Welcome to our Child Steven's Web Page. It has been provided to keep family and friends updated about our Child.
Steven was diagnosed with medulloblastoma on March 30 2003. Medulloblastomas are tumors that arise in the posterior fossa. Medulloblastoma accounts for about 20 percent of childhood brain tumors. They most often occur in the first decade of life; half occur in children younger than five to six years of age. These tumors are slightly more common in males than in females.
Steven is 13 years old. He had the tumor removed on March 31, 2003 when he was 6 . His tumor we were told was the size of a plum pit. Thank God they removed the whole thing. He forever will be our little hero.
"PERHAPS THERE ARE NO STARS IN THE SKY, BUT RATHER OPENINGS WHERE OUR LOVED ONES SHINE DOWN ON US TO LET US KNOW THEY ARE HAPPY."
WHENEVER I SEE A DRAGONFLY DAD I WILL THINK OF YOU..
Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.
Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.
So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!
> STEVEN AND MICHAEL DECEMBER, 2006
WE MISS YOU IRON MIKE..WE WILL HOLD YOU CLOSE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN !! 5/12/95 ~ 3/18/07
MICHAEL.. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEND US PENNIES FROM HEAVEN !!
You're my life's one miracle Everything I've done that's good And you break my heart with tenderness And I confess it's true I never knew a love like this 'til you
You're the reason I was born Now I finally know for sure And I'm overwhelmed with happiness So blessed to hold you close The one that I love most Though the future has so much for you in store Who could ever love you more?
The nearest thing to heaven You're my angel from above Only God creates such perfect love
When you smile at me, I cry And to save your life I'd die With a romance that is pure in heart You are my dearest part Whatever it requires I live for your desires Forget my own, your needs will come before Who could ever love you more?
There is nothing you could ever do To make me stop loving you And every breath I take Is always for your sake You sleep inside my dreams and know for sure Who could ever love you more?
THE SPECIAL MOTHER by Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how these mothers are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth Selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew." "Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia." "Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity." Finally he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a handicapped child." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy." "Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel." "But does she have the patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off she'll handle it." "I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of it's own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy." "But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?" God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life Because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side." "And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."
To My Child
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day.............
I have cancer. There isn't an explanation as to why I became sick. All I know is God has a plan for each of us and for each plan there is a purpose. Some of us know what our purpose in life is and others will never find it. Then there are those like me who accomplish if without ever realizing it. My journey with cancer will not and has not been without purpose. It is through my illness that I have helped doctors understand this disease a little more so they may find a cure. It is thorugh my illness that I have opened the eyes to those around me to how precious life really is. Something we all to often take for granted.
It is though my illness that some of those around me have realized that life is too short to be afraid of our feelings. My cancer has been beaten back by the power of love. It is the most powerful of emotions, one not to be afraid of, but to be embraced. To be loved by someone unconditionally and completely is to reach into your soul and feel warmth.
It is thorugh my illness that I have shown there is no guarantee for the future--only dreams for it. Whether the future is just another day or another 75 years, we should all dream big and live fully everyday.
It is through my illness that I have seen the strong cry, only to find more strength.
It is through my illness that some of us who haven't talked to God in a while have once again begun to pray.
It is through my illness that I have joined the hands of those familiar to those of strangers, to form one long chain. I have already accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and each day I continue to touch the hearts of many.
It has been forever since I have updated this website The reason for that is that no news is good news..What that is until yesterday. Steven was admitted into Stonybrook ICU with Pneumonia. He stared not feeling well on Thursday and it progressed so we brought him into the Emergency room where he was admitted.
Please keep our little man in your prayers..It means alot to us.. I promise I will update.. I know it is good to read the positive things to..
http://www2.caringbridge.org/fl/jacob/ Jacob earned his Angel Wings on June, 12, 2006...On August 27, 2005 Jacob's family recieved the devastating news that Jacob's tumor had spread quickly and he only has a few days left. UPDATE : DO YOU BELEIVE IN MIRACLES----there is new hope for Jacob!! http://www3.caringbridge.org/ny/nancyg/index.htm Nancy was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, on March 23rd. On April 19th, she underwent a mastectomy on the right side, which was completed successfully. If that is not enough for one family to handle their son Michael was diagnosed with medulloblastoma November 2002...They live very close to us and they were crystal ball through all of this for us..They are an amazing family..You can follow Michaels progress with a link at the bottom of Nancy's website.. http://www.christithomas.blogspot.com/ On September 11, 2002 , Christi Thomas was diagnosed with neuroblastoma � stage IV . ..She continues each day dealing with pain but she handles it with great grace and courage...The latest results for Christi on her scan show progressive wide spread disease.
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