Medical ordeal brings out best in family
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — Roger Malu Napoleon is in the prime of his life, but in the past six months an aggressive cancer has attacked his liver, germinating a 9-inch tumor that forced him out of work for treatments and surgery on the Mainland.
Napoleon family photo
At 33, Napoleon and his wife, Billie, have it all, including successful careers. He's a police officer and she is a teacher at Mid-Pacific Institute. They have three children — Rachel, 6, Roger III, 5, and Ryder, 10 months — close friends and a nice home in the country. Never did they consider that he would be facing major surgery in Denver.
Billie Napoleon, wife of police officer Roger Malu Napoleon, advises everyone to "cherish the people around them. It may sound cliché ... but life is short."
The ordeal, beginning Feb. 11 when the cancer was diagnosed, has left Billie thinking life has taken on a surreal quality, as she tends to her children, her spouse and her career.
"My desire is to be with him ... where we can comfort each other," Billie said, holding back tears. "I also need to be with my children and comfort them and be consistent for them so they know despite Daddy being sick, we're still normal. I'm trying to convince them but I don't believe it."
The Napoleons were scheduled to leave Friday night but the family took time in the morning to say goodbye to friends. About a half-dozen officers were at their Waimanalo home where people streamed in to wish them well and to leave $1,300 collected by HPD personnel in District 7 and Central Receiving. The Napoleons are not appealing for financial help, but they did want to share their story and encourage people to take care of their health.
"We've never given a thought that this would happen to us," Billie said. "We're healthy. We eat well. We drive safely. We wear our seat belts. We never think the doctor is going to say, 'You have cancer.' "
Roger Malu Napoleon's friends in the Police Department have set up a fund. To contribute, make checks out to Friends of Roger Napoleon and send them to: Honolulu Police Federal Credit Union, 1537 Young St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
Life changed when an acute pain in Roger's gut sent him to the emergency room on Feb. 11. By March 4 he was in Kaiser hospital for chemo treatment directly to the liver.
Fund set up for officer
His doctor referred him to a specialist in Colorado, who has given the family hope that the tumor may not be cancerous.
"The hematoma specialist in Denver believes it to be the 1 percent noncancerous type and they're willing to operate now," Roger said. "Best-case scenario, it's a remission; worst-case scenario, I'll need a transplant."
If all goes well during the surgery on Wednesday, a portion of the liver will be removed and the organ should regenerate once it has stabilized, he said, confident that the timing is good for the operation.
"I feel solid," Roger said. "I'm more positive now than ever because I know we're doing the right thing."
Both Roger and Billie said friends, family and co-workers have helped carry the load.
"I want to thank everybody in HPD," Roger said. "They've been great. It's unreal. You never know what kind of family you got until you're sick. You never know how many people you touched."
The officers at Roger's home said he is a positive guy, making people laugh and always putting his fellow officers first. As a patrolman, he caught several burglars in action in Kahala.
And because he was always in good health, the news of his disease stunned fellow officers, Officer Walter Gouveia said.
"It was very shocking," he said. "He doesn't drink. He doesn't smoke. Nobody expected it."
The Napoleons said they couldn't have made it through without the support from everyone, including Billie's 150 seventh-grade English students. She said she explained the problem to them and they responded with understanding and love.
"They are so compassionate," Billie said. "They've been so good, on their best behavior."
Even her children are helpful, she said, although she can tell they are affected. Her older son Roger, who was always clinging to mom, is spending more time with dad. Rachel is showing her concern in negative ways like not doing her homework.
Billie said she has learned some things.
"I didn't realize what a wonderful family, friends and support we have," she said. "Everyone should cherish the people around them. It may sound cliché, because everybody says it, but life is short."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
