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!

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.

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

Friday morning we met with Dr. Mahajan, the radiation doctor. She asked Karly multiple questions and looked at her skin where she received the radiation. Dr. Mahajan asked Karly, "did I even do anything to you?" :) She was very pleased with how Karly was feeling and how well her skin had healed following radiation. We did discuss with her the nausea Karly was still experiencing and we all believe it was the LARGE doses of antibiotics she was taking. Thankfully, Karly's blood work was great and she no longer has to take the Bactrim.
We arrived back home about 7pm Friday evening and we were greeted by a wonderful West Texas sandstorm! We also found a new washing machine that the washer fairies brought! My mom had her cleaning lady come clean while we were gone and the motor went out on my washer and flooded my kitchen. Thank God for the wonderful family and friends we have that took care of the mess for us!
Karly returned to school yesterday for the first time in almost a year. She had a great day and really enjoyed getting to see all of her friends. Her home bound teacher, Mrs. Lavender, and Karly had worked so hard that Karly was either ahead or caught up in ALL her classes. A BIG “thank you” to Mrs. Lavender.
Karly will return to Houston in June for scans and doctors visits.

check up March 2010

Karly had a PET scan and blood work early Wednesday morning. This morning we saw Dr. Herzog and Dr. Nguyen and they gave us WONDERFUL news. Karly's mass has shrunk and shows no signs of activity. Her blood work was good which means she can stop taking the Bactrim, or as she calls it "the horse pills". The doctors and nurses presented Karly with an Achievement Award for completing all her treatments.

Keaton had surgery today and did well. I talked to Karen around 9 tonight and Keaton is already feeling some relief from the procedure. Please continue to pray for Keaton.

Today we attended a birthday party for Maria & Martina, twin girls from Ecuador. Today was their 8th birthday. Maria was diagnosed last year within a week or two of Karly's diagnosis. Karly and Maria were on the same treatment schedule. They would be admitted at the same time, whether it was inpatient or outpatient. Unfortunately, Maria did not respond to treatment as Karly did. Maria and her family will return to Ecuador on Sunday, where they will be surrounded by their family and friends.

Today was an emotional roller coaster for me & Karly. We were overjoyed and thankful for the good news we received from Karly's scans, however our hearts ache for our friends who continue to fight the evil cancer monster.

Karly has an appointment to see Dr. Mahajan, her radiation doctor, at 9 in the morning. Karly still has occasional bouts of nausea and we hope Dr. Mahajan can give us some answers as to why. We will check in on Keaton before we leave MD Anderson.

Thank you for your love and prayers.