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

The Races

So last weekend I had my first dirt bike race ever. It was definitely a cool experience and I have not felt all that adrenaline run through my body in a long time. I was able to get my number 212 which was cool even though my numbers were electrical tape. HA I will get some real numbers soon. My dirt bike is mainly designed for trail riding and not racing. So it was funny to be the only rider out there with a headlight and taillight. Even with the extra weight and headlight I finished 15 out of 25 on my final heat and 17th overall. So I was satisfied with my first race and have another one this friday.

This past week and the week ahead

So this past week has consisted of hanging out with friends, drive ins, job applications, and school applications. What I am really excited for is my first ever dirt bike race on Saturday. I practiced last saturday and ended up hurting my knee and ankle in the process (I have the bruises to prove it). But I should still be good to go on Saturday, so I am really excited. I am hoping that number 212 isn't taken because thats the number I want. It would stand for 2 surgeries and 12 chemos. Together it makes number 212. My dad said he will be there for the race so he will be able to film, and if so I will be able to post a little video of how it went. I don't plan on doing too good but not too bad either. So wish me luck!

Oh ya! I will also be attending game 3 of the Jazz vs. the Rockets at the Energy Solutions Arena on thursday. My buddy AJ was so kind to invite me. It is going to be an awesome game!

Lastly, I would like everyone to know (especially Jay), that the Penguins were the only team to win the first round 4-0. My main man Sidney Crosby is back and scoring goals.

Well thats all I have for now. Talk to you soon.

BYE

love 

Nick

It feels like we won the lottery!

Dad Here,
It was the best possible news we could have asked for. When ever I hear any negative news I find myself ending the conversation with "That's terrible but I just learned that my son is cancer free"( Geico twist). Nick plans on racing competitive motocross this summer and I'm asking myself why did I ever agree to get him a dirt bike. With the high probability of injury I find some humor in knowing that he may kill himself on that bike but at least he was cancer free! Nick will require scans every three months and after 2.5 years the chance of a relapse drops considerably. Nick plans on working at Discount Tire this summer and starting school at the University of Utah in the fall. I need to also thank Blue Cross BlueShield and University Health Care Billing. I don't know how I would have been able to sort through the billing maze without their help. I'm so greatful to have excellent insurance.