AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Read on as doubles world No.1 Liezel Huber rings in the new year and catches us up on her off-season.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Good evening to all of Liezel's fans and friends from accross the world,
I have the privilege to write for Liezel's blog today, and what a big privilege it is. You are all fans, but what you don't know is that her biggest fan and twin sister, Monita, is writing this mail :) Some of you have been following her blog and others might just have logged in by accident; whatever the reason, if you have heard my name, you know my story and know how busy and concerned Liezel has been with me and my medical condition and treatments.
For those of you that don't know me and know nothing about me, I will give you a short summary. I am Liezel's 33-year-old twin sister. My husband and I live in the Netherlands. Liezel and I grew up together until we were 15 and then she left for America to pursue her tennis dream. She has worked very hard for all and we admire her achievements. It was not an easy road for her leaving home at such an early age. One thing you have to admire about her is she is a fighter and she doesn't accept no for an answer. If it's possible, she will achieve it...
We have always been very close. At school I use to write her essays (she got better marks for her essays, because the teachers liked her better - she was the interesting one) and I shared my sandwiches, she never understood why - I never thought about it either, I guess I was not hungry when she asked for them :) Her living in the US and me in Europe never changed things - we always remained close. If one of us gets sick, the other one feels it. I cannot explain.
At birth I was diagnosed with a Hemangioma. I had several surgeries in my childhood years. Now it turns out I was labelled with the incorrect medical terminology. I was recently been diagnosed with a vascular anomaly, AVM, KTS, venous malformation, etc. The last months, I have had severe pain. Life has not been easy and my condition has taken up a lot of Liezel's precious time. Liezel has gone to the ends of the Earth to find specialists with expertise. In Holland we have had no success and this is unfamiliar grounds. The Dutch doctors have taken the 'wait and see approach', but unfortunately the pain does not go away with their approach. Liezel had been in contact with Dr. Milton Waner, a New York surgeon who specializes in malformations. When Dr. Waner heard about me, he offered to see me in Berlin. In Berlin we were told the malformation was too complex to treat in Berlin, and we had to go to New York for surgeries and meet with his team. Liezel heard about his advice and arranged our tickets for New York. She had arranged a rental apartment and a pick up from the airport. Surgery was already scheduled. I just had to show up. She mailed and texted and called countless times and even though she could not be there in person, she was there in our thoughts. Last week was a very tough week for her. I think I was on her mind 24/7 and she did not get any sleep, but regardless they won the tournament.
Now, it's a week after the first surgery and I am back in Holland. Some of you have followed our updates and others missed them. Dr. Rosen is happy with the results. We're happy with the surgery, the swelling is down and the next surgery is set for March 1 (due to radiation materials, a six week break).
We cannot tell you what Liezel has meant to us during these last months. The financial worries and the pending surgeries and planning leave us speechless. Liezel has appealed to all to support the Waner children's foundation to assist and contribute to my treatments and other patients as we are not able to pay medical care without support from others. We are struggling with our insurance company and we are trying to keep the faith and keep fighting. Liezel has spent many hours telling my story, typing e-mails and informing the public to try and get support. I could not ask for a better, less-selfish sister.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Liezel and the people, friends and fans that have supported Liezel's plea - to help me and my husband and the Waner children's foundation, www.wanerkids.org.
Some of you, we know, and others choose not to be named, if you have kept us in your prayers, thoughts, if you have lit a candle, or even if you told someone else about me - thank you for thinking of us. If you have been fortunate enough and have been able to support Liezel and the Waner foundation financially - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts - it's really heartwarming to know that when in need there are many people that are willing to help.
One day we are planning on repaying this kindness by helping others like me and educating the world - I will tell my story and shortly present you with my own website.
I would also like take the oppurtunity to thank two of the most unconditional people that I have ever met: Dr. Milton Waner, you have the ability and gift and knowledge to change my world, I thank you for what you are doing and for the promises of a better life; Dr. Rosen, we met not too long ago, you had our trust from the first moment, you remained calm and explained all so well, your willingness to help and your compassion and commitment to malformations are truly remarkable. We are so fortunate to be in your qualified hands.
Today, Liezel and Cara play the final and we're are holding thumbs - they are true winners in every way and we wish them all the best - I would say win this one for us. You will always be our champions!
Thanking all for your support, concerns and contributions.
Kind regards,
Monita and Peter
P.S. I enclosed pictures of myself and Peter in trying times and good times.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Good evening everyone!
I am saying a sad goodbye from Auckland. It's been such an emotionally draining week, but I felt like so many people had my back. My husband has been so supportive, I can't thank him enough. To my coach, my doubles partner, my friends and you; my new friends: thank you for showing how much you care, sending me and Monita good vibes and being there for us in this stressful time.
Monita saw Dr. Waner this afternoon. He says that she has an "all-in-one" scenario and that is what makes it so complex. She has AVM, vascular venous malformation, KTS and articulate sclerosis. He thinks there has only ever been three other similar cases reported. It looks like the plan for now might be for Monita to come back to New York every six weeks for 5-10 day periods. She has a lot ahead of her, but my sister is braver than me and can do this! Like I said before, we will know more on Monday when she sees the surgeon, Dr. Rosen. Today is the first day in a very long time that Monita has been pain free! I am soooooo happy!
The cherry on the cake today was winning here in Auckland! Natalie and Laura had a great run to the finals and gave us a good match. The first set was touch and go, it could've gone either way. They are both such nice girls and I wish them all the best in the next weeks.
We are getting picked up at 6:30am for the airport. I need to pack now and will wake up earlier to call my sister. I must not forget my new trophy!
I am going to miss you guys... I won't be gone for long though. In the next couple of weeks you will see a new player initiative that I am leading... All I can say is, don't cut your hair!
xoxoxo
Liezel (and Monita)
P.S. I know Monita would love to say thank you to all of you too! She's one of the nicest people you will ever meet :-)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Hey everyone!
I am rushing off to the courts, as it is "finals" day today!
Who would have ever thought that the week could end on such a high note for me?! I just spoke to my sister, and besides her being very cold in New York, she is recovering nicely! Cara and I squeezed out a tight match yesterday against two Top 20 singles players! We had our chances, up 61 41, and they came back stronger and we didn't... It was a great lesson for us and we look forward to competing hard again today!
I am leaving for the courts now. I just wanted to say, win or lose today, I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2010. I wish you all the same: good health and happy days!
Love,
Liezel
P.S. I am including a picture of Cara and I playing against the Grasshopper champs the other day. They almost beat us!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hey everyone!
The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up is call my sister. I didn't sleep at all the night before. This morning I woke up at 9am! It's so unlike me, but I must've been exhausted!
Today was an even better day. My sister was released from the hospital in the afternoon and is recovering nicely. She sent me a picture with the flowers and balloon I had sent her. She is going to be mad at me for showing you the picture, 'cause she does look quite drugged (she is usually smiling!) I think she looks great and it's so nice to see her, so I wanted to share it with you!
Tomorrow she will see Dr. Waner and he will discuss the laser treatment. On Monday she will see Dr. Rosen, who performed yesterday's surgery, for her follow-up visit. We are still in the dark and don't know exactly what the next step is. For me that is tough... for those of you who don't know me that well, I don't have patience! My husband says I do, but I just don't use it very well... So, I will try to be patient, because we will know in the next few days what they decide.
On the tennis side it is going great too. Cara and I played a good match today against Olaru and Niculescu. We won, 63 62. We have lost to Niculescu before, so we had to be weary and on top form! Tomorrow we play against Pennetta and Schiavone in the semis. They are both still in the singles and both having a terrific week. We're going to have to play even better than today!
Besides all the stress I have had, it's been a very enjoyable tournament. Brenda Perry the Tournament Director and her staff have been doing this for years and we can feel it. I can say for sure that I will be back next year!
With the time change it's the best time to call South Africa before I go to sleep. I have been calling my mom to update her on my sister. I don't speak to my family that often. Maybe it's not a good thing, but I feel I am very independent and they know I am doing okay. Okay, I am going to call my mom now...
Thanks again for all your support. I was really touched to see the tournament mentioning about my sister in today's program! Gosh, people are so good to us. I owe you a lot!
Lots of love,
Liezel
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hey again!
I've been wanting to let you know what the latest is on Monita, but there hasn't been a good moment. We have been through a lot the past 48 hours! A lot!
I wanted to let you know that Monita had surgery today. She did great. The surgeon is very happy with how well it went. She is recovering well, but obviously in a lot of pain. Her husband is staying with her in the hospital tonight. The surgeon will check on her in the morning and discuss the next step.
It's pretty amazing to think that I am only a phone call away from my twin sister! I stayed up all night... I couldn't sleep... I spoke to Monita when she woke up this morning and spoke to her now after surgery! It's been a long road for my sister to get the help she so needed... What a wonderful day it is today!
It's a beautiful sunny day in Auckland. Cara and I did an exibition this morning and have a clinic for adults this afternoon. Our next match is only tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
Thank you for all the kind messages and generous donations! I will try and get a picture of my sister post surgery... I will keep you updated.
Love,
Liezel
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year to all of you, near and far across the world! I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2010!
We are in New Zealand this week, pretty far from the rest of the world. We are in Auckland, "city of sails". A big hello from a beautiful country!
Everyone is ready to be back on the tennis courts again. Our break was well deserved and everyone looks so fresh. Now we are so ready to get back and do what we love, COMPETE! I'm sure everyone worked very hard in the off-season on their fitness and maybe altering a stroke. I did! Now it's show time!
One thing I am grateful for here in Auckland is that the summer temperatures are not as brutal as in Brisbane. Pros and cons to that... We are coming from winter, which makes it a lot easier for our transition into summer. On the other hand, we still haven't got used to that extreme heat and will have to at the next tournament... I like it this way right now. Ask me again next week :-)
I wanted to write you all for two reasons. One was to wish you Happy New Year! And the other is to update you on my twin sister. I blogged from Doha and since then I have received numerous e-mails asking about her progress. I want to thank everyone for your support! It's been a waiting game for us. I had six weeks in the off-season and nothing happened in that time. It was very frustrating knowing how much pain my sister is in and not being able to do anything about it, but waiting to hear from the specialists. The week before Christmas we got word that Monita's first surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 5th. It's been a roller coaster ride since... Booking air tickets, finding accommodation, organizing transport, fighting with the insurance company...
My sister, Monita and her husband, Peter arrived in New York yesterday. Monita has to start pre-op stuff at 7am tomorrow. Surgery is the following day at 10am. We have a lot of questions and aren't sure at this point how many surgeries she will need nor how long she has to stay in New York. What makes it tough for me of course is that I am SO far away! Monita is lucky to have her husband with her and to have the best vascular surgeons in the world help her!
Monita has a vascular abnormality and has been diagnosed now with arterial sclerosis. I say now, because since an infant until a couple of months ago, she had been incorrectly diagnosed with a Hemangioma. The bottom line is that Dr. Waner and Dr. Rosen will try to give her more function in her left arm. As long as I can remember, I was always the one playing tennis and Monita was in and out of hospitals... I want to change that.
My sister has insurance in Holland. The insurance hasn't committed to paying anything as of now. We have no choice but to proceed, because my sister needs this treatment. Dr. Waner has a non-profit foundation that is helping us. They are helping us in getting some discounts. Not knowing what lays ahead and how many hundreds of thousands of dollars it's going to cost, we need all the help we can get! I am asking for you to help the foundation in helping more people like my sister. I will match every donation out of my pocket! You can make a general donation or one specifically to Monita. It is tax deductible and you will help change someone's life forever! Please visit www.wanerkids.org.
I am extremely stressed out about what my sister has to go through. I am taking it hour by hour and day by day. I want to thank everyone for your support. We need each other and we lean on each other, and I appreciate it a lot!
We are so lucky. May we have a wonderful 2010 together!
Love,
Liezel
P.S. We play third match today after 11am... wish us luck!
Check out Cara Black and Liezel's Huber's team profile by clicking here!
