October 4, 2012
Writers Quote
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe. ~~ Gustav Flaubert
September 29, 2012
Please Pray for Warrior Firefly
Dx IIIC in 3/09 with PPC, Ive been in almost constant chemo for 43 months….. only had 9 months off here and there. I forget how many recurrences I’ve had — 5 -6- -7-.
Theses last 6 weeks have been particularly difficult. The three months prior to that, my ca climbed to 4344 while on differerent chemos. Last ca was 5456 -still climbing.
I’ve beeen on cytoxin for the last 2 1/2 months… with lots of side effects. Mostly in bed the last few weeks. tired.
I get ascites drained twice a week —any where from 3 liters to 4 1/2 liters each time… Then I must go for hydration …. then I’m exhausted….just trying to help my body heal and praying that that the Cytoxin will finallly start killling the tumors.
I feel miminallly better than I did 5 weeks ago. but I can no longer clean my house, drive, shop, or even take my dog for a walk. I saved money for a trip to Israel and that is what is paying for these necessary sesrvices. even have disabillity sticker for my drivers…
I’m prettty tired, but fatigue is a side effect of cytoxin. The worst thing is the ascites….I get so full of cancer fillled fluid that I look 9 months pregnant and cannot breathe easily. Then relief after drainage, but not a fun procedure… 9 tiimes so far… I’m too tired to even go out to lunch!!! no fun!
Please keep me in your prayers that this Cytoxin will stop the Ascites and help bring my numbers down…..
Warrior Firefly lives here and is Loved!
September 27, 2012
Interesting Quote
Conscious is being aware of something;
Conscience is wishing you weren’t.
September 25, 2012
Firefly Health Update
As you know I have been very ill for many weeks. I have now had two rounds of Cytoxin and I do think it’s helping. But there are a lot of other very unwanted and new side effects that have joined in the act.
I now have to have almost daily hydration sessions at the doctor’s office. My abdomen is swelling up with liters and liters of fluid that must be drained twice every week….. but more on all that in another day or so. This little post is just to let you know thar Portland Firefly is still fighting her Warrior Battle bravely and consistently.
Please keep me in your prayers…….
September 16, 2012
Uplifting Quote
So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up.
August 30, 2012
New Chemo Regime Started
Well as you know, Portland Firefly has been very ill. My Cancer tumor indicator (CA- 125) numbers have been very high (30 is normal). My numbers have been hovering in the 4856 range for three months now ~ even chemo cannot bring the number down and actually I have been feeling very ill.
My Son accompanied me to my doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and the doctor drained an additional liter of cancer filled fluid from my abdomen (I felt much better immediately) and then started me on a new chemotherapy. We are praying that this one will work since my cancer has not seen it yet. It is called Cytoxin.
I am writing this on day two after this new chemo was administed and I am doing OK. I also recieve a ‘cocktail’ of other drugs along with the chemotherapy so I usually have energy for a day or so and then I crash about the middle of day three and stay out of commission for about a week. But since I have never had this drug… lets see how I react to it!
Update: Very tired…even missed phone calls due to my chemo coma (so tired I didn’t hear the phone). But in a weird way, I feel like it is working…. Very nauseated… very tired… very hopeful…. prayerful…
August 29, 2012
Did Andrew Make the Finals?
I’ll get right to the sad truth…. No, Andrew did not go through to the finals.
The judges were horrible to him last night, even though this was his best performance. The judges decided months ago that a singer was not going to win this show… and the judges had their little ‘cheat sheets’ in front of them telling them what horrible things to say to Andrew and also had their little ear bugs (producers talking to them in their ears pieces) telling them what to say…
And Sharon!! How unkind and rude and unbelievable she was to him. That was the rudest thing I’ve ever heard anyone say to someone’s face.
But, do not be too dismayed…. you will have the chance to see and hear Andrew De Leon again, for this amazing talent will not go away for long.
August 28, 2012
Andrew is in the AGT Semi-Finals Tonight
Last Tuesday, Andrew De Leon was voted through to the semi-finals of AGT. There will be two nights of semi-finals (tonight and next Tuesday). Andrew is performing tonight sometime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm. Voting begins at 9:55 pm. You will want to vote for Andrew tonight for sure because there is some tough competition tonight. The results show is tomorrow night Wednesday at 9:00 pm on your local NBC chanel.
This is what he wore last week when he performed Unbreak My Heart in Spanish. The judges broke his heart in Vegas and his fans Unbroke his Heart last week by voting for him!
“I’m so happy to have made it to the semi finals! couldn’t have done it without all of your love and support! thank you so much for voting and I look forward to the next performance! I love you!”
August 25, 2012
Difference Quote
You’re not like the rest of them; someday the best of them will realize they were wrong.
Be proud of what you are and remember, Difference is the most common type of Ordinariness. So you do fit in. Be Brave!
August 23, 2012
Portland Firefly Health Update
I was not feeling well the last few days ~ actually starting last Thursday while I was in Dallas at my annual Harmonica convention (which I was too ill to attend last year).
As of Sunday night I knew that I was more than just extremely tired so I moved my blood work to Monday am and requested to be seen by the PA (Physician Assistant) as my Doctor is on a family emergency this week. She (PA) saw me on Tuesday afternoon and my CA 125 is now higher than it has ever been before… 4856. (last one was 4343~ 30 or below is normal).
My suspicions were confirmed as she sent me to the hospital for a CT Scan which showed ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen). I was very uncomfortable as I looked like I was 9 months pregnant –Not kidding! I could hardly breathe, and had no appetite and felt very ‘toxic’. I had to wait until Wednesday morning until they could insert a port into my abdomen (yes, it did hurt) and draw out the cancer filled fluid — There were 3 liters and that is 6 1/2 pounds. I started to feel better almost immediately.
This means that this chemo is also not working and I will see my doctor on Tuesday morning for a reevaluation of the situation. I have ‘gone through’ about 5 chemos at this time.
I am still very worn out and must try to build myself up with protein before they knock me down with a new chemo again.
I am starting to get tired.
August 20, 2012
AGT Wildcard Show ~ August 21, 2012
This is the YouTube elimination show link:http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/video/YouTube-Eliminations/1413574 during which the wildcards were announced on August 15, 2012. If you go to minute 37, and start watching then, you will see who chose whom for the wildcards. The names are never announced, they just show the picture of the act.
Andrew De Leon was the last one shown and he was one of Howie Mandel’s four wildcards. If you blink, you will miss it!
Also you can go to the contestants link and it will have Andrew’s picture highlighted, which means that he is back in the competition. Hooray!
The America’s Got Talent Wildcard Show will be this Tuesday night, August 21, 2012, 8:00 – 10:00 pm. It usually is one hour earlier Central and Hawaii time (7:00 – 9:00 pm). Be sure to watch and even more important ~~~VOTE for Andrew. The voting usually begins at 9:55 pm (8:55 pm central) and continues for two hours. Vote often!!! Be sure that you vote during the correct time zone for the telephone that you are using.
August 19, 2012
Chibi Form Andrew De Leon
Chibi Andrew De Leon used with permission of the adorable, talented artist, Mallory Gillentine. Firefly adores this one!
This young Andrew De Leon fan’s original art really tells a story. Andrew has given encouragement and confirmation to many searching teens. Self-doubt, low self-esteem, and lack of purpose are so common with this age group. What Andrew has done, by acknowledging his ‘freakness’, is confirm that it is OK to be different; that it is OK to be unique; that it is OK to be yourself and that you do not have to match anyone elses standards of beauty or acceptance. This young man has made an enormous positive impact on so many hurting, searching teens. His enormous creativity comes through in many areas and this confidence in his own creativity has made it possible for other creative youths to express their creativity in positive endeavors as well. Many of his fans are highly creative, writing poetry, writing and performing songs, making videos, and of course you have seen some of the art that has been generated by his inspiration to his fans.
Kudos to you, Andrew! For the encouragement you have given your many fans!!! And, of course, for your beautiful voice!
August 18, 2012
Advice from Howie for Singers
While critiquing a singing group a few weeks ago, Howie, one of the America’s Got Talent judges, gave every singer some valuable information.
He said that the voting is basically a popularity contest.
And that the more the singer is liked, the more votes he will get.
Also when the song is known and liked by the voters, (past voting has revealed that) then he will receive even more votes.
Ah yes, once again confirmation of what American Idol judges(on another network) have said for years… Song choice is critical to winning any competition.
August 16, 2012
Andrew De Leon’s Twitter
Ok, now that it has been announced that Andrew De Leon has been chosen as a Wild Card for America’s Got Talent, many of you will want to follow him on Twitter.
There are several fan clubs with his name on it and you might want to follow those as well, but there is only one true Twitter account of Andrew De Leon; he has given Portland Firefly permission to publish it here.
Ready for it… here it is: AndrewLeoDeLeon. If you go to this twitter account, you will see a picture of him standing diagonal in the photo with a greenish background. Be sure to click Follow so Andrew can keep you up to date.
This is what you’ll see at the correct twitter account: Andrew Leo De Leon@AndrewLeoDeLeon
Singer, Metal head, LOVE horror films! LOVE classical music 
(Real Andrew De Leon)
To follow his official Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewLeoDeLeon
PS: This drawing is by Lauren Buitte and is taken from Andrew’s Twitter Profile Picture. Lauren, you are an amazing artist!
Used with Lauren’s permission.
August 13, 2012
America Wants Andrew Back!
Andrew De Leon has been a crowd favorite since he first set foot on the stage. America wants him back!
August 10, 2012
America’s Got Talent Wildcard Show
Andrew De Leon drawing used by permission of the artist, Lauren Buitte. Well Done, Lauren!
There is a lot of speculation as to AGT’s Wildcard show. The biggest question is who will be called back? Of course, we all want Andrew De Leon back. Firefly believes that with the YouTube performances being held this week, August 14, 2012, that the Wildcard choices have to be announced either that night, Tuesday, August 14, 2012 or the next night Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the latest.
The next big question is when will the Wildcard show be held? Well, Portland Firefly has done some research and I believe that the AGT Wildcard performances will be held the week after the Wildcards acts are announced. That means they would be performing on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 with voting that same night and elimination the next night, August 22, 2012.
So….Andrew De Leon fans… plan to watch Aug 14 /15 to see who the wildcards are and definitely plan to watch on August 21st, and then vote immediately after the show ends.
Let’s hope Portland Firefly is correct on this call!
August 9, 2012
Another cute Andrew De Leon picture!
Adorable picture of Andrew De Leon used with permission of the Artist, Lauren Buitte.
August 7, 2012
What About Andrew De Leon?
Andrew De Leon original art by Lauren Buitte; used with permission from the artist.
Everyone wants to know what has happened to Andrew De Leon? Portland Firefly hopes to bring you up to date a little bit and to give you hope!
As you know, Andrew was sent home from the AGT competition in Las Vegas and we have not seen him since. But we know and he knows that he has not been forgotten by his many adoring fans. Here is what Firefly does know….
Andrew has been relatively quiet on his twitter account lately; so that must mean that he is very busy.
Andrew “has been up and down a lot lately.” (that is a direct quote from him). We do know that he feels great, and is extremely pleased with how well his singing is progressing. So his ‘up and down’ probably doesn’t refer to his emotional state. As a former Flight Attendant, Portland Firefly takes this to mean that he literally has been up and down (as in airplanes). Now where could he be going on a regular basis? Hummmm…..?????
Did he get a recording contract? Are they flying him somewhere to record his first album? That would be Fantastic!
Did he receive a callback to America’s Got Talent for the Wildcard show and are they flying him to New Jersey for rehearsals? That would be Fantastic!
Did he get picked up by an opera company and are they flying him in for training and rehearsals. That too would be Fantastic!
Did he audition for American Idol and is advancing in their preliminary rounds?
Then there is The Voice! Is he going into competition for that show?
So many possibilities…..
But the one that his adoring fans are hoping is the correct one is that he indeed will be called back as a wildcard on America’s Got Talent. And, of course, we are all waiting for that first album to be released so we can bathe ourselves in his heavenly voice as much as we want! Well, whatever the answer may be, Andrew has given Firefly permission to quote him as saying: “I haven’t slowed down and though I can’t give much away about my next step (and there is one trust me), just know that you haven’t seen the last of me.”
Hooray! Good News for everyone who is so taken by the evocative talent of this mesmerizing young artist.
More info on the Wildcard show to follow. (scroll up to see the post of 8/10/12).
August 6, 2012
Classy Bolt
“While respecting an opposing country’s national anthem is something you would expect any Olympic athlete to do, we know that is not always the case. Following one of his recent preliminary race’s in London, Usain Bolt was in the middle of an interview when the US National Anthem began playing as Sanya Richards-Ross was being presented with her gold medal. Bolt instantly stopped the interview — which was being aired live — to acknowledge the presentation and show respect for a fellow athlete.
For those of you who are thinking “what’s the big deal,” there are plenty of athletes who would just continue their interview without thinking twice about it. That doesn’t mean they would be disrespecting a fellow competitor or country intentionally, but the fact that Bolt didn’t think twice about it says a lot about his character. He may be cocky and even a bit clumsy at times, but Usain deserves credit for this classy gesture.” Steve Del
Portland Firefly salutes Bolt!!!
Encouragement Quote
Experience is the hardest teacher, because she give the test first and the lesson afterwards.
August 2, 2012
The Difference Between Morning People and Night People
What is the difference between Morning People and Night People? It boils down to this simple explanation….
At 5:30 in the morning, when the sun is streaming in through the windows, a Morning Person gets up and makes coffee while a Night Person draws the blackout drapes and goes back to sleep! Which are you?
August 1, 2012
A Costco Pizza Day
I had a marathon day of errands to run today. So about 1:30 I was pretty hungry and was just getting close to Costco. It has been years since I’ve had a greasy, cheesy, everything, yummy slice of Costco pizza. Well, today the fast ended! I must have been really hungry while out doing my errands because it tasted so yummy and went down so easily and quickly. Firefly was actually happy to stop for red lights so I could finish eating my lunch while driving to my next errand!
