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Roland Salazar- a Friend in deed!!!
We all have different friends in our life that will come by for a visit and we have friends who will help you out in a pinch. We all have friends who will laugh with you and at you and know when to tell you like it is and when to be quiet and just listen. Most of us have friends that we can tell anything to and know that your words are going to be "kept in the vault". But to have all these friends rolled into one human is a blessing in deed. Roland Salazar is just that friend.
Sergio and Roland became soccer buddies when
Roland coached his son, Duran, and Frankie (photo right) in soccer and a
wonderful friendship grew from there for both fathers and sons.
He has been there every step of the way to help Sergio with everything from carpooling to talking to not talking. Whenever Sergio calls, Roland does everything in his power to be right by his side as soon as he possibly can. His friendship goes beyond what anyone can imagine. The whole De Luca family is deeply grateful (beyond words) for all that Roland does for Sergio.
Thank you for caring so much for your friend, Sergio.
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2007
ALS Walk Update
Plan to join us for the Walk to d'Feet ALS Irvine CA on Saturday October 20, 07. Last year, Sergio's family and friends raised over $800 and this year, we are hoping to raise a lot more!!!!
This a 5K morning walk around a beautiful pond at Mason Regional park in Irvine. Interested? Contact Sonia at sonialiekhus@hotmail.com or call 714-255-0719 or check out the website:
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May 07
A Rainbow of Colors
If
you spend enough time inside the house during the day, you just might
find yourself with thoughts of redecorating. It happened to Sergio- and
with that, brother in law, Mike Guss, was put to work. Mike began
painting Sergio's room and then the downstairs bathroom and then the
kitchen- all to Sergio's specifications. If anyone has ever seen
Sergio's backyard, they can understand why Sergio has the need to put
some color inside the house as well. Mike has worked many, many hours
turning white walls into walls with color. A huge thanks to Mike Guss
for adding some color to Sergio's walls.
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Loma Linda University- lending a hand
Sharon Liekhus (Sergio's PA that has been seeing him for some time) can only do so much to help Sergio. She told him that she will help him with anything she can for as long as she can but there would be a day when he would need more help than she can provide. So with some great help from big sis Lucy, Sergio started going to Loma Linda University in May to get the needed help with the progressive symptoms of ALS. He is seen by a team of doctors and care takers who look after all of his medical needs. There is a specialist for each part of Sergio so the care is very intense. And not only the doctors care for him but his case worker, Griselda (who is a wonderful person to have in your corner), is there for his every need- medical/ emotional/ physical/ etc. Griselda and Sergio seem to hit it off from the very start because of a common interest... you guessed it.... SOCCER.
He
recently received a communication device called a Dynavox. With very
little effort on Sergio's part, the "talking box" allows Sergio to
communicate with people around him. Because ALS robs the patient of
his/her ability to speak, being able to tell people around you of your
needs is most important. This "talking box" will help Sergio to get the
things he needs without laboring to talk or be understood.
As soon as it was delivered, the box was opened and Sergio spent the next few hours reading and getting acquainted with the device. It is going to take a few days to figure out all the gizmos but soon, it will be attached to his electric wheelchair and Sergio will be able to tell those around him his thoughts and needs.
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July 07
A big step with any ALS patient is when the day comes for the need of extra special equipment to just get through the day.
From a cane to a walker to a wheelchair, just to get around- From
regular silverware to specially made spoons and forks to having the need
for help with feedings- --simple things that we all can do and we all
take for granted, need to be revaluated for each ALS patient.
Because swallowing does become more difficult as the disease progresses, and keeping up with nutrition is EXTREMELY important for PALS, the day came when Sergio needed to have a feeding tube inserted into his stomach area. This tube is a direct line to his stomach and allows him to intake water and liquid nutrition throughout the day. This doesn't mean that Sergio doesn't eat.... SERGIO EATS!!!! He has a tribe of Italian women in his life that make sure that he eats!
He still keeps pretty close to his organic way of eating with some occasional cheating here and there. But having the tube makes it easier for him to get the water and nutrition that he needs without so much work. Also, Frankie and Alyssa are right there each and every time to make sure their dad gets all the water and liquid food he needs and will even change the dressing also. Pretty terrific if you ask me. Without the tube, Sergio would have to eat just about all day long to get all the nutrition he needs. This allows him to eat when he wants without family members forcing food on him all day long and it will help him to keep up his strength to keep fighting.
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Everyone helps out in their own special way
Every member of Sergio's family tries to help out in there own way.
Katie Liekhus (Sergio's niece and God-daughter) is helping out with the
Orange
County
Chapter of ALS. She along with her mom, (Sonia) and one of her dad's
(Ken) cousin, Terri Dainko are trying to gather donations and monetary
support for the 2007 5K Walk to d'Feet ALS Kick Off Party and
Casino Night. (Click on link below for more information) Katie has sent
out letters to over 50 local businesses in the area asking for donations
for opportunity baskets as well as sponsorships of gaming tables for the
evening. If you would like to help but can't make it, why not make a
donation so that a PALS or caregiver can go for free?
ALS Kick Off Party and Casino Night_files
Ashley Bravo, -Norma's daughter Sergio's niece- is currently studying to
someday
soon, become a nurse. So when Sergio spends the weekend at his
mom's house and he needs to have his dressing around the feeding tube
changed, he asks for Ashley take care of him. Even if she is not at her
grandma's house, she will stop everything and go over to tend to
Sergio's needs. She is very good at it, making sure it is done well and
that Sergio is comfortable.
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Because swallowing pills is just too difficult to do any longer, Sergio has decided to stop seeing Diane Wendell, the nutritionist. Her help and care was wonderful and her methods was on cue with Sergio's way of taking care of himself. We are grateful for all Diane did for Sergio and we highly recommend her services to anyone seeking a better and healthy way of living.
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Since lying down is very difficult for Sergio, Mr. Paek has had to change his treatment ways for Sergio by using a portable massage chair for him. Acupuncture is still very important to Sergio but with recent developments in being able to maneuvered his body around, Sergio has cut down his treatments with Mr. Paek seeing him about twice a month now. But still sees acupuncture as a big part of his regiment for health.
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to read about the next few months- click on link below:
Check for more updates every two to three weeks.
go to photo gallery and check out all the new pictures posted lately.