Update From Sindi Hawkins

May 10, 2004
Dear Friends,

It's been almost two weeks since I was discharged from hospital after having my bone marrow transplant (BMT). Today I am stronger, smiling more and feeling better every passing day. I had a bit of a rough first week out. I was sent for more tests and stomach biopsies as I couldn't keep food down and kept battling nausea. My doctors decided to start me on steroids as they determined my symptoms were a form of mild GVHD (graft versus host disease) or a 'mild rejection' as we would call it in common terms. The steroids have perked me right up and I have my appetite back. Of course I recognize there are powerful side effects of these drugs and I'm already bugging my doctors about when I can safely be taken off the steroids.

I've been visiting the Leukemia/ BMT Outpatient Clinic daily for bloodwork, IV drugs and fluids since leaving hospital. I'm now into the 100-day follow up period where I'm closely monitored for rejection and any other complications. This means at least another two or three months in Vancouver before I can come home to Kelowna for good.

I can't tell you how valuable the Leukemia/ BMT Outpatient Clinic program is for patients like me. The care, again, is exceptional and the staff is kind, knowledgeable and professional. I'm grateful for the services available and, along with VGH, we can all be very proud of this unique program.

I've had the privilege of meeting so many more fellow leukemia/ BMT patients and, I have to say, it really is interesting and helpful to me to be able to share our experiences. It's remarkable how we all support and encourage each other. The atmosphere is one of optimism and hope as families and friends gather around us to provide love and support.

One of the moments I'll always remember is a father from Chilliwack introducing himself to me and telling me his daughter was diagnosed with the same leukemia as me because they read my story and recognized her symptoms as similar to mine. They encouraged her to see a doctor and she was immediately started on treatment. I was honoured to meet such caring people. I know they are very involved and helping their daughter through her journey. All my new friends are in my prayers.

I know many of you went to the Diana Krall concert in Kelowna. I wish I could have been there. I will always support her. I had the privilege of attending the Diana Krall and Friends benefit concert for the Leukemia/ BMT program a couple of months ago. Diana had invited her husband, Elvis Costello, and good friend, Elton John, to perform with her at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. It was an absolutely awesome and totally memorable performance.

Diana's family established this benefit several years ago and have helped raise well over $1 million dollars for the Leukemia/ BMT program in memory of her mother, Adella, who had multiple myeloma.

I am very impressed by the continuing commitment shown by her wonderfully close and generous family. The money raised from these benefit concerts will be used to enhance the Leukemia/ BMT Outpatient Clinic and establish a Patient Resource Center, something I understand Adella was passionate about giving to patients and families.

I got to meet Diana Krall through a very gracious introduction by Vicki Gabereau (thank you Dr. Vicki!). I found Diana to be sensitive, kind and down to earth. She and her family are an inspiration to all of us and their generosity will greatly benefit all of us in BC.

Another group I have a lot of respect and love for is my colleagues and government caucus staff. I was moved to tears by all of you who ran the 10K Times Colonist run for charity and entered a team to remember me. I wish I had been there to cheer you on (in fact, I would have given anything to have been running side by side with all of you). You make me so proud and I'm grateful for such good friends.

My life feels like it is finally stabilizing and I'm feeling more confident now that I'm back in the condo. My brother Lucky is staying with me full time and attending to all my needs. Again - I can never tire of saying how grateful I am for such a supportive and loving family. I have no idea (yet!) how I will ever repay all the kindness I've received.

In each of my letters I've introduced you to members of my family. I want to pay a special tribute to my eldest sister, Rupie. She's the 'rock' in our family. Over the years, whenever any of us need help, advice, or just someone to lend an ear, she's the one we call. She is always there for us.

My nurses would jokingly ask when the 'boss' was coming back to visit me because Rupie is very much 'in charge and in control'. She's practical, analytical, very strong and an intelligent businesswoman. She's also sensitive, kind and generous to a fault.

She's the first one in the family I called after my doctor told me I might have acute leukemia. I remember calling her on her cell phone in Calgary that snowy day in January at 1:30 in the afternoon. I caught her at the spa. Through broken sentences and lots of tears, I attempted to tell her that I was seriously ill and was being taken straight to KGH to a protective isolation room and the plan was to airlift me to the VGH Leukemia Unit the next morning. I'll always remember what she said: "Pull yourself together. You have to be strong. Call Lucky so he can be with you. I can't talk to you right now, Í have flight arrangements to make". Within hours, despite a snow storm in Calgary, she had my sister Moni, a nurse from Regina, flown to Calgary and by the time I arrived at VGH, Moni was there by my side to help me through my next few shell-shocked days. A couple of days later, Rupie arrived and both sisters stayed and supported me through my first round of chemo.

Rupie coordinated and booked all flights for my family, rented the condo in Vancouver close to the hospital and made sure I was never, ever alone. All this as she was planning a major event for her business and managing a busy household with three kids, including my brother-in-law Ashok who is a physician, my nephew Rajeev who just got admitted to medical school and my beautiful niece, Kiran, who is graduating from high school this year.

My family has made a lot of sacrifices and given up a lot to be with me. Rupie gave up her trip to Greece at the end of January so she could be with me. She stayed and cared for me while she sent her daughter to Toronto so my sister Pam could help her find the perfect graduation dress. She ran her business from her laptop in my hospital room so I never had to be alone and made sure her youngest, my 13 year old nephew Sunneil, had everything he needed back in Calgary even though Mom couldn't be there.

I've learned so much about my sisters in the past four months. I've learned how strong and loving and kind they are. I've learned what loving and caring mothers they are to their children. And I've learned that in times of crisis, my family is the best unit of support anyone can hope to have. Rupie's fierce faith in God and her strong faith in my healing have carried me through one of the toughest moments in my life. She encouraged me to use visualization and to talk to my body - which I still do! I love her so much for once again 'being there' and being strong for all of us.

As I close my letter, I'd like to ask for your help in making our 8th annual Sindi Hawkins and Friends Charity Golf Classic for Cancer Care another success this year. The tournament is being held on Friday, August 27th at the Quail and Bear courses in beautiful Kelowna (thank you Tammy and all the staff!). We need golfers, prizes, hole-in-one sponsors, hole sponsors, cart sponsors, silent auction items and volunteers. As you know we are holding the tournament in memory of our friend, Tom Capozzi. Let's all show our community spirit at the level that Tom expressed in the many years when he generously stepped up to the plate and gave so unselfishly to make our community a better place to live for all of us. All money raised will be split between the Cancer Center of the Southern Interior and the Leukemia/ BMT program. Please call my office at 712-3620 if you can help. Together we will make it the best year ever!

Well, I must sign off. I'm so proud of our Kelowna Rockets organization in bringing the prestigious Memorial Cup to Kelowna and to BC. What an incredible opportunity to showcase our community and our province and to watch some of the best hockey in Canada. I'll be cheering loudly for my home team! I'm still hoping to get home to catch a game (got to convince my doctors). Will keep you posted. I miss home terribly. Please keep me in your prayers.


Yours truly
Sindi Hawkins