Will be away for a while

« back to General Discussion
Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 4688
Points: 889

Will be away for a while

Aloha to all my Sway brothers, Will be spending some time on Oahu at straub clinic to take care of some sqaumous cell cancer that I was diagnosed with this last week. Should be there some time in the next week or so to have surgery. It's not life threatening but still not some thing I want or any body else should have. Might even get a chance to meet some of our brothers on Oahu. After the surgery they will let me come home but may have to return for radiation treatments and will be looking for a place to stay. found out My friend Jimmy Lucas lives in Manoa valley and may be able to stay with him. Like Herb says " what doesn't kill me just makes me stronger. May pick up a lap top just so I can keep in touch with you guys.Aloha,Kokua

Aloha, Kokua

Location: 64210 Guéthary, France
Joined: Jun 11 2004
Posts: 2959
Points: 1002

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha to you, Kokua. I wish you all the best. Be back soon, we already miss you.

________________________________________

"You should have been here yesterday..."

http://www.guetharysurfboards.fr

Location: North Shore, Haleiwa, HI, USA
Joined: Jul 9 2005
Posts: 1150
Points: 422

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha Kokua

Sorry to hear...... Get well man! You will lick this.

And if you are around the North Shore please stop by my shop and visit.

BB

You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
Buckminster Fuller, 1895-1983

Joined: Jun 19 2006
Posts: 371
Points: 57

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Here's to a speedy and complete recovery -- take care, Kokua -- you'll be missed.

Joined: Jun 19 2007
Posts: 2034
Points: 1069

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kick its ass, Kokua
hang in there
be strong

Ken
Exotic Designs Surfboards

Joined: Oct 17 2008
Posts: 777
Points: 818

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Wishing you all the best Kokua. Let us know exactly how it goes as some us might strike the same thing!

Money, Banking & The Federal Reserve

Gee Bender how am I going to get through these bars? Gee, I don't know moron, how about I bend them?

Joined: May 23 2007
Posts: 1159
Points: 392

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

kokua, Get well and our Prayers will be with you. Mhalo,Larry

Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 3315
Points: 919

Re: [Probox-Larry] Will be away for a while

Hi Kokua -

Give 'em hell. My sincere wishes for a complete cure and rapid recovery!

Joined: Dec 18 2007
Posts: 2021
Points: 1219

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

You'll be able to look back and say that 2009 was the year you beat cancer.

Best wishes, Kokua.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 Swaylocks t-shirts are now available for order!

Click Here for details.

Joined: May 6 2004
Posts: 2324
Points: 650

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Mike,
We all look forward to your healthy return. Best of luck to you.

Bill Thrailkill
Shaper since 1958

Joined: Mar 29 2008
Posts: 83
Points: 65

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while


Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Mont

Location: Indialantic, FL, USA
Joined: May 3 2007
Posts: 2501
Points: 1560

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Godspeed, kokua. Your wisdom, experience, and level-headedness are an asset to this community.

They will be missed in your short absence. See you soon!!

Joined: Mar 19 2004
Posts: 1756
Points: 474

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

...hello man, hope you ll have a good surgery and recovery

doc User offline. Last seen 9 weeks 3 hours ago.
Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 2465
Points: 410

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Fight hard, man.

Best of luck too

doc...

Location: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 1023
Points: 272

Re: [doc] Will be away for a while

Don't go toward the light!

Just kidding, you seem way tougher than a little ol' skin cancer. Give it hell, and don't forget your THC script if they make you do chemo.

Sending some healing vibes your way.

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 3111
Points: 708

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

aloha Wildog!
take care & let us know if you need anything. You know laughter is the best medicine, I recommend you watch all the Marx Brothers movies and every Monty Python episode back to back while you're recovering. Seriously!!!

Location: Tugun QLD, Australia
Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 777
Points: 192

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

good luck mate...

am of the opinion that my life's work belongs to the surfboard riding community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to make the most enjoyable, creative & best performing surf shapes for those who choose to care about them....
find out more about our boards at www.diversesurf.com.au

Location: Wollongong NSW, Australia
Joined: Feb 8 2006
Posts: 1381
Points: 721

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Hope you're back on track quickly mate, take it easy

Surfing for me is mostly two turns and a wipeout

Joined: Apr 24 2004
Posts: 299
Points: 175

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kokua,

Hope all goes well! You are for sure part of the heart and soul of Swaylock's!

regards,

Dave_D

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 2687
Points: 423

Re: [Dave_D] Will be away for a while

Ditto all the good vibes above, kokua. Woop it's ass, boy! Mike

Joined: Apr 21 2005
Posts: 1658
Points: 791

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Take care Kokua. You'll be in my prayers and I remember to ride one for you. And yeah do the laptop thing. Get better fast.

Joined: Nov 20 2005
Posts: 253
Points: 102

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha Kokua,
Time to use your skills at fixing other peoples problems on yourself.
I am sure your will check all the doc's tools are clean, sharp and face mask in place as there is sure to be foam dust flying out of Da Kokua. Ask for a local so you can be awake to give em a few tips on how to use them better and avoid a hot mix with the staples.
Whatever ya do don't let them touch that heart of your's...it has gotta be the biggest and best they have ever had the pleasure to monitor.
Karma will look after you and we will be there just to make sure you leave the nurses alone.
Giddyup Kokua.
Rocky

Fly spray, I've used gallons of and still can't get off the ground

Joined: Jul 29 2004
Posts: 3406
Points: 95

Re: [Rocklobster] Will be away for a while

Nice time for a vacation to the crowded isle. ;)

Be well, Mike. You're doing the right thing to take care of it and you'll be back on the garden in no time.

Peace

Ben

_________________________________________________________
There are 10 types of people in this world: those who understand binary and those who don't.

Joined: Jul 29 2004
Posts: 818
Points: 217

Re: [Benny1] Will be away for a while

Prayers and positive vibes heading your way from every corner of the globe, that can't hurt. I'm covering the cold, wet corner. Get well!
Peace!

Jase (MMM)

GET OFF MY TRACTOR!!!

Location: Haifa, Israel
Joined: Apr 2 2007
Posts: 408
Points: 169

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Hi Kokua,
I'm leaving Israel in two weeks or so going to be in Oahu for a long while.
I really would like to meet you there.
please PM me your Email/cell phone ..
wish you all the best and health and hope it'll be over soon.
Lee

Location: Kamoa Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746, USA
Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 3376
Points: 476

Re: [Lee_Jordan] Will be away for a while

live to Live to LIVE
You know where I am
lemme know if you need a ride.
my truck is workin' pretty good.

... ambrose...

meet ya back here

ambrose m.curry III

Location: Olympia, WA, USA
Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 1128
Points: 234

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Add my thoughts to the list...

Any advice to us...???...

PaulJensen...

Reality is only the starting point before imagination takes over...
Question everything...Challenge assumptions...Defy convention...
www.hollowsurfboards.com

Joined: Aug 3 2004
Posts: 342
Points: 101

Re: [PaulJensen] Will be away for a while

Best of luck to you Mike. Your wisdom and advise on this forum as well as your positive vibes have been appreciated greatly by everyone. Come back soon.
Bob

Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 2291
Points: 736

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

I will send a singing telegram of my pet pinnepids. Either "For he's a golly good fellow" or "Smoke on the water"

Resinhead

-Some people are like Slinkies- Not really good for anything but bring a smile to your face when pushed down stairs.

Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
Joined: Mar 29 2007
Posts: 377
Points: 180

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

thoughts are with you Kokua, hope you make a speedy recovery!

dog

Joined: Mar 26 2004
Posts: 404
Points: 106

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Hey Kokua,

Just had a squamous cell patch excised last month - I cut my stitches out Christmas Eve. The doc, also a surfer, assured me it's the least invasive type but, hell, it's still a cancer, best to go in and kick its ass then get a full body check every 3 months for a couple of years after.

So, go in and kick its ass and get back online soon.

All the best to you.

Pete

Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 2557
Points: 249

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Quote:
Aloha to all my Sway brothers I was diagnosed with this last week. will be looking for a place to stay. " what doesn't kill me just makes me stronger. May pick up a lap top just so I can keep in touch with you guys. Aloha,Kokua



[URL=javascript:void(0);][/URL]





http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o156/easternpacific/Larrys%20yard%20sale/?action=view&current=MVI_0313.flv

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 3231
Points: 533

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Hey Spartan,

You've been here before,just in a different arenas at different times.

You survived that.

You'll survive this too.

Semper Fidelis

Herb

____________________________________________________________

evil prevails where good people fail to act.
____________________________________________________________

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 567
Points: 44

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Best of luck mate.

jawl na ton mawr!

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 4688
Points: 889

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha Sway brothers, You guys are the best medicine around and thank you all for the good words and positive thoughts for me. squamous cell cancer is not skin cancer but skin cancer can be the source. After seeing an ear, nose and throat specilalist he says he thinks the source is in 1 of my tonsils but they won't know till they do a biopsy of it,probably when they do the op or just before while I'm in the hospital waiting for the op. I told the doctor that they can take the tonsils since I don't need them any ways. What I am hoping for is they can take the tonsils and not have me go through the radiation treatments. Thought I had a place to stay if I have the nuke job but it fell through. Trying to keep my mind off it as much as possible but every once in a while I get a little tense thinking about what I will go through the next 2 months or so. This started out as an infection and due to miscommunication it wasn't treated 1 1/2 years ago. It may have been already in the cancer stage but we'll never know now. Never relized an infection could turn into cancer. Once again, you guys are the best and mahalo for your support. Will have an update after seeing the surgeon on Tuesday afternoon and will post on Wednesday morning. So much to think about and prep for is also mind boggleing. Aloha,Kokua

Aloha, Kokua

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 1550
Points: 727

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Sorry to be late. All the best to you. Keep us posted. I'm praying for you. You pray too.

Location: Leimert Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Joined: Dec 4 2004
Posts: 446
Points: 206

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kokua,
best of luck mate, and here's hoping there's no need for radiation. Looking forward to seeing you back on here again, the voices of sanity are much needed!

http://foamandfunction.com

http://waveslide.blogspot.com surf related nonsense on a semi-regular basis

Location: Ventura, CA, USA
Joined: Sep 10 2008
Posts: 110
Points: 65

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kokua, just keep your positive attitude--I'll be sending you all the good thoughts I can. One year ago, I completed the last of two rounds of 6-week radiation treatments following three separate surgeries to remove very aggressive squamous-cell cancers from my face. As of today, no signs of recurrence. I hope your doctors are as good as my (surfer) doctor was--Joel Sercarz at UCLA. Besides receiving the benefit of his top-notch knowledge and excellent care, he asked me to make him a retro-style 7'4" single-fin pintail, and paid me a bonus when he picked it up! Get well soon and get back to building some of da kine!

Joined: May 21 2005
Posts: 12
Points: 25

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

kokua,
aloha brother, sorry to hear things arent going well. i wish you the best of luck, health and a speedy recovery.
you are already missed. get well soon.you are in our prayers and thoughts.

Joined: Dec 3 2005
Posts: 346
Points: 173

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha Mike
Was diagnosed last month with two pre-cancerous areas
on either side of my nose & me and the doc are watching them
carefully. All the old pier bros are coming up with similar stuff
from all those years of no sunscreen. Keep smiling and know that
we are all pulling for ya over here in Golden Bear land! LOL
By the way, was coming back from the glass house in Costa Mesa
the other day and saw some guy with a big Afro driving an old
white Rolls. Could it be????? Nope, it was just some guy channeling
David N. Machado........

Joined: Jun 10 2008
Posts: 850
Points: 788

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

all the best with the treatment , mike . my dad had the same done ...

i really enjoy your input here at sways !


....i'll be thinking of you .....

cheers

ben

*************************************************************
...did you ever ask yourself, did you ever wonder , "WHY ?!"
[Mark Seymour, from "is there anybody in there?" song]

Joined: May 1 2004
Posts: 211
Points: 33

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Speedy recovery Mike.I look forward to seeing your posts here soon.
Jeff

Joined: Mar 17 2004
Posts: 463
Points: 188

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

all our best- good luck and heal fast! steiny

"i read it on swaylocks, it must be true"

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 280
Points: 49

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kokua, I have a little experience with this kind of stuff. Stay positive, and yes, it can be a little scary, but staying positive and always looking forward with optimism will be a big help. Things will fall into place.

To everyone else out there, get yourself a dermatologist and get a baseline exam whether you think you need it or not. You'd be amazed what can occur where you can't easily see/check for yourself. Be insistent that the doctor treats all moles, marks, ticks, winks, whatevers that cause him/her to take a second-look as if in three months they'll be someting serious.

The time to get an exam is the first time you think about it. No delays.

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 4688
Points: 889

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Aloha Sway brothers, Once again thank you for the kind words and support, you guys are the bestan d I am so proud to be a part of this brother hood. I am being positive about this but I am in the dark when it comes to the radiation treatments. How will they affect me since I understand I will have to have them every day, any info would be much appreciated. Aloha,Kokua

Aloha, Kokua

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 3231
Points: 533

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Mike,

Just remember when you gave Hawk his black eye..........lol.

Herb

____________________________________________________________

evil prevails where good people fail to act.
____________________________________________________________

Joined: Aug 24 2004
Posts: 1036
Points: 206

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Kokua,

Keep a positive outlook and you'll beat it. You're one of the most positive/upbeat people I know. You have the entire Pato clan sending good vibes and prayers your way.

Sincerely,

Marc, Karen & Nicholas

"Fun can't be stopped. Simmons's philosophy was to build just enough boards to support his surfing habit."

mds User offline. Last seen 1 week 5 hours ago.
Location: Shellharbour NSW, Australia
Joined: Jul 15 2005
Posts: 403
Points: 165

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

Hey Kokua

All the best mate.

MDS
Shellharbour NSW

Joined: Feb 28 2007
Posts: 45
Points: 33

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

check your PM's and call me

Tripper

Joined: Mar 18 2004
Posts: 1499
Points: 808

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

What they all said Mike -

Aloha from the Oregon coast -

TaylorO

Location: The Netherlands
Joined: Dec 8 2005
Posts: 1239
Points: 238

Re: [kokua] Will be away for a while

fingers crossed you'll make a speedy recovery!!

« back to General Discussion