Terence 'Q' Quong

Think about the ocean, the blues and greens, the smell of the salt air, all the creatures great and small. For many, our oceans are only thought about during shows on TV. For others, like my friend Q, we find comfort in, on, and under the water’s surface, and being on the water, is where we push our minds and our bodies.

So, imagine you grew up in Hawaii with the ocean all around, which became a major part of your life: you are an avid Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddler, made journeys and raced from island to island, as well as throughout the Pacific NW, and have challenged yourself to learn how to stand-up paddle (SUP) and even paddle a surf ski. You have just turned 50 and feel as good as ever. Relaxing paddles of 20 miles or more (yes, we think that is relaxing) are common as you are out in nature and enjoy the time pushing yourself. You are out on a long paddle and find yourself a little tired from paddling into a stiff wind but don’t think much about it.

A couple weeks later, you decide to go on another longer paddle to get a good workout. Typically, you never take breaks on these long paddles, but this day, your body tells you ‘that you will need to take a couple breaks!’ When you are back to shore, you are so fatigued, you barely find the strength to load up and get home - just to realize that you have been sleeping at the table with your dinner getting cold in front of you. You are thankful you did not wake up with your face resting in the mound of spaghetti.

You keep going to work even though you're tired. You find that just taking the stairs wears you out and complain about this feeling but chalk it up to allergies. You have a lot going on and don’t slow down, the world is not going to stop and let you take a nap. After a bit of cajoling, your coworker convinces you to go to the doctor and get check out (thank you Cheryl!!!!).

Test after test, doctors and nurses coming and going….and they send you to the ER. You first hear the word cancer….27 May 2017…. The day that would forever stand out in your mind…. I have known Q for many years and am fortunate to call him a friend. So, when I receive a call from Tran to let me know he is at the ER, I go immediately. I arrive to find him in an ER bed just as the doctor comes in to break the news - Leukemia and that Q will need to be admitted to the hospital immediately.

Over the next two days, there were too many blood tests and bone marrow biopsies to recall, even starting his chemotherapy. At this time, he also was transferred to the UW Medical Center and was brought under the care of the incredible team alongside the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance ohana. This was the first of several stays at the hospital and we all learned a little more about Leukemia and Lymphoma. However, Q was told that the only “cure” would be to receive a bone marrow transplant.

Before going any further, just remember that Q has an extreme aversion to needles. So, imagine how many times the “really big and huge needle” that was going to be shoved into his body came up. And many that know Q know how stubborn he can be, it was not surprising that there were a few delays due to his stubborn AML. Little did he know that over the rest of 2017, he would be subject to many additional hospital visits due to relapses and then finding out that the AML had spread into his spinal fluid - all requiring more and more needles and tests. While needles are still not his “friend,” he always managed to hold his head up and get through each procedure with lots of dignity and strength. Most of his ability to get through all this (including all those needles) came from the strength and love from his partner, Tran, whom I believe was one of the major reasons why he is here today.

Fortunately, after finding a match, on January 17, 2018, Q had a bone marrow stem cell transplant. This transplant was successful, and he is now in remission! You did catch the point about Q being stubborn??? Well, in March 2018, just after his 1-year post transplant checkup, his body decided to have an Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia issue. Q’s hematocrit level had dropped to 8%, which is extremely low (the proportion of red blood cells in your blood, which transfer oxygen to your body), and he was basically unresponsive. Luckily, his 9-year-old daughter, Kealani, knew to call 9-1-1 and the first responders were there quickly to help! During this last hospital stay, his body kept battling itself by killing off his own red blood cells and he had to have two blood infusions daily just to keep up with the red blood cell loss. After several attempts to clear the anemia, Q needed to have a splenectomy. Not stubborn at all, right??? Eventually, this red blood cell destruction ended, and Q was released from the hospital. Not every day will be clear skies, sunshine, and blue water underneath your canoe. But it is a matter of pushing yourself forward one stroke at a time. Seeing Q, I am reminded what strength and humility are. He inspires me without really knowing it and I can't wait to see him again on the water soon, pushing his mind and body, where he belongs…. One stroke at a time.

Photo of Tran and Q by Monsters and Sea