Raf's corner

Welcome to Raf's Page. Raf was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on November 17, 2004. Six days after his 6th birthday. This site is to keep all of those willing to pray for Raf updated on his progress and his winning battle against Leukemia


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If Children have the ability to ignore odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other chance is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell".
-Lance Armstrong




I watch you playing
Without a care,
It's hard to believe
The cancer is there.

You look so bright,
So happy and well,
If someone new met you
They couldn't tell.

Your strength is amazing,
Your courage so strong,
You've fought this disease
So well for so long.

It's from your strength
That I draw mine,
I know you'll come through this,
It'll just take time.
Carry on smiling,
I will too,
Through the hard times
I'll carry you.

You are my world,
The air that I breathe,
I know in my heart
You'll never leave.

Keep strong my love,
The battle has begun,
But with your strength
It will be won.

Lena Ford





"Some Things I have Learned about Life, Leukemia and Love"
1. It is a shame that we take our family's love for granted until something as horrible as leukemia makes us realize how valuable that love is.
2. It is hard to look at your child's bald head. But when you are holding him tight it is warm and soft and makes you remember him as a baby.
3. True friends never say things like "I am sorry I haven't called but it is so hard for me to talk about it", true friends know that it is hard for ME to talk about it too but that I need to sometimes.
4. So much of what I used to consider important in life is now insignificant. You can't cuddle a big fancy car, you can't kiss a fancy wardrobe, and a nice house won't crawl into your lap, put their tiny soft hand on your cheek and say "I love you mommy".
5. I find that I no longer admire celebrities and sports figures. I admire doctors and nurses that work long hours to save your child's life. They are the ones that deserve millon dollar paychecks.
6. I learned that only a child would greet with a smile, hug and a kiss, the person that sticks a needle in their spine once a month. And only an oncology doctor or nurse is deserving of such admiration.
7. Heroes don't save lives on movie screens, they save lives by donating blood, platelets and bone marrow.
8. The most courageous story I know if is that of a young teenage boy who after a second relapse decided that he wanted to end the battle on his terms with dignity and so halted all treatment and died at home in peace.
9. The second most courageous story I know is of the mother that let her son choose to end the battle on his own terms and die at home in peace.
10. Just when you think you can't go on, God will throw you a lifeline. A hug from a friend, a phone call, a pat on the hand from a kind nurse.
11. There are many ways to cope when your child has cancer, but the very best is to hold them tight and know that love may not conquer all but for now it'll do






Normal Blood Counts
White Blood Cells 4.5-14.5
Red Blood Cells 4.0-5.3
Platelet Count 130-350
ANC must be above 1000






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Journal

Monday, January 2, 2012 3:29 PM CST

When I was 19 years old and preparing to marry the love of my life I had so many dreams for the future. I envisioned us 15 years down the road with a couple kids, traveling the world with the air force, me a full time dental assistant, my love a firefighter, our son in every sport imaginable, our daughter a beautiful cheerleader interested in all things girly! Then cancer came along and our dreams for the future seemed to come crashing down. Our boy was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch instead of participate in sports. It was tough. He lost interest in all sporty things. Our girl was also forced to sit out too. We were consumed with getting him better and making sure he was ok. Traveling became the last thing on our minds. I became a full time mommy and caregiver to our beautiful babies. It seemed we were all sidelined. Cancer seemed to shape our future for awhile. It seemed to control everything in our lives. It was not at all what we imagined years earlier. Slowly we decided to take control and shape our own future....we decided not to let cancer ruin our lives and force us into a future we didn't want. Raf became interested in band then theater, and he is amazing at both!! Izzy is a tomboy and loves to hunt and fish! Give her camo and she is happy!! I went back to school and am now a full time dental assistant! My love is still a firefighter. We bought our first house and are settling into a completely normal life. This is my last entry here at caring bridge. There isn't much left to write about! Raf is happy and healthy. Life isn't exactly what we thought it would be almost 14 years ago! It is so much better!!!!

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

Home
Methodist Childrens Hospital
San Antonio, TX

Links:

E-mail Author: megan777@msn.com

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Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.