When Anthony Pastor of Kaneohe was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2009, he and his wife, Karie, decided to document their experiences as he went through treatment.

But as the Pastors ate lunch at Ward Centers on Monday following a chemotherapy session, someone broke into their van and stole their camera, an iPod and other items — including irreplaceable documents such as notebooks, appointment schedules and special care instructions dating back to Anthony’s diagnosis.

"That cancer folder, that’s the thing we’re really bummed about," Karie Pastor said. "Our notebooks and our binders are priceless."

The thief also took expensive oils used to relieve the side effects of cancer treatments.

Karie Pastor said she knows it’s improbable the thief will give up the electronic items, but she is hoping he or she might have compassion for their situation and return the papers.

She is suggesting the bright blue shopping bag containing the documents be dropped off at a post office, where a worker can look up their post office box and return it to the Pastors, who have two young children.

When the couple found their van ransacked, Karie Pastor said she peeked inside every trash can and Dumpster in the area, went through every level of the parking structure and even looked over the top at the ground below to see if the papers had been discarded somewhere.

"It’s very frustrating, but at least we still have our van," she said. "We’re looking on the bright side. We would just really appreciate at least the binder."

The couple also lost a notebook in which Karie Pastor was keeping a list of all the people who have made special donations or sent well-wishes to the family, so they can write thank-you cards.

"That was the only list I had," Karie Pastor. "Of course we can remember certain people, but there are people on that list I won’t be able to remember."

Anthony Pastor, 40, began treatment again in August after his cancer went into remission for seven months. Since being diagnosed, it has spread to his liver, and he’s now battling secondary liver cancer.