Wednesday, April 21, 2010

We are again struggling with the loss of one of our friends. Daniel Porras from Sudan, Tx lost his battle with a rare and highly aggressive cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Daniel was an amazing young man. He was always smiling and we always walked away from him feeling uplifted. Daniel will be laid to rest tomorrow in Pep, Tx. Please keep his parents, his 2 sisters, his family and his many friends in your prayers.

This story was published in one of MD Anderson's publication about Daniel last fall.
www.mdanderson.org/publications/conquest/issues/2009-fall/back-to-hamburgers-and-roping-steers-new-treatment-gives-teenager-hope.html

Karly got the stomach "bug" Friday and it really hit her hard. She was very weak and even asked if she could have her counts checked. It broke my heart that my 15 year old was worrying about blood counts and not things like what she is going to wear to school the next day. We did go see Dr. Parkey yesterday and Karly got a shot and the doc put her back on her antibiotics for a while.

As you read these posts of the lives we have lost to cancer, I HOPE it reminds you how important finding a cure is! We owe it to those who have lost their lives to continue fighting for a cure. As Keaton said, "Don't Quit." I promise you Keaton we won't quit!

Friday, April 9, 2010

So much has happened in the past couple days. I wish this was a happy update, but it is not. The evil monster, aka cancer, has taken another precious child from us. Little Maria passed away in Ecuador on Tuesday. Karly and I have not even been able to grasp that Keaton is really gone and now we have learned of Maria's death.

Karly and I spent some time tonight talking about our friends that have passed, Zoe, Keaton and Maria. As difficult as their passing is we both agreed that we are thankful for the great memories we have of them. Every time Lexie has a rice crispy treat all 3 of us remember Zoe. She would always give Lexie one while we all sat in the waiting room doing our favorite thing, waiting. Our memories of Keaton and Karen could fill many pages. Keaton always gave the same answer when we would ask him "how are you feeling?" With a smile Keaton would say, "good, I'm feeling good." After a few rounds of chemotherapy we realized that little Maria was on the same schedule as Karly was. We would love to see what "little miss fashion" had on everyday. If her twin, Martina, was with her we got twice the fashion show. When we think of Maria, we see the beautiful smile on her face when she would see Karly walking in her hospital room.

I received a message tonight from Laura, Daniel Porras' mom. She said Daniel is not doing well and she is not sure how much longer he will be with us. I have posted about Daniel before, he is from Sundan, Tx. Karly and I have always said that, "Daniel is good for the soul."

We thank God for Karly's recovery, ask Him to comfort those grieving and ask Him to be with those still fighting.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Our Hero

One year ago today, Karly had an MRI performed and our lives changed forever.

Today, our lives have been changed again. Our mentor, our friend, our hero, Keaton Lee lost his battle with Osteosarcoma. There are no words to express the mixture of emotions I am feeling this morning.

I will share the news with Karly when she is out of school for the day. Keaton was such a blessing to us through Karly's battle with cancer.

I ask for prayers for Keaton's family and friends. Keaton's mom, Karen, has devoted every second of her life for the past 2+ years to fighting for her son; please remember her in your prayers.



Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and suffering is over
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And he came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is still work waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

- Unknown author