Notes To Laura

4/28/02
I just want you to know that I think you're doing great.  I saw the ad for the Children's Hospital  on TV and remembered your conversation with them about adolescent care.  Look at the difference you made! That is so great.

Tell your mom "Thanks for the message on my answering machine."  I found those jack-o-lantern candles in one of those warehouse stores in New York, so I grabbed all I could carry.  I will keep my eyes open for some more.

We have a new black Labrador puppy.  Her name is Jade.   She has a green collar.   She is 13 weeks and is very sweet. Lots of kisses.  Smarter than others we have had in the housebreaking department or maybe we are getting smarter. 

I keep you all in my prayers.  Love and kisses to all the Santiago Family!!!
Love, Leslie Chaput

4/22/02
 I loved your story about the coffee bean. Next time we get together I will treat for Starbucks!!  Are you excited? Tomorrow you leave for your vacation,  I hope you have wonderful weather and a better time!   We will go to build a bear when you get back.  If any of your friends are interested there is a walk a thon for the UCONN (CCMC) Children's cancer fund this Saturday, April 27th at 9 am, but registration starts at 8 am.  Its at the rails for trails in Avon starting at Thompson Road.  The walk is 3.5 miles, you can call Terri Brighenti at 677-6437 for info.  Since it is in Avon,  I figured I'd pass the info along.  I will be there with a Nikki shirt on.  I know you will be on vacation still, but we will all be thinking of you as we walk, thinking of your long struggle and your courage.      Let us know when you get back!!  Have a wonderful time!!  
Love,
 Mrs. Giampolo, aka Nikkismom:)

4/19/02

4/19/02
Hey!
     Well, I talked to you before but I had my e-mail changed.  It's Kelly C. from the Dreamsurfers website.  I just wanted to say that you are still in my thoughts and prayers.  Especially the rehab that you are going to have to go through in June.  I hope that it isn't too hard on you!  Well, just wanted to say hello and tell you that I was thinking about you!
Kelly

4/18/02
Hi Laura-
 Well, I sent you the ecard, before I read your website.  Sounds like there has been a lot going on.  I have a sense that you will get through everything with flying colors.  You are one of the strongest people that I have had the pleasure to meet.  Besides you have an extra angel on your side.  
 We are putting a team together of LEHY swimmers for the Relay for Life.  If there is any way that you can make it and you want to come, please do.  Anyway, I think of you often.  Of course I see your mug on the television almost daily!!!!!  :o)   Take care of yourself and keep flashing that beautiful smile of yours.  I will talk to you soon.
Love-
Kaeley
(Nikki's swim coach if you forgot)

4/18/02
Dear Laura,
I know you don't know who I am but your sister, Joelle does. I'm in her grade at PGS. I heard you sang awesome at the fundraiser. They said some great things about you in the newspaper which is an honor. Have a GREAT day!!
Ben Zweig

4/16/02
Hi Laura,
I recently received my bracelet from Elsie Rosenstock and it is beautiful! I think of you every time I wear it.  
Sorry to hear about your hips but if everything goes as it has, you will come through like a trooper.  I had the pleasure of speaking with your mom yesterday.  I hadn't talked to her in awhile so it was very nice to have the opportunity to chat with her.  Hope all continues to go well.  Keep your chin up.
Love
Laurie Reynolds

4/16/02
Hi Laura
I read on the site that you need double hip replacements...don't sweat it you'll be fine because you'll have Nikki right there with you and your family and friends will pray for you!!! I hope you know how many people's lives you have touched and how many people you've inspired...including me...But I got to get going now...So I'll talk to you later!!!
Love Always,
*Jenna*

4/16/02
Hi Laura, I have to tell you that I am really impressed with the curly hair!  You looked sooooo good on Monday when I saw you - wish I could have spent more time!  You do such a great job with your hair - wish you were doing mine!  Love, Anne Yolles

4/15/02
Hello Laura, greetings from amston.  Sorry I haven't written in so long, i have been busy tutoring six kids and teaching math by day.  I figure it is a good way to keep going and in someway it reminds me of nikki.  when I am with my kids I tutor  I know I have a big purple angel hanging over my head. I am so sorry to hear about the hips.  I     know its not a good thing, but remember you still will be one of my favorite hippy chicks or the coolest hipster I know.  You will still be able to shake it.  My grandmother, 80 just had her second hip done in November.  Right now I think she feels like she can walk the country and probably is.  She swears she never felt better and is in no pain.  Because of this I know it will alleviate some of your pain.  I hope your cancer doc says it is a go.  If not, I know you have the famous purple wheelchair that will make spinning a breeze.  well please take care of yourself and mom and sister.  over in amston you are thought of often.  Although not in print or words, you are always in my prayers.  Peace and love and hang tough.  One of your favorite fans, jenn the crazy tutor

4/14/02
Your Inspiration:  EVERYDAY FRIENDS

A friend is one who'll always try
to lift your spirits high,
A friend will know the tears are there
Before they reach your eye.

A friend will be there by your side
when you're down and out,
A friend will understand your moods
And know what you're about.

Though I may never meet you,
and our paths may never cross,
I know that what we have
shall never e'er be lost.

So once again I say to you
in all the words I write:
You're in my thoughts and in my prayers
every day and night!


Love you much, Judi

3/31/02
Hi Laura,  My name is Toni DeLuca, and I am a patient of your mom's.  I have heard so much about you and all that you are going through.  I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and pray for you to get better!  I remember being your age and how hard it was just to be a teenager under "normal" circumstances, so I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to face what you do every day, but I have heard that you do it with such strength and grace.  I have never met you, but feel truly touched by you.  Hopefully, I can meet you soon and tell you in person.   Please know that you are being thought of and prayed for every day.  Try to keep a positive attitude even in the dark times and believe that from these times will emerge a healthy, stronger, beautiful you!!!    I will definitely keep in touch to see how you are doing!  I hope today was a good day!!!   Thinking of you, Toni

3/23/02
Hey Laura!!!!
Just checking in on you! Hopefully you're doing great!! I haven't talked to you in a few days and no one is on to talk to!.....I think that my car wash idea got shot down *I don't know if I told you about it or not...I think I did...but I don't remember....* :o( But don't worry I'm not going to stop until someone says yes and even if I have to I'll wash all those cars by myself I will do it!! *hopefully I won't have to wash ALL the cars by myself...but....ya know...haha...just kidding* Well if I don't talk to you soon, I hope you have a good rest of the weekend and I'll talk to you when ever!!
Talk to you later!
Love Always,
Jenna
P.S:4 days of school and then a long 3 day weekend...oOoOohhh yeah!!! :o)

3/23/02
Hey Laura,
I just wanted to check in to see how you were doing. so, how are you doing? :) sorry, i am busy typing two HUGE papers that i really don't want to write, both are due Monday, one is half done, i just started the other. still off your crutches? it is way to early to write papers (10:14 am)! ahh! so, do you watch uconn bball at all? i watched the men's game at my friends house, it was fun. go uconn! the women play in 1 hour and 45 minutes exactly! i have the house to myself today so that i can write these stupid papers, so i am actually go to start now! lol, ttyl, w/b asap, adios!
Annie:)

3/21/02
Hi Laura,
My name is Judy Lillestolen, and I along with a very strong women's group way up here in East Hartland have been praying for you! I have been going to your Mom since 1989 and she is a very special lady and I was there so often that I got to watch you grow up, you would pop in the room often, you were adorable! I just wanted you to know that we have been following your progress and will continue to pray for you!
Judy

3/19/02
Dear Laura,  
When you stood on the stage, in the spotlight, looking so so beautiful and dedicated the song to Nikki and us it was a heartfelt experience. You sang so beautifully. We were all so very touched.  The whole audience felt it.  Your were so nervous and yet it didn't show. You looked so composed.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a good and loving friend to Nikki and now to us.  You don't know how much you have helped us through your love.  Missing Nikki is so huge, there is nothing like it.  But it does help to have friends like you!!!!! So thank you thank you thank you!!!!! love to you, your sister and your mom...
love Gail and John 

3/18/02
Hi Laura.  
I learned about you through the many events taking place in Avon.
On March 25 there is a blood drive at the Avon Vol Fire Department on
Darling Drive.  This will be an opportunity for people to enter the National
Bone Marrow Registry at the same time.
I am sure you are aware of the other high school student in Avon with
leukemia.  He will be having a bone marrow transplant from his uncle.  It is
his story which is bringing people out to enter the registry.
I live in Avon, and love to pass your house, especially at Halloween.  My
best to you and your family.  If you want to encourage anyone over 18 to
join the National Registry, thanks for your help.
www.marrow.org

CarolAnn Baldwin
Community Education Specialist
New England Marrow Donor Program
209 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06032
*800-676-4545
*800-953-9129
*baldwinc@usa.redcross.org

3/18/02
Hi Laura,
Your mom sent a copy of the article which was in the newspaper regarding the
concert. Wish I lived closer and could have attended. Is there, by any
chance, a tape of you singing????  I just viewed the news interview on the
internet.  Way to go girl!  You are awesome. Can you tell me how I can order
some of the jewelry from Elsie Rosenstock?
Congratulations on all you have accomplished! Keeping you, your mom and
Joelle in my daily prayers.
Love,
Laurie Reynolds 

3/17/02
Laura, You might not remember us, but we used to baby sit Joelle and occasionally you in the afternoons at your Mom's office.  We enjoyed reading your website.  You provide inspiration to all of us. We send our love to you, your Mom and your sister and we are keeping you all in our prayers.
Liz Foote and Mneesha (Ohri) Nahata 

3/16/02  
Hi Laura-  We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed hearing your beautiful, angelic voice at the concert on Thursday. The entire audience was moved by your performance. It was a wonderful tribute to Nikki and I am sure she was with us all that night. You are brave, beautiful, and an inspiration to so many. I'm sorry that you've had to go through so much in your young life but you have handled it with such amazing grace. 
Light and Love to you,  
Gabrielle Murphy & Family

3/14/02
Hi, The concert was absolutely wonderful.
                       CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!  
You have a sweet magic voice that just went into my heart and made me dream with every word you said. When I think back on these times, I can see you as the little brown hair girl who first opened her house for me and then opened her heart. I want to let you know that in my heart there will always be a place for you, your mom and your sister.  
I love you, 
Laurita Jolie

3/13/02
hi Laura, congrats about being off your crutches! that's awesome. i have been super busy lately, sorry about not checking in for a while. i am so excited, i dont know why, but i am! :) oh well. i just wanted to make sure that you were feeling good, and it seems like you are. guess what! I haven't fallen since, well, since i dont know! i went driving today (w/ my mom of course) and almost killed us, i still need to practice my turning! :)lol. my doggy says hi, he looks bored and tired! :( poor baby! well, i gtg, i have a TOOOONNNNNN of homework to do (and i havent started yet!) lol. well, ttyl, ttfn,adios!
Annie:)

3/12/02
Hi Laura-You don't know me but I just read the article about the benefit concert. I am a a 9th grade member of the Simsbury High School chorus and I am going to try and get as many people to come as possible. My prayers are with you--
Cleo Rahmy <homerclay@aol.com>

3/12/02
I SAW YOU GUYS ON TV.  CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH. WOWOWOWOWOW :-)))))
CAROL

3/12/02
Hi Laura!
My name is Chris Foster. I am so impressed with your website. I am 30 years old
and work for a major pharmaceutical company in Connecticut. I work on the product development of several cancer drugs. When I came across your story on WTNH, I was very touched, and encouraged to work even harder. We never know what life is going to throw at us, but all that matters is what you chose to do with it. You are choosing to fight, to keep a strong mind, and accept the help and support of family and friends. Good for you!!! I know that the future holds much for you, and even if the road you have been has had bumps, it will soon be smooth.

Warmest Regards,
Chris Foster

3/12/02
Hi Laura, I see you from time to time at our Rotary meetings. I see you and am amazed. I read your journal and I am amazed. You are brave, strong and wonderful. Cute too! I have you in my heart.

Joel

3/11/02
Hey there!
 I know that it has been a while since I have written.  I saw your "mug", a.k.a, face, on a commercial the other day.  I said to myself, "Self, that's Laura!!!!"  Anyway, if you have not gotten your hands on a pin that has Nikki's name on it yet, let me know and I will send you one.  Just get me you address and I will get them in the mail ASAP.  I hope that all is going well for you.  Also heard a rumor that you will be on the news tonight.  I'll be watching.  Take care of yourself and I will talk to you soon.  I will try to be better with writing too.  

Love-
Kaeley
Nikki's swim coach if you forgot :o)

3/11/02
Hi Laura,    
I've said occasional hellos to your Mom when we pass in the good old halls at CCMC. I didn't even recognize you the other day in the clinic till after your Mom came in. The next time I see you, I'll introduce you to Michelle. She is a huge fan of Nikki's. The first time she met Nikki, Michelle was playing with Sarah Matney. Michelle came back to her room and told me about this teenager she met. She thought Nikki was so neat, because she paid attention to Michelle even though she was only 6 years old. She and Nikki swapped PowerPuff Girl gifts. How all of our lives have changed. Hope you are doing well.    Barbara  (Michelle's Mom

3/6/02
Hi Laura,
You probably don’t remember me, but I used to live in Avon and you used to love playing with our dog Teddy. Ray and I remember you as the sweetest little doll. My girls used to baby sit for you and your sister Joelle. I am glad to read that you are doing better and keeping your faith. We all are praying for you! Lots and lots of love
Sushma