A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Noah’

Young Adult Packages

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

The very first thing I want to share with you is an update from Noah’s mom…

 

“NOAH IS DOING A LITTLE BETTER TODAY, HE LOOKS GOOD TODAY. HIS LUNGS LOOKED A LITTLE BETTER TODAY. HIS SWELLING HAS GONE DOWN MORE TOO. JUST TAKING BABY STEPS, KEEP PRAYING WE LOVE YOU ALL GOD BLESS”

Thank you for all of your prayers for Noah and for the other children I tell you about. My wonderful friends from Youth Cancer Trust (YCT in the UK) have asked me to pass on this story:

http://www.kevslifeline.moonfruit.com/

I have come to love the folks at YCT, and I appreciate so much the work they do. One of the things I love about meeting people from all over the world is learning new terms… this one is a term of endearment. When I receive a tweet or message from YCT, they call me “Poppet.” I have to admit that I love this! Do you remember the scene in “Pirates” where poor “Poppet” is being oogled by the two scary dudes— remember the one with the eye that pops out?! My brother, Dean, and I have used this scene as a spontaneous repeat in life… whenever giggles become necessary!

“Where are you Poppet?”

Love all of you Poppets at YCT!

One more thing I don’t want to forget to tell you is how wrong my expectation was about kids’ reactions when I speak at schools (United Way project) about working hard. I expected a handful to respond positively, but Mesa Middle School students surprised me last Friday. Not only were they polite, interested and enthusiastic, but they asked questions that told me they were listening, that they care, and that they are ready to work hard so they don’t waste one drop of potential.

Do you know what this tells me?

This tells me that we are not giving our youth enough push, not enough vision of what can be, not enough belief in the talent, intelligence, ambition, or creativeness wrapped up in Young Adult Packages. They want to be pushed. This tells them someone believes in them.

I believe in them– 100% of them.

One example of a creative group of young people who are raising big money for pediatric cancer: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/02/20/thon_total_grows_tops_xxxx.aspx

What do you think? Dance. Melinda… dance… raise money for childhood cancer research.

Childhood cancer needs to go down!

Creative cloning going on in the mind of Melinda

Braden and Noah

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

In less than two weeks, I am going to meet Braden Hofen at a childhood cancer fundraising event called Braden’s Hope Run.

http://www.facebook.com/BradensHopeRun

Braden’s Hope

Braden’s Hope was born after 6-year old Braden Hofen was diagnosed with relapsing, Stage 4 neuroblastoma and he and his family were told there was no known cure. Just a few short months later, Braden’s mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. The amount of information about her cancer in comparison to what is known about neuroblastoma was staggering. Braden’s mom began researching to find an answer as to why there was so much more known about her cancer in comparison to her son’s.

There are times when our language is entirely inadequate to describe what we are feeling inside, and this for me is one of those times. Braden is a remarkable cancer warrior who I have grown to love. His spirit and determination make him unstoppable and the love he shows to others through his own trauma makes me dig deep to discover how I can become a better me.

One example comes straight from his mom’s update today. Braden did not want his brother Zach to get a “Pokey.” Zach was only getting his yearly check (and we all know that  Braden endures “Pokeys” galore,) but Braden needed to voice his love and protection from those dreaded Pokeys for his dearly loved brother.

And how old are you Braden?

Six?

Today I want to thank Braden’s family for their tireless dedication to stopping childhood cancer and for creating Braden’s Hope Foundation!

Every single day there are children battling cancer and fighting for their lives. There are children right now on life-support. Please pray. Please do everything you can to help.

I am praying for Noah. His family is praying for a miracle and I am praying for the same miracle. Noah is eight years old and has been fighting cancer for over a year. Please send many prayers– Colorful Beams of Light to Heaven– so many that they paint the sky with our love for Noah.

Prayers. Miracles.

Noah…

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