Perks to Childhood Cancer?

 Well, dedicated followers, we are approaching our one year mark. One year since the nasty tumor was removed from Andrew's chest and we said good-bye to cancer. March 5th was the day of the big surgery and that day approaches quickly. It has been a year of celebration, rememberance, trial, and joy. We have sung "Happy Birthday" to all 6 of our family members. We have splashed in the pools over the summer and relaxed at Nags Head last July. We have travelled to Disney World in October and had a magical, unbelievable time for a week in Orlando. We were very thankful at Thanksgiving and joyful, yet somber at Christmas as we rejoiced in another holiday together, yet, remembered when this journey all began. Yes, this has been a year of many memories for our growing family. The girls still talk about the time with cancer, while Andrew cannot really remember the hospital stays, "tubies", surgeries, or scars. We are thankful for where we are now and continue to worship the God that writes every day of our lives. In March, Andrew will have another MRI to check on the safe, but lingering cancer cells in his body. This will mark his one year recovery and we will go to MRI's every six months rather than every three. Hooray!!
  As we prepare to close out this blog (as we don't anticipate much more to write about regarding cancer), there are two little tidbits I wanted to share. I hope to bind this blog in book form to always have on my shelf to remember the journey of hope we were on in 2009-2010. Anyway, a little girl named Hayley Kudro, who suffered from an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, was interviewed by the national news. It seems that some amazing researchers have discovered what looks to be a cure for many types of neuroblastoma. I have attached the two links that you can watch on this amazing litle girl that lives in our town (and we knew from UVA) and what has been discovered in the way of cancer cures. It is a true miracle from God!!


http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6912919n&tag=mncol;lst;2



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZYdiVIqO-o


  The other fun tidbit is one of the perks that has come from this battle with childhood cancer. Besides the amazing, all inclusive Make A Wish trip that Andrew received in October, he also was surprised by another gift at his last appointment. Rick took him in for his monthly check up and the nurse asked Rick if we had ever received a blue and black totebag from a group called Jeffery's Gifts. He said no and the nurse returned with a duffel bag full of some things. It had a new book for the kids, the Jungle Book dvd, a Walmart gift card, a free Papa John's pizza coupon, and an envelope inside. The nurse told Rick that he could open the envelope in the clinic and decide what he wanted for his "big purchase item." Rick had no idea what to expect, but as he pulled out the piece of paper, listed below were things like a brand new Wii, an XBox 360, a camera, a camcorder, or a Best Buy gift card. I was in a meeting with someone when I got the call from Rick saying, " You will never believe this....." I didn't have time to chat about anything, so I said, "Have fun with the decision." Well, Rick filled out the paper and when Andrew goes in for his check up this Friday, he will coming home with a free X Box 360. Crazy! I guess  that's one of the "perks" of childhood cancer.