2 Weeks Post-Recovery Update (October 2, 2025) As Kuʻumeaaloha makes her lap around that 2 week post-recovery corner, she is doing amazingly good! Today, in her first follow up since being admitted at Pali Momi, her PCP told her that she is doing exceptionally well due to her healthy lifestyle prior to surgery. The results of her MRI from last week were positive showing no further growth or legions noted including her pancreas. She was able to eliminate some of her prescriptions and now her next goals are: to regain weight, restore her diminished vitamins & minerals levels and eat regular foods again. She is happy to report that her appetite has returned. YAY! This is a REAL WIN to be able to have a healthy relationship with food again. Her use of vitamin supplements has increased her energy levels. She will see her surgeon on Monday, 10/6 to get a full report on how the surgery went and what next steps might need to be taken. A physical therapist (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) make home visits throughout the week to facilitate recovery at home. These past 2 weeks of rest and all your kōkua have really allowed her the time and space to slow down and heal. Kaua her beautiful ʻīlio has returned home to be her constant companion again. Although she is not ready to take him on walks yet, she is so grateful to her friends Lono and Keano who have been taking care of Kaua for months now. Now that he has returned, they still come and walk Kaua three times a day for her! Kuʻumeaaloha is cautiously walking but reports she doesnʻt have stress or pain while walking now! Another YAY! She looks forward to working with her PT & OT next week to begin being able to walk down and up stairs in her building so she can resume being outdoors soon. She is so humbled and grateful for your aloha which has been paramount in her recovery. She remains open to you still reaching out to her if youʻd like to visit however there will no longer be a visitation sign up. You are welcome to contact her personally now. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo kākou!! Recovering At Home (September 22,2025) The transition home from the hospital has been wonderful with the kōkua of beloved ʻohana and friends. At this time Kuʻumeaaloha is primarily managing pain and navigating caring for herself post-operation at home alone. As expected there is a lot of readjusting to a temporary "new normal" after surgery for the next 4-6 weeks. Readjusting to eating foods has been very slow. She needs to eat to give herself nutrition to heal however, her digestive system remains a sensitive area. If you would like to bring or send food, her current appetite is VERY small so just a single serving would suffice for now. She does not have a lot of space in the fridge at this time if larger portions are brought. Mahalo for the kind considerations. Her dietary restrictions are clear vegan liquids such as miso soup, onion soup (her fave is from Down to Earth) and soft foods such as jello cup, poi, tofu. She prefers fresh fruit juices. If you are visiting please call Kuʻumeaaloha so she can let you know how to let yourself into her apartment as she may not be able to let you in. She has an MRI this afternoon at Pali Momi because they found a legion on her pancreas and want to get a better look at what it is exactly. Her desire is to be able to start walking again but her surgeon told her that she is to not go up and down the stairs where she lives for 2 weeks post surgery. Because she is not getting a lot of movement, she would benefit from light lomilomi of her arms, legs, etc to keep the blood circulation going. Lying in bed all day sounds much better than it actually is. Kuʻumeaaloha will have a follow up next week Thursday, October 2nd with her PCP. She will then see her surgeon on Monday, October 6th for her post-operation appointment. She is so grateful for all the pule that continues to hold her up, for the aloha in encouraging calls, messages and visits, and for all the generous donations of time, resources and monetary gifts. It is with the most sincere and deepest gratitude that you are held in her naʻau. She truly loves you all. Initial Post ( September 18, 2025) Many of us have had the pleasure of knowing our dear friend Kuʻumeaaloha Gomes throughout her amazing lifework in and out of Hawaiʻi. Recently she has been in excruciating pain on nearly a daily basis upon eating food. After enduring this condition for nearly two months and a few ER visits, a colonoscopy revealed a growth obstruction in her transverse colon. She has recently been diagnosed with stage 2 cancer, which her response has been “Yay!” due to the hopeful outlook that it is a less severe stage that can be treated. Since September 12th after a 3rd ER visit, she remains admitted at Pali Momi Hospital with surgery for a colectomy scheduled on Thursday, September 18th at 9:45am. Part of her colon will be removed along with the cancerous tumor itself. She will remain at the hospital for some days after the procedure to recover. Let us rise and up to kūkulu kumuhana (to pool our mana and resources) in prayer, with our time, our aloha and to give back to her in this time of need. Kuʻumeaaloha is welcoming visitors to spend time with her while she is recovering both at the hospital and when he returns home. While Kuʻumeaaloha is in the hospital please consider visiting for no longer than one hour so she can rest and heal between visitors. Visitation blocks are 11-12pm, 1-2pm, and 3-4pm. When she gets discharged from the hospital--her healing needs will change at home. Please consider the following ways you can kōkua as she heals at home: share a meal, spend loving time with her, donate and pule. Please review the schedule to see what kind of task you would be interested in doing. If you arenʻt able to physically do so, and want to contribute to a meal or two, funds are being accepted for that purpose, and what isnʻt used will be given to her to assist with medical expenses. We all know Kuʻumeaaloha as a very independent and determined wahine, who lives alone with Kaʻua. Many of us have been the recipients of her generosity, kindness, and support. She has never charged any fees for her Hoʻoponopono Services, and in her lifetime she contributes to our lāhui committed to raising the quality of life for all people. Letʻs all show what aloha looks and feels like by our actions. Kuʻumeaaloha remains grateful for all the makana that life has given to her over these 80 years of life. Her gratitude spills over when she considers the many, many loving friends, colleagues, and haumāna she has had the honor of sharing her life with and especially the ʻike kupūna she passes down as Loea and Haku Hoʻoponopono. She is particularly grateful for her supportive and loving ʻohana, and notably her moʻopuna: Kaleialoha. A remarkable gift from Ke Akua is her ʻīlio Kaʻua, her constant companion and the “only man I allow to sleep in my bed”. Kuʻumeaaloha is extremely grateful that Ke Akua, Kūpuna, and ʻAumakua continue to walk with her on this challenging journey--always guiding, protecting and assuring her healing and recovery.