No News is Good News!

The past two months have gone well! Dan has completed quite a bit of chemo and will have a ct scan next week. We just know that we will be getting good news! Dan is feeling much better and has minimal pain which is a huge improvement from two months ago.
by Kathy

Dan's USPTA Convention

It's Been a Long Time

Well, 6 weeks have passed. Dan has started a new chemo and it seems to be doing some good. His pain has disappeared and he has the energy and strength to travel, work out, run errands, work on photography and cook dinner!! He has recently been to the USPTA Annual Convention and came home a new man. He is inspired to work on some projects related to tennis. We are riding a wave of goodness right now! Thank God!!
by Kathy

Dan Bonfigli Day

Windridge Tennis Camp at Teela-Wooket in Roxbury, VT is holding the Dan Bonfigli Day on Tuesday, August 21st from 9am t0 5pm. There will be a "Wood Raquet" tennis tournament, some social round robin doubles and offerings for individualized instruction from some of the area's top teaching professionals. Participants may also choose to swim, mountain bike, play some volleyball, basketball or nine holes of golf. The cost for this event is $50 for students 21 and under, $100 for adults; or $150 for an entire family. Lunch is included, as are prizes. To sign up call Ted Hoehn at 802-863-8279. Donations can also be mailed to Windridge @T.W., P.O. Box 4242, Burlington, VT 05406 (Make checks payable to Dan Bonfigli)

August already?

The summer is going by so quickly. Dan is completing his last summer committment this weekend (running the Junior Tennis State Championships). He will have a CAT Scan next week and we will go from there with our next move. Gabby heads to UVM preseason on August 14th, and we look forward to the games coming up this Fall.

Thank you Mike for your comment. It is always good to hear from old friends. I have heard that name in past conversations, all good things of course. I have family in NC, so we have been to that part of the country many, many times.

Submitted by Kathy

Over the Past Month....

• Dan has been taking his second round of chemo and that is going well
• Dan has resigned from his position as tennis director at the Sports and Fitness Edge of Essex in order to focus on healing
• As a family, we attended the Fed Cup in Stowe to watch USA compete against Russia. Gabby had the experience of being a ball girl for the event and carried the US flag into the opening ceremonies each day.
• Dan was invited to participate in the coin toss before Sunday's match
• We spent time at the lake in Alburg with family
• We celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary!!

It has been a great month, and we hope to have many more good times with the ramaining months of summer.

submitted by Kathy

Week 2 Went Well

Dan had a great second week of chemo, and we headed to Newport, RI on Friday for the annual USTA board meeting. On Saturday evening we went to the induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It was great to see so many old friends from the board of USTA. They are a great group of people to be part of.

Week One of Chemo Went Well

Dan started chemo again and his first week went well. He is taking 1/3 the dosage from the last time. He has an infection in his gall bladder that antibiotics are taking care of, and the taste of that is actually worse than the chemo he takes. His taste buds are a little off, so that makes eating a challenge. On to week 2!

A Joyful Day!

Gabby won the Vermont State Tennis Championships on Saturday. She came back from 3-5 in the third set to beat a fine competitor, Cassie Smith, 7-5. It was a moment to remember forever! The final score was 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. It couldn't get much closer than that. Both girls deserve kudos.

Kathy

The Week of May 21st

Dan has another week off from chemo. His mission is to gain some more weight and strength. That shouldn't be too difficult with all the great food that people have been dropping off. The plan is for Dan to start up again next week but at a lower dosage. We'll take it one day at a time from there and see how his body tolerates it. We are most grateful for the support we feel from everyone. Thank you.
Kathy

Green Up Day at the Bonfigli's

The teachers I work with at Malletts Bay School showed up on Saturday morning to lend a hand. They raked the leaves from my gardens, pulled the weeds, spread 6 yards of mulch, and mowed, trimmed and edged the lawn. What a fun 2 and a half hours because we also got to socialize and catch up with one another (something we rarely have time for during our busy day at school).

Week of May 14th

Dan needs to regain his strength this week. He has the week off from chemo and will meet with his oncologist on Monday to see if he can start up again. "One day at a time" and we take the good days and enjoy them!!
Kathy

Dan got out of the hospital today just in time to watch Gabby play a great high school tennis match. She won in three sets! He is now home resting and working on his photography! He will start something new next week and we'll take it one day at a time.
Kathy

Dan went to the hospital on Thursday to have his bilirubin tube replaced and to go on IV. He was extremely dehydrated from excessive vomitting. He will come home as soon as he can hold down foods. If all goes well, chemo will start up again on Monday with a different anti-naseau medicine.
Kathy

Dan's chemo began this week. He is experiencing some unpleasant side effects and is not able to work. He is on a 2 week on/1 week off cycle for 6 weeks. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. This is a tough one.
posted by Kathy

Tennis anyone?
The Bob Marchand Junior Tennis Tiebreak to benefit Dan will be held on Friday, May 11th from 4-7pm. This event is for ages 9-17 and will be held at the Sports & Fitness Edge of Williston. For more information or to sign up you can call 860-3343 and talk to Nick.

Dear Dan...

Dan continues to be touched by all of the cards he receives....they mean so much to him. Here are a few precious cards that brought tears to Dan's eyes.
posted by: Kate Neckel (images and update from Kathy)

Gabby headed to NYC

One of Gabby's wishes for vacation was to go to a broadway show in New York City. Thanks to some old friends from our Miami days, her wish is coming true. Adam Epstein, the director of Hairspray and a former student of Miami Country Day School, has given us two tickets to see the show. Gabby is taking her friend Annie with her. Thank you Deb Creeden for setting this all up. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Kathy

A Wellness Home

Dan and I went to visit a Wellness Home. This house uses air and water purifiers and a specially designed magnetic sleep system. They also sell a lot of magnetic products. We are going to purchase some of these items for our house from Nikken. If you are interested in learning more, their website is www.nikken.com.

Posted by Kathy

Benefit Tennis and Ping Pong Social April 24

Today, April 24th, there is a Benefit Tennis and Ping Pong Social from 3-9 PM at the Sports and Fitness Edge of Essex to help support Dan and Kathy.

Families ( parents and younger children) are encouraged to come between 3-6 PM and adults and high school students are encouraged to come between 6-9 PM. If you can't come but would like to make a donation you may drop off your donation at the front desk. An envelope will be left in Tammy Azur's box.

Many thanks to Tammy and everyone else who is making this fund raiser possible!!

Dan's Next Step

Dan went to see his oncologist yesterday. His first order of business is to regain his strength and weight. He will have a ct scan to evaluate the cancer and then we will go from there.

Posted by Kathy

Dan and Kathy are Home!

We are now home and thrilled to be reunited with Gabby.
We arrived late Friday evening and on Saturday spent some time catching up on sleep and reading our mail. We are touched by the outpouring of love and support that we have seen in all the cards and letters sent from our friends and family, and even a few strangers. May God bless you all for your generosity.

Written by Kathy

Dan Update 4/20/07

After a week of focused supplement and alternative therapies at the wellness center, Dan had various reactions to the many treatments and became very low on energy, resulting in him heading to the hospital here in Sarasota for i.v. treatments for about 5 days.

After being released from the hospital today, Dan and Kathy are heading back home where Dan aims to resume regaining his usual spunk.

Overall, Dan and Kathy are viewing this experience in Sarasota as a necessary one which needed to be explored -- they now have the benefit of the knowledge gained along the way.

More updates coming.

Nelly's Thoughtful Donation

Spring is Here I and II have both been SOLD!!

The Road To Recovery

has been sold!!

Overlook has been sold!

Nelly, Dan's mother, has graciously donated four of her paintings to help raise money for Dan and Kathy. They are featured here and may be purchased through the blog. All money will go to help Dan and Kathy. Please email Nelly at nelly@figmail.com and tell her which painting you would like and where she should send the painting. Donations should then be sent to Dan and Kathy; see donation information on the side of this blog. Thank you , Nelly, for your amazing gifts to all of us.

1. Spring is Here II pastel 10 x 10 matted and framed.

2. Spring is Here I pastel 10 x 10 matted and framed.

3. Road to Recovery Autumn at Shelbourne Farms, Vermont. 10 x 20 framed.

4. Overlook pastel 16 x 20 matted and framed.

Everyone Wants To Help!

The word is getting out in Vermont! Friends are lining up to help the Bonfigli family. After all Dan has done to help others, it is no surprise people want to help out. A Benefit Tennis and Ping Pong Social will be held at the Sports and Fitness Edge of Essex on Tuesday, April 24th, from 3 to 9pm. Families with younger children are encouraged to participate between the hours of 3 and 6 pm. Adults and high school students are welcome to stop by between the hours of 6 and 9pm. Those unable to make this event can still make a donation at the front desk. For more information please contact Tammy at 879-7734 x 127, or Courtney at 879-7734 x-123.

Damon Fitch, tournament director of the Sports and Fitness Edge of Burlington, is donating a portion of the proceeds of the Red Martin Doubles Classic set for April 13-15 to support Dan and Kathy's fight against cancer. Red Martin died of cancer and Damon has decided to connect this tournament with doing something locally for cancer support. Great idea, Damon. We all thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Bonfiglis.
Do you have an idea to help ?? Email us here at the blog and share your thoughts. It takes a village...

Dan heading to Florida

Dan is heading south to Sarasota this Sunday to begin treatment at the Wellness Center next week. He will be an outpatient for three weeks as he undergoes the detox treatment that we are so hopeful will help him. Kathy will visit during the second week.
During this time we need your thoughts and prayers for Dan to have the strength he needs to travel safely and get this treatment. We also need to keep in mind the doctors and nurses who will be helping him.
We are still raising money to pay for Dan's expenses. We need everyone's help. Please send in whatever you can asap.

Wellness Center Plans

Dan is pursuing attending the Nutrition Wellness Center in Sarasota, Florida. He will make a final decision very soon after speaking with the people in Sarasota. Dan and Kathy are wondering if anyone has connections in Sarasota? If you know of someone who could help put Kathy up while she visits with Dan please email us at this blog. Thanks and keep the wishes coming! Prayers and good thoughts are needed.

Dan and Gabby compete in local tournament

Dan and Gabby recently competed in the Annual Mud Season Mixed Doubles at the Sports and Fitness Edge in Burlington. Dan and Gabby took a seasoned team from Boston to a third set. The final score was 6-1, 1-6, and 6-3. We all salute your perseverance and determination, Dan. You are an inspiration to everyone!!

Bonfigli Family Christmas picture

Here are Kathy, Gabriela, and Dan this last Christmas in Burlington, Vermont. What a gorgeous family!! Ooh...can't forget the family pooch, Elle.

Welcome to all

This space will be used to keep everyone up to date on the Bonfigli family. We are just beginning so please be patient. More to follow.