I waited a good year to start writing up about what came knocking at the end of 2017. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been a wordy guy, so writing an entire blog didn’t seem like the right way to express myself. Certainly not a blog that I plan to share with more than 5 people. Or maybe I didn’t think what happened was such a big deal. It seemed like a minor bump in the road, not something worth writing about in lengthy dramatic words.
Now, one year into this journey, I’m feeling tired as never before, and each mini battle seems harder and harder to win. I feel my time slipping away. And then I think back to all the times when I replied to your questions with one-liners, or when I sat silently at dinner parties without engaging with anyone.
So I’m hoping that, by reading this blog, you will get access to a more wordy side of me, and that will help compensate for all those times my responses were not enough.
Lastly, having these words saved in the clouds for however long will perhaps provide some comfort to the people who care about me, in knowing that they can always go back and feel my presence through these words.
… And so what came knocking at the end of 2017 was the diagnosis of leukemia. Acute Myeloid Leukemia, to be exact.
Just another chapter 
Dearest em Bum,
I spend tonight reading every posts u written. It give me more insight to your journey, and paint a more clearer picture.
We haven’t meet yet but I am your cousin anh Long’s wife chị Huyền. And you got 2 nieces+2nephews off me 😁.
I meet your mommy + daddy in Vietnam and sincerely they are the nicest auntie and uncle-in-law I could wish for. In fact all anh Long’s side extremely lovely, kind and witty.
em Bum what you doing here is a test of your strength. By writing it down you are releasing your pent up thoughts and hopefully that ease the burden. You got great penmanship, very smart, and articulate and I detect a slight humour too.. See I wish I got your writing skill. JR Rowling who?! ^_^
We as your extended family are devastated by what you going through and we pray so hard that a miracle will be bestow upon you. We pray that we all wake up from this nightmare. Your mom’s big sister dī Loan here right now in UK too, I don’t know if you see their photo on my fb. She want to sent you all her love. In fact we all do. We wish that Boston is just up the road so we could bring you yummy homemade food. What your favourite? Mine one is sườn xào chua ngọt, bánh quấn nhân thịt và bún mắm tôm… I know the latter smell!!! Lol but ooooh mygod it so yummy.. oh and don’t forget Vietnam pride the ultimate bowl or two of Phở, it so well loved it got it own emoji, look..>>🍲 .
em Bum your mind is the ultimate weapon in this fight against this bullshit invasion. Stay positive and keep fighting it.
Can I add you to my baby Nhất-Thương Esther group. It a page where i share her infectious smiles and giggles.. I heard it could help blast cancer cell away..
All our love,
anh Long+ chị Huyền
Diệp-Anh Rachael, Hiếu Charlie, Thiên-Alfie and baby Nhất-Thương Esther ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
LikeLike
Hi anh Long + chi Huyen,
Thank you for all your well wishes and kind words. They mean a lot. I think this is the first time I’m actually talking to chi Huyen. 🙂
I’ll see anh Long soon in Boston.
And PS: baby Esther is super cute
LikeLike
dear em Bum… I have to write em in front of Bum Cos any English friend will simply read it as Bum aka bottom 🤣😂.. but as family we all know it an term of endearments. While your big cousin Long is còi ( skinny ) 🤦🏻♀️.. Bum sound so much better now!! 😜😍😘… why it is Viet people always give their love one fugly nickname ( bar your) mine was Huyền đen/ Huyền ghẻ… Please don’t tell anh L this secret, he might find me less adorable 🤨.
You already know this as anh L have spend time with you guy in Moscow few years back. As a reminder and Pre-warn wear a ear plugs Cos damn anh L can talk!!! My auntie call him ‘ your CNN’ … 🤣
If ear plug not available, just stuff some clean sock in, that will suffice too. Although if this happens take photo and send to me please, I want a giggle 🤭 .. x
Everyone love you very much and from what I can heard when the elder whispering is they so wish the ocean, continents and that blooming USA visa is not a deterrent. Your hospital room would be busier than any street in HN With visitors and homemade yummy food and High volume chattering!!
Tet coming soon and we will pray for a miracle. There a saying ‘ it ain’t over until the fat lady sing’. Now I don’t know any fat lady singer…😘..
Yes Nhất-Thương Esther she so beautiful, she a surprise little niece for all of you. My heart aches just watching her smiles and the way her dimples deepen. I hope that group chat will temporarily take you to a calmer plains.. where there no hospital lingo. Just gugugaga and nonsense gibberish good vide only.
Love chị Huyền ( + anh Long còi 🤣)
LikeLike
Hi chi Huyen. Thanks again for another very cute message. A Long has been pretty quiet around me in the hospital room actually, maybe it’s the jetlag. 🙂
I know it ain’t over yet, and will keep the fight going until the end.
And thanks again for adding me to the FB group. It does provide good entertainment value when I’m down :D.
Talk to you soon,
Bum
LikeLike