Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Let us not forget...

Nick came home late Sunday afternoon, cowboy hat firmly on his head as he waved goodbye to the nurses, stating "See you on May 6th!" As of this morning, he isn't feeling too well. He has a sore throat (mouth sores are kicking in), his mucusitis is back, didn't sleep well and has a tummy ache. He was able to spend an hour or so at his little sister's softball game last night so he could watch her inaugural start as a pitcher - weather was perfect and so was his sister, pitching a no-hitter. True to form, Nick made arrangements to have his friends meet him in Moab, Utah to spend three days with our friend, Colin Fryer, at his lodge, the weekend before his next round. Nick definitely makes the most of his time when he is feeling well.

We are so blessed that Nick has the will, desire and opportunity to forge ahead, regardless of his situation. What I want to bring attention to are the hundreds of others that are facing adversity as well: Please remember Bella, age 6 1/2, who relapsed with a tumor to the brain last week; remember Robyn's son, who is in his early 20's, who just received confirmation of a mass in his abdomen after being in remission for over 2 years; for Robert, another young man in his early 20's, that has relapsed AGAIN, battling for over 3 years; for Zach, a young teenager who recently relapsed and is going through treatment; for Ryan, who is making the most of each precious moment he has with his family; for Ty-Michael who has been in remission since 2000 yet just relapsed with spindle cell carcinoma; and for the others that I have not included.

This is real. This is scary. Please, please remember and pray for them all.

There is a project that I have been following hosted by Bruce Shriver (Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative) and would like to share:

"During February, people who have been affected by sarcoma were invited to share a moment in the "Moments in Sarcoma" project. More than 140 submissions from around the world were received. It is hard not to be touched by the experiences of joy, laughter, love, grief, hope and determination they contain.

One of these special moments will be published every day from April 6 through August 6, 2009 at
http://is.gd/qYXW. I invite you to share in this daily journey by subscribing to the e-mail updates (http://is.gd/qYYn) or the news feed (http://is.gd/qYZ9)."

The short stories/essays are quite touching.

Some good news to close on - we have raised almost $11,000 as of today for the marathon! We WILL make a difference.

Blessings to you all,

Lori

1 comment:

Chris Ulvin said...

Dear Nick and family,
When reading through the Old Testament I am always challenged by the stories of God saving his children and then allowing them to fall into hardship again, and again and again. I think your mom's title - "Let us not forget"- on this posting captures God's love and reasoning. We have short term goals here on earth like "live to be 99". God has eternity goals for us.
"Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15
Nick, I am saddened that you have to suffer physical pain and mental anguish "again". So I will pray more. Your mom captured God's advice when she wrote "Please, please remember and pray for them all".
Keeping my eyes up, aunt Chris