My Journal

Summer Memories…

2008-07-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy summer…

On July 17th, Paul was in New York for a day of meetings, he was on the ground for ten hours and in the air for eleven… The following day, the Board of Directors convened in Torrance for event planning and fund raising activity. Although things are going a little slower than we anticipated, progress is taking place and the Fight 2 Win Campaign continues moves forward in a positive direction.

Last night, Shallyn left for New York, she’s going to take part in several meetings and will be on the east coast for just under a week.

We were going through our closet a few nights ago and we found a video camera with a tape inside. The battery was dead, so, we charged it and to our surprise the entire thirty minute tape was of Alese and her friend Rebecca driving from New Jersey to New York City in May 2006. It was amazing to see her feeling good and full of life just a year prior to her untimely passing. It was good for all of us to see that even when she was seriously ill, she lived life to the fullest and suffered very little.

Alese & Rebecca in New York

I’ll share a humorous related story to their trip… Alese and Rebecca flew home from New York to Los Angeles with a large pharmaceutical company. At the time, the CEO was a man named Dr. Tadataka (Tachi) Yamada. When she boarded the plane, Alese was herself, full of life, love and laughter. After the introductions Dr. Yamada look at them and says; “Which one of you is sick?” Alese responds; “I am.” He looks back at her and says; “You don’t look sick.” Alese responds: “Really!! That means so much to me, thank you.” However, his thoughts and her thoughts were going two different directions. Alese is thinking I’m so glad I look normal and not like the typical cancer patient. Dr. Yamada is thinking this girl isn’t sick and I’m concerned that she’s trying to get a free ride to California on the companies Gulfstream. Prior to departure, he invites her to sit down and begins asking her about her condition. A few seconds into the conversation, Alese realizes his trepidation and she began sharing her story with him, which included showing him her “battle wounds” (surgery scars) He finally asked; “Who treats you and where are you being treated?” She replies; “I’m treated by Owen O’Connor at Sloan Kettering.” With that, he was satisfied and his doubt resolved. A few weeks after that flight, Dr. Yamada left his position and became the President for the Global Health Program for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position he currently maintains.

This website is going to have a minor overhaul in mid August, the content will remain in tact; we’re going to make some minor changes and updates.

The Fight 2 Win site will also be going through some changes; additional buttons will be added and detailed information about research and upcoming events will be included.

Father, we are in awe of your faithfulness and how you care for our every need. Thank you for loving us and for the gift of salvation when you sent your Son to save a dying world. Lord, today, may we make a difference in someone’s life. Touch the lives and hearts of many who are hurting, fill their hearts with hope and give them joy knowing our eternal reward is near.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

A Community Remembers...

2008-06-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

I received a lot of emails over the past two weeks from people asking if we were going to update the journal…

A Community Remembers

I apologize for not posting sooner, but life has been full. About three weeks ago, Mark came home from a birthday party complaining of stomach pains… In short, he had his appendix removed. It’s kind of a funny story, so I’ll share what happened. Paul took Mark to the ER around midnight on a Saturday evening, doctors wanted to observe Mark and admitted him, Paul spent the night with him at Torrance Memorial and in the morning we switched, Paul went home to catch up on some much needed sleep and I came in to stay with Mark. Ten minutes after I arrived, the surgeon walks in… He’s looking at me like…”I know you…” I’m looking at him thinking the same thing. Then it dawns on me, this is the same surgeon that I told six years prior that I did not want him operating on Alese… It was not that he had a bad reputation, in fact he was well respected, but at the time Alese was newly diagnosed and I was not used to the bedside manners of many surgeons. I looked at him and said… “Do you remember me?” Without missing a beat he says… “Yes, Mrs. Coco.” Ten minutes later Mark was in the operating room, he spent another night in the hospital and he was released on Monday. He was sore for a few weeks, but now life is back to normal. After going through cancer, everything seems trivial.

Paul’s father Eddie had his appendix removed when he was 14, Paul had a severe appendicitis when he was 13, but they did not remove them and Mark is a few weeks away from his thirteenth birthday… Genetic.

My dear friend Deborah Ames died last Wednesday… She was a wonderful and incredibly friend to so many people. Deborah had ovarian cancer. She leaves behind her husband Cliff, daughter Nadine, and son Cliff Jr. Deborah will be dearly missed, please join me in praying for her family during these difficult days.

There are many things going on right now with the Fight 2 Win Campaign… Paul is in New York on July 17th and there is a Board meeting in Torrance on the 18th. A lot of good things are happening and there will be several wonderful announcements that will be made in the coming weeks. I ask for your continued prayer as this campaign moves forward.

Father, thank you for guiding our steps and leading our paths as we journey through life… Lord, I ask that you bring the Ames family comfort during these difficult days and fill their sorrowed hearts with peace knowing that Deborah's eternally rests in your arms. Father, we ask that you continue to guide this campaign and touch the lives of so many battling Hodgkin’s Disease.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

One Year Later…

2008-05-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Without question, this has been a difficult twelve months and it’s hard to fathom that a year has passed…

There is not a day, not an hour, not a span of five or ten minutes that goes by that we do not think about her.

I should clarify, by no means is there a 24 hour crying fest going on in the Coco household. Ninety percent of the time our thoughts are positive as we reflect on Alese’s life with joy. However, she’s always at the forefront of our thoughts and we miss her more than words can say.

May 7th will be spent quietly, we’re staying together as a family, no one is going to work or school… We’ve asked our family and some friends to join at her graveside for a private service. This is the first time any one from our family has been to her graveside since her burial.

We request your prayers during through this difficult day.

The Fight 2 Win campaign has begun… We’ve received formal written notification from the IRS, awareness and fundraising activities will begin shortly. The site will officially be launched and active on May 7th, if you have a moment, please visit www.fight2win.org, on or after May 7, 2008

We have many, many friends who continue to battle Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and we ask you to pray from them and their families. We understand what these families continue to endure and we ask for God’s healing hand and mercy to touch their lives.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Blood Drive…

2008-04-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Alese’s dear friend Krissy Baird has organized the Alese Coco Memorial Blood Drive... All donors will receive a coupon for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream. If your available, please join us for this worthy cause.

Alese & Krissy Baird

The drive will be held at:

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Journey of Faith 1243 Artesia Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
9:00 am – 3:00 pm

If you have any questions, or to book a specific time, please contact Krissy Baird at: k.baird@yahoo.com.

Blessings,

The Coco's

Waiting...

2008-03-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

As of yesterday, we're still waiting for written conformation from the Internal Revenue Service.

As previously mentioned, we've received verbal conformation. However, until we have written conformation in hand, we will not conduct any Fight 2 Win Campaign business.

Blessings,

The Coco's

March 10, 2008

2008-03-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today would be Alese’s 24th birthday…

We’ve spent the day at home together, and earlier in the day we replanted the memory garden with purple, pink and white flowers. It’s been a quiet day and our plans are to keep it just that… quiet.

We’re remembering, reflecting, smiling, laughing and crying. This is a day filled with a host of different emotions, I should add the good far outweighs the bad.

We ask for your continue prayers for Jennifer Willey, along with many of Alese’s other friends who continue to battle Hodgkin’s disease.

We’ll post additional information about the Fight 2 Win Campaign later this week.

Father, comfort our hearts today, in all we do please allow our lives bring glory to You. We ask that you continue to comfort Jennifer Willey during these difficult days, bring joy to her heart and peace to her soul.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

A Small Favor…

2008-03-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

On several occasions Alese asked for help for one of her friends in the text of a journal update…Whether is was for prayer or requesting that people get genetically tested for a bone marrow match.

In this case, it’s for one of Alese’s dear friends Jennifer Willey… Jennifer is 28 and lives in Maine, she is a Hodgkin’s survivor; however, Jennifer underwent a bone marrow transplant and as a result she has chronic Graft vs. Host disease, this is when the body rejects the donor cells. This is a very bad scenario and there is no cure.

I’m requesting that you do three things…. First, pray for Jennifer and her family. Second, please go to her website (copy and paste this link) at: www.freewebs.com/jenniferwilley/index.htm and inundate her quest book with encouraging words. Third, forward this request to a couple your friends and ask them to do the same.

Jennifer is a warm, courageous person and your encouragement will help. Just click on the Sign My Guestbook link.

Father, I ask you to put your hand on Jennifer... Bring her comfort, please take away her pain. Father, heal her body, strengthen her family and bring joy to her family and their home during these difficult days.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Finally…

2008-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

We received some welcomed news …

Yesterday afternoon, Michael Oberman’s law office; Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel received verbal conformation that the Internal Revenue Service has granted the Alese Coco – Fight 2 Win Inc. 501(c) (3) exempt status. Sometime within the two weeks we’ll have written conformation.

The fight2win.org website is complete and will be up and running the day written conformation is received.

Please join us in prayer that God’s hand will continue to lead this campaign and that the efforts will lead to a cure for this very misunderstood cancer.

I’ve included our family holiday picture, this was taken days before Paul’s accident, I’m still mailing cards out and I apologize to our friends and family for the delay. We ordered 700 cards and I’m hoping that we don’t run short. Alese is in the picture, you can enlarge the photo by clicking on it and you'll see her image on one of the ornaments.

Paul is still recovering and although he’s returned to work full time he continues to battle significant discomfort.

Father, we ask that Your mighty hand to guide the efforts of this Board of Directors, scientist and researchers. Give them wisdom in their decision making processes. Father, we lift up our many friends to you who continue receiving treatment for recurrent disease, Lord, comfort them and their families, give them peace during these turbulent days and fill their hearts with hope. Father, help us find a cure.

All our love,

The Coco’s

A Little Bump…

2008-01-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

As a family we’re taking steps and making strides to move forward without Alese, we refer to this as a “new normal”. Life for our family will never be how it was without Alese with us.

One thing Paul and Mark have done for years is to ride dirt bikes together; they ride in the desert, at motocross tracks and just trail rides in the mountains. On January 2nd, they were out in the Mojave Desert and Paul took a fairly serious fall, breaking two ribs, along with three vertebrae his back. After spending two nights in hospital in Kern County he was released. A few days later, we saw neurosurgeon Dr. Todd Lanman, who suggested that Paul undergo surgery to repair the broken vertebrae, which he did the following day. The fractured ribs will heal in time. He’s moving slowly, but thankfully he’s moving.

After everything we’ve been through, this is honestly a little bump in the road and we’re grateful that good things have come out of this unfortunate scenario. Shallyn met the ambulance when it arrived at the trauma center and accompanied Paul as he was wheeled in. We have always felt strongly that every patient must have an advocate and Paul said Shallyn was unbelievable. As doctor began asking questions, she just stepped up and literally controlled the first minutes of his care. The experience that she gained interacting with doctors and nurses during Alese’s illness worked to Paul benefit and she refused to allow them to even move him without first giving him pain medication. After a heated debate that lasted several minutes, she prevailed and they did everything she requested prior to any treatment.

During the course of trying to determine what was broken and not broken, a CT scan revealed a mass on one of his kidney the size of a tennis ball. At this point, doctors do not believe its anything serious; however, he will undergo surgery to have mass removed. At this time, a surgery date has not be set.

I want to update you on the status for the Alese Coco - Fight 2 Win Campaign. We’re still waiting to receive tax exempt status, it’s our understanding this will be completed by the end of February. Until then, we continue to plan.

Father in all things we give thanks and we’re grateful for bringing Dr. Lanman into our lives and for his willingness to help. We ask that Paul will have quick recovery and we pray Father for so many friends afflicted with Hodgkin’s disease. We ask you Father to heal their bodies, bring comfort their families and allow our efforts to make a difference in how this horrendous cancer is treated.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

P.S. Paul’s treasured Honda is being sold and I’ve told him this is a non-arguable issue.

Holiday Season…

2007-12-10T15:41:00.000-08:00

This time of year is always very vibrant around our house, however, this year is challenging.

Someone once asked Alese why this had happened to her? She responded; ”I don’t have the answers to that, but, who am I to question my Creator.” We will never have this answer during our lifetime, but we step forward in faith one step and one day at a time.

This year, we’ve decorated a little earlier then prior years and I found it brought me so much joy. This is our favorite time of year and we’re making every possible effort for things to be as normal as possible.

There is a collective ache in our hearts that we all feel without Alese’s presence. However, we have peace that she’s with our Creator and we have hope that one day we’ll be together again. As I was decorating, it brought comfort to my heart thinking of the beautiful celebration she must be having this Christmas. Alese loved Christmas time.

From the time she was a little girl up until last Christmas, she was the first one up in the morning jumping on our bed screaming “GET UP, GET UP”.

Alese & her cousin Samantha

She couldn’t wait for us to open presents that were hers, or watch in excitement as others open theirs. We feel grateful to have been blessed with her presence for 23 years. This year, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus with the same love, laughter and zest with Mark and Shallyn, along with our family and precious friends.

I encourage you all to make the most of this season. Don’t allow petty insignificant things in life to get in your way. Take time to mend broken relationships, take steps to heal broken hearts, it doesn’t matter who said what, or who did what… Take the first step.

Father, thank you for sending your Son to save a dying world, may our lives bring glory to You in all we do. Touch our hearts and heal our hurts and may we make a difference in someone’s life today.

May the richness of our Mighty Maker engulf your life, may the freshness of the New Year fill your heart with compassion for those who are hurting, love for the those without hope, and joy knowing that our eternal reward is near.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Remembering & Reflecting…

2007-10-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

I cannot count how many times I’ve woken up in the morning wondering if this is all real…

The numbness is beginning to ware off and the reality of our catastrophic loss is starting to take hold. Our goal, desire and focus is for our family to walk through this together, one step and one day at a time, and in a manner that is pleasing to our Creator. We ask for your continued prayers as we move forward.

Losing a child is not something you plan for, you don’t read books, you don’t study on dealing with the unthinkable. For parents with a child with cancer, you have to look at everyday with optimism. Hope is the fuel that carries you from one day to the next and even though the thought of losing the battle crosses your mind, it’s not something you dwell on. You can’t.

I think many of our friends saw what was happening and surrounded us with love and prayer, and even though no one said anything to us directly, we look back and see their immeasurable support from a different perspective. Thank you.

On October 27th, there was a dedication in front of Pet Smart at Plaza El Segundo; there is a paver plaque and tree in her memory. Thank you to all the Honeywell employees that made this possible. See below.

Also, thank you to Megan Water and Amber Vance who ran the Women’s Nike Marathon in San Francisco in Alese’s honor. Amber is also a Hodgkin’s survivor.

The foundation is moving forward, although much slower than we’d like, but we’re moving. We continue to be in the wait mode to receive tax exempt status from the IRS. Until then, we’re planning and preparing for the next calendar year.

Lord, we ask your hand to continue to guide our steps as we move forward daily by faith. We ask Father for your hand to guide this foundation, may our efforts contribute to higher cure rates. Touch the lives and hearts of so many of our friends who continue their battle, strengthen them, fill their lives and hearts with hope. Amen…

Blessings,

The Coco's

Mending & Moving...

2007-10-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday, we mourned and remembered five months since Alese’s death…

She was such an electric personality and we’re constantly reminded through cards and e-mails which we continue to receive. How blessed we are as parents to know that her life touched so many people and her story of faith, courage and hope continues to live on.

Some wonderful people at Honeywell have purchased a “Paver Plaque” in Alese’s memory at a new shopping center in El Segundo, California. The shopping center located at 700 S. Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo. The “Paver Plaque” is outside the Pet Smart. They picked Pet Smart because of Alese’s love for animals, specifically her dog, Lola.

There is dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. in front of Pet Smart. If you’re up bright and early you’re more then welcome to come join us. Lola is going to come too.

The foundation is moving forward, we had our first formal board meeting on October 5th… Everything went well and we continue to plan for the coming months and years ahead as our battle to find a cure for Hodgkin’s disease begins.

The new website is close to completion and it will be launched within the next three weeks. As the date moves closer, we’ll make several other announcements.

Father, we praise you in all things and we ask that you guide all aspects of our lives. Lord, give these scientist and researchers wisdom to find a cure for this disease.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Four Months Later…

2007-09-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

It will be four months on September 7th…

Its amazing how fast time has passed, it seems like it was just yesterday that she died and we miss her more than we can put into words.

Joe & Alese at Yankee Stadium - April 2006

The Board of Directors for Alese Coco Inc. – Fight 2 Win Campaign is in place, the paperwork has been filed and the only thing we’re waiting to receive tax exempt status from the IRS. The Board of Directors is listed below:

Jan Baird – President, K2 Communications
Adriane Brown – President and CEO, Honeywell Transportation Systems
Paul Coco – Alese’s Dad
Greg Creed – President, Taco Bell
Owen O’Connor MD, PhD – Chief of Lymphoma Services, Columbia University
Michael Oberman – Partner, Kramer Levin
Pamela Smiley – Director, Quality Assurance, Honeywell AALS

Junior Members…

Shallyn Coco – Alese’s Sister
Aaron Coco – Alese’s Cousin
Joseph Longo – Alese’s former boyfriend
Abby Oberman – Alese’s dear friend

We cannot solicit or accept donations until the IRS number is in hand. Until then, we’ll wait, plan, prepare and pray. The fight2win.org website is still under construction and will be launched after the tax exempt status is received. We’re going to make some other major announcements in the coming months.

This has been a productive, but difficult summer. Our family remains grief stricken. The loss of Alese is immeasurable and we request your prayers for God’s comfort.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings... We ask that you would give the people guiding this foundation wisdom and give the researchers the knowledge to find a cure for this cancer. Father, we give you praise in all things and we fall at your feet and worship You and only You.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Three Months Later…

2007-08-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that three months have passed…

Alese with her Aunt Anna

It's hard to put the last ninety days into words, the wide range of emotions that fill our hearts and mind are at times overwhelming. It’s not something anyone can fully put into words or understand unless they’ve gone through it.

I don't know how we would have gotten through these last months without the prayers and support of our family and friends, and all of you who have sent us heartfelt emails and cards. Today we paused and had a moment of silence at 1:20pm. I have relived May 7th in my mind many times over during the last three months. It seems difficult at times to comprehend that we will never hear her sweet voice or see her beautiful smile walking through the front door.

I can still hear her voice in my head, I hear her laughter, or I envision how she’d respond to current events, and it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face to think about her. Her memories will live inside me forever. Then other times the tears seem to flow all to easy and without warning. Our loving and faithful God has always shown his blessings through the most difficult times, this time is no different. In these past three months we have seen God's blessings in so many different ways. We still count ourselves blessed to have had her for 23 years.

Our time on earth is so short compared to eternity and what we do and how we live life matters. I encourage you all to find Gods beauty in life.

In closing, I ask you to remember two of our friends in prayer; the Carney’s from Westchester County, New York, there 17 year old daughter, Grace died from Hodgkin’s disease on August 1st. Also, the family of Greta Ballarin from Lido di Venezia, Italy who died from Hodgkin's disease yesterday at the age of 28.

Father, thank you for the blessing each new day brings. Comfort us and renew our hearts with hope. Please comfort the Carney and Ballarin family. Thank you for the gift of our daughter as we remember her today.
Amen.

Blessings,

Kathy

Little Steps...

2007-07-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

We’re doing okay and things are moving forward with the foundation…

We’re still waiting for the IRS to provide us a number; this process might take up to two months. In the meantime, the new website is still under construction, the design looks good and things are coming together.

Overall, we’re doing okay, we have good days and bad days, this is not easy. We appreciate your continued prayers.

We wanted to introduce you to one of Alese’s friends… This is Jennifer Willey, she’s also a recurrent HD survivor, Jennifer recently went through an allo transplant and she’s been enduring chronic GVHD. Jennifer wears her Fight 2 Win and Livestrong band with pride. Please keep her in your prayers.If you have a moment, please vist Jennifer's myspace at www.myspace.com/jsimeoni

All our love,

The Coco’s

Hi... It’s Shallyn.

2007-07-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this update.

First, I miss Alese, we were not just sisters, we were best friends and the influence she had on my life has forever changed who I am and how I want to live.

From the beginning this trip was amazing. To begin with, when we arrived at the airport they told us our connecting flight was cancelled. We could not figure out how we're going to get to NY and for two hours did not even know if we were going to be able to go.

We called Corporate Angels and our long time friend Bonnie LaVar secured a flight for us on the Weydem Worldwide jet. I want to thank CEO Steven Holmes for the willingness to help us and for his kindness. He also made arrangements for me to sit in the cockpit jump seat when we took off. It was surreal.

We had an incredible trip and a lot was accomplished.

First, I am ecstatic to announce the Alese Coco – Fight 2 Win Campaign will be a registered non-profit corporation,

Second, Columbia University in New York is opening its first ever Hodgkin’s Laboratory and they're going to name it the Alese Coco Hodgkin's Laboratory.

Third, Taco Bell, Major League Baseball and the New York Mets are going to be very involved with our family’s efforts to raise money to find a cure for Hodgkin's disease. It’s important for me to note, all these research funds are going towards Hodgkin's disease... Research funds for any other cancers will not be considered. Alese's foundation is about Hodgkin's disease only.

I'm truly astonished, and completely blown away by all that has taken place.

My Dad and I retuned home late Friday night. My Mom stayed home with Mark.

The campaign is getting off the ground and we'll post several other major announcements in the coming weeks.

Much love,

Shallyn

P.S. Mama Oberman, Mr. Oberman and Abby, thank you for everything, you’re amazing and wonderful people, Alese loved you all very much. Joe, Jules, thank you.

NY Bound…

2007-06-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Off to New York...Efforts to get the foundation off the ground have been moving in a positive direction.

Alese was never a person who was “star stuck”, in her mind people are people and although we agree with her mindset. We’re taken back as we’ve gone through her address book on her cell phone; she had many influential and powerful friends and all have agreed to help with this cause.

One example of this came last week when the Commission of Major League Baseball wrote us and they’re going to begin contributing to Alese’s Foundation. We are honored for their participation.

This trip is non-stop meetings and we’re hoping we’ve allowed for enough time to complete all the tasks.

Construction for the foundation's website is underway… I’ll provide the address when construction is complete. We’ve decided to make a completely different site; this site will remain totally intact as is. However, the two sites will be interlinked.

Father, please continue to guide our steps, may your will in our live be done, as in all things, we give you praise. Thank you for the willingness of so many who want to help us with this effort. Father, please help us find a cure for this disease.
Amen

Blessing,

The Coco’s

Positive News…

2007-06-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

We’re headed to New York the last week of June…

This week was spent scheduling meetings and making travel arrangements. Planning this first meeting proved challenging on two fronts:

First, we’re still grieving and without question, we’re moving slowly. Second, trying to arrange a meeting for three very busy people has proven difficult.

Some positive things are happening and we’ll make several announcements in the coming weeks, we want to make sure everything is firmly in place before anything is announced.

I will convey that research for treating recurrent Hodgkin’s disease is on the horizon and Alese would be proud.

We built a memory garden in our back yard last week, my wonderful friend Jan came over and helped me all day Friday. It’s beautiful and we’ll post pictures soon.

Knowing that Shallyn does not read these posts, I’ll share this information. Alese began planning a 21st birthday party for Shallyn in early March and then everything stopped. As we began picking up the emotional pieces, I realized that I failed to mail out invitations and I began calling people. If I left anyone out, please write me on this website or my personal email for information. Alese was very much looking forward to being part party.

Father, as we take steps forward, please guide our path, and give us peace, strength and courage, let our lives be pleasing to you in all things. As we make plans for Alese’s foundation, please guide our path, give these three wonderful people wisdom and let us raise money to fund research that will bring cure to this disease. Amen

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Hard To Believe... Four Weeks Ago.

2007-06-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

It was four weeks ago yesterday Alese passed…

It still seems so surreal and at this point I don’t know if we’re even out of the shock phase of this process?

At 1:20 p.m. yesterday our family met at home and together we shared a moment of silence in the memory of our precious daughter and sister. I cannot fully describe all the feelings we’ve all been experiencing over the last four weeks, but this week it has really hit me really hard.

Everything seems so different and it seems strange not to have her next to us.Her light, her voice, her laughter all still permeates through my thoughts daily. I miss her so much but yet still feel a sense of peace and feel blessed to have had her for 23 years. What an incredible gift she was.

Dear heavenly Father we come to you with grateful hearts, and feel blessed by the love you have shown us in so many ways. We thank you for carrying us when we cannot walk, and when it seems the storm is unbearable your rays of sunlight show through the clouds. You’re an awesome God and we look forward to the day we see your amazing face. Amen.

Blessings,

The Coco's

Going Forward…

2007-05-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

Life is moving forward…We’re having good days and as expected we’re having very difficult days, this has not been easy.

We’re also moving forward with the Alese Coco – Fight 2 Win Foundation and we’ll make several announcements in the coming weeks.

We’ve been spending every spare moment together as family and individually with Mark and Shallyn. Paul has taken Mark riding several times in the recent weeks. As much as I don’t like Mark riding motocross, I realize this is something he enjoys and excels at. I won’t interrupt his passion. Shallyn and I have been spending a lot of time together; she’s grown so much in the last three weeks and her inner strength would make Alese proud.

We’re grateful for your prayers and continued support.

Father, we praise you for joyful moments in the midst of such a sorrowful season. Please continue to comfort us, please go before us and guide our path and the path for Alese’s foundation.

Blessings,

The Coco

Newspaper Article…

2007-05-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Daily Breeze published an article about Alese on Thursday. This newspaper is located here in Southern California and is circulated in the South Bay area.

This is not the article in which Paul spoke about at the services two weeks ago. This was written by freelance journalist Susan Christain Goulding, we’ve never spoken to her before. We were notified about the publication by many friends who called us. The article is in located on the front page of the Today section and it’s called “Someone who put her finger on the right way to live.”

The article can be read on-line also, via the Daily Breeze website, we typed Alese’s name in the search bar and the article appeared.

Father, thank you that even in death Alese’s light shines. Please continue to comfort our hearts as we move forward.

God bless you all,

The Coco’s

We’re Coping…

2007-05-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Life without Alese has been difficult…

Over the last five years, the focus of our family has been on Alese’s health and during this time everyone has made sacrifices to ensure that this smart, vibrant, insightful sister and daughter receive whatever she needed to get her through whatever challenge she faced.

None of us have any regrets at any level; we did everything, and we were prepared to do whatever we had to do to ensure she lived a quality life.

When the events of March 14th occurred, everything changed. She went from living with Hodgkin’s in a fairly manageably state, into a death spiral that left in hospitalized 49 of the last 54 days of her life.

It’s difficult to put into words, our lives just stopped… For Alese in the literal sense, for our family, life as we knew it has radically changed. Our daughter, Mark and Shallyn’s sister was no longer part of our everyday life, Alese’s amazing wisdom, quick wit, insightfulness and discerning spirit all ended. The void we feel without her is hard to put into words.

These are difficult days and we ask for your prayers as we move forward without her.

Father, give us strength. We ask more than anything that we do your will as we move forward, comfort our hearts, and heal our spirit. Give us wisdom and have mercy on us. More than anything Father, please allow our lives to bring praise and glory to you. Father, we also remember our friends who are afflicted with Hodgkin’s Disease, please bring comfort them, please heal them, please touch the lives of their families.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

Many Visitors…

2007-05-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Alese’s site still receiving over a 1000 visitors a day and we feel some obligation to respond…

Without question, the loss of Alese has left a creator size hole in our hearts and we hurt.

At the opposite end of that thought process, we’re grateful that we had 23 years with her and we feel blessed beyond belief for her contribution that she made to our family, her friends and the Hodgkin’s community. What an amazing women she was and how proud we are as parents that God choose to use her so mightily. She has made all of our lives richer.

We’re going to New York in the first part of June. We’re receiving hundreds of e-mails from people who want to contribute to the foundation. Once all the legal papers are filed, we’ll post donation information. At this time, the only thing we know is the office will be in New York

Father, we thank you for all you have done in our lives and how blessed we were to have this amazing child for 23 years. Thank you for entrusting us to raise her and we earnestly pray that our lives please you. We pray Father that your mighty hand will guide these three men who are managing this foundation, give them wisdom and give the researchers knowledge to find a cure for this cancer.

All our love,

The Coco

Thank you…

2007-05-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

We wanted to thank everyone for supporting us during this very difficult time and to the many who came to her service on Saturday...

She was an amazing person.

This website will remain open and in the coming months we’ll modify the site to include information about the Alese Coco - Fight 2 Win Foundation.

Our goal is to raise money and provide research grants for cure.

Blessings,

The Coco’s

No More IV Pole! I'm Free...

2007-05-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Alese's favorite journal entry....

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

While I was in the hospital, it hit me that the only thing I write about is chemo and hospital stuff. So, this update is going to be a little different, I’m going to share a little more about myself and let you get to know me better…

My faith is so important to me, my family comes first in my life and I would do anything for them.

Some people say, “you can never be too rich, too thin or too pretty” well, I have my own variation of that: “you can never have too much faith, too much hope, or smile enough” I would rather try in find the positive in any situation, rather than dwell on the negative.

I definitely have times when I feel low or sad, but I don’t let myself dwell on it. I give myself a small window of time, and then I move on.
I love school, and I can’t wait to go back! I am so the kid that sits in the front row and almost always has the answers. I want to be a nurse, I’m still deciding on which field. I love cooking and baking. I think going to culinary school would be a great experience.

I don’t get star struck by “celebrities.” I like people who stick out for all the right reasons. I detest those girls in the public eye who send the message to America’s youth that it’s okay not to have morals, values or brains. To all my special girls, I challenge you never to compromise yourself or integrity just to fit in.

I think my Dad is the funniest person on the face of this earth. My Mom, she just stuns me, she is such a woman of God and I celebrate her many accomplishments. I find my sister to be the most beautiful, and unique person I have ever encountered... and my brother has the quickest wit and more talent than any 10 year old I’ve ever met.

I refer to my dog Lola, as “my child.”

I love cars! My car blew a head gasket when I was 16 and rather than taking it to a shop, my Dad and I rebuilt the engine. Nothing bugs me more than when my car, or the car I'm driving makes bad noises. On the upside I can usually tell what’s causing the bad sound. I can change my own brakes and tune up my own car! Swear!

I believe that life is a blessing, no matter what cards you are dealt. I also believe that most people are good… and most importantly Benedryl can fix almost anything :-)

I admit that Ashlee Simpson’s “Pieces of Me” is still my favorite song. I love music, I live alone, and I think I sing more than I talk. Whoever the person is who invented the iPod deserves some kind of award.

I love being girly, and I have a confession: I am obsessed with purses, shoes and big-no-HUGE sunglasses. I am not kidding.

I am not afraid of carbohydrates, I could live off of ice cream and popsicles, if you think I’m exaggerating, check my freezer.

My birthday is March 10th, but I don’t just celebrate that day... every year I have a countdown, and I own the month of March, it’s more like a birth month.

I am so guilty of burning CD’s with only one song.

I love infomercials, I don’t know why but they suck me in every time.

Anyone who knows me really well knows me well, knows why Thursday is my favorite day of the week.

I am modest. I can’t lie to save my life. I will never ever complain about a bad hair day, if anyone complains about their hair to me, I’m so not listening. I am still a big kid, when my siblings and I bicker, the words, “not-uh!” have been known to come out of my mouth.

...I think that covers it. At the end of the day, I am living proof that God is good even when bad things happen.

Fight 2 Win,

-Alese