We lost a good man today

Hi all,

the worst news.

Sam passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by his family. Sadly Sam had been quite ill over the previous couple of days and had been unable to rest suitably. His body has been through so much already. In the end his breathing got shallower and breaths further apart and eventually he drifted away, painlessly and quitely. His loving family were at his side.

I extend my heart felt sympathies to his family at this time and ask you all to remember him as the charming, loving and beautiful man that he was.

A service for Sam will be held at the Newstead Crematorium on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

If any one has any photos that they want to contribute to the service you can send them to me sargent.mark[removethis]@gmail.com

Love Sarge


Sam, I miss you already.

Down a goal

Hi all,

Yes it has been a logn time between posts, and much has happened since my last.

I guess a large part of the lack of posts has been the due to the lack of good news. While Sam has been well looked after (his family are doing an incredible job) his body and his cancer have not been responding as we would like. There has been a chemo round of treatment which in truth hammered Sam pretty hard. His white cell levels dropped predictably but also did red cell levels leaving Sam with no immunity and very little energy. I know that some of you were trying to contact him during this period and in most cases were turned away. This illustrates a simple truth about Sam 'The Communicator' ; if he ain't talking it ain't good.
The chemotheropy trial results were reviewed about a week ago and the MRI scans confirmed that the tumour in his back has grown. This has once again placed pressure back on his spine and has left him unable to walk. As a result the trial has been suspended.
Words fail me in my own disappointment at this news and my reaction is incommparable to the head space that Sam finds himself in. While there is still the option of the immunotherapy I think the community needs to understand that the options have dwindled and the odds are heavily against him.
On a brighter note, in speaking to Sam I am constantly amazed at how is spirit is and how he still enjoys a story and a laugh; a remarkable man by any measure.

Sam is a fighter and a naturally competitive character, but if anyone has a hookup with any deity put in a special request for assitance, he could do with a hand.

Peace

Sarge

UP, UP AND AWAY!!!

Its Saturday morning, Hamilton. Im wondering if i will endeavour down to the Frankton markets this morning. Fun and amusing times down there. The markets are quite a feature on the weekly Hamilton events scene. First i must write this post and a little apology for the lack of posts. Im new to the personal editorial genre and its a little difficult to know what to put out there to all you lovely people (yes Hayden you have forced me to make this point).

I have been home a week and my recovery from the operation is going really well. Im up on the crutches and moving around, the staples in my back have come out and i am managing the pain without much effort. I couldnt ask for more really. The other big news is that i am moving to Christchurch to take up a position with the Canterbury Crusaders as they have obviously become crap due to their drawing with the Western force. Okay thats a bit of a stretch because i dont think ts they will let me play with crutches. But i will be moving to Christchurch as this is where my parents currently live. I feel it is the right move as i am able to get the right support from my amazing family. Me and my Mum will be flying down Sunday 23rd April.

Hope you all well

Sam and The Wellness Centre

Recovery

Hi all,

Sam is out of surgery and so far is recovering well. Sam's operation lasted a mammoth 8 hours! The doctors have reported that is has gone as expected and there were no complications. Karen (Sam's mum) mentioned he could wiggle his toes which is a good indication. Hopefully over the next few days that wiggling should work it's way up to his calves, knees, thighs and then to his pelvis, from there it's best not say where the wiggling goes (maybe something to picture in ones mind).

Of course this sudden input of crass humor can only mean it's Sarge here and not Sam referring to himself in the 3rd person (did get that right Ms Andrew? [my 5th form English teacher]).

It has been an anxious day for me today as I'm sure it has been for all of you. I know the communication dried up there for a while but I will endeavor to post at least every other day and keep you all up to speed as Sam makes his way through his post op recovery.

That's it from me

Be well everyone and big ups to the surgical team for getting him through in one piece.

Sarge

Surgical Situation

I just want to let people know that i will be under the knife from tommorrow (Monday 10th) and in hospital for at least the week. The best course of action at this stage is to perform (perform makes it almost sound like some light evening entertainment) surgery on my spine to release pressure of the spinal cord, remove tumor and generally aim to help my mobility. Obviously there can be no guarantees in this type of venture, something to accept early on. This is some reasonably serious surgery and there will be a period of recuperation and rehabilitation.

The 'caption competition' is still running as we have had to extend the length due to the poor turnout so far. I am sure there are some bright wits around the world who could spice it up a little.

Be well

Sam + The wellness centre

Feast your eyes!

Welcome to the 'Relay for Life' Caption competition!

Photo 1

Photo 2Photo 3

Well it seemed like the only way to start the blog!

The Relay for Life has come and gone (Yes quite a few weeks ago) and i am finally offering up the booty from that day. These particular photos of 'Queen Trevor' and some other idiots deserve the creative minds out there to conjure up appropriate captions . Please send in your efforts via the comments part of the blog and i will post the winning entrys. There is no prize just the endless pleasure of mockery.

It becomes quite obvious as to who stole the show!

There have been men that set out to conquer new worlds or the frontiers of space and then there are the others!

It would take bigger wings to get that man(?) off the ground!


The evening cometh!

The morning was a little on the wet side!


The Team

Hopefully these images allow a little insight into the spirit of the event. It was a truly grand effort not only by the 24 Hour Team but also by he people of the Waikato/Bop area. There was over two thousand competitors and support crew on top of that and over $200,000 raised. A big ups to Erin Brown, a former Hillcrest High student, who was the key organiser of the Relay. Great to see a community come out and support each other!

Love to all from the '24 HOUR PARTY CREW' and THE INSOLL WELLNESS CENTRE

"24 HOUR PARTY"

Another week passes at the Insoll Wellness centre. This last one has ushered in the beginings of some sort of normalacy for those of us who live here. Its been a full on over the last month and a half, as expected, but now we can relax and dedicate our time to Sky Tv and the Super 14.
My brother, Adam, is another new addition to the flat. We seemed to get him when we signed up for Sky, some new package deal they have. He is here helping me out untill i am a bit more independant. Its tough for him as im a bossy older brother and have never really been able to transcend the role for any great length of time.

This weekend of the 11/3/06 is 'THE WALK FOR LIFE' which is an event organised by the Cancer Society. Many of the local crew are part of it under the watchful eye of the team captain Leanne Sargent, who with alittle help has led the organisation/creation of the '24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE' (team name). Basically someone from the team of 15 people will be walking around the Porritt Stadium (a local stadium) track at all times over the 24 hour period. There is entertainment, a general party atmos, feature laps where some people, meaning Sarge, will be dressed up as what i can only describe as 'Neptunes Psychedelic Drag Queen brother'! You really have to be there! Everyone has been fund raising and making signs and all sorts of other stuff, its going to be quite an event with something like 100 other teams there also.

Thanks to all the kind messages sent through the blog. I am doing well and am extremely positive about my situation. That could be hard to comphrehend but i can tell you it is the only way you can be. There are many decisions to make about a host of ways i can do good for myself, quite a process but such a vital one. I am fortunate also to have people who help me filter the sea of info that surronds cancer. Special thanks to my friend, Jamie, who has offered his time and energy in the best of ways to help with some of my decisions.

Be well everyone

Sam