Another intense race!

So I entered another dirt bike race and ended up getting 9th. I will take top ten any day for now so I was very pleased. I am slowly progressing and am faster every race. 

I didn't get hurt at all in this race like I did last race. (I messed up my hand pretty good last race). This time in my first heat another racer hit a jump right next to me and his front tire ended up landing on my shoulder, then hitting my hand. We both stayed on our bikes which is crazy, and all I had was some scratches on my hand. Didn't even really hurt me. It was weird and scary at the same time. But when this happened during the race, I thought to myself at first, "Did that really just happen?!". Then my competitive attitude kicked in instantly and I thought to myself, "Game on! Go Nick go!" Ha it was fun. After the race I asked my Mom and Lee if they saw me almost get smashed, and they said they didn't. What were they watching?! I am the only racer with a tail light, and its dark! But my friends family saw it and they gave me sympathy so it was all good.

Well until next race!

-Nick

Country Music Marathon - Set Your Calendars!

Nick's step-dad, Lee Brower, is an entrepreneurial coach with Strategic Coach out of Chicago and Salt Lake City. His groups have all been following Nick's journey and have been extraordinarily supportive. In fact, a few participants (Barry & Barbara Bumgarner & Phil Cavender) have proposed the following idea and formed it into a reality.

On Saturday, April 25th, 2009, the Country Music marathon and 1/2 marathon is being held in Nashville, Tennessee. (Please click on this link for more information - http://www.cmmarathon.com/home.html). It is our intent to participate in this event in order to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer under the banner of "Nick's Warriors". We are inviting every single person we know.

Registration information (t-shirts, too!), charity selection, fund raising strategies, etc. will follow shortly. This posting is just to ask you to save the date. We have 11 months to train! To keep this in perspective, I would rather be slowly tortured and face death than consider running a marathon; I don't think I would even ride a bike for 26 miles let alone run 26 miles. My daughters whole-heartedly support this viewpoint. In reflection, Nick has faced death and endured torture so I guess it's time to suck it up and run. At least I will have Carly & Kelsey to whine with me.

Also, Nick and I are going to be visiting Optimum Health in San Diego for a week beginning June 1st. Basically, it is to detox his body of any remaining chemo so all the nutrition we are pumping into his body can be absorbed at "optimum" levels. Never in 1,000,000 years did I think Nick would take me up on my offer to go with him as a supportive mother. Dang it! We start off with a 3-day juice fast followed up with a vegan diet for the rest of the week. Let's not forget the colonics! Joy. I do believe my days of donuts and coffee are gone (or will be gone - I still have until May 31st...).

Next posting I'll include a current picture of Nick with HAIR!

Love Lori

Please say a prayer for...

To those of you who have prayed for Nick, would you be willing to continue your prayers for our extended "rhabdo" family? The past few weeks have been particularly devestating for three families: Kiersten, age 23, Joshua, age 21 and Jordan, age 26 have all passed on to be with our Heavenly Father. The families are incredibly strong in their faith, yet their hearts are broken. I have witnessed the power of prayer from all of you and it would be a personal blessing to me if you would include these families in your prayers for peace and comfort.

Thank you,

Lori

I'ts ok to say "REMISSION"!

Hi everyone:

Nick had his first post-op MRI done last Friday - they are normal! We also had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Chen and she is thrilled with Nick's response to treatment. She was down-right giddy.

In the world of rhabdo, we are hesitant to use the word "remission" as the term implies the cancer is eradicated, when in reality, we really only can confirm the cancer is gone from the original tumor site. The term "no evidence of disease" implies a more accurate status. However, Dr. Chen said to go right ahead and say "REMISSION". So, ok... remission it is! My goodness that sounds delightful!

I recently wrote an article about childhood cancer and shared it with our company, Quadrant Living Exerience, LLC. They were kind enough to allow me to use it in their May newsletter. If you would be interested, here is the link:
http://quadrantliving.com/documents/Newsletter0805.pdf

Again, the support has been amazing and unbelievably powerful.

With love,

Lori