During the final days of this year I want to present to you an idea for a New Years Resolution. Since July 1st, the day of Lincoln's diagnosis, I discovered a whole new world that I was missing out on. With a little tiny 3 1/2 iPod screen I began to look into the lives of children fighting for their lives, battling cancer.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
My Prayer for This Year
Dear God...before I go on asking for what I think I need next year, let me say Thank you for all the good that has happened to me this year. I want to thank you for the breath that I breathe and the heart that beats in me. This is your gift to me to show me purpose and that my life is not my own but is meant to be given to others. Thank you for my family that supports me in ways that no one else can. We have suffered much in the last few years but you have sustained us with the Love of the family unit. Thank you for my wife who shows that all things Can be done through Christ who strengthens us. Thank you for my daughter who also feel the effects of the recent life altering changes, bless her and help her to be the big sister that she is. Thank you for my son Lincoln. You have given him the gift of life and in 3 short years he has given so many people a reason to have hope and believe in a miracle. He is a very strong Lincoln-Batman and he fights for justice and a cure for all cancer in kids.Thank you also for our parents who are the next biggest support system with the countless blessing that they give to us, even giving what they don't have abundently. Most recently God, I thank you for the friends we have and the friends we continue to make all over the world throught technology and social media. Without this we would feel like we were the only ones in the world facing life as we know it. There is no telling how many people pray to you, for us and it lifts me up to see to it that I make praying for them a priority, whether they have cancer or are just having a bad day. Finally, Thank you for the hospital that is treating our son and many other children with all types of life threatening diseases.
This year I want to ask for only one thing. I'm not asking for anything less that a miracle seeing how you are God and I think you already know. I wish for children all over the world who are faced with life threatening diseases to feel as full of hope and blessing as we have. This is something I know we can all have at anytime as we journey for a cure and I know you can pour it out on us abundantly. We don't know why life is so short and we wonder why you would take a child's life from our family and leave it broken in peices, but you won't let us down on giving us comfort. You gave up your own child and He suffered and die too, but since that day you have given people a reason to believe that you Love us and have a purpose for us as we continue living.
If its not too much to ask, will you bring people together in unity to advances in the awareness, funding and research that is needed for the cure for cancer, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy and diabetes in children? We want to be a part of this together and can't rely on a few people or just our government to do this for us. We have a huge opportunity to add the the efforts but we don't always know how, but you can reveal to each of us our specific purpose in doing our part.
Will you also give great comfort to families greiving the loss of their children these past few years and show them that you are still God on the Throne of Heaven?
All these things I ask in the Name above all Names, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Next Chapter
Today as I sat at the dinner table with my wonderful family of 4, I was thinking that this year was a good year. I have many reasons to think how great life has been this year, even over the last 6 months, and now as I reflect I can't see anything that went wrong.
You may find it hard to understand since my 2 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with leukemia on July 1st, but we all fought a good fight against this deadly opponent and so far we are winning. The last few months we have only wanted one thing in life and that was for our son to survive and not be miserable, but in the last few days I have also realized that cancer is a relentless force and still devastates families, even on Christmas day.
Life is too short and you may believe that, but I know that it is when a child has cancer. Sometimes I want to stop and talk to that homeless person on the street corner and share with them how Great their life is. They can breath on their own, eat when they get food and experience little to no physical pain compared to that child with neuroblastoma who is on a morphine drip. When I go to the store and see all of these people lined up to return some electronic gift that wasn't good enough for their needs, I think about the child that can't even enjoy the outdoors for fear of catching a cold because they have no immune system.
This year I have only one resolution, to join forces with those raising awareness for childrens cancer and to find a cure. Even though my son has been in remission only a month after his diagnosis, I have discovered the ugly truth that cancer is stealing young lives single day. Now, as the final few days of 2011 come to an end, I am preparing to stay strong and continue fighting. Will you fight at my side in 2012?
You may find it hard to understand since my 2 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with leukemia on July 1st, but we all fought a good fight against this deadly opponent and so far we are winning. The last few months we have only wanted one thing in life and that was for our son to survive and not be miserable, but in the last few days I have also realized that cancer is a relentless force and still devastates families, even on Christmas day.
Life is too short and you may believe that, but I know that it is when a child has cancer. Sometimes I want to stop and talk to that homeless person on the street corner and share with them how Great their life is. They can breath on their own, eat when they get food and experience little to no physical pain compared to that child with neuroblastoma who is on a morphine drip. When I go to the store and see all of these people lined up to return some electronic gift that wasn't good enough for their needs, I think about the child that can't even enjoy the outdoors for fear of catching a cold because they have no immune system.
This year I have only one resolution, to join forces with those raising awareness for childrens cancer and to find a cure. Even though my son has been in remission only a month after his diagnosis, I have discovered the ugly truth that cancer is stealing young lives single day. Now, as the final few days of 2011 come to an end, I am preparing to stay strong and continue fighting. Will you fight at my side in 2012?
Friday, December 16, 2011
Battle Cry
This year before my son was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL) I heard a lot about cancer from people who knew other people who were fighing for their lives. My thought was, "that's too bad" and I went on with my day. Now that I am faced with a life threatening disease in my own home, I want to scream to anyone who is listening, "LET'S GET MOVING AND FIND A CURE."
The simple word cancer has become: Monster, Theif, Child Killer, Destroyer and so on. So now that I know cancers true identity, I can fight it with the weapons I have available. I myself cannot throw money at it and expect it to just disappear like a normal infection and I cannot just talk about my story with my son and expect people to give up everything in their lives as I had to give up in mine to fight this battle. But I can do something that most people will not do on the frontlines of cancer warfare. I will rally as many people as possible and when the moment is right I will give the Battle Cry for people to mobilize in efforts to disband the enemy. This runs the risk of losing many who have been made aware but, like myself before cancer, honestly didn't care that much because it had not infiltrated their personal lives yet. With the pages I use in the world of social media I will shout to get the attention of those in battle to be ready to fight for their lives and the lives of their children. Even if some are lost and distracted by the cares of the world they live in, I will not give up because the Battle Cry must be heard. My latest page "Speak Up to Silence Cancer" @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speak-Up-to-Silence-Cancer/272558346126344 will be for anyone of any age to tell how cancer has attacked them or their loved ones. As we talk more about our enemy we will prepare for battle and when the time is right we will together raise the awareness of the world which will bring the funding needed to find a cure. I don't want to sound like I am a Jr. High kid that need your LIKES on facebook, but I need you to show you are ready and to show everyone else that LIKES get peoples attention. People want to know what is going on when 80-100 people Like a story about a child fighting cancer or 5000 people Like a page that will have a significant part in Saving Lives.
Let the Battle Cry continue to be heard and let the LIKES be seen on Facebook like the Biggest and Best House with Christmas Lights in the neighborhood because we need people to see what is going on in the world of cancer. Go now to the links on the left of this page and click LIKE on each one to follow and keep aware.
The simple word cancer has become: Monster, Theif, Child Killer, Destroyer and so on. So now that I know cancers true identity, I can fight it with the weapons I have available. I myself cannot throw money at it and expect it to just disappear like a normal infection and I cannot just talk about my story with my son and expect people to give up everything in their lives as I had to give up in mine to fight this battle. But I can do something that most people will not do on the frontlines of cancer warfare. I will rally as many people as possible and when the moment is right I will give the Battle Cry for people to mobilize in efforts to disband the enemy. This runs the risk of losing many who have been made aware but, like myself before cancer, honestly didn't care that much because it had not infiltrated their personal lives yet. With the pages I use in the world of social media I will shout to get the attention of those in battle to be ready to fight for their lives and the lives of their children. Even if some are lost and distracted by the cares of the world they live in, I will not give up because the Battle Cry must be heard. My latest page "Speak Up to Silence Cancer" @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speak-Up-to-Silence-Cancer/272558346126344 will be for anyone of any age to tell how cancer has attacked them or their loved ones. As we talk more about our enemy we will prepare for battle and when the time is right we will together raise the awareness of the world which will bring the funding needed to find a cure. I don't want to sound like I am a Jr. High kid that need your LIKES on facebook, but I need you to show you are ready and to show everyone else that LIKES get peoples attention. People want to know what is going on when 80-100 people Like a story about a child fighting cancer or 5000 people Like a page that will have a significant part in Saving Lives.
Let the Battle Cry continue to be heard and let the LIKES be seen on Facebook like the Biggest and Best House with Christmas Lights in the neighborhood because we need people to see what is going on in the world of cancer. Go now to the links on the left of this page and click LIKE on each one to follow and keep aware.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Silence has Broken
When it comes to being passionate about things in life, I only have a few that I truly indulge in.
Yesterday I was playing cards which is something I grew up with. My grandma was always up for a challange of gin rummy and I quickly became familiar with the hands I need to win. I like all sorts of games from video games to Texas Hold 'em poker and I don't waste my time on many other 'fun' activities because I like them too much. I like physical activity from working hard outside in the heat or cold, to playing indoor soccer. My brain would not function normally if I did not have something challenging like this. My family has always been important to me, but with the loss of my grandma and newphew just a year ago, I can't imaging trying to living apart from those closest to me. Now with my son Lincoln's diagnosis of leukemia we have very little that we choose to get caught up in because we don't want our passions to run thin.
My latest passion is something that I never thought I would take on because I never knew I would be affected by cancer so closely. Thankfully since my son is doing so well with his treatment plan I haved turned any distress into motivation to fight his disease. I have also discovered that I am not alone, by any means, because there is a community of people who have been fighting hard against childrens cancer. I started a facebook page and caring bridge for my son, but little did I know that I would find up to 100 other kids that are fighting the same fight. I follow closely and in 5 short months since Linclon's Dx I have seen many lost, too many.
Tonight as my son is in the hospital for part of his treatment plan I want to take cancer awarness to a New Level. I am starting another facebook page that will increase awareness through the stories of those battling cancer. As the Army against Cancer grows there needs to be a Battle Cry to make a big push against this enemy. Through the stories, updates and even news of those lost to cancer are submitted to this page, it will fuel the fire of passion to get rid of cancer once and for all. We will all grow closer as a community and spread the word that We Need a Cure and We Need it Now!
Let the battle cry be heard as we all with one voice "SPEAK UP TO SILENCE CANCER"
Let your Voice be heard @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speak-Up-to-Silence-Cancer/272558346126344
Yesterday I was playing cards which is something I grew up with. My grandma was always up for a challange of gin rummy and I quickly became familiar with the hands I need to win. I like all sorts of games from video games to Texas Hold 'em poker and I don't waste my time on many other 'fun' activities because I like them too much. I like physical activity from working hard outside in the heat or cold, to playing indoor soccer. My brain would not function normally if I did not have something challenging like this. My family has always been important to me, but with the loss of my grandma and newphew just a year ago, I can't imaging trying to living apart from those closest to me. Now with my son Lincoln's diagnosis of leukemia we have very little that we choose to get caught up in because we don't want our passions to run thin.
My latest passion is something that I never thought I would take on because I never knew I would be affected by cancer so closely. Thankfully since my son is doing so well with his treatment plan I haved turned any distress into motivation to fight his disease. I have also discovered that I am not alone, by any means, because there is a community of people who have been fighting hard against childrens cancer. I started a facebook page and caring bridge for my son, but little did I know that I would find up to 100 other kids that are fighting the same fight. I follow closely and in 5 short months since Linclon's Dx I have seen many lost, too many.
Tonight as my son is in the hospital for part of his treatment plan I want to take cancer awarness to a New Level. I am starting another facebook page that will increase awareness through the stories of those battling cancer. As the Army against Cancer grows there needs to be a Battle Cry to make a big push against this enemy. Through the stories, updates and even news of those lost to cancer are submitted to this page, it will fuel the fire of passion to get rid of cancer once and for all. We will all grow closer as a community and spread the word that We Need a Cure and We Need it Now!
Let the battle cry be heard as we all with one voice "SPEAK UP TO SILENCE CANCER"
Let your Voice be heard @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speak-Up-to-Silence-Cancer/272558346126344
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Day in the Life of Fighting Cancer
Two days ago I was looking at facebook and reading a few things about Pearl Harbor and the attacks that happened so many years ago. The first thing I noticed was that it was not talked about as much as September 11th, 2001. It was a long time ago and to this generation of facebook users it is not as fresh in the mind as 9/11.
Today I went with Lincoln and Jenny to Doernbechers Childrens Hospital to stay for the weekend and for the first time I felt like our personal D-day was a distant memory. But that didn't keep me from talking about it anyless. One of the reasons I took the day off work to go to the hospital was because they were having a radiothon to raise money for the hospital that will cure my son. My favorite Country radio station for over 10 years was hosting and asked for people to share there stories on the air. I couldn't resist the opportunity to raise awareness for kids fighting life threatening diseases by using my sons story. I sat down with the radio host and let hundreds of thousands of people listening around Portland and online around the world that we needed their help to find a cure for kids cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and many other diseases. If there was every a time to stand up for something it would be now. We have technology that reaches around the world at lightning speed and people are sitting in the audience waiting for something amazing to happen.
Today I went with Lincoln and Jenny to Doernbechers Childrens Hospital to stay for the weekend and for the first time I felt like our personal D-day was a distant memory. But that didn't keep me from talking about it anyless. One of the reasons I took the day off work to go to the hospital was because they were having a radiothon to raise money for the hospital that will cure my son. My favorite Country radio station for over 10 years was hosting and asked for people to share there stories on the air. I couldn't resist the opportunity to raise awareness for kids fighting life threatening diseases by using my sons story. I sat down with the radio host and let hundreds of thousands of people listening around Portland and online around the world that we needed their help to find a cure for kids cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and many other diseases. If there was every a time to stand up for something it would be now. We have technology that reaches around the world at lightning speed and people are sitting in the audience waiting for something amazing to happen.
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