No prom no problem

Kaylee got her prom dress a couple weeks ago. It's a pretty mint green fancy thing. Her shoes matched and her hair appointment was scheduled. Tonight she cried and said she isn't going because she doesn't feel like she looks pretty. It hurt. I said she can do whatever she wants. We told her she's beautiful but she said everyone is tanning and she feels like she's pasty and pale. Kaylee cried and to see your kid cry because of something out of her control is heartbreaking.

I am for whatever she wants. If she wants to sleep, let her sleep. If she wants to eat, eat. If she wants to sit out prom, sit it out! We agreed with her that next year will be a good year if she wants to go. No worries. I think sometimes you forget about other people's feelings. I never knew Kaylee had worries about skin color or anything like that but she does. So will be fine and she would have looked nice. I feel bad that she feels bad but she'll be fine and next year's prom will be here before we know it.

A Mother...

Tonight I talked with a friend from high school who is battling cancer, breast cancer. I've known of her sickness for some time but stayed away from the situation. Tonight I couldn't help but get emotionally touched by the story.

I called to check in with the family and found out that the cancer had spread to the kidneys. I also found out that their only car was taken away from them for registration problems. It was apparent that she was trying to keep a positive voice about it but I heard her break for just a moment. It was then that I thought of my mother.

My mom is a cancer survivor. She was young and a single mother when sickness came knocking. I can hardly think about the fear she must of felt. My mom. For some reason when I was talking to my friend my mother's voice was on the other line. It wasn't really but for a moment I pictured my mother talking to some man, maybe someone like me who might be able to help and it affected me. What if that was my mom 40 years ago?

I say that because I wonder if my mom needed help way back when. If she did, was there anyone in particular that she thought might be able to help. Would she ask? Did she ask? Well my friend didn't ask but I offered to throw it out there to see if someone I know might be able to help the family with a car. For months now I never offered anything to the family. My hands were full with my own projects. I help sick kids and families with sick kids. It's my passion to ease the burden, if just a bit, for families with sick kids. But tonight it dawned on me that this friend, this mother, is a daughter of someone. She has to worry about her kids and how the sickness is affecting them. Her burden or her fright has to be overwhelming.

I cried. I called my mom and cried. It hit me hard that this friend may pass away and how shitty is it that you would have to spend any time worrying about transportation. But that is their reality and their burden combined with cancer. I hate to see it but if I can put the word out and help in any manner then maybe just maybe some of their worry might be relieved. Please help this family if you can and consider that this could be your daughter, your sister, or even your mom!

Saving Santos...

I am pleased to announce that Santos Arreola made it to Arizona for his new round of treatments. The facility specializes in alternative care and Santos needs to raise money to pay for the scheduled treatments. I am posting the info for his fund in this post and I ask everyone who follows my blog to please contribute to his fund. I went to a CPA Wednesday to get the fund transferred from a charity fund to a foundation so it can have tax benefits for those who are looking for the write off. But until that happens please help this child and mother.

If it was me I don't know what I would do. I probably would consider cruising in a convertible with a bull horn so I could get every one's attention. If you have never battled sickness in your child then I can't begin to explain the fright, scare, and helplessness one feels. You can't really grasp the feeling of not understanding why everyone isn't fundraising for your kid because you personally love your child more than life itself. That didn't come out grammatically correct but you know what I mean.

Derek Fisher, a Los Angeles Laker, was informed that his daughter had eye cancer. It made breaking news, front page of the paper, and several talk shows. I couldn't understand why his child got a ticker tape on the bottom of every major channel and my daughter barely made the paper. Sure I know Derek is famous but that didn't matter to me. My kid is just important. This was the attitude I had at the time. Today I know that there is a method to the madness. It's getting your story in front of people. This is where I come in.

I will fight to get a child in the public. I will do it with phone calls, I will do it face to face, or I'll do it with emails. So if it seems like I'm always selling myself - it's because I am! I want people to answer my calls. I want people to know about the special kids I get the opportunity to meet. It is a blessing to see first hand the fight so many families face because it motivates you to do something.

So tonight I ask you to join my fight for Santos Arreola. Put yourself in his mother's place tonight and think how hard it would be for you and your family. Contribute to the saving Santos fund!

Check out his Mother's blog http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/santosarreola

Industrial State Bank

Att: Santos Arreola Treatment Fund

Account # 130000794872

P.O Box 6007

Kansas City, KS 66106

American Idol

I cry every time I watch AI! I'm not sure why but I have my suspicions! I think it's because I keep thinking that these kids are children of someone. Sounds strange but when I hear someone with a great voice I feel a sense of - Pride. Crazy but I think how proud I would be if it was my kid. I get emotional hearing a good voice, what can I say.

When I see someone cry I want to cry. When I see someone do good I want to cheer. I love to see people succeed. I sometimes don't get why everyone is not that way. Seriously, I want everyone to do good. To see someone try and change, to see someone become passionate, to see someone find their thing makes me feel good. So I guess that is why I am weak for a good voice. A good voice is usually a sign of practice and passion. I sing in the car and shower but would never attempt to do it in public. So if someone does break out in song it usually signifies that someone has practiced on their pitch and I applaud that! Usually.

Please read my story that came out today in the Lee's Summit Journal. One-80 by Michael Quijas http://www.lsjournal.com/100/story/23639.html

Santos Arreola

My name is Michael Quijas. You may know me, you may of heard of me, or you may have just stumbled upon my blog by mistake but here I am. Tonight and this weekend I have a big decision to make. There's not much thought into the decision but still I've decided to think long and hard about this decision. Confused? Let me explain.

There's a beautiful little boy and his name is Santos. Santos Christian Arreola age 5. You may have read his story on Christmas Day on the front page of the Kansas City Star http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/951848.html . He has been fighting a brain tumor but things have taken a turn for the worst. They say Santos will not be here next year at this time due to the fact that the treatments aren't working. Doctors recommend halting all treatments and letting the little man enjoy his time. As the professionals say - quality of life versus quantity. Tough stuff.

Santos' Mother is Leticia Garcia. Leticia is a single mother living at home with her parents. Her demeanor or composure is always cool and collected. She is my friend. I met the mother and son while Kaylee was admitted in CMH. Santos was recovering from a Bone Marrow Transplant and Kaylee was fighting her battle. We talked briefly but it wasn't until April or May when we met again for the Alex's Lemonade commercial. I recruited children for the commercial and one of those recruits were Santos. He enjoyed his time in front of the camera and his time on the field!

Leticia has to make some quick decisions. First she has to figure out what else can be done. Where else can she go. Are there any alternative treatments worth pursuing. Leticia needs to find money. She needs someone to tell her story. She needs a loud voice. That's where I come in.

I'm still exhausted from the Kerry Magana fight. The heartbreak of losing Kerry is also tough. I have to dig deep to find the energy to start the Santos Arreola Campaign. The thing that motivates me is the fact that I know I could be of help to the Garcia family. I know I could organize, recruit, and get exposure for the fundraising. We will need to raise a lot of money immediately so Leticia can pursue treatments elsewhere.

The Kerry Magana fight was a political fight. It was a red tape battle and we succeeded. We also succeeded at finding a donor during the Bone Marrow Drive. But this new battle will be different. It will be raising money and raising money quickly. This thing called cancer will not wait for good intentions or promises so I need to get going quickly. I only hope that I can produce the results needed.

I was going to accept an invitation for the Man of the Year Event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but it looks like I might have to decline. This year I might have to focus all my energy on Santos. I need to help save his life. If the tables were turned I would do anything to save my kid. Seriously. I would beg, plead, promise, and cry to anyone if I thought that it would help my child. I would want anyone and everyone in my corner. So I might have to put my self-promotion campaign for the LLS on the back burner so I can get to work on this new campaign for life!

Thanks again...

It feels like months since my last entry. I hope life is treating you and yours well. Nothing to complain about here. We are trying to get back to normal after a long break. Kaylee rejoined her classmates at school this week. Kaylee said everyone in her classes were glad to see her.

I can tell Kaylee is troubled that she has so many commitments and obligations with this disease. She isn't able to join her girl friends to parties. She has to take chemo nightly and she has to be accountable for the meds. Kaylee isn't able to disappear with friends like she used to and I think that affects her friendships. She is home a lot and I feel for her.

When this all started I rationalized why Kaylee may have been stricken with cancer. I thought maybe God gave it to Kaylee so she might be spared from a tragic car wreck. Since Kaylee is home more days and nights because of the disease than an average teenager it might lower the odds of her being in a car where there's underage drinking. It might lower her chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since time has passed now, it is harder to rationalize the disease. We watch our little girl spectate from the sidelines on most days and it hurts a little.

The saying is "it is what it is" and I agree but sometimes you wish this was happening to someone else besides your child. Kaylee never complains and I respect her for that. We are just about 10 months away from the end of our treatments and we are grateful that time has flown by.

I want to thank everyone for the kind words, gracious acts of kindness, and for all the prayers!

One-80

I need your help today. Please go to http://www.myfirst180.com/ and purchase my ebook for $12.00. This money is going to help with 10 Kids Insured, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and all the other charitable work that seems to find me. Please help me announce this exciting news to everyone you know. I feel comfortable saying "you never know when you might need a helping hand too."

Irons, Fires, and Trust...

I'm bored! This weather has created "cabin fever" for me. I want to do something. Most days I have places to be but today I didn't attempt to travel or venture far from home. I was on the computer for most of the day due to the weather. I am going crazy. We have one car because the other two are rear wheel drive, which means I have to stick close to home because I have one kid at a friend's house and another one with a friend here who'll want a ride home soon. Good job on purchasing cars that you can't drive in the snow!

Probably best that I stay close to home because this weather is uuuuuugly! I have no where to go anyway. This economy is a killer. I deal with all sorts of businesses out in the community and there's hardly any who haven't been hurt. Including mine. Luckily I'm a natural hustler and have more "irons in the fire" then most so I won't let this economy hurt me. But advertising in general is on hard times.

It's hard to imagine that there are people out there who don't have to worry about money. I worked for several people in San Diego who were Trust Fund Babies. They had millions and money was never an issue. They had other problems but money wasn't one of them. If you could take that money load off of me I would figure out the rest, believe me. I have to deal with the other shit any ways, so excluding money from the equation would just make things easier. I mention money every once in awhile because I do my own thing. It is such a sweet feeling when you get past the point of dreaming working for your self and actually do it, but then the reality of making your own paycheck on a consistent basis regardless of economy or sickness is scary.

I don't get scared too often because I have faith in me. If I ever lose that then everyone around me should get nervous. I often have to worry about daily dilemmas but seldom ever worry about where I'm going or where I'll end up! I visualize success. Please know that my vision of success isn't just about money. Although that is number one for me, money, so I can do great things in the community and world. I want to be able to have an engine, if you can call it that, that can fund all my endeavors. Each day that's why I get up, so I can add to my little empire.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, digital applications is and will be a technology goldmine! If a company like mine can implement applications with digital screens like no other then the world is yours. I have digital mannequins, digital full video belt buckles, digital name tags, and various other retail fixtures debuting soon. They are going to rock the digital world, mark my words. So if you have an extra million just send it over! :0)

Goodnight and keep warm.

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

Kaylee was at CMH today getting her blood work and counts taken. All chemo had been suspended for the last week or so to see were she stood on her health before they continue pumping her with that poison they call chemo. Sickness over took her last week so the doctors wanted her to get some rest. She is doing fine on her immune system and blood so the bombarding restarts tonight! The chemo has to continue for one more year 10/10/09 to follow the protocol she is on. We follow the rules and advice to ensure the treatments will work and eventually make my daughter cancer free for the rest of her life.

I was in Lawrence this afternoon. InAd TV is going to launch there and I'm pretty excited. We have had offers from across the country to enter different markets but I think Lawrence is a good choice. It is close to home and easy to enter the market because most venues know what my business is and what it does. I am also going to work with a major media group there and feel the fit is perfect. Keep your fingers crossed for my family and for my business.


Well I am comfortable to night and I'm having fun with this Facebook thing. Please add me to your friends michael@inadtv.com if you do it. I can't believe the friends that I'm reuniting with through this service. Incredible.

I want to comment on a profile that I came across. Her name is Deanna Ziegler of Kansas City. I know Deanna and I am related to her ex-husband through marriage. I look at her pictures and it is so apparent that all her gang of friends love each other. I saw her out one night and there she had 10 of her friends with her. Now let me make this clear, I can run with 10 guys but it isn't the same. This group is friends, husbands and wives, and even ex-husbands. It makes me envious, although the word is better replaced with admire, but I look at their friendship and think how valuable that bond is. Why I'm saying this is simple. You can have money, you can have the best looks, but you can't just have valuable friendships. Great friendships take some sort of investment, substance, or work. My hat goes off to you Deanna because you obviously deserve great friends because you must be a great person! Just my little observation.

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us." - Danielle N. Redfield

Shirley Temple

I joined Facebook! Kaylee is embarrassed but I have so many people I've reconnected with that I'm going to stay on it regardless. That site is amazing. It is reconnecting me with so many people I haven't talked to in such a long time. The fun thing for me has been reuniting with people that I lost contact with when I left the KCK school district. Although I love my folks from Shawnee Mission North it is nice to reconnect to your roots.

The people I have connected with look so good and seem to be doing great. As I get older (and wiser?) I sincerely feel good when I know others are doing good. Some people could careless if others are doing good, but I love to hear when life is treating others well. I guess I think we all deserve a good life.

Life is what you make of it. Last night I had to go to the hospital to visit a friend, a family member, Paul Vega. He was assaulted at a nightclub Thursday and was hurt severely. His head was fractured and his nose was broken. Paul is the toughest man I know and it goes to show you don't always win every battle. But when I was there I observed his gown, his hospital issued booty's, and his swollen face. I couldn't help but think that he is only human and didn't deserve the hurt he received. Tammie told me to take a good look at him and consider what could happen if you put yourself in the wrong situation. I did. Although it was a random attack it was just being there that led to his admission into ICU.

After leaving there I was suppose to meet a few guys out for some drinks but I went home instead. What happened to Paul could happen to me. It never fails that every time I go out someone always brings up how tough I was as a kid. This usually begins with someone mentioning it to me and whatever group I'm with. Then they point it out to others I don't know. Well you never know who wants to see if you still have it. I suspect that's what may have happened to Paul. I even have guys with me that will start trouble just knowing I'm there. Little do most of them know that it breaks my heart to think of anyone having to spend one night in the hospital. Especially if it was me!

Almost all of us have people that love us. I have kids, a wife, a mother, sisters, all of whom would be devastated if I was to get hurt. It wouldn't matter how I got hurt they would be heartbroken. I watched Paul's kids cry as their father lay there unrecognizable from his injuries. I looked at those same injuries and couldn't help but think how fragile our existence is. Tough to think how injury, sickness, or death can hurt and heartbreak a family.

It was sometime back that I was mad that Kaylee had gotten sick. The anger was there and Tammie was scared when I would go out. She worried that it might set me off if I was out and someone did something to trigger it. I would tell her she was crazy and continue to get dressed. But she was right. Drinking and socializing in places with strangers can be dangerous if you come across the wrong person. Hell, it could be me who could hurt someone. How ironic would that be. Me, so in tune with hurt and heartbreak and I accidentally hurt someone. That would be my luck. My irresponsible actions would place a kid, a wife, mother and sisters next to some poor guy in a hospital bed.

So from this point forward I'm drinking Shirley Temples and hanging out at the local Chuck E Cheese! Well maybe not the Chuck E Cheese but you get the point.

Home Alone...

Kaylee was admitted into the hospital tonight. Kay has been sick the last two days and the doctors want to observe her for the next few days because her immune and blood levels have dropped significantly.

It has been almost a year since we've had to spend the night at CMH. I had almost forgot Kaylee had cancer. She does chemo and the visits are once a month now. I feel bad she has to endure admissions and needles. It would be so traumatic for anyone but it makes you feel terrible when it's your kid. I think she's in a great place considering she does have cancer.

I took Kaylee to the emergency room tonight because her fever reached 103 degrees. It was amazing how quickly the staff checked Kaylee into the ER. They expedited Kaylee so smoothly and fast I felt very good about the quick response. The ER is not where you want your kid if they're missing an immune system. We get a clean room or a sanitized environment but being there is risky. We didn't have to wait at all.

I stayed up last night until 6:00 am this morning because Kaylee was sick. She only woke up once at 5:30 am and said she was wasn't feeling any better. I got Tammie up and her fever was at 102 but it dropped at 6:30 and the doctors on call said lets wait and see where she goes with the fevers before we take her into CMH. So it wasn't until tonight at 7:30 when I went in and Kaylee felt hot. Her temp was at 103 and that's when we got the go ahead to take her in.

It sounds like I'm all over the sickness but it's Tammie. We do shifts. I'll stay up at night so Tammie can get some sleep. It is her who ends up playing Florence Nightingale when the work needs to be done. It was me that took Kaylee to the ER because if she got checked in, like she did, that's when Tammie's work begins. She stays with Kaylee in the hospital and I relieve her in the morning. It is uncomfortable staying in the hospital. I will get Christian off to school and then I'll make my way to CMH. Tammie will be here when Christian gets off the bus and will get him ready for his big dance tomorrow. This sickness can throw a monkey wrench in anything you have planned. Christian has been excited about this dance and got new clothes for the occasion and a haircut. Christian and Tammie have been getting him ready for his night. Unfortunately Kaylee's sickness will take part of his excitement away. We will be focused on her even though we are going to get him off to his big night. Kaylee's cancer takes precedent over everything.


So tonight I lay here with my girls gone. Hopefully this little bug will pass and we can disappear into the crowd like we have this past year. This cancer sucks and makes you realize that having cancer comes with certain realities. You have to be careful, more so then other people. I'm certain Kaylee knows this is only a speed bump. Sickness is crazy at this time of the year and her being at school means she is exposed to the potential threats of sickness crawling in the halls and that cougher we all hear and see who doesn't cover their mouth. Well that's all I have for tonight.

One last article...

http://www.kchispanicnews.com/images/v12n11/kchnv12n11.pdf

An Egg McMuffin Please...

I had to take both kids to school this morning at 7 o'clock. Kaylee's car is acting up and Bubba missed the bus. I decided last night that I would wake extra early and go to McDonald's for them this morning. A good hot breakfast, especially from McDonald's is a treat every once in awhile.

My son is such a good kid. He smarts off like most teenagers and makes poor decisions at times but he is good. I proudly say that because his heart is so good. His innocence amazes me. Most parents might read that and think I'm naive but I'm not. He is an innocent little man. He'll still hold onto me when he gets scared, as he should. He will cry and wants to be held when he doesn't feel good. He is so different than I was at his age. He is progressing just the way I want him to. He only worries about being a kid.

I've confessed to crying most of the entire last year. But when I was Christian's age I had to be tough. Or at least pretended to be tough. I was at public schools in the inner-city in eighth grade. I thought I knew it all. I'm sure I had the same qualities as Christian but I didn't show them as much. I had to fight, literally fight when I was his age. So I had this whole tough 13 yr-old thing down. Unfortunately, it went on well into my 20's. When I left to go to California in 1996 I hadn't cried in years. I was hardened. I didn't care. I thought life was about getting what was mine and I was content in that thinking. Then the move humbled me. I realized that I wasn't cool and I was just a guy who acted like he had it all together. But it's your family and the people you surround yourself with that make who you are. So if Christian has a good heart and is innocent then we've done good.

Kaylee is a brave one. She goes and endures so much that I'm amazed by her ability to never complain. She get grumpy and her moods alter with the different drugs but she has become a survivor. I think it has hurt at times that her innocence was lost. She had to deal with this or that and most dealt with her mortality. Scary thing to have to confront. At any age! The Kerry Magana thing scared here. She thought she wanted to go to the funeral of her friend and decided she couldn't. Kaylee will never tell you why but Kaylee is afraid of dying too. So hard to write but she's intelligent enough to know that this sickness is wicked and can blow in different directions. I applaud her for being there in mind but not in presence. It was too close to home.

I live in a house where my actions or deeds hardly raise an eyebrow. I sometimes think they think I'm Superman. Maybe they expect great things out of me so they are hardly surprised by anything. I guess that's good to think it's not out of the ordinary for your dad to give to others when he can. I'm sure there are others that wouldn't donate, participate, or obligate to nothing. I choose to help if I can, because God has been good to me for years.

Before I go I have to tell a quick story. Tammie is not much for words. She isn't a sappy girl, clingy, or needy. Tammie never seems to be amazed with me. Again that sounds like she deprives me but she doesn't. She knows when to say "Hey good job" but for her she shows it in different ways. On the day that I gave the speech at the LLS event I saw something out of her that I never have. First I think she was worried that I might lose track, stumble, or collapse. But when I didn't and I kept going on and didn't miss a beat (for the most part) I looked at her and she had the biggest look of pride on her. She kept nodding her head as to say keep going baby. I can't explain how nice it was to have this person who has lived with me through good and sickly bad times feel a sense of honor. I felt like she felt honored. God knows she would have to be dragged on a stage, but to hear me do it I think she felt like it was part of her giving that thing to all those guests. Who knows but that's what I think and I can't think no more!

Kerry's Magana's 15 years in photos

Leaving...

Today Kerry was put to rest. I rested after we came home. I was tired. I told myself I wasn't going to do anything after the funeral. It had tired me. Last night I could not sleep. I had an ache in my stomache. I find other reasons for it, but I think it was, I know it was, all this sickness and the toll it's taken on me. I have no room to talk about the pain and sadness but it hit me. I was involved.

I will probably take a sabatical from writing until the next thing. I usually find something that sparks something in me, but I'm going to take a rest for now. I was honored to be a Pallbearer for Kerry. I had Kaleb Kern from AdAesthetics make the video for the family that played throughout the service. I was impressed with him being there and working this projector for the family. He never met her and yet he did that and also built a websit for her months ago. Kaleb you're alright! Chewy who does my installs drove the family in the limo. He too was an honor to watch at the funeral. He got emotional as he drove the mother, Claudia, from the cemetary. He was crying and I thought what good people. Kaleb, Chewy, and countless others who gave to be giving and for no other reason.

Christina Jasso you are an angel. You handled every arrangement, stayed at the hospital, and pulled money from your own funds to help when it was needed. I learned so much from this. Giving is good. Helping is good. Loving a family that's not yours is good stuff when the love is needed. I was blessed by this, I was blessed today from words from different people. Something inside me matured today. I made a small difference in a famiy's life and I felt good doing it.

I have to end with a observation. I don't know how anyone could leave their child at a cemetary. I know you have to do it but it was the reality. I would never want to leave my child alone. Tammie said it perfect that your body is only a vehicle but I wouldn't want to leave my child's vehicle anywhere. That was the hardest part for me. How hard would it be to drive off and leave that child you've loved. It was tough to watch.

The hardest thing...

I went to the funeral home yesterday to make arraingements for Kerry's burial Monday. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. Claudia collapsed on the way in. She cried and sobbed, prayed and yelled. I tried to be strong but I cried a couple times.

It was me, Christina Jasso, and Claudia. We got everything handled. I didn't do much but I was there. I feel blessed that Claudia had me and Chrstina with her. Claudia had me and Chrstina. What would she have done if we weren't there? Scary. The fact that the funeral plans were for a 15 yr-old hurt. I know that most other parents, especially one's with children fighting leukemia, wouldn't have traveled to the funeral home. I know because I've had several people ask me what I'm doing. Well I'll explain it again, Cluadia had no one there besides me and Christina. If I hadn't of went then it would have been just Christina. Christina was introduced to Claudia through me. So tell me what would you have done? It was hard for me but something I had to do.

I hope some of you will go to the funeral. Kerry was tough and it was an honor knowing her. Please come if you can from 9-11 Monday at

Bales Baptist Church
3414 E. 12th St.
Kansas City, MO

My connection...

I've explained it before but I'll do it again for anyone who may have missed out on how I became part of Kerry Magana's life. My daughter and all of us first met Kerry while we were in for our first admission at CMH. I liked Kerry immediately. Kerry had her hair growing back and it was all stubble. So I never wanted to look at her in case she thought I was starring. It turns out she could careless and often told Kaylee that losing her hair wouldn't be as bad as she might think. Kerry talked with Kay and it made me feel good. Kerry and Kaylee are around the same age.

I was still threatened by the disease so I didn't really care to meet Kerry's family. I wanted to stay away from all ill kids just in case they were to die. So that's what I did. I kept my distance. In January I heard Kerry relapsed and I saw her in clinic. She was there by herself. She had taken the bus to CMH. I thought about Kaylee and how things were so different for the two girls. Kaylee had two parents and Kerry with only one. Things are tough for a two family household, I couldn't imagine one parent trying to get everything done.


Claudia, Kerry's mom, would arrive at the end of the day to sign off on the treatments. When we were in clinic, I asked Kerry how she was getting the info out for her Bone Marrow Drive. She told me she was walking to restaurants and posting her flier, if they would let her, in the windows of establishments. Retail, restaurants, anyone. That's what grabbed me.

This child was pounding the pavement to save her little life. She was a fighter. I immediately got involved. I with the help of Carole Damon emailed, called, and orchestrated a blitz. I called the Hispanic newspapers, radio stations, and TV affiliates. We were going to find this kid a match. Joe Arce from the KC Hispanic News publication came and did a story on the day of the drive. The weather was terrible. The turn out was so so. It was icing and snowing. The efforts turned up a donor. I'm not certain if it came from the registry or the drive itself. But there was a match. Not a perfect match but a match.

I was done. So I thought. One day I was in clinic and Claudia and Kerry were there. We were in the GI department waiting for our girls to get released from being put under for a procedure. It was there that Claudia looked at me and said "I need help." I had already helped in the bone marrow drive, but never said two words to Claudia. I did once when I called their house to tell them they would be on air at a radio station in Argentine,KS. I felt like a fruit cake calling this little girl at home so I explained to the mom why I was calling. That was it as far as communication with mom.

Kerry at this time looked so different. She was sick. Her bone marrow transplant was planed for April or May but was postponed because of the relapse issue. When her mom told me she needed me to help with the visa I was all in. I called my partner Zach Lund who is an attorney. He told me to call Mike Talbot a State Rep. Mike told me to call Emanual Cleaver's office, and then I called the Guadalupe Center. That's were I met Christina Jasso of the Guadalupe Center. Together we started pestering, stalking, and harassing anyone who might be able to help. Joe Arce became involved again and we started to get momentum. I called Sarah Visomirski at KCTV 5 and she sent an email to Maria Antonia. Mary Sanchez with the KC Star was next. The exposure helped.

I donated a car to the family. It wasn't pretty but it was wheels. When I announced to the family that I was giving it to them so they could eliminate the bus, Kerry asked "is it an 6 or 8 cylinder?" I was shocked. She said "because gas is real expensive for a 8 cylinders." Kerry was looking out for her mom. She knew about cars too.

It was an honor to be part of the family and it will stay with me for a life time. I met all sorts of kind people along the way. It was meant to be. I talked to Claudia an hour ago. I told her I was here if she needed anything. She said "I know you are Michael."

The latest story from the Kansas City Star http://www.kansascity.com/276/story/889750.html

KMBC 9 Tribute

Kerry Magana

04-22-1993

11-13-2008

Kerry passed away this morning. She is in a better place this morning. Her body couldn't continue anymore. They called Kerry the butterfly and I think she is flying right now. Most of you know her because I've told you about her but if you would've had the opportunity to meet her you would have been impressed with her. She was beautiful, she was witty, and she was knowledgable about things. She told me one day while we were in Kaylee's room that God wouldn't give her more than she could handle. Kerry was right.




The last time I spoke with Kerry I told her I would throw a party for her. We would do it Latina style. Bands, food, and a fiesta. Her favorite band agreed to play and I was going to ask Fred Cannon at the Uptown Theatre if he would provide the stage. That night there must have been 20 people packed around and Kerry announced to the room "Michael Quijas is going to have a party for me!" That was my last night with her, the last night I talked and hugged her.





I am not sad right now. I feel relief she isn't in pain, on a respirator, or in a coma. She is with God and she is in paradise. I feel for the family but I'm glad grandma is here to help her cope with this horrible loss. Kiss your kids today and hug them tight. Sickness isn't anything we think we are going to have to deal with. It happens to others but I'm here to tell you that it can happen and it does happen. Thank you for the prayers and thank you for listening to me about my friend Kerry Magana.

Pray

Please pray this morning for a friend of mine, please pray for a family, and please pray for a miracle. Kerry Magana needs us today. Her little body is tired and unless something changes today the doctors say they are running out of options. It's in God's hands.

So what...

So what do I do? I am engrossed with wanting to help spread the word about childhood cancer. I am on a crusade to help families struggling with this terrible disease. I feel obligated to do my part. If you've never been included in this fraternity I don't think you would understand. It consumes me. Am I sick?

I confess because I feel that I have a voice that can be heard. If I speak loud enough than others will hear. All this scares Kaylee because she wants to move forward, but I want to ease the pain of anyone who has heard those words - it's cancer. The pain, the fright, the confusion will make you light headed. To hear a group of doctors and nurses tell you professionally that your child might die is numbing. Ask anyone who has heard it and they will tell you the same.

Recently I've been confused. I want to run from the scene when I hear that death is near one of the kids I help but I'm here providing something their parents might need. Support. I too want to distance myself from the reality of this thing, cancer sometimes kills, but I feel inside that I have something in me that can do good for others. My schedule allows me to do more than most, my resources in the community are valuable, and the feeling I get when I give something is internally rewarding. But do I take time off because my association with the disease is too close to home.

I've always been amazed when I come across a person I grew up with who eventually found God. Me personally, I've never lost God so I wasn't really searching for him. But when you see people who say that they had a calling, well then I wonder is this my calling? It might be too late to go to medical school, but this stuff I do is the next best thing. I feel inside that I make a difference. I know I do. But since it scares my daughter is there a balance I should shoot for? I try not to talk about the sickness of kids by Kaylee or Tammie but it is sickness that I spend my time with. So what do you do?

We succeeded on our part...

I am happy to announce that we successfully got Kerry's grandma here Thursday night. Her flight came in around 7:30 pm and the family was brought to tears when they saw her. I can't begin to tell you how happy I was. It was a conclusion to the countless hours of work we put in to get the family the support they needed at the hospital and at home.

"A Girls Night Out Limo" sent a car to pick up the family so they could meet grandma at the airport. Dan Stewart donated his time to drive the car for the family. None of the occupants had ever been in such a vehicle and it was special to see them get there in comfort and style. I was invited to ride but opted to follow in my car. I wanted them to be at ease and at peace.

We also started construction on their kitchen Thursday. To say I started the construction would be an absolute lie, I'm not engineered or skilled to do any kind of construction but found resources to help. Christina Jasso, who has become such an important part of the Magana family, got her husband to do the tile, plumbing, and electrical work. The Jasso's are awesome.

Laton Crane, the owner of Calloway Construction, was kind enough to hang the cabinets at the last minute for me. Ed Woods, an electrician and parent of a cancer survivor, has also agreed to go to the house to hang new lighting fixtures. We just need a person to glue the granite tops and cut a hole for the kitchen sink in the granite. So if any of you know anyone who does that kind of work please let me know. My Thursday was very busy. I rounded up construction crews, gave a speech, and ended my day at the airport. It was one of the most fulfilling days I've ever had.

The kindness from everyone has been rewarding to me. It has renewed my faith in other people. Seriously, I have to say that I would have probably not noticed the kind acts nor would I participate in such kindness if not for the sickness. I feel comfortable to say that I was self absorbed before this illness. In the past I would have given you a ride to the hospital if you needed it but would have driven off at the first opportunity. Today I'd walk you in, wait with you, and make you comfortable! Things have a way of changing you.

I titled this "We succeeded in our part..." now it's left in God's hands. Say a prayer for this tough child.

A chance to say thanks...

Love...

I give the opening speech tomorrow at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's National Leadership Conference. There are several hundred people expected to attend and I'm a little nervous. I was going to give a speech about this sickness but I think I'm going to talk about something more dear to me. My new found appreciation for love. That's right, I'm going to talk about love. How I've found renewed love for family, friends, and community since this illness. I figured I could tell everyone about how I advocate for children, work with government officials, donate cars, and insure children without insurance but they probably hear that same thing in every city they attend. I'm going to go deeper than that. I hope I can pull it off.

I am so honored that someone thought of me when they thought of potential speakers for the conference. It is a little scary when I think of the numbers but I'll be fine. I hope I can get these people to fall in love with their families, their work, and lives again. I hope no one ever has to get there by way of sickness!

I was reading my writings from Christmas night and I was so appreciative and comfortable that night that I wrote a speech and swore I would read it if I ever found the stage big enough. I am not going to read it but I want to express that comfort that derived from my love. It was magical my friends. It was the best night I've ever had. Serious. I was at home with my family and we relaxed and recovered from an exhausting hospital stay. We had narrowly escaped the hospital the day before. The relief that came with our beds and the comfort of our own surroundings was incredibly sweet. I can't begin to explain it. If I hadn't experienced the sickness I bet that appreciation might not have been there. I might have chalked it down as relief that the hectic holiday season was concluding. This particular night had me thanking God that I was able to be with my family - warm, full, and comfy.

The motivation for my speech...3-02-08

(My fake speech if I ever had the chance)

Thank you for joining me tonight. I want to talk to you today about something besides courage, fortitude, and fight. A topic of many discussions. I want to talk about love. I speak of love tonight because I feel it, I feel it with every ounce of me.



As a child you look across the table at your parents, siblings, and family and feel that thing that you know as love. As a kid you lay your head down at night you can't wait to wake and feel that love all over again for another day. When you hit a certain age you write the word out of admiration. We often draw the heart to signify our love. We confide to our best friends and family when we think we find love and when we whisper those three words. I love you.





Eventually most will set a date and time so they can announce to the world the newfound love they have and the plans set for a life of love. This silly word now becomes serious and we start a family. As we become older, love is a subject of home, heart, and mind. Rarely spoken of outside the family and our circle of friends. Maybe this is an age thing. Our love becomes our guarded assett.




Tonight I open up outside the home, and ask you to be accepting. I might speak of this thing called love and some might say not here not now. Well I say "why not?" I am in love and I feel love, and I want to discuss my love. It just happens to be the love of my children I want to speak of.




I had love before my kids, but the love I felt after the kids is the love that is the most worth while for me.

The KC Star today...

Here is the latest article from the KC Star. Please take a look. http://www.kansascity.com/276/story/865719.html

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.

One Year Ago Today...

I reprinted my first blog below. I published it on June 29, 2007. What a difference a year can make. I can't explain those first days. It was so surreal. I was confused and hurt. The doctors are convinced that it was delivered to me for a reason. I think they may be right. This word leukemia, this disease called cancer, has changed me. I'm humbled. I'm full of compassion and I look at every thing differently.

I now notice things that I once didn't. Today for example I noticed this man's hands at our baseball tournament. These paws were rough. They looked as if he had broken his fingers, smashed a few fingernails, and changed more then enough motor oil. (Bare with me for a moment because this is going somewhere.) As this man put his other hand on the bleacher I noticed his thumb was missing. Ouch! I then looked at his family. He had his wife, his daughter who was roughly Kay's age, and his son. This father had a t-shirt on with his son's uniform number on it. I watched him for a minute. This stranger was interacting with his kids. He was a good father from all appearences. I went back to his hands. These beaten digits were that way because he was providing a life for his family. He was working with his hands somewhere to pay tournament fees. He was aquiring arthritis for the fancy sunglasses his daughter was wearing, and for the flip flops his wife was sporting. I saw family when I saw his hands. This disease has made me look past the cosmetic appearence of a man and his tortured hands. It has made me admire a man for the hard work he has endured to provide for his family.

Please enjoy my retro writing and please consider helping me find a way of getting Kerry Magana's grandma here:


Almost 15….What really matters? A question that can produce so many different answers. I’m not sure what my answer would've been a week ago. To be honest, I really wanted to own a Bentley Continental GTC in the next year or so if I hit the lottery. A custom chopper. A lake home. I thought those things mattered. I thought status was important. But a week later I can tell you its health. A healthy child. A healthy child that you kiss goodnight as you tuck them into bed.My name is Michael Quijas and I am sitting next to my daughter as she fights for her life. Seven days ago my daughter was admitted to the University Hospital in Columbia, MO for symptoms of Leukemia. That was Thursday June 21, 2007. On Friday June 22, we were delivered the bad news that she did test positive for Leukemia and treatment had to start immediately.
The whole event was surreal and a week later it is still numbing. I am coping, crying, and questioning everything. Why? Why my little girl? What did she ever do in her short little life to deserve such a devastating diagnosis? The doctors & nurses tell me it’s a process that every parent goes through but I still have questions and anger.My first day, technically before the official results were in, I had hospital staff tell me how sorry they were. The doctors, nurses, & even the receptionist expressed condolences. I was confused. Why the hell are these people giving me sympathy? I didn’t want it, they could keep it.I have to do something theraputic while I sit here so I've decided to document my experience.June 24, 2007 11:43 p.m. - I am sitting in a hospital room at University Hospital in Columbia, MO.. Room 6-E44 to be exact. The time is 11:43 p.m. and I am fighting a battle with my daughter. This battle is against leukemia. This battle started three days ago on June 21, 2007. The news or I should I say diagnosis came in around 8:15 p.m. and it was like a hammer hitting me in the head.
I was at the hospital for a shot, pill, or Tylenol. Not the news that my baby had Leukemia. We wanted to spend an hour at the most getting some quick fix and head back to our baseball tournament. But life has has a way of throwing a curve ball.Kaylee Marie Quijas was born on July 12, 1992. I’d like to say she weighed 6.6 oz. but it would only be a guess. I do know she was born in the afternoon and it changed my life forever. I swear I have never loved a girl as much as I love my baby Kaylee. It was love at first sight.It is eighteen days until her 15th birthday. This is the summer before her sophomore season in high school. Almost fifteen! The sad thing is that I can not do any thing to ease her pain.We started chemotherapy yesterday and it has demolished my baby girl. She is so sick that I can not recall being in the presence of anyone as ill as this little angel. Her spirit is at its lowest and I’m scared. I’m scared that her low immune system could allow a simple virus to ravage her defenseless body. I’m terrified that her body, or her almighty father God, might decide to call it quits. The worst nightmare a parent could ever have.June 26, 2007 12:05 a.m. - Today has been a better day for Kaylee. She is still sick and weak but was more alert then yesterday.June 26, 2007 9:10 p.m. - Our day has been exhausting. Visitors are coming left and right and we are trying to entertain in a sense. The drive here is 2 hours long. So when some one travels that distance to see you, you feel obligated to meet & greet but we are worn out. The support from our family and friends has been incredible.June 26, 2007 11:48 p.m. - I just arrived at the Ronald McDonald house. I feel grateful to be accepted into the house but would give anything to be at home with Kaylee. I keep having negative thoughts about Kaylee’s recovery. I’m optimistic about her improvements but concerned about her ability to fight off infection and virus’. I will keep my concerns to myself.June 27, 2007 11:06 a.m. - My night went rather well considering I slept in the Ronald McDonald House alone. I was unfamiliar with the surroundings but felt blessed that I had a place to sleep. I am amazed at the “workings” of this whole illness thing. There are people to comfort you, people to feed you, cloth you, house you, assist you, and almost anything and everything a family might need to cope with this terrible disease called cancer. I am making a commitment to contribute to these organizations when I can do so.June 28, 2007 11:37 a.m. – Today Kaylee is looking spectacular! Her color and skin looks so much better. She is still sleeping. Exhausted. Worn down. Beat up. But she was told that if she doesn’t start eating and drinking she will not be able to go home.Her resilient spirit is second to none. I am so proud of her and her strength.June 28, 2007 9:13 p.m. – Sometime today around 3:00 p.m. the doctors came in to tell us or advise us on a certain “situation”. It seems that Kaylee's liver is having troubles. It is irritated and unhappy and should rest. But the treatment (chemotherapy) she needs today will in all probability upset the liver even more. But if they delay treatment for the cancer it will continue to grow and her life would be in grave danger. But if we did delay treatment it would give her liver additional time to heal. We all agreed that extinguishing the cancer is the top priority and we can only pray her liver will survive and rebound. We’ll just cross that bridge when it comes.
June 29, 2007 9:20 a.m. – I took Kaylee for a stroll in the wheelchair today.She had herself an egg & sausage biscuit in the cafeteria. Chocolate milk washed the two bites down. Her eyes are bright yellow from the unhappy liver. She is so beautiful even when she looks sick. Her manners have never disappeared even though she can hardly talk. It is always "thank you."I also took Kaylee outside for a minute. I needed the wind to hit her face. I wanted her to hear the birds chirping. It is those little things that we take for granted every day. I love my daughter more than I can say.

Grandma: Part 1

Dear Representative Cleaver,
My name is Michael Quijas. I am a proud father of a young 15 yr-old girl who is fighting cancer, leukemia. We were diagnosed on June 21, 2007. This last year was very hard and unpredictable. We have been fighting for our daughter's health and have had to dig dip inside to get through certain days. We were blessed with a strong family, with friends, and community that rallied behind us.

Along our journey we made friends with other families battling similar sickness in their kids. I write you tonight about one mother in particular, a mother that is struggling to keep her family afloat. Her name is Claudia and her beautiful daughter's name is Kerry Magana. Claudia is a single mother with 3 kids. She has no family or friends to help her. Until recently she had been riding the bus to work, she has walked to Children's Mercy Hospital from East KC, and she has had to let her sick daughter ride the bus alone to get her chemo in the clinic. Since Claudia is the only provider in the home she is forced to leave Kerry daily so she can work to keep a roof over the family's head. She needs help, she needs your help.

Kerry's grandmother lives in Honduras and has tried unsuccessfully to get a Visa to come stay with the family until Kerry's bone marrow transplant is complete. They deemed Kerry's case not an emergency. As a father who has a child battling the same disease, it is an emergency. This little girl is fighting alone daily with no one to over see her taking her meds, (with blood disease you could sleep all day and not even know it), the bone marrow transplant requires that this little girl stay hospitalized for 6-8 weeks following the procedure. There needs to be someone there with her. Right now Claudia has to be at the hospital every Wednesday to sign off on the chemotherapy that Kerry receives. She is at risk of losing her job due to the demands of this disease. She needs someone to help her, someone like her mother, someone to bring comfort and assistance like only a mother can. As my Congressman, as a Congressman who's a father, a grandfather I ask you to please lend your help, your hand in saving this beautiful little girl.

We need a Humanitarian Visa for this little girl's Grandmother. Please help me help them. The Guadalupe Center has been blown away by this Mother's story and is requesting an application from Mr. Ruiz. Please take a look at this application and let us know what can be done through your office/resources.

I own a TV channel - InAd TV - that plays Kansas City's top restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment venues (The Power & Light/KC Live). If I can ever help with a cause, an event, or a campaign please know I'm here for you! Please give me a call or an email and I can give you more details or info regarding Kerry Magana.

I'm a blessed man because I can provide my family with the tools, resources, and time needed to fight this thing as comfortably as possible. I'm blessed that I get to have my wife next to my daughter daily as we fight our sickness. My wife and I both have the luxury to rub our daughter's back as she gets so sick. Imagine if you were a parent and couldn't be there for your child. I only hope we can help because if by chance this little girl passes away I don't want this mother to have any regrets! I want grandma here so she can rub the back if mom has to work.

At first I thought why would God give this to us. But now I know. He gave me this so I might help others. I just created a non-profit called - 10 Kids Insured - that will insure children lacking health care in programs such as Operation Breakthrough and Guadalupe Center. What I thought was a curse has turned into a blessing! Please help Kerry Magana and her mother. They are legal residents of the US and they need some representation. Thank you Mr. Cleaver.

Thank you,
Michael Quijas
816.651.9471
michael@inadtv.com
www.inadtv.com

Don't let the sickness steal your smile...

I was thinking the other day what advice Kaylee would give me concerning myself and sickness. I turned the tables, and thought what piece of knowledge would Kaylee bestow upon me if she thought I had the fight of my life at hand. Here's what I came up with. She would tell me never lose my smile and my sense of humor. I'm sure of it. She would never want me to surrender or lose my personality. I think if we switched roles, that would be the one thing that would deflate Kay - me losing that laugh.



I truly enjoy life and love laughing. Laughing was what got us through those first days. Even though Kaylee got severely sick we laughed, smiled, and cried occasionally. But our internal medicine was laughter. We never let the sickness steal our smile. Sure it's gotten tough at times, but we found humor somewhere. So keep your smile if sickness knocks at your door because it might be that smile that eases someones pain!

Maybe you know me, maybe you don't. Today I ask you to take a moment and read this whether you know me or not. Today I was at Children's Mercy Hospital with Kaylee and Tammie. Kaylee had to be put under anesthesia for the procedures she had to endure today. So much scar tissue has built up, she can no longer be awake for the needles and punctures.

While we were in there we ran into Kerry Magania's mother. You might remember Kerry in some of my earlier blogs. I had helped out in the Bone Marrow Drive. Kerry has relapsed and is fighting sickness. Kerry is a beautiful 15 yr-old child. She is struggling.

We were in the waiting room waiting for Kay and Kerry's mom was also waiting. We talked and her mom started crying. She said that it was so hard trying to work daily while her baby's health was declining. We talked about how it was so difficult trying to work. She said that her family consists of 2 other children besides Kerry. She had to make sure the bills are paid but would much rather be home making sure Kerry was waking up and being taken care of. Kerry like all kids are so tired. This blood disease is tiring. I listened to her tell us about her mother who lives in Honduras. She said that her mother has tried more than once to apply for a Visa but has be denied because they say this situation is not life threatening. It is! If this little girl doesn't have the proper care only a mother or grandmother can give then she is in trouble.

My heart ached. I want to help but don't know how. I called a State Representative while I sat there and he gave me a name in Emanuel Clever's office. This man is the one who might be able to help but who knows. If you read this and know or keep in touch with Julie Myers from high school, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security and Immigration Investigations, please give her my number. If you know someone with connections then please think about an angle to get this grandmother here. Comfort can create miracles!

Thank You...

Today marks the one year anniversary of our leukemia diagnosis. What a difference a year makes. I got a little choked up this afternoon when Kaylee started recapping that day last year. We are having dinner tonight to mark the progress we've made. I love my daughter more than words can describe. So this is sweet and simple.

I thank you God for allowing me time with such a beautiful girl whom I'm lucky enough to call my daughter. I thank you for letting me see. If it hadn't have been for that gift then I may never have gotten to see the light, the love, and the lessons from this.

Thank you!

Sleepovers and sickless days...

My troubles started last Father's Day. Kaylee had arrived home from Florida the night before Father's Day. It was Sunday, Father's Day, and Kaylee became ill. I thought she was fibbing. I reasoned she was holding out on the Father's Day because she was detached from her computer for a whole week. I told her at one point to get off the computer during our BBQ because I wasn't falling for her tactics.

Kaylee progressively got worse. During the first week Kaylee had flu symptoms. She was sick. Tonight Kaylee went to the Plaza for dinner. Last night she spent the night with Bailee Woods. Two nights ago she stayed with Allysa. Wednesday she stayed with my sister Kelly. Kaylee looks and feels so good. I am so proud of her. She is self conscious about certain things but loves her life and her situation at the moment.

Kaylee said she was so comfortable at Bailee's home. I told her how nice it was for me to hear that. The Woods picked Kaylee up last night around 6:30. They took her to their house. I had about an hour with the family. I love them. We have a friendship based off similar experiences. No hidden agenda. No false promises. Our kids are the glue that bonded us. I can't tell you how special the friendship with the Woods family is, but let me suggest a thing to you. If you ever get something as devastating as a cancer diagnosis, keep your eyes open because God might be as kind to you as he was to us when he teamed us up with the Woods family.

I'm going to bed. I have a house full of kids tonight and the sound of laughter is filling our home. I feel like I'm going to sleep exceptionally well. Have a good night and a better tomorrow!

Maybe...

I wanted to inform everyone that Kaylee does not have a fracture in her leg. We spent yesterday at the hospital getting x-rays and they showed Kaylee has no broken bones. We decided it was best to be safe so we made the trip to CMH. It took some time out of our afternoon but the news was worth the time. Kaylee must have twisted it.

Kaylee spent the night at her best friend Allysa's house last night. It is so nice to see her getting back to normal. I got a little sick with the fact that we had to travel to CMH yesterday. I thought how unfair. This kid keeps plugging away but has to deal with obstacle after obstacle. Her little body is so fragile. I always want to help her but she wants no assistance. I feel for her. Her little wig doesn't fit anymore because her hair is growing back. The hair is at a small growth she doesn't feel good with. She wears a small stocking cap to conceal her new found hair. She wears a hoodie. I'm guessing it's because her body temperature swings back and forth. When we are out in public it is obvious that she is battling back from something. I catch people looking all the time. I notice people trying to figure it out. I as the father want to scream she has cancer but that's not allowed. The majority of all people have no clue that any of us can be thrown into sickness at any moment.

I get into trouble because there are those that ask Kaylee what's wrong. Especially with her little hobble. She always replies that she twisted her ankle. I sometimes fill in the other part about cancer and Kaylee doesn't like it. I only do this when I can tell that the person is sincerly interested in what this little girl is battling. I think anyone fighting or being inconvenienced with things such as ours should be applauded. I would grab every kid and reward them if I could. I think anyone robbed of their youth, childhood should be noted for bravery. These children face things most will never face and depend on institutions and professionals to get them better. How scary. I think trying to survive is hard enough for most but being dependent on things outside the norm is troubling. What if the family you were born into has trouble providing three meals a day then suddenly they have to figure out how to get meds? It hurts me dearly to think about other families and the things that some have to deal with. Let the kids be kids, life is hard enough as it is!

I wonder sometimes if God gave me this so I could make a difference. Maybe I was chosen to handle this situation for a reason? Maybe it will be Michael Quijas who helps in some way. Maybe it is me that contributes in some way that makes things easier for families. Maybe God delivered this sickness to my door for a reason. Maybe!

St. Louis for the day...

Kaylee and I went to St. Louis for the day yesterday. We drove up there and stayed at a hotel in the downtown area. I suggested the trip on Tuesday and Kaylee quickly agreed. It was only us two that made the trip. We arrived back home today around 3:00 PM. Our entertainment was limited because Kaylee has a hurt leg. Her ankle is swollen and she can barely walk today. I think I am taking her to CMH tomorrow to have it X-rayed. We have been told that steroids and chemo can make the bones brittle.

Our intentions originally were to go to Six Flags. We determined that we wouldn't be able to walk long enough to enjoy the outing. We made the decision to go ahead with the trip just to relax and it would also give Kaylee some drive time on the open highway. I booked a room at the Millennium Hotel. I wish I could give raving reviews but the room was very small. The key worked only after 5 to 10 minutes of concentration. The room was categorized as a contemporary setting and it was. It was so hip that it was uncomfortable. Lighting in the room was horrible and light switches were hidden. The restaurant we looked forward to eating at was booked solid for the night. The taxi driver tried charging us $10.00 for a four block ride.

The time with Kaylee in a new city was priceless. We stopped off in Columbia, MO to see where everything unfolded last year. The diagnosis was almost a year exactly, well 10 days shy. Our first stop was at the hotel. I felt so emotional pulling back into town. The same front desk guy was there. He remembered me easily. I told him how thankful we were for his kindness and generosity last year. It was nice to tell them Kaylee was doing better.

Our next stop was University Hospital. Dr. Tran was our doctor who diagnosed Kay. We told the front desk we wanted to see the doctor and why. I could tell she knew our moment was pretty special. To our excitement Dr. Tran was working. So we were taken back and waited about 15 minutes for the doctor. I can't explain how good it felt being able to sit in that Urgent Care room with my daughter, to say thank you.

Dr. Tran came in and he remembered us. He gave us both a hug and a smile. He told us he often thought what happened to Kaylee. We said we were here and getting our health back. We talked for 45 minutes and then Dr. Tran walked us to our car. It was a good time. I think Kaylee and I both got something out of the trip. I only wish I had taken a picture with the doctor. Next time.

When we arrived in St. Louis we ate at Jack in the Box. We love those tacos. We haven't had Jack in the Box since we left Los Angeles. It was nice. Our night was easy. We went shopping downtown for some new things for Kaylee. We arrived back to the hotel and ate dinner in the cafe. We ended up back in the room and watched a movie. It was relaxing.

Today we did the Arch Tour. It was the first time for me and it was impressive. I'm sure Kaylee enjoyed it too. I realized something today. It is not completely enjoyable for me being somewhere without my whole family. I enjoyed spending time with Kaylee but I missed Christian and Tammie. Traveling without the whole team makes it incomplete. Next time!

Well I thought I'd share our day. Have fun and enjoy your family!

This Friday and Saturday...

Sleepless Nights...

Kaylee has been without an immune system for almost a month. Her doctors think it is the chemo that is ravaging her system and putting her at risk. We had a bone marrow test done last Wednesday to see if the cancer had come back and it showed that it hadn't. The test was done on Wednesday and all the results came back negative on Friday. On Friday night Kaylee looked soo tired and we told her. She said "how would you sleep at night if you had to wait for news if your cancer had returned?"

It was at that moment that I looked at her differently. She wasn't my kid but a person. A person scared for her health. Wow! Can you imagine the fright you or I would have concerning our health? I get caught up that this person is my kid and we are going through this together but it really is just Kaylee. I don't have to get the needles, bone marrow, or spinal taps. It is my baby but ultimately I go to sleep but does she on days like those? Apparently not. My baby but it's her sleepless nights! I love you Kaylee Marie and I'm so glad the school year is over. You are a Junior as of today, and I know this coming school year will be an awesome time in your life.

Mallory Holtman is awesome...

On May 8th I shared a story with everyone about a Softball Team from Central Washington University. The article made me feel good so I wrote the University. I loved the kindness and the compassion that took place and I thought that I would drop a line to let them know. I never expected to hear back from them - but I did. Shortly after the University received my letter they responded and asked if Kaylee would be interested in becoming an honorary Wildcat. They would be sending the apparel. Soon someone else responded and told me they had shared my letter with the team and everyone was praying and cheering on Kaylee. Then last night I received a phone call from Mallory Holtman, the first baseman, who wanted to personally tell me how much my note meant to her. Out of all the talk shows and exposure she called me and Kaylee! Thank you Mallory, the call touched me and Kay! The story can be read on my blog or by clicking the link I've included. http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8091708?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002 Here's what I wrote to the school and team.

My name is Michael Quijas and I have a child who is battling cancer, leukemia, since June 21, 2007. I read the story about your girls softball team just now and it made my eyes fill with tears. So many times we get caught up in winning and playing and forget about the real important issues in life. Those issues or important things are how or what you did during your day to make a difference. I am so proud of the players, the organization, and your school for producing such great individuals. So many times we say that there is no "I" in team and I agree, but certain times there are moments when that one "I" can fuel an entire team to greatness. That person may have been the coach, it might have been the first baseman, or may have been the team in general but someone in your organization became that "I" I hope my daughter gets the opportunity to be. Please let your girls know that there is 15 yr-old cheerleader, Kaylee Quijas, in Lee's Summit, MO (Kansas City) who is cheering for your team/school. Although Kaylee hasn't had the chance to attend a day of school this year, due to major sickness, we are glad to say that you and your students gave us something to cheer about here at home! This may seem goofy that I'm writing, but sometimes in life you get thrown a curve ball and it's what you do with it that makes a difference. I was mad for a moment when my child got sick but it opened my eyes, and it has made me appreciate life. This particular story compelled me to write and tell you how great it was for me to read about something so special and inspiring.

Michael Quijas

Lees Summit, MO

InAd TV Goes Public

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: MICHAEL QUIJAS
MICHAEL@INADTV.COM
http://www.inadtv.com/
(877) 4 INAD TV

May 12, 2008 – The InAd TV Network will start construction on the public restrooms in the Power and Light District this week. This installation will mark the first of many public installs slated for construction thru 2009. The decision to move on public facilities was made by President Michael Quijas. “Our core business has been with restaurants and nightclubs, but we’ve decided to include and grasp the offers we receive weekly from office parks, entertainment zones, and municipalities from across the nation. Our product works for anyone who wants to inform or broadcast a message.” says Quijas. “Times are changing so quickly with technology that people are looking for new and innovative ways to keep up. Our systems allow management or property owners to greet each of their customers or tenants with a personalized message each and everyday.”

InAd TV Network is a Kansas City-based digital network channel that can be easily recognized by the signature TV’s that are placed above urinals and in the vanity mirrors of KC’s finest establishments. This unique channel gives advertisers, owners, or management an opportunity to target the successful crowds that frequent these locations. InAd TV is so effective because of the full digital commercial capability combined with sound. For more information on how to get your message across or your business noticed please contact Michael Quijas or Ken Campbell at 877.446.2388 or visit http://www.inadtv.com/.

To you on Mother's Day...

I am writing this blog today for Tammie Lei Quijas. First I want to say Happy Mother's Day. It's hard to describe with words to anyone the road we've traveled this last 10 months. No parent should have to endure the nightmare we've encountered this last year. I often think to myself that God has a plan, I'm just glad that he included you in my plan. Even though we've had obstacles and adversity to get around I feel blessed that I have you to travel with.

I want to commend you on your care and love you have shown all of us for as long as I can remember but more importantly the last year. You have been strong when I wasn't. You put a spin on things for me that made me tougher and able to get through. You administered medicine and shots to our child when she begged you not too, but you did and I thank you. You carry Kaylee's cancer book to every appointment so you can document every single dosage and comment. I thank you for being with me through the nights we cried and held each other in the hospital not knowing if Kaylee was going to make it another day. I thank you knowing and being able to relate to the pain I felt over a certain little girl named Kaylee Marie Quijas. I thank you for taking care of Christian every morning before school because you needed and need him to know his day is just important as everyone else's. I thank you for having something always ready to eat for Christian when he gets off the bus. I thank you for never wanting to leave the hospital. I thank you for standing by me in all my endeavors when everyone else said it wouldn't work. I thank you for taking pride in your home and having it comfortable and clean for all of us when we arrive home. I thank you for the positive, unwavering position you have shown through all of this sickness. I thank you for the love you have demonstrated to both of our children. I thank you for being the parent who is at every practice and game for her kids. I thank you for acting like I never surprise you with my accomplishments. I thank you for reminding me that I can do great things, or in your words "Your Michael Quijas and you can do anything!" I thank you for creating an environment where every kid wants to be at our home. Finally, I want to thank you for doing the yard work. Without you we would have angry neighbors and dirty clothes!

InAd TV Ropes PBR Big Sky Cowboy Bar

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: MICHAEL QUIJAS
MICHAEL@INADTV.COM
http://www.inadtv.com/
(877)4 INAD TV

April 28, 2008 - InAd TV is pleased to announce their newest TV network partner - PBR Big Sky Cowboy Bar! This new addition to the Power and Light District is a perfect fit for a city known for its BBQ, steaks, and American Royal Rodeo. Big Sky held its Grand Opening on April 10, 2008 and their success continues to ensure Kansas City of a premiere Country and Western venue.
InAd TV Network is a Kansas City-based digital network channel that can be easily recognized by the signature TV’s that are placed above urinals and in the restroom mirrors of KC’s finest restaurants and nightclubs. This unique channel gives advertisers an opportunity to capitalize off the successful crowds that frequent their locations by prominently displaying full video commercials with sound to a captive audience.
So cowboy up and head down to the hottest place in town and check out InAd TV.

InAd TV goes with a homestyle recipe

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: MICHAEL QUIJAS
MICHAEL@INADTV.COM
http://www.inadtv.com/
(877) 4 INAD TV

April 7, 2008 – The InAd TV Network will celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Stroud’s Restaurant & Bar with much enthusiasm today like so many others, but the company’s excitement goes beyond the signature cinnamon rolls and home style fried chicken dinners. InAd TV is pleased to announce their newest location in the much acclaimed historic Stroud’s Restaurant.
InAd TV Network is a Kansas City-based digital network channel that can be easily recognized by the signature TV’s that are placed above urinals and in the restroom mirrors of KC’s finest restaurants and nightclubs. This unique channel gives advertisers an opportunity to capitalize off the successful crowds that frequent their locations by prominently displaying full video commercials with sound to a captive audience.
Stroud’s South will open today at 11:00 a.m. at 4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Fairway, KS. For more information on how to get your business noticed please contact Michael Quijas or Ken Campbell at 877.446.2388 or visit www.inadtv.com

The InAd TV Network partners with Mcfadden’s

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: MICHAEL QUIJAS
MICHAEL@INADTV.COM
http://www.inadtv.com/
(877) 4 INAD TV

JANUARY 31, 2008 - Mcfadden’s Sports Saloon located at 1330 Grand Blvd. in the Power & Light district is the latest addition to the rapidly growing and ever popular InAd TV Channel Network.
InAd TV is a Kansas City-based digital network channel that can be easily recognized by the signature TV’s that are placed above urinals and in the restroom mirrors of KC’s finest restaurants and nightclubs.
The on-air programming includes in-house promotions like specials, upcoming events, and featured menu items.
In addition to the in-house promotional tool, InAd TV gives advertisers an opportunity to capitalize off the successful crowds that frequent their locations by prominently displaying full video commercials with sound to a captive audience.
For more information on how to get your business noticed please contact Michael Quijas or Ken Campbell at 877.446.2388 or at www.inadtv.com

There'll be sad songs to make you cry...

We're just at 10 1/2 months of cancer. Kaylee is feeling better overall. Although she has certain times where the pain is troubling, there are less and less sleepless nights. Kaylee is also gaining her weight back and her hair is starting grow. I feel like we are adjusting. I remember writing months ago and asking when I would snap out of it. I look back and think that it was alright to be down and confused. At the time I thought I should have been out of the confusion phase and into the taking care of business mode. That was like three or four months into it. I'm still shaken up at times by a song or memory but for the most part I am feeling so much better then those first few months.



I want everyone reading this to know that it is ok to work your way through heartbreak. I was comparing myself to others and thought that my grieving period was lasting longer than those around me. I felt like I was violating time tables. My pain was great and I had to work out of it in my own way. Everyone is different and there's no way of telling how it is going to affect each individual. Was I unusual because I was consumed with the pain and sickness my child was fighting? No. Kaylee is my child, my baby girl and I was devastated that she was diagnosed with cancer.

Sometimes I listen to music and think about our life. The most recent was today when David Cook was singing Mariah Carey's "You'll always be my baby" It made me think of California and the past. I thought back to Kaylee as a little girl. It was a period and time I took for granted. I never connected songs or artists to my child. Well I thought I didn't but I did and I have. I used to just associate Boston, Elton John, and similar groups to my younger years. High school was the association I normally made to music. Yesterday it was Kay and the 90's. I thought again how - if anything ever happened to my loved ones - would it be possible to listen to that music again. I'm not sure. I'm positive that I'm not the first person to question this. I'm sure it happens frequently to people who've had a parent pass away. Those songs.

I don't give it much thought about the "what ifs" but sometimes they do arrive and make me think. Today I must enjoy the music because there's no reason not to. Although if you see me driving and there's a tear in my eye, please be aware that I might not notice you. Elton John, Mariah Carey, or Sarah Mclachlan may have my attention and they may have me somewhere else in time. As Billy Ocean said "There'll be sad songs to make you cry..."

Stability in the mood...

Kaylee can't sleep because she has pain going on with her arm. We think it is those steroids again but who knows. Yesterday morning was extremely difficult because Tammie was going to the store and asked if I would lay in bed with Kay so she wasn't alone. I went in and she had tears rolling down her face. It sucks not being able to do for someone you love. It also sucks having to be emotionally tough towards your kid. I hate that there's pain, I hate that my child is in her room crying when she should be at school having fun. This young girl is fighting things no one should, and dealing with emotional things way beyond her years. Watching as a father, but more importantly her father, is beyond words.

I can watch a program about kids in Africa and get emotional. I will easily shed a tear and get choked up. To have your own kid, one that is suffering look at you for relief is tough. I can only sit with her and rub her back or leg to give comfort. I feel so guilty that I can't grab her and get emotional but I can't because we have to be strong to get through this. Even though I can't fix this, I have to look strong for stability. Stability is an important thing during times like these!

Midwest Airlines - The best care in the air

Midwest Airlines - The best care in the air

A great story...

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8091708?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.
But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.
She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.
Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.
Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.
The umpire said there was no rule against it.
So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg.
"The only thing I remember is that Mallory asked me which leg was the one that hurt," Tucholsky said. "I told her it was my right leg and she said, 'OK, we're going to drop you down gently and you need to touch it with your left leg,' and I said 'OK, thank you very much."'
"She said, 'You deserve it, you hit it over the fence,' and we all kind of just laughed."
"We started laughing when we touched second base," Holtman said. "I said, 'I wonder what this must look like to other people."'
"We didn't know that she was a senior or that this was her first home run," Wallace said Wednesday. "That makes the story more touching than it was. We just wanted to help her."
Holtman said she and Wallace weren't thinking about the playoff spot, and didn't consider the gesture something others wouldn't do.
As for Tucholsky, the 5-foot-2 right fielder was focused on her pain.
"I really didn't say too much. I was trying to breathe," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday.
"I didn't realize what was going on until I had time to sit down and let the pain relax a little bit," she said. "Then I realized the extent of what I actually did."
"I hope I would do the same for her in the same situation," Tucholsky added.
As the trio reached home plate, Tucholsky said, the entire Western Oregon team was in tears.
Central Washington coach Gary Frederick, a 14-year coaching veteran, called the act of sportsmanship "unbelievable."
For Western Oregon coach Pam Knox, the gesture resolved the dilemma Tucholsky's injury presented.
"She was going to kill me if we sub and take (the home run) away. But at the same time I was concerned for her. I didn't know what to do," Knox said.
Tucholsky's injury is a possible torn ligament that will sideline her for the rest of the season, and she plans to graduate in the spring with a degree in business. Her home run sent Western Oregon to a 4-2 victory, ending Central Washington's chances of winning the conference and advancing to the playoffs.
"In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much," Holtman said. "It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run."

2 Hold Outs and a Smile...

I can't tell you how great I felt today. Besides Kaylee having to go to CMH for blood work this morning, I had a great day. I was happy and I was productive. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I hardly ever get mad during my day and I feel I treat everyone fair. I laugh a lot and generally have fun doing whatever it is I'm doing. I want to be the kind of person I'd want to be around. I sometimes get around people and I want to leave as soon as I get there. Misery can be contagious if you're not careful.



I gave a presentation at 11:00 am at the Bernstein-Rein Advertising office this morning. There were 9 employees from the media department waiting for me in the conference room. I took the seat at the head of the table and did my thing. I think that the speeches I've given over the last year have really helped in my cool and calm department. I use to get really nervous but I've figured out that you need to stay cool and calm, and never act as if you're out of breathe.



I always pretend like I'm the boss. The old saying was "pretend everyone in the room is naked" but I just pretend that I'm the big guy who calls the shots. Crazy? Well it works for me. I envision everyone wanting to be me! Try it, it works. When I talk about my product or service I imagine that I am sharing financials with stockholders. When someone from the crowd makes eye contact I pretend I'm going to offer this person the employee of the month award. It works.

When I arrived this morning for the meeting I was feeling great. It wasn't because I was going into a meeting with 9 different personalities, or because I was going to try to sell myself for an hour. Misery! It was because I had a moment right before I walked in the door, I thought how lucky I was I to have so many people waiting to talk to me. Silly but who would have thought that you could create a product and demand attention. I was going into a room full of people wanting to hear about this thing they call InAd TV! My dream, my creation, my morning.

Out of the 9 people in the room, I only meshed with 7. The two hold outs were not my personality type. The others were receptive. The last two kept their distance and their smile to themselves. Well I did my thing and ended my presentation and threw in some personal advice. I told everyone to smile during their day and enjoy life. They knew I had a child fighting cancer because someone asked me to tell them a little about myself. So I did. I think that these mothers, fathers, and ad people related when I suggested that they smile. If I can smile having a sick kid, then anyone can. They smiled and said thank you. I finished up the presentation with a funny story on how Bernstein-Rein Advertising and I got introduced. The story was so funny that everyone in the room including my 2 hold outs started laughing. It was only a matter of time before I had 9 out of 9 ad exec's laughing and smiling.

Well I'm out of words, and out of time, but I'm not out of breathe!

Suspenders and ugly ties...

It is noon on Sunday and I'm lounging around the house. Kaylee is sleeping and Christian is playing ball in the neighborhood. Kaylee got out of the house for awhile last night. I stayed in and had a night with Christian. Tammie joined Kaylee to a friends house so they could watch their son while they went out with friends.

I gave a speech Friday to Central Missouri State University students. It was part of a Tech Conference and I got the invite to talk about being an entrepreneur. It was an honor. I was nervous but talking in public has gotten easier for me. I truly think that I could give a speech to a stadium if I was asked. I use to black out and forget what I said. It was like I couldn't hear my words. Today I'm conscious when I speak, if I was only 40 lbs. lighter then I'd be a force to deal with. Look out Matt Lauer.

When I'm around other people like me, entrepreneurs, I size myself up. I say that not to gain sympathy but I'm being real. It's like being an athlete and scouting the room for talent. Whose your competitor and how do they conduct themselves? I'm not saying I want to confirm to a certain mold but I'm different. We all want to have people invest in us as a business but more importantly as a person. I know guys who can get money strictly off their name and reputation. I have to fight for a dime because I've never ran in the same circles. The guys who were at CMSU Tech Conference with me were more established. I say that because several had sold companies in the past for millions and here I am. I have my own sizzle but I didn't have their style. That's not bad by no means. I just didn't seem like them.

I always reflect back to San Diego, CA. These guys that I knew who owned businesses there wore flip flops and shorts. Sure I might not be talking guys running financial accounts and investments but guys who had business that allowed them freedom. Surf shops, retail clothing, and a variety of other things that had them making their own rules. I sometimes leave these functions in my crappy Hyundai or Jeep while the guy next to me departs in his Mercedes and I always sense that maybe just maybe I should sell out to their style because I might arrive quicker. But I like being real. Is my being real impeding me and my advancement. Do I confirm to suspenders and ugly ties? Who knows and I guess we'll find out where I end up soon!

Willie Wilson...

I had lunch with the legendary Kansas City Royal Willie Wilson this afternoon. I am helping Willie with his 3-day charity event happening on May 31st thru June 2nd. The event takes place at the T-Bones Stadium, Community Ballpark. It includes an old timers game or as he calls it, previous All-Stars. There is a dental clinic, and golf tournament as well. This event will benefit The Children's Miracle Network. Our appointment was at 11:30 but Willie called me early in the morning as I laid in bed and moved it to 11:00. I laughed when I hung the phone up because it was Willie calling me, Michael Quijas. If you are reading this and don't know who Willie is, well then you're too young and that's too bad because he was from a period where Royal baseball ruled!

Willie was a Kansas City Royal's baseball player for fifteen plus years. He was and is so wide known to us older people because he was baseball and the Royals. Our team back in the 70's & 80's was awesome. The majority of players stayed for years and we were tough. I can remember having a team that was always in contention for a championship. Willie said it was because of the owner at the time. Mr. Kauffman.

I listened to his stories and came away from the conversation with the understanding that he was part of more than a team but was part of a family. He was a part of a baseball family headed by the owner. Although baseball is a corporation and ran that way, it also has leaders. Leaders can lead with a strict hand or leaders can be part of the growth & equation. Call me crazy but I relate everything to what I'm going through. I lead my family and I'm leading a business. Both can be done with strict guidelines where no one wants to stay long or you can do it with understanding and compassion. Some say I wear my emotions on my sleeve but that is me. I know from experience that things can change so quickly and unexpectedly that I must be ready to adapt. Being a leader is not writing checks or just talking the talk but living it with your players. I might not have hit any home runs or won any championships but I am playing the game. It is called life and I so want to succeed!

Is there a doctor in the house...

I want to share something that happened to me this afternoon. Kaylee was at her scheduled appointment at CMH for her painful spinal tap and testing. I was at an appointment at the Power & Light when I received a phone call from the hospital. Tammie asked me to come to the clinic because the doctors wanted to talk to me. Tam's whispering somewhat scared me. I asked her what the whispering was about and she said that there was a family that was newly diagnosed and the doctors wanted me to come to the hospital and talk with them. The father was having a difficult time dealing with the news and they wanted me to talk with him. Me!



I cut everything short that I had planned and made my way to the hospital. I was approached by the staff and they asked if I would travel to the floor, the admission floor, and talk with the dad. I agreed. I can not explain the common thread or fraternity that you have when you go through this. It is beyond words. The feelings or emotions are text book. You encounter things that are so out of the norm. You feel alone. You want comfort then you get sick of the phone calls. You get messages of support that you want then you don't. You question statistics and then you ignore them. You ask why God did this to you and not your neighbor. You reason in your head that you could sacrifice your Mother, your wife, or any of your relatives if only God would spare your child. The fog is so thick that life as you know it will never be the same.



I walked to the floor and the father was walking out. He had head phones and running clothes on. The doctor introduced us and left. We talked outside in the lobby. He told me he was tired. I explained that I was not there to promote religion, or minimize. I told him that he will take whatever I say as words and no matter what I say he will say to himself that "this guy doesn't realize the love I have for my kid" I agree, I love my child more than you! It is similar to a break up. You will always have people tell you to stick in there because they did it and experienced it. Well the fact is I told my self that no one knows my pain because Kaylee is one of a kind. I love and feel more than anyone!

The truth is that all these feelings are going to be there in the beginning. Darkness is everywhere and one day turns into the next. I literally thought it was Wednesday when it was Friday. I sometimes felt relief because there was no where I had to be but next to my child. I got sick at times because I knew there was another member of my family, Christian, being thrown out of his routine. It is so overwhelming.

I told him that my blog was my savior and my friend. It really was. I had to find something to occupy me. It was this trust worthy blog! It was funny I said it because it was something that he said he was doing as well. I look back and thank how lucky I was to find my coping mechanism, and how fast I did it. Today I can go back through and read about days I felt like dying and can smile for the fact that I documented my story.

I was honored that the doctors, picked me out of the hundreds that attend the clinic to make this vulnerable man feel better. Hell, maybe I didn't do anything or say anything that was worth listening to. But it did something for me and I guess that's all that matters,

Barry for a Break...

Me and Tammie attended the Barry Manilow show last night at the Sprint Center. It was good. We had awesome tickets and an awesome night. Barry put on a good show and he incorporated video clips from the past into the performance. It was all good.

The true enjoyment was watching Tammie enjoy her night. She apparently loves Barry and that is fine. It was worth the price of the ticket to look at Tammie's smile. She was so excited when he came out and called her best friends from childhood each time a certain song would start playing. I love seeing people escape for the night, or the day.

Everyone should have a Barry. Although my release might not include Barry, he worked for Tammie last night. It was so good to watch someone you care about enjoy themselves and forgot their problems for a few hours. Sometimes it's good to raise your arms and your voice - if it's done for the right reason!

Cheers...

On June 6th & 7th there will be an event that I invite everyone to attend. It is Alex's Lemonade Stand which will be at all Hy-Vee stores in Kansas City. The money raised will help with cancer research and will help fund a cure. The organization is led in Kansas City by Mark and Cheryl Mozier. Their son was diagnosed with a tumor years ago and has since recovered. The time and effort they have spent putting Alex's stands in KC has been great. They are the sort of people I strive to be like. They make a difference in life and I think there is a part of all of us who want to do the same. They are doctors and professionals but make time to give back in a huge way.

My hat is off to the Moziers and I raise a glass to their hard work. I encourage everyone to do the same. Please stop by one of the stands and make a donation to a great cause. The funds raised will help find a cure to a disease that can hit families of any race, religion, or social status. Lets help put an end to this suffering, and help the Moziers with their fight against cancer! Cheers.

A great day and a better tomorrow!

Kaylee is doing great. She looks wonderful and feels fantastic. I am loving life! My weekend was the best. We did nothing but it was relaxing. Those cold depressing days were tough this winter. There's something about the sun and spring. I love it.

Our child looks awesome. She has been going to the gym with me to build her strength up. She has been my work out partner. I look at her while we are doing the bike or tread mill and thank God. 2007 was trying and tough but we are going to emerge with newfound knowledge and compassion.

Garth has a hurt leg. I was playing ball with him this weekend and he fell down chasing the ball. Sunday it got worse, and this morning it was swollen big time. I took him to the Vet and they said they believe it is just sprained but they put a cast and splint on him due to his enormous weight. Like I said this winter has been tough on everyone. Me and Garth both gained a few extra pounds due to the cabin fever! We are certain that his recovery will speedy.

If I get one kid up and going then I have the dog go down. It almost seems that Garth keeps trying to out do my child. Kay gets cancer and Garth gets cancer. Kay feels better then Garth breaks his leg to divert attention once again. What are the odds? Have a great day and a better tomorrow!

Leaves and Laps

Last night Tammie and my sister had a birthday dinner for me. There was about 20 people that showed up. It was mainly all my family but a few others stopped by. I was surprised when they told me that 15-20 people would be coming. I was surprised but startled. Startled that I would end up cooking for so many people. My yard has not been taken care of and my grill was not utilized this winter. The last minute booking frightened me.

All that stuff I wasted my time worrying about was insignificant. We had a great time. It wasn't stressful and we all had good food and a great time. I must say that I had one of the best birthdays yesterday. I had so many phone calls, text messages, and emails. I was surprised so many people came to my little dinner and so many people remembered my big day. It was nice.

My yard looks horrible compared to the neighbors. I let the yard work go last year. The summer was chaotic due to Kay's illness. I must confess that I have never been good at yard work. But last summer and fall was terrible. I didn't care about the yard or anything else for that matter. It was all about Kaylee.

Kaylee is doing great. We had an appointment this morning at CMH. Her counts are looking good and Kaylee looks wonderful. We are going to start swimming together. I need to lose weight and Kay needs to gain strength. I'll keep you posted. Have a great day and a wonderful week!

The Moans...

So it's my birthday today. I went for a walk with Garth this morning. It was my reflection time this morning and I enjoyed it. I must say that I have had a great life. Some things I would change but over all it has been a good life. There has been lessons to be learned, there has been joy, and there has been heartbreak. What have I learned?

Today I respect life and I don't take it for granted. I feel strong. I feel like there is purpose for me and purpose for all that has taken place. Everything has had a way of working out for me. I'm not completely out of the woods but I have my sights set on the target. We are going to get healthy and we are going to succeed at what ever we do!

I think about the moans. The pain and the sound of pain has been traumatic. Last night I found out just how much. We had a baseball game and our batter was up to bat and the fastball hit him directly in the face. I did not see the pitch or the painful hit but I saw this child on the floor moaning after the fact. I thought it was Christian. My gut dropped. It wasn't Bubba but this little 12-yr. old was moaning from the pain. He was so hurt. I started crying. I can't tell you how I must of became immune to the sound of pain for survival in my baby girl. Last night it wasn't my child but it spilled out of me because of the fact it wasn't my kid. I have been so geared to deal with whatever to survive. I have tucked the pain away and last night seeing a child on the ground moaning has my heart hurting today. Our batter, Connor, is fine and there was no serious damage but I pray for a speedy recovery and I pray that no kid should ever have to feel pain ever again.

We played baseball

Chapter 4: Involved

Quote of the Day....

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.
- Rita Mae Brown

An Eye On the Prize...

Kaylee made it through her appointment today and we are officially in the maintenance phase of our cancer treatments! This is such a huge thing for our family but we had no celebration planned. We weren't sure if she was strong enough for the green light of the maintenance phase so we didn't plan anything. Our last two trips to CMH had us leaving without the official wording from the doctors. Today we received those words we've been waiting for.

I called the bakery and had them make a chocolate cake with the words "Kaylee's kicking some cancer butt!" We are having dinner at Kaylee's favorite restaurant in Lee's Summit. Beauchamp's on the Rail. It is a BBQ and steak house. We secretly delivered the cake so we can surprise Kaylee tonight after dinner. We are blessed today. If you had a bad day today- let it go and celebrate with us. We are one step closer to getting our little girl's health back. :)