OP
@salima_draghetta avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1518
Location: Utah, USA
 
Molto Verboso
@salima_draghetta avatar
GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1518
Location: Utah, USA
UTC quote
Dear everyone,

I need some more cheering here, folks, the news in not too hot ... I am continuing to do what I can, but I am not MV with all the energy that you guys can summon up for Arno.

Arno is in a difficult moment. I ask that those who remember him in his wild, brilliant, and energetic days please post to give him support and love now. Every time in the past, the messages you left for him kept him going better for a few days.

After 6-plus years of battling it in every way we can think of, the cancer has now spread also to the bone and the brain. Arno is choosing palliative radiation to try to control the metastatic pain. Planned treatment starts on Monday, every day M- F for 5 weeks to the bone, followed then by the brain protocol.

He spends his days at home, in is favorite armchair, snoozing most of the time. He can take a 10-min short walk around the neighborhood on most days when he feels that the pain in manageable, and here is a recent pic of him. He should soon get some special glasses with prisms to correct the vision damage caused by the brain tumor.

The war is lost at this point, but I think there are still a couple of battles left. At least, I am banking on that.

Please send lots of love and energy to Arno. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you,

Salima
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
UTC

Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
 
Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
UTC quote
God speed, Arno. May your walks be healing, and in the sunshine.
@andyj avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 234
Location: Norton, Virginia
 
Hooked
@andyj avatar
Vespa GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 234
Location: Norton, Virginia
UTC quote
Arno,

Wishing you strength, humor, comfort, peace, and love. Hoping you feel encouraged and warmed by your MV community, your family, and your friends.

AndyJ
@davelx avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2016 Piaggio BV-350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1879
Location: Virginia, USA, from London, England
 
Molto Verboso
@davelx avatar
2016 Piaggio BV-350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1879
Location: Virginia, USA, from London, England
UTC quote
Wishing you all the best Arno.
@ravenlore avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 GTS 250ie "Jigokuchou" 2001 ET2 "Luna"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1574
Location: Minneapolis MN
 
Molto Verboso
@ravenlore avatar
2009 GTS 250ie "Jigokuchou" 2001 ET2 "Luna"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1574
Location: Minneapolis MN
UTC quote
Wishing you both comfort and strength.
@ronin avatar
UTC

Addicted
Vespa Rally 180 BMW R1150R Suzuki Burgman 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 871
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
 
Addicted
@ronin avatar
Vespa Rally 180 BMW R1150R Suzuki Burgman 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 871
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
UTC quote
Yup, thinking of you guys and hoping for the best. Take care.
@tor2ga avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Looking for the next one, probably electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3685
Location: Babcock Ranch, Florida
 
Ossessionato
@tor2ga avatar
Looking for the next one, probably electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3685
Location: Babcock Ranch, Florida
UTC quote
I think of you both often. Thanks for the update.

I wish you strength Arno. Keep on being the toughest SOB in the valley.

Tor2ga
@aviator47 avatar
UTC

Moderator
2006 PX 150 & Malossi Kitted Malaguti Yesterday (Wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12955
Location: Paros Island, Greece
 
Moderator
@aviator47 avatar
2006 PX 150 & Malossi Kitted Malaguti Yesterday (Wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12955
Location: Paros Island, Greece
UTC quote
Tor2ga wrote:
I think of you both often. Thanks for the update.

I wish you strength Arno. Keep on being the toughest SOB in the valley.
Could not have said it better. Sending the best from both of us, Dear Friends.
@wmak avatar
UTC

Moto Giro Titan
2009 GTS 250 Super Lucrezia Borgia, 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada, Little Big Red,2020 Zero SR/S, Zeus, Electric Dragon
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2658
Location: Carrollton, Kentucky
 
Moto Giro Titan
@wmak avatar
2009 GTS 250 Super Lucrezia Borgia, 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada, Little Big Red,2020 Zero SR/S, Zeus, Electric Dragon
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2658
Location: Carrollton, Kentucky
UTC quote
Love to both of you! Keep fighting, Arno!
@willie_b avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'20 300GTS Super Tec '09 250 GTSie '75 Rally 200 '79 P200 '09 Stella 221
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2610
Location: Midway, Kentucky
 
Ossessionato
@willie_b avatar
'20 300GTS Super Tec '09 250 GTSie '75 Rally 200 '79 P200 '09 Stella 221
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2610
Location: Midway, Kentucky
UTC quote
MV isn't the same without your contributions and debates. Hang in there, you're in my thoughts and prayers my friend.
@voneschenbach avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
A fracking cage sadly
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4000
Location: Seattle
 
Ossessionato
@voneschenbach avatar
A fracking cage sadly
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4000
Location: Seattle
UTC quote
Thinking of you both and hoping for a few more sunny days to come your way. Peace.
@belkwinith avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Honda CTX 700 DN Automatic Motorcycle
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5122
Location: Naperville, Illinois
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@belkwinith avatar
Honda CTX 700 DN Automatic Motorcycle
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5122
Location: Naperville, Illinois
UTC quote
Sending all the power this crabby menopausal lady can muster. Like an arrow, across the country.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Salima.

My mom always said, "When you reach the end of your rope all you gotta do is tie a knot and hang on. You can do that, it's simple. Just hang on."
@der_blechfahrer avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1898
Location: Berlin
 
Molto Verboso
@der_blechfahrer avatar
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1898
Location: Berlin
UTC quote
Instead of just quoting someone else and adding my +1, I usually stay out of these threads, because I never know what to say. But now I find I couldn't even say what I would like to say in my own tongue.

Arno, so sorry that we never got to meet. We would have had a great time together, I'm sure. Machet jut.
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
UTC quote
Battles and skirmishes, win what you can, take comfort in each other.
@strick avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2024 BMW C400GT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
 
Ossessionato
@strick avatar
2024 BMW C400GT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
UTC quote
Super big amounts of healing mojo is being sent to you Arno and to you Salima.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
So sorry, You've been thru so much but have always bounced back. It ain't over til the fat lady sings and i'm not hearing any music. Hang in there. You have a few more tricks up your sleeve i suspect.
@karlu avatar
UTC

Hooked
'12 Kymco People GTi300, '06 Yamaha Morphous,'10 Vespa GTS300s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 380
Location: las cruces, nm
 
Hooked
@karlu avatar
'12 Kymco People GTi300, '06 Yamaha Morphous,'10 Vespa GTS300s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 380
Location: las cruces, nm
UTC quote
To Arno
Arno, even tho we have not met, and probably never will,, I've been very aware of your scooter activities thru MV. I should have all the experiences and concerns you've voiced thru the years on MV!

Take good care, Arno, and know there are many here who are pulling for you to have a good and enviable life, as you've had to this point.

And to you, Salima, all the best for taking such good care of Arno...it's very encouraging to witness that.

Regards,

Karlu
Las Cruces, NM
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC quote
Arno - You have fought a good fight. May you continue on. Looking good in that picture.

Salima - Take care of you too. It is easy to ignore your own needs when caring for a loved one.
@genie avatar
UTC

Gobshite Shiva
Kymco Downtown 300i the 'Dolphin Noise'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14960
Location: London UK
 
Gobshite Shiva
@genie avatar
Kymco Downtown 300i the 'Dolphin Noise'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14960
Location: London UK
UTC quote
look after yourselves, both of you, and enjoy your time together. we're all pulling for you arno.
@wade avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa Marietta
Joined: UTC
Posts: 254
Location: Marietta, Ga.
 
Hooked
@wade avatar
Vespa Marietta
Joined: UTC
Posts: 254
Location: Marietta, Ga.
UTC quote
A day of joy trumps 100 years of dissonance ...and time is an abstract notion anyway. Wishing you many more days of joy!
@gianni avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS Vintage Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1028
Location: Scarsdale, NY
 
Molto Verboso
@gianni avatar
GTS Vintage Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1028
Location: Scarsdale, NY
UTC quote
Sending healing thoughts from NY.
@dnh31tlg10 avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2008 GTS 250 and 1973 VNL3T TS 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 57
Location: Vacaville, CA
 
Enthusiast
@dnh31tlg10 avatar
2008 GTS 250 and 1973 VNL3T TS 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 57
Location: Vacaville, CA
UTC quote
Healing Thoughts Sent
Healing thoughts sent your way...

Denise
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12418
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12418
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Healing thoughts to both of you. Wishing you as much quality time as possible.
@paddlenround avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa LX150ie, 1968 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4041
Location: Ogden, UT U.S.A.
 
Ossessionato
@paddlenround avatar
2013 Vespa LX150ie, 1968 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4041
Location: Ogden, UT U.S.A.
UTC quote
Arno was a connection back to Utah while I was in Thailand. Now I am back here, it saddens me that I may not get a chance to ride with him. My best wishes to his health and recovery.
@gogogordy avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Reprehensible Misinformant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7575
Location: Winchester, California
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@gogogordy avatar
Reprehensible Misinformant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7575
Location: Winchester, California
UTC quote
Salima you and Arno are so much more than an MV legend (having met etc., through this site and scooters) that I cant help but know that the special circumstances and the bond you find yourselves now connected by is something so extraordinary that I dont think god, or fate, or karma (whatever you want to call it) is done with you two yet!

The Salima and Arno story has, and continues to be both inspiring and heart warming to me. I take comfort in your history as a couple, and hope you do as well.

Warmest wishes to you both, healing thoughts to Arno and stay strong. Both of you. I know you are...





Sent from my iPhone=
@lc353 avatar
UTC

Addicted
nope
Joined: UTC
Posts: 817
Location: I'm going there, but I like it here, wherever this is.
 
Addicted
@lc353 avatar
nope
Joined: UTC
Posts: 817
Location: I'm going there, but I like it here, wherever this is.
UTC quote
Feck cancer.

Haven't had the pleasure of knowing you but that doesn't make me any less able to wish you well. Kick the crap outta that cancer as long as you can, I hope the pain can be kept in check. Take care.
@theoz avatar
UTC

Sir Frets-A-Lot
Vespa GT250ie/L, Honda Ruckus 50, Honda NT700V, Honda CB125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 11197
Location: Bee eff eee.
 
Sir Frets-A-Lot
@theoz avatar
Vespa GT250ie/L, Honda Ruckus 50, Honda NT700V, Honda CB125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 11197
Location: Bee eff eee.
UTC quote
Sigh.

Salima, Arno.....

I'm very sorry to hear. It's been years that we've all seen this, experienced together.... The peaks and valleys of what it means to be a cancer survivor.

My heart goes out to both of you as I've seen the repercussions of battling cancer myself with my family's own fights. You have my thoughts, well wishes, and love.

Keep strong. Always.
@troutbum avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2012 Kymco Like 200i (Sold), 2018 FLSL
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2757
Location: San Jose, CA
 
Ossessionato
@troutbum avatar
2012 Kymco Like 200i (Sold), 2018 FLSL
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2757
Location: San Jose, CA
UTC quote
Arno,

I'm sorry you have to go through this. I hate knowing you have to suffer through it. You mean a lot to the MV community. I hope our prayers and well wishes bring you strength as you continue to fight the good fight. Be strong.
@bvbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1877
Location: Ohio
 
Molto Verboso
@bvbob avatar
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1877
Location: Ohio
UTC quote
Praying for a miracle. They DO happen. Keep your chin up and your spirits high.

Praying for you.

Bob
UTC

Hooked
2004 GT 200 - "Geppetto", 2006 GT 200 - "Vladimir III"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 111
Location: Reno NV
 
Hooked
2004 GT 200 - "Geppetto", 2006 GT 200 - "Vladimir III"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 111
Location: Reno NV
UTC quote
Praying for more good days then bad, sunshine rather than rain and lots of love and good thoughts from friends far and near! You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.
@wleuthold avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5303
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@wleuthold avatar
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5303
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
UTC quote
I can't really add anything to the thoughtful wishes of the others.
Arno, you look great in the photo. I hope you can stay strong and continue to fight the cancer for as long as possible.
Kind regards,
Bill
@burgerbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
SYM HD200, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1674
Location: San Jose, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@burgerbob avatar
SYM HD200, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1674
Location: San Jose, CA
UTC quote
Salima, it was with a sad heart that I read your update to this thread. Wishing you and my cyber friend Arno, courage and determination to carry on as you always have resolutely done so. You have been an inspiration to me. Hang in there.

Bob
@knight_train avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2017 BMW R1200GS and 2010 Vespa GTS 250 (shared)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4213
Location: San Diego
 
Ossessionato
@knight_train avatar
2017 BMW R1200GS and 2010 Vespa GTS 250 (shared)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4213
Location: San Diego
UTC quote
Truly an inspiration and the absolute depiction of courage.

Peace be with you both. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
@masala avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
946
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6165
Location: Acworth, GA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@masala avatar
946
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6165
Location: Acworth, GA
UTC quote
Arno, there is an Atlantic Mint Green Range Rover in my neighborhood. Every time I drive by it, or it me, I think of you.

Hang on...
@froggieposition avatar
UTC

Thunder Thief
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2360
Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
 
Thunder Thief
@froggieposition avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2360
Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
UTC quote
I never got to meet you but I have followed you Arno on these forums. You are an awesome person and keep fighting that battle. You are in my thoughts as you go through these hard times. You have touched so many lives here on MV and we thank you for sharing your life and love with us.
From a previous lurker...
Amy (froggie)
@betrredthanded avatar
UTC

Hooked
'09 GTS 250 '13 Guzzi V7 Special
Joined: UTC
Posts: 226
Location: Los Angeles
 
Hooked
@betrredthanded avatar
'09 GTS 250 '13 Guzzi V7 Special
Joined: UTC
Posts: 226
Location: Los Angeles
UTC quote
Salima and Arno,

I am at a real loss of words. You have balanced the two most fragile things in human experience, love and life, with dignity and strength. I wish you more of the same for the battles that lie ahead. Your story together is truly an epic one.

Love, strength and peace
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