As many of you may have already heard, my brother, Tony Arenas, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer on 9/5/25. An unplanned ER visit led to this discovery and additional testing revealed that the cancer has spread to his liver, abdominal cavity, and lungs. This news came as a shock to our family and brings unique challenges. In addition to facing cancer, Tony is also a double lung transplant recipient, which adds another layer of complexity to his treatment and care. Despite these hurdles, Tony’s strength and resilience continue to inspire us all. His transplant team, along with his new cancer team at UW–Madison, has moved quickly, and he will begin chemotherapy this week (9/8). If you wish to receive updates on Tony and his health, feel free to follow his Facebook Journey Page Here: https://www.facebook.com/IBreatheForT/
Because of Tony’s transplant and current health needs, traditional meal trains aren’t the best fit. With Tony’s health so delicate right now, he also can’t have visitors during this time. We know how much love surrounds him, and though it has to be from a distance, it’s felt deeply by him and our whole family. Many of the restrictions he has—such as not being able to have leftovers or certain prepared foods—make it difficult to safely provide home-cooked meals. In addition, upcoming treatments may bring changes in appetite, which makes planning ahead for meals even more complex. For this reason, we are requesting gift cards in lieu of a meal train. Gift cards offer Tony and his wife the flexibility to choose meals that meet his dietary guidelines, while also adjusting day-to-day to what he feels able to eat. This ensures that the support you give is not only generous, but also practical and safe for him during this time. We are deeply grateful for your kindness, prayers, and continued support. Here are a few of his favorite places, several that also deliver in a time frame that keeps food hot (which is also a post-transplant requirement): Olive garden (he’s a sucker for breadsticks!) Mod pizza Papa John’s Chocolate factory Panera Casa tequila Culver’s Chick-fil-A Boondocks Portillos Piggly wiggly beer brats Bubbas, Pewaukee Kopps Papa Johns BJ's Brewhouse Picnic Basket, Nashotah Five Guys, Delafield Starbucks (for drives up to Madison) 5 O'Clock Club (he loves the fish from there) Artisan 179 Billy Ho's Buffalo Wild Wings Thunder Bay Asiana Spanish Traveler Other favorite treats: puppy chow, rice crispy treats, oreos