administer the
medicine or to just make sure they are comfortable while they are battling this. I think that everyone wants a little bit of comfort whether you are an adult or a child, there is something about having someone there with you,” he said. “She wants to be there but she has two other mouths to feed and she has to keep a roof over their heads. I saw Claudia on one of the treatment days for Kerry at the hospital and she told me, ‘I need my mom’ I need someone to help me,” added Quijas. Sabrera has tried to bring her mother from Honduras to the United States. She has sent money to her mother, sent papers from the hospital proving the gravity of the situation. Sabrera has found the situation untenable. Her mother must apply for the visa in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, a distance of five to six hours. “She has to leave for a whole day to be there early in the morning for the visit. Then they turned her down without saying why.” Sabrera explained that her mother would have to apply again and pay the nonrefundable
application fee once again to get another hearing, which she fears will turn out the same. “She not only loses the money for the visa but also the travel cost because she lives so far away.”
Quijas has taken steps to see if he can get local and federal politicians involved in helping to bring the grandmother to the United States. He has contacted Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Julie Myers, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE), to see if they can help expedite the paperwork for the grandmother. “Since I have been in this campaign to help them, I have been told that this is not an emergency to bring the grandmother here,” explained Quijas. From where he stands, he cannot imagine a more critical situation. “Until you are there with your child, and it is hard enough being in the room with your child, to think about your child being there by themselves going through this kind of sickness, it is really about making your child comfortable, which contributes to the well being of that person,” added Quijas. “This visa is a necessity. Someone needs to be at the hospital for that little girl while she gets her treatment.”

Dr. Mount...

My family went to a party last night. The party was a Jewelry Party and it was hosted by a woman named Kaye Mount. Kaye was our home school teacher this last year. She was my daughter's teacher. Normally kids may have 6, 7, or 8 teachers during the day - we had one. We had Kaye Mount.

I write about Kaye tonight for a reason. Kaye Mount is such a special part of our family that I feel obligated to tell everyone. The friendship sort of symbolizes this past year. We had Kaye come in like all the other professionals. Kaye was just like all the other knocks at the door when this thing started. We were assigned a teacher, similiar to the specialists that were being assigned daily at that time. There was a job to be done and Kaye was given that job. We really didn't care if it - the teacher - was a he or a she. Tall or short. White or black. It was business. Kaylee needed a teacher to keep her on track. Kaye was given the job.

Looking back, it was one of those introductions that were like so many at that time. Our sickness was thick and the salutations polite and proper but insignificant. When you are in a fight for your child's life everything else doesn't really matter. I was on auto-pilot. Hey, how are you? Here's my kid now lets get this done!

Week after week past and we had our ups and downs but Kaye arrived at her usual. The relationship blossomed in rhythm with Kaylee's health. Before long that insignificant relationship became the cornerstone of our recovery. We had someone that felt our pain but was professional. Kaye kept Kaylee in the loop. Kaye's scheduled appointments at the Quijas household made Kaylee get up and about. This routine directly contributed to the health of my child. Although Kaye doesn't have her medical degree, she is a doctor in my eyes.


I'm writing about Kaye tonight because Kaylee and Tammie felt like they were part of Kaye's family yesterday. They arrived at the party and everyone knew who they were. They fit in with Kaye's family and friends like they had known them for years. That professional demeanor Kaye brought to the door that first day was just the thing we needed. It was right on cue with the whole sickness thing. As time went by that relationship progressed into something so much more than a pupil and the teacher. It grew into friendship that will always be. I thank you Kaye for being there. This situation we went through demanded that we have a professional. It just happens that our professional brought more to our doorstep than a degree. Kaye Mount was our teacher, is our friend, and a savior to this family. Thank you Kaye!

All Aboard...

A couple of months ago I gave a speech at CMSU for young entrepreneurs. I kept referring to my experience as a bus ride. You head out on your journey, your ride, and you have all sorts of people come along for the ride. Some people get off during the cruise and others stay on. There's some that matter more than others. But eventually everyone leaves.

If trying to make something out of nothing isn't hard enough, throw in emotional attachments that dissolve. It hurts. Well it has happened again. My right hand man, Ken, had to go. The direction my company has been going isn't or hasn't been right. I had to make a decision, a tough decision to go a different direction. It's like a relationship ending. The bus has pulled over and another passenger has to go.

Ken was such an important part of my business and important part of my family. He made sure that my business kept running while my daughter fought her sickness. He made it to appointments when I wasn't able to. He was the boss and I'm thankful. Unfortunately things run their course and change has to be made. My dreams are exactly that, my dreams. I have suffered for this dream, sacrificed for this dream, and have committed myself to this dream. I have to steer the course.

So I guess what I'm saying is that life is like a bus. People come and people go. Some stay longer then others but the majority all leave sooner or later. Everyone has a journey, or a road to take. The bottom line is that this is my bus - my life - and it has to make it down the road. The tires have to be aired, the engine has to be oiled, and the vehicle has to be fueled. Your destination is yours and you have to get to where you need to be internally, spiritually, and physically. I can not afford to get too attached to any outside influences or people that might slow me. I have to keep on keeping on. I enjoy company and welcome companionship but eventually everyone disappears. The one constant is me, my bus, and my map.

I want to thank everyone who has sent me an email recently. I enjoy the reading emails from friends, and those from strangers as well. I try to respond to all of them in a quick time frame, but if it takes longer than usual I'm sorry. I will get to it.

I went swimming today and it felt great. Kaylee also took up the

Sweet 16...

It was Kaylee's birthday today. We started our celebration last night. Kaylee and four friends wanted to go to Chubby's on Broadway last night, or early this morning. I drove her and the girls down there around 12:30 am. We drove around, had breakfast, and sung songs until 3 am. It was fun. I'm a fun dad - I think.

Tonight we took 10 people to Buca di Pepo. It was a great dinner. If you've never been there you should go. We ate way to much. The night was fun and the day was special. I could not help but think how grateful I am to have my daughter. I've had a great 16 years with Kaylee. I look forward to another 50 years.

Well I'm going to sleep and I hope you have a nice weekend.

Fourth in line...

Have you ever noticed or witnessed someone taking their time to look good, smell good, or carry their self in the right way? My son for example takes more showers then anyone I know. They are quick but he loves to feel good. Christian also wears Cologne. He loves to smell good. He likes body spray. His trophy's are in order as is everything in his room. I feel so great as a father to watch him do all he can to feel and look good. I say this because it's Christian and I love him. If he liked to wade in the mud and smell a little stinky then that would be fine too. It just happens to be the opposite.

I remember my grandpa always looking really sharp. He wore a hat and always had a suit or tie on. He always looked so nice and proper. As a man today I appreciate people who have a certain style. I look at these people, those I know and some I don't, but always wonder where their sense of style came from. Was it their grandpa? Was it their dad? Does that impression rub off? Maybe someone made a decision as a child not to be like those he grew up around? Maybe someone was around smelly people as a youngster and decided to be the total opposite as an adult.

I for example made a decision that I would be active in my kid's lives. I strive to be a good father. I have faults and shortcomings but my life is my children. My father made a decision when I was a baby, he made a decision even before I was born, that his time and his life was more important then the family's. He decided that it was more important that he eat before his children. He chose to spend our last dollar on his needs. He made decisions that benefited him, not us. I've made the choice that I'm fourth in line when it comes to my family. There's three others in front of me.

I love my mother and I wonder if she ever watched in the background as I put Cologne on. When I feathered my hair did she smile. Did she cry when she noticed that I was equipped with a kind heart. Maybe my focus wasn't a clean and spotless room but maybe it was my kindness that demanded attention. Who knows.

Rumor has it that my sharp dressed grandpa worried that I was too caring. He warned my mother she should watch out for me because he thought that I might get hurt later on in life. Because I loved too much. How much of that is true I'm not sure. But maybe it was true and maybe he made that comment because he observed something special in me as I notice those special things in Christian, my son. Maybe my mom made a man that does care, who does notice good smells and certain styles, and occasionally cries from sadness and from happiness. Maybe my mom showed so much love to me and my sisters that I followed her lead. What ever the case may be, I love life, I love my family, and I just love to love.

True...

I love to write. Tonight I had planned to watch some DVD's from BlockBuster but got distracted when I started writing and couldn't stop. I find comfort when I express myself with words. I never scored a high grade in English as a kid, but feel I express myself somewhat good with a keyboard or pen. Who needs to score good grades in English when you start blogging? might do find it as a great escape as I get older. ather funny that I find such relief in putting words down. I love to read my entries. I cannot tell you how great it is to document your day. I go back and read about me and my family and it is awesome. I memorialize the moment. Maybe I'm no Edgar, Walt, or S.E. but I enjoy my journal.

So many of the cancer parents tell me they wish they would've documented their story. I'm sure most wouldn't broadcast them, but I did and I'm owning up to it. I made new friends from it, rekindled old friends from it, and shared the pain of a parent. Hopefully no one will ever have to feel it but if you do, you should know that I made it and you would too. Sickness sucks you down but it's what you do with it that matters. You can swim or sink. I have chosen to stick and move, jab and undercut this cancer. If it had an eye I'd poke it!

Well it is getting late here in the Quijas Household and I must go. But before I do I want to share a quick story. I have been stressed out lately. I go from battling this thing with Kaylee, not caring about the rest of the world to being completely absorbed with things outside my household. This morning I had to go to Granfalloon North to fix some issues that have been weighing InAd TV down. Some upgrades to the system and software. I love to go on service calls because I don't have to focus on anything but that. I get to work on the task at hand and everything else is minor. Well I get on the road and I start stressing. Is the owner mad about this? Did I do this right? Should I do this? Did I do this? Could I do.... It is absolutely ridiculous.

So I'm getting myself worked up as I take the 45 minute ride up north. I really shouldn't let anything bother me because my daughter is feeling great. She had 7 friends over last night and she's happy. So today should be a happy day. My mind is crazy. I'm happy for my kid but stressing out over things that aren't really that important. Back and forth. I get to Granfalloon and the owner walks in. Nancy the owner says "How's your daughter doing?" I started to cry. Yes - it seemed like I had started to turn over a new leaf and was leaving the crying thing behind me but old habits are hard to break.

I looked her in the eye and said "We are doing great!" We are. The night was so beautiful because Kay was being a kid with all her friends and it hit me that all my thoughts about this and that are insignificant. I explained to Nancy that it is such a roller coaster. Worrying about health then spinning on a dime and worrying about my business. Nancy looks at me and says "All this stuff, all this day time filler stuff, is insignificant!" She said, "this building, this job you're doing will be here in 2, 3, or 4 weeks from now. So why sweat it."

True. Why worry about things that aren't hurting me or my family. Sure I might need to address a few things but I'm not hurting anyone and no one is hurting us. Not sickness, not anyone or anything. So I should be grateful. But sometimes I feel guilty if I don't stress. I feel like I should have some sense of urgency today. My grief stage is over and I should "Cowboy Up" and get busy with this problem here or there. But the truth is, I'm not breaking any laws and I'm not hurting anyone. I'm just a guy trying to make an honest living.

So I need to accept that there's always going to be something that doesn't get done. There's always going to be something I could have done better. But as long as I get up every day and work to do better then I will never lose. True!

To my old friends...

I want to tell everyone about a few messages I've received lately. One was from Karin Marrow Livella. I went to school with Karin at St.Agnes. Karin surprised me with an email yesterday. Thank you Karin. I feel honored you would remember me! I was happy to hear from you and the family looks awesome. It has been so long. And you thought I forgot about our Mr. Dalton, Mr. Landers, and Sister Marcella days! No way.

This year has brought about so many people from my past. It is so nice to hear from people from so long ago. It means a lot to me when people take the time to write, place a call, or send a message. I think it's awesome when you think about your memory of someone. I remember everyone and I have memories of anyone that I came across in my youth. I often wonder if I made an impression. Does anyone remember me? So when I get a message it makes me feel good.

I also received a message from Kent Fossland yesterday, another classmate who I hadn't heard from in years. He told me his experience with cancer and I thank you Mr.Fossland. I love to hear other stories about sadness and sickness. That might sound bad but it makes you respect other people and their journey. They say with pain comes growth. I wouldn't wish it on anyone but this experience has made me appreciate my life and those around me more then ever.

One last blast from the past. Nanci Noble. Nanci is the mother of Jill Sandin, well it's Jill Green now, but it was Jill Sandin. Jill was a girl I liked my freshman year in high school. We attended JC Harmon High together. We were both new to this big school and some how made a connection. My grade school was Rosedale and hers was Argentine. We were both new to high school and out to make new friends when we met. Jill was my first date I ever had. We went to a school dance together and I remember being so nervous. I don't recall all the details but I do remember eating with Jill and her mother. It was out of the ordinary for me to go anywhere with a girl so the memory is still vivid. Jill was a cheerleader and I remember thinking how lucky I was to go with her. Every one liked Jill but she was my date. Her mother Nanci sent me such a nice email about a month ago and it made me feel great. First, that she would remember me. Second, that she would take the time to wish my beautiful daughter best wishes. Sometimes you think you go unnoticed but every once in awhile you make an impression. Maybe I made one back then, who knows, but it was Nanci that made one in June 2008. I haven't ran into Jill in years but I know she's doing great and married a great guy from our neighborhood.

I'm watching my sons baseball game and better get back to it but I thought I'd drop a line. If we haven't talked in awhile send me an email. If you have something good or bad to say I'd like to hear it. My email is michael@inadtv.com and once again I want to say thanks to Karin,Kent, Nanci and everyone who has sent encouraging words!
MQ

Hopefully you'll never know...

Have you ever been sick? Have you ever had a family member sick? Have you ever had your child sick? Hopefully not, but chances are you've had to fight some sort of sickness in your life. The thing about sickness is it's usually associated with the the flu, the cold, the stomache ache. The next level generally hits a family member. The relative who comes down with something that gets the whole family talking. The Uncle in Fresno with the stroke, the Grandma with a tumor, or your Mother with breast cancer. All of these scenerios are devastating but come second to the day you have a doctor tell you that your child has cancer. Give me, my sister, my mom, or anyone I know those hurtful words "you have cancer" but please spare my kid!

In a perfect world we might never have to utter those words. But it's not a perfect world and we have to take each diagnosis but it does happen. My mother has went through cancer, my sister, and my uncle. you can never prepare for the words CANCER when it comes to your child.