A message from Nick (Eds nephew)

Hey everyone, Brittani said it was my turn to blog tonight and asked me to tell you all about my Uncle Ed.  Ed and I are two and a half years apart, so a lot of the time he felt more like my big brother than my uncle.   When I heard Ed had cancer, I could barely believe it. Ed? That's crazy!  I immediately went through the full gamut of emotions, just like everyone else that found out.  And since finding out, it has continued to be an emotional time for me.  We have had so many calls, texts, emails, messages from people who care so much about Ed.  Most people tell us that the news has left them crying for hours.  Which is why we have been trying to help in any way we can.  We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support whether it be financial, kind words, and jewelry orders to show support.  We are so grateful.  All of this has left me reflecting reflect a lot about Ed and who he is to me.

When you're a kid, there's always people you idolize.  For me it was just Ed.  I didn't actually meet Ed until I was 8. My dad, had just finished up law school a few years earlier in New Orleans and we took a trip to see our family in Utah. Until that point we were  pretty far away from  all of our relatives on the Lunnen side.  That trip to Utah was really the first time I met my Grandpa and Grandma Lunnen as well.  Ed was ten.  I'll always remember that trip.  When your'e a kid everything is so amazing.  Grandpa's house had this really cool loft up on the second story.  That's where Ed's room was, the loft.  I immediately thought Ed was the coolest person I had ever met.  We played games and army with the little green troops and told ghost stories all night with flashlights.  It was a blast.  After that trip, I thought Ed was the greatest.

Years later, we moved up to Salt Lake because my Dad had found a job there.  When I was 12, my Grandpa Lunnen's health started to decline. So my Dad and Grandpa agreed that  Ed and Doree would come live with us.  They lived with us for 3 years.  It was the best.

As I said before, when they moved in I was 12.  Being twelve, I was just starting the tough years where you try to figure yourself out.  Ed was there for me.  I am the oldest of my siblings and so he was the older brother I never had.  I idolized Ed. It's pretty funny thinking about it now, but I wanted to dress like Ed (at that time it was wearing super baggy jeans past your butt and 3-4 pairs of boxers. LOL), I cut my hair like him, I talked like him, and pretty much anything Ed thought was cool, I did too.  Ed was the popular guy in school.  It seemed like he had everything going for him.  A lot of teenagers might get annoyed  having their nephew follow them around all the time and want to be just like them.  Not Ed.  He always included me in things, never made me feel like I was annoying.  He just made me feel accepted, it that was exactly what I needed.  He would let me tag along wherever he went.  I went to all sorts of high school parties even though I was only in the 8th or 9th grade. (probably some I shouldn't have gone to. Ha!)  There were plenty of times we got in trouble for missing curfew. But I didn't care because we always had fun!
We have already established that Ed is a professional volleyball player.  Growing up with Ed he taught me to play volleyball.  From the moment he started teaching me I shared that passion with him.  I too wanted to someday be a professional Volleyball player.  I would always go play with him and his friends.  That was one of the things I looked forward to most.   Looking back, I always wonder why he was so cool and willing to take me to do all these things with his friends.  Well, it's because that's the kind of person Ed is.   He's one of the most genuine and caring guys I know.   He had the coolest friends around, they treated me like a friend too, not like Eds younger nephew.  I always looked up to these guys. Aaron Sanders, Amora, Salman, Danny Chi, and many others.  I think it's just that great people hang around with equally great people.  It's been amazing to see all of Eds friends come together to support him at a time where his world must seem to be crashing down around him.

Anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know what kind of person Ed is.  Chances are if you've met Ed for even just a few seconds, you'd know that he is a special guy.  He accepts you and makes you feel important.  He's always joking around and making the mood a little lighter.  Well, I won't ever forget how Ed made me feel important.  I only hope I can return the favor and pass it forward.  You've got this Ed. #ibelieve. Love ya man.

Nick

(Just a little update on Eds current situation.  Before Ed is able to start any Chemo treatments for his cancer they have to make sure his body is free from any infection.  Because of the severity of the ruptured appendix that required the lengthy surgery this is taking a little extra time.  They also have to wait for the swelling (also a result from the ruptured appendix) to go down.  )

If it isn't enough to have to deal with a serious illness, and a devastating diagnosis, we are finding out that applying for any type of health insurance has become quite discouraging itself.

Thank you, Thank you for all your support and kind words.  Ed wants to post and thank you all himself and give a little update, we will wait for him to be ready to do that.

fYI

We are so grateful for all the orders in support of Ed. There have been so many that we have run out of the certain shape we were using. We will now be making them in the shape of a square and they look fantastic.

Thanks,
Nick and Brittani

Love From All Over The World.

First of all, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  All jewelry orders have been shipped. So keep em coming because we are ready!

We will get an update from Ed here in a minute, but while we wait I want to give a little explanation on this new adventure of ours.

Over the past few years Nicholas and I have been wanting to start a business.  But we could just never get the right idea, the one that felt like it could possibly work.  And though this business we have started is just in it's itty bitty baby phase...It just feels right! 

When deciding what we wanted to do we knew immediately we wanted to do something with a positive outcome for others, not just ourselves.  We brainstormed a bit and thought of companies we love like Toms shoes, and Smart water.  Well, we are just not in a position to do anything quite like that but we did think of something we could do. (Side note)  I feel like I was cursed with too much compassion as I sit at my computer most days reading stories about peoples personal tragedies.  I sit there crying all the time and Nick is constantly telling me I shouldn't read those things because they make me so upset.  But that is exactly the opposite. I should be reading about them, and doing everything in my power to help them.   These people who are struggling not only need our help financially at times, but emotional support and if you are a religious person, prayer and positive thoughts and energy.  That was when we got our idea to start our personalized jewelry business.  Our intent and plan is to (as mentioned before) sponsor a nominated person by designing a piece of jewelry with their help that depicts the struggle they are facing.  We give them a piece of jewelry, tell their story here on our blog, and help them by donating ALL profit from their designed piece. Also a portion of the personalized jewelry profit goes to them as well for their month.  

As the business is in it's early stages and we have not had any nominations so far, when we heard the devastating news of  Uncle Eds cancer...We knew it was time to make it happen and he would be our  person to help.  

We are so inspired by the love and friendship that Ed has with so many people in the world.  So many people have expressed their own tears and concerns for Ed.  There have been many offered prayers and healing thoughts and positive comments and I assure you that every message you send to me or Nick we pass right on to Ed.  

What an incredible adventure it has been so far.  I am amazed at the outpouring of love that has been shown from people literally all over the world.  We have people reading our blog from Ireland, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Honduras, Israel, and Taiwan!  AMAZING! 

This month we are going to continue to support Ed Lunnen and provide updates as frequently as we can.  He even told me this morning that he will get on here and blog for us So we can hear right from him just how he is doing.  Every time I talk to him he tells me that the love and support is the best kind of overwhelming feeling, that sometimes he even forgets about his diagnosis if just for a minute.  So we will hear from Ed shortly. Yay!

Now if you guys wouldn't mind going to this link https://www.facebook.com/hellosweetluv and liking our page on facebook, that would help us get more information on other people who may need our help later.  What a great community that we are all involved in.

Thanks so much!
Eds niece Brittani

#ibelieve

Whether or not you know Ed Lunnen, you are going to want to read this blog.   My heart is so heavy to announce the next person that we will sponsor on Hello, Sweet Love.  

(honestly...^... Little Eddie)

 Ladies... He is SINGLE!!! 

Ed is my husband Nicholas' 36 year old Uncle.  He can also be viewed as a the bigger brother my husband never had.   He can be described in a few strong words.  Tough, kind, loving and talented among other things.  Ed is the kind of person that treats you like a true friend even though you just met.

Let me get this out real quick and then we can move on.  Over a month ago Ed was suffering severe abdominal pain.  The kind that buckles you right over, and stops you in your tracks.  He saw several doctors but didn't get many answers.  The pain grew more intense so Ed traveled from California to Utah to have his mom help him find answers.  One recent Sunday Ed collapsed in his house so his mom rushed him to the ER where they did an emergency surgery giving him an 8 inch incision to find his appendix had ruptured over a month ago.  His entire abdominal cavity was filled with infectious fluid that needed to be drained and cleaned immediately.  They found that the acid from the appendix rupture had damaged several of his organs.  part of his colon and intestines needed to be removed.  After the 5-6 hour surgery Ed was placed on several strong IV antibiotics and was admitted to the hospital for treatment and careful observation.

After being released from the hospital Ed just didn't seem to be getting better.  The pain was still unimaginable.  It was at that point that Ed received the worst news possible.  He was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer. At this point the cancer had spread to Three lymph nodes.    We received a text message from Nicks mom letting us know that Ed had cancer and that he was devastated.   We recently found out that Ed does not have health insurance and will undergo 6 months of chemotherapy. So as we announce this terrible news to you we are asking you for your help as Ed would help another in a similar situation.  

Now that I have told you what is happening, let me tell you a little more about Ed.  Ed has spent his adult life vigorously training to qualify for the AVP.  For those of you who do not know what that is, it is the Association of Volleyball professionals and has qualified several times.  Just last month he qualified for the Manhattan AVP main draw.  AMAZING!!!

Theres always more to the story.  I may be a little off on the dates, but in the year 1998 Eds sister Lisa, gave birth to her first baby boy only to find out that very day that she had an aggressive brain tumor.  She lost her short battle with brain cancer within a year.  Then in the year 2000 Ed lost his dad to a staff infection complicated by other illnesses.  That same year Ed sat at his younger sister Doree's hospital bedside as she lost her fight with bone and blood cancer.  Ed has seen enough pain in his life and would NEVER, EVER ASK FOR HELP.  But he really does need our help.  

Now who doesn't have a few dollars laying around.  And who in the world doesn't want to do some good?  Especially at this time of year, this Thanksgiving time of year where we are constantly reminding ourselves of that of which we are thankful for.  Please let us all give Ed something to be thankful for and support his cause.  When we asked Ed to think of a motto or slogan for his fight he said how about   #ibelieve.  It is perfect. I too believe that Ed can kick cancers butt!

(Of all the times for my computer to pick a fight with me, it is now and Im getting a less than desirable pic of my necklaces.  The say #ibelieve, and trust me You want one!) The key chains will sale for $7.99 and the necklaces for 16.99.   They can be purchased on the top left side of our blog here.  

ALL profits from these necklaces and keychains will go directly to Ed to fund his treatments.  You can also order personalized necklaces and keychains. As we ask you kindly to buy a neckalce or keychain to support Ed, please take a picture of yourself wearing or holding it and email it to me Brittani Lunnen @ hellosweetluv@gmail.com  That way we can forward it on to Ed.  Let's blow up his facebook and instagram with pictures of you and your loved ones wearing this jewelry designed specifically for Ed.  A little encouragement can can give a lot of drive to fight.  

Now please forward this blog post on your own facebook page and lets blow up the social media world in support of someone who truly deserves it! 

Continue to follow us for update on Eds treatments and progress.

We love you all for your time and concern.  We love you Ed!

Nicholas and Brittani

Todays Special.

Today we are doing a fun special on our Simple Circle.  This circle is approximately the size of a quarter.  This can be personalized with names, dates, quotes or phrases.  Only 10.99 for a limited time.

If we can fit it on here we will stamp it for you.  

Weekend Special $15.99

This necklace is our weekend special.  Personalize these three circles by adding names, dates, or phrases.  If we can fit it on there we can stamp it for you.  The bead choices are black, pearl, crystal style, red, light or dark pink, blue, a leaf, or a flower.

Update

I am currently looking for my next person to sponsor.  I have contacted someone and waiting for them to respond.  While we wait to make these changes Ill update on Dayne.
He is doing a little better and they are finally able to control his pain.  I talked to him last night and he told me that he was a little upset with the doctor because he came into Daynes hospital room and with out saying a word he grabbed the drain tube from Daynes tibia and ripped it out.  Dayne screamed!  The pain was so intense and he had no idea it was coming.  However, he was in a great mood last night and called me for a favor.
This is the favor.  Ha! Dayne LOVES youtube.  And loves certain youtube channels.  He asked me to try and get in contact with two people who have youtube channels.  He would like to meet them.   The first is ShayCarl from tha "Shaytards".  He told me that ShayCarl is from California and he has been watching them for a couple years.

The second person that Dayne would like to get in contact with is Jesse and Gena from Philadelphia.  Their youtube channel is called bf vs. gf. This is the pic he sent me of them.  Dayne always talks about the "cookie dance" that Jessie does when he has warm cookies.  

So If anyone that reads this blog knows how to contact these guys and wants to help me make the wish come true, then please help me contact them.  Thank you so much.