Update On Joanne
____________________________ A meeting place for the FRIAMILY of Joanne Daquano _____________________________Tuesday, September 5
Darlene writes ...
My name is Darlene Sutherland and I feel privileged to have the Daquano's as my friends. I, like many others, cannot go a day without reading the now famous, "Joanne's Blog". Over the past weeks I have spoken to many mutual friends and have expressed how I would like to contribute to the entries, however, I feel a bit "self conscious" expressing myself to so many people. It is only now that I believe I am ready, as I realize that if all of Joanne's family and friends had the same "hang-up" about writing we wouldn't have this amazing treasure that has been created and brings us all daily smiles, tears, hope and a shared bond.
I am a mother of 3 very "spirited" boys, so it is not surprising that most of my friendships have been initiated through my boys sports. The Daquano's are one such family. My son, Zach and Dean are the same age and started playing rep hockey together 4 years ago. That winter was the year of Joanne's recurrence. Needless to say everyone was shocked! By now we all know the roller coaster of MD visits, tests, results, hospital stays, treatments and surgeries that followed. Through all of this the DQ family have kept strong and Joanne has remained gracious and an inspiration to all.
Everyone knows Joanne's dedication and love for her family and I saw it frequently in the arena. This past year of hockey was a special one for the Minor Peewee AA boys and their families as Joanne became their inspiration. The boys skated stronger in their pink laces, pink DQ stickers on their helmets and their Joanne DQ banner that they proudly hung at their games. Believe me no opposing team, players or spectators, laughed at the boys pink laces when they found out what they represented! Not too many 11 year old boys can proudly say they are skating for their goalie's mom who has breast cancer, as a sign of support ... again spreading Joanne's inspiration!
Despite an unimaginable amount of pain Joanne saw the boys win the Silver Stick Qualifier in Chatham. They skated their hearts out that day making sure they won. It was obvious to all of us there that day that the boys, especially Dean, definitely stepped it up a notch for Joanne, as they saw the pain she endured to be there to watch them that weekend. There were not many dry eyes in the arena after they won and skated over to the boards where Joanne was sitting and proudly crowded around her on their victory lap.
As the hockey season ended I was regularly updated by Joanne's adoring mom, Kay, who I would see at my younger boys school every Monday as she filled in for our regular secretary. Unfortunately our lives are often too hectic and we never make quite enough time to spend with our friends. In retrospect I wish I spent more time with Joanne, however, I was fortunate enough to share some nice lunches with her. Even though she was often experiencing pain or needed some help with her leg she NEVER complained and in fact always spoke so positively about everyone and managed to be concerned about her other friend's hardships! I always left each visit in awe of just how amazing a person she is and re-evaluating any of my "perceived problems".
This past weekend I had the privilege of staying the night with Joanne. Trust me that it is only when you spend that long with her that you realize how truly incredible Joanne is and how dedicated and loving her family are! I used to work as an oncology dietitian and I never forgot when a social worker once told the healthcare team that we only see the tip of the iceberg during our brief visits with patients and it is only the family who see what lays below the water!
This statement couldn't be more accurate! When Mike reports that Joanne had a restless night, you can be sure he means that she endured pain that did not allow her to sleep. You cannot help but feel angry towards this terrible disease and for the suffering it causes. I can honestly say I prayed for both a miracle and a cure that night so Joanne or anyone else is spared this dreadful disease.
Joanne once again amazed me by just saying the pain and the headache were still there. We worked our way through the night with backrubs and scalp massages, heated bean bags, toast, water and breakthrough meds. All the while, Joanne was of course concerned about my lack of sleep! I assured her it was definitely not a problem and I wasn't there to sleep. Throughout the night we talked endlessly about so many topics ... the blog which she laughed and said she always calls the "blob", specific entries in the blog (they really are important to her), Dylan, Dean, Darcy, Mike, her Mom, siblings, her best friend Ann, who now lives in Halifax (my hometown), Kit and numerous others. Her memory and ability to provide details, despite the pain, is certainly extraordinary, although she simply contributes it to her teaching profession.
Mike's great smile and special kisses for Joanne came in the morning. It was obvious that they are undeniably soul mates!
I truly felt privileged to share the night with Joanne and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Love Ya,
Darlene
Jeff, Zach, Benjamin and Nathaniel also send their love and wish you sweet dreams!
I am a mother of 3 very "spirited" boys, so it is not surprising that most of my friendships have been initiated through my boys sports. The Daquano's are one such family. My son, Zach and Dean are the same age and started playing rep hockey together 4 years ago. That winter was the year of Joanne's recurrence. Needless to say everyone was shocked! By now we all know the roller coaster of MD visits, tests, results, hospital stays, treatments and surgeries that followed. Through all of this the DQ family have kept strong and Joanne has remained gracious and an inspiration to all.
Everyone knows Joanne's dedication and love for her family and I saw it frequently in the arena. This past year of hockey was a special one for the Minor Peewee AA boys and their families as Joanne became their inspiration. The boys skated stronger in their pink laces, pink DQ stickers on their helmets and their Joanne DQ banner that they proudly hung at their games. Believe me no opposing team, players or spectators, laughed at the boys pink laces when they found out what they represented! Not too many 11 year old boys can proudly say they are skating for their goalie's mom who has breast cancer, as a sign of support ... again spreading Joanne's inspiration!
Despite an unimaginable amount of pain Joanne saw the boys win the Silver Stick Qualifier in Chatham. They skated their hearts out that day making sure they won. It was obvious to all of us there that day that the boys, especially Dean, definitely stepped it up a notch for Joanne, as they saw the pain she endured to be there to watch them that weekend. There were not many dry eyes in the arena after they won and skated over to the boards where Joanne was sitting and proudly crowded around her on their victory lap.
As the hockey season ended I was regularly updated by Joanne's adoring mom, Kay, who I would see at my younger boys school every Monday as she filled in for our regular secretary. Unfortunately our lives are often too hectic and we never make quite enough time to spend with our friends. In retrospect I wish I spent more time with Joanne, however, I was fortunate enough to share some nice lunches with her. Even though she was often experiencing pain or needed some help with her leg she NEVER complained and in fact always spoke so positively about everyone and managed to be concerned about her other friend's hardships! I always left each visit in awe of just how amazing a person she is and re-evaluating any of my "perceived problems".
This past weekend I had the privilege of staying the night with Joanne. Trust me that it is only when you spend that long with her that you realize how truly incredible Joanne is and how dedicated and loving her family are! I used to work as an oncology dietitian and I never forgot when a social worker once told the healthcare team that we only see the tip of the iceberg during our brief visits with patients and it is only the family who see what lays below the water!
This statement couldn't be more accurate! When Mike reports that Joanne had a restless night, you can be sure he means that she endured pain that did not allow her to sleep. You cannot help but feel angry towards this terrible disease and for the suffering it causes. I can honestly say I prayed for both a miracle and a cure that night so Joanne or anyone else is spared this dreadful disease.
Joanne once again amazed me by just saying the pain and the headache were still there. We worked our way through the night with backrubs and scalp massages, heated bean bags, toast, water and breakthrough meds. All the while, Joanne was of course concerned about my lack of sleep! I assured her it was definitely not a problem and I wasn't there to sleep. Throughout the night we talked endlessly about so many topics ... the blog which she laughed and said she always calls the "blob", specific entries in the blog (they really are important to her), Dylan, Dean, Darcy, Mike, her Mom, siblings, her best friend Ann, who now lives in Halifax (my hometown), Kit and numerous others. Her memory and ability to provide details, despite the pain, is certainly extraordinary, although she simply contributes it to her teaching profession.
Mike's great smile and special kisses for Joanne came in the morning. It was obvious that they are undeniably soul mates!
I truly felt privileged to share the night with Joanne and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Love Ya,
Darlene
Jeff, Zach, Benjamin and Nathaniel also send their love and wish you sweet dreams!
posted by Ted D # 3:08 AM 
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