A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Max Nunn’

I’ll take it “Raw”

 

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

I received a call last week from a nearby cancer center, telling me of a patient who read my book who wanted to speak with me. This patient admitted that the woman at the cancer center had warned her about reading my book; she was concerned because the woman is having a difficult time right now in her own battle with cancer. But someone had recommended my book to this patient, so she chose to check it out—even though the woman at the cancer center described my book as “Raw.”

 

I have rolled this adjective around in my head, and I have concluded it is an accurate description. In fact, this was my goal, complete honesty. I didn’t want to sauté, fry, or barbecue my cancer story, nor did I want to coat it with goopy, sweet frosting. I wanted to tell the truth.

I guess truth is “Raw.”

I know sometimes people are uncomfortable with the truth. When we began working with Greenleaf Book Group a year ago to create the second edition of my book, they recommended that I end it at the point where I finished chemo. My mom composed a four-page rebuttal, detailing why cutting off the recovery part of my story would be like “chopping off a body part.” (Guess who won this debate?)

I knew I had to include my recovery if I wanted my story to be truthful. The truth was, for me, my cancer battle was not over when treatment ended. It was the beginning of a whole set of other problems that turned out to be the most fierce battle of all to get well. I want more people to know that this is truth for many children. Not only do I want people to know this truth, but I want people to understand that, after cancer treatments, children are like “giant, open, walking wounds,” with a huge job of recovery before them.

I understand why people would not want to hear the truth. I understand why they would want to conceal it and hide it under a rock. This doesn’t work for me. I imagine how much easier it would be for children who are in recovery if we all understood what they are feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Even though it may be tough to chew and hard to digest, I believe in truth.

To finish the story about the woman from the cancer center who read my book… she contacted me and told me it was “just what she needed.”

Some people do like truth =)

I wonder if anyone will make me put a Warning Label on the cover of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery?

Warning! Truth may be hazardous!


Please support Tom Nunn and Jodie Nunn in their efforts to raise money for St. Baldrick’s. Please give today in memory of their son, Max, who would have turned eight years old today.

Thinking of Max today... on his birthday


 

 

 

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Who is Coming to the Rescue?

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

When a disaster strikes, The Red Cross and other emergency services come to the aid of the victims of the disaster… regardless of where that disaster occurs in the world. This is the appropriate response when we see fellow humans suffering from unexpected catastrophes. How can we, as compassionate humans, stand on the sidelines and do nothing?

What would happen if our society truly understood the catastrophe of childhood cancer? What would happen if all of us could not turn away from the truth, the facts? What would happen if those with decision- making power in the media decided it was time to report about the Monster killing our children?

Awareness. That is what would happen. Awareness.

I am wondering if I need to get out that triple beam balance I spoke of a few days ago– you know– the one I was joking about whacking someone over the head with in Chemistry?

There are people who are “in the trenches” of the childhood cancer battlefield every single day. These people did not choose to be in the club they belong to. They didn’t have to get whacked over the head with a triple beam balance to leap into action. These are people who have lost their child to cancer, and they vow to make a difference so that other children do not have to suffer like their own child did.

These people amaze me. They inspire me. They blow my ever-loving mind. They open my heart.

How do they go on after losing their child to cancer? How do they turn all of that grief into HOPE for others? How is it that those who have suffered through the catastrophe are the ones who are showing up to help others at future disasters?

Can you imagine the world if the only people who showed up to help when a disaster strikes are people who have been through the same disaster?

It is time, right now, for each and every single one of us to join in the battle against childhood cancer. Don’t make our wounded warriors also be the lone rescuers. Please act.

Today, I give you two options. Bob Piniewski and Jodie Nunn are both shaving their heads to raise money for St. Baldrick’s. Please consider a donation to their efforts. Bob and Jodie are “Wounded Warriors” motivating me to do all I can.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 1:22-25

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Jodie Nunn will shave her head to raise money for St. Baldrick's. Would you like to donate in memory of Max?

Please continue your prayers for Breanna and for Crista…

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Truth And Accountability

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Today, all day long, I have been thinking of Mr. Nunn. Today is Mr. Nunn’s birthday. Today is not a happy day for him, like all birthdays should be. You see, Mr. Nunn’s birthday is here… but his son Max is not.

Rather than attempt to repeat Mr. Nunn’s eloquent words, I will give you a link.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=501647544510&id=710541355

I imagine if each parent in our country could feel in their heart what Mr. Nunn is feeling today, we would fund research for childhood cancer in an instant.

In an Instant.

Somewhere, as human beings who inhabit this Earth, we seem to have lost sight of the pure, innocent, and needy. We will spend hours in front of the tube watching “reality” shows of people behaving badly, but for some reason, the media steers a clear path around the subject of childhood cancer. Our minds get clogged. Our hearts get clogged. When everything gets clogged, life becomes meaningless.

Sometimes it’s easier to get lost in the World of Meaninglessness than it is to look at truth. If we stare truth in the face, it means we need to be accountable.

Here’s to Truth and Accountability

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Please be a support to Crista… Thank you for passing this on: “I know you know many survivors…can everyone on your facebook please send a message of hope & encouragement to Crista Ortiz. Shes my friend & battling Hodkins cancer spread to her lungs. We need cards and messages sent to CristaOrtiz@gmail.com Please, the parents are asking everyone for help. Please post this on your wall if you’d like. She’s 15 yrs. old and going through the most severe chemo treatments for the next 2 weeks. Prayers are needed and please send a note. Especially young adult survivors!!!” Crista Ortiz 12122 Ramla Place Trail Houston, TX 77089

Thinking of Mr. Nunn and his son Max today


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Wow, This Girl Really Means It!

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am 16 years old. I will admit right up front in this message that I am desperate for you to bring attention to a cause– childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children, and I discovered– at 13 years old– what it is like to fight cancer. The reason for my desperation is not because I need or want anything for myself, but because I need you to make the choice to give childhood cancer a Voice.

Childhood cancer is overlooked, underfunded, and grossly misunderstood. The NCI and American Cancer Society give little of their time or resources to childhood cancer. The eleven drugs used today to treat children with cancer were all developed before the 1970’s; we absolutely must develop new targeted treatments that cure, yet are far less toxic (for example antineoplastins and oncolytic virotherapy.) With the research tools that are widely available now, enormous strides toward this goal are highly possible—with adequate funding for research.

By now, your producers must be shaking their heads, thinking, “Wow, this girl really means it.” I wonder what the thought is that comes after that. Is it, “What are we going to do about this?” Or, is it, “Wow, is she ever dreaming?”

I have people posting on my Facebook wall, telling me that writing to you is a “Big waste of time.” Even if your answer is no, I do not view writing to you as a waste of time. I truly believe there is goodness in you that will cause you to open your heart to this passionate plea. I have to try. Do you know why?

Children are suffering.

Children are dying.

Here is the thing; it does not have to be this way!

Let’s round up The Giving Pledge with childhood cancer experts to create an everlasting Pledge for a Safe Cure for all Children with Cancer.

We can do this. Let’s do it.

Now.

Not giving up hope,

Melinda

A seven year-old boy named Max Nunn taught me about advocating and raising money for childhood cancer research. Max said, “I mean it!” Thanks Max for still teaching me– all the way from heaven.

Thank you for your lessons, Max!

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Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery 

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Sir Maxwell Kinkaid Nunn The Great

Having my brothers home from college over these past few days has been so much fun! We had a great time at Gramma and Poppy’s on Thanksgiving Day, and we packed in a lot of other fun things, like beach trips and laugh fests.

As fun-filled as this holiday has been, there has been something that has weighed heavily on my heart. The little boy I have written about before, Max Nunn, traveled to heaven on Thanksgiving Day. I know this will sound very funny to most people, but I am not sad at all for Max. I am actually relieved for him that he is no longer suffering. At the same time, I am heartbroken for his family who has to find a way to live their lives without him. I have no doubt that the Nunn family will use their love for Max to continue his mission of raising money for childhood cancer research. The way Max’s family came together to support him through his illness was remarkable, and I have no doubt that their loving family mission will lead to an enormous leap forward in the fight against childhood cancer.

Sweet Max, forever 7, my life is better because you touched it with your love. I never met you face to face, but our hearts have met over and over. We share so much more than our battle with childhood cancer. We share our passion– we share our mission– to stop childhood cancer. Max, your precious hands are at God’s side now…  I ask God to please help guide my hands and my heart here on Earth to see that our mission lives on.

Off in the future, people will look back on history and smile when they read about the little boy who fought cancer with everything he had, not only for himself, but for all other children who would have to follow. And the history books will call this boy who inspired millions in donations that led to research for a cure:

Sir Maxwell Kinkaid Nunn The Great

Christina McGrath

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Max Nunn

Can you imagine needing a medicine for your child that is the last resort? Imagine that everything possible has been done for your child, but there is this one drug that just might offer hope? Would you do everything possible to get that medicine for your child?

Max Nunn is that child and his family and his friends are doing everthing possible to help him.

http://maxnunn.wordpress.com/

Please read this story and do whatever you can to help Max.

Guess what?

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery is #45 on the:

Amazon Bestseller in Living with Cancer & Other Illnesses:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/759250/ref=pd_ts_pg_3?ie=UTF8&pg=3

What I pray is that my story will help children like Max. Why does there have to be so much “red tape” and rules and regulations when we are talking about the life of a child?

Cut the tape. Get Max what he needs. If his parents and doctors want this, no one and no thing should stand in the way.

On your team, Max.

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