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Jason Archer
(12/16/85-8/25/05)
We miss you so much. 
Jason and Katie at the cabin - summer 2005
Welcome to Jason's Webpage
This page was provided to keep everyone updated about Jason's health. Now it has become a memorial to his brave and courageous fight with a rare childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Thanks for stopping by. I want to especially thank all who prayed for Jason during his fight. Please leave a message of encouragement for his family or a memory you may have of Jason for them to treasure always.
Before diagnosis, Jason worked at Centennial Medical Center as a computer tech. He had planned to go to college to study computer technology. He loved playing video and computer games and hanging out with his friends. His girlfriend, Katie, meant the world to him.
250-350 children per year in the USA are diagnosed with this cancer. In the 18 months since we learned that Jason had Rhabdomyosarcoma 375-475 more children have been diagnosed with rhabdo. Please help stop this killer.
RHABDOMYOSARCOMA RESEARCH
Please send donations to:
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
C/o Dr Frederick Barr MD,PHD
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
505C Stellar Chance Laboratory
422 Curie Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082
One out of every 330 children will get cancer before age 20. On average 46 children (2 classrooms) are diagnosed with cancer each day in the United States. Despite major treatment advances for most childhood cancers, improved treatment of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma has lagged. The statistics for survival of metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma are dismal. We need to find new treatment methods if we are going to start saving these children.
Dr. Barr's research into Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, has led to the realization that a small piece of either chromosome 2 or 1 is moved to chromosome 13. This is called a translocation. In alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma translocations, the PAX3 or 7 gene gets moved next to FKHR, resulting in the creation of a new gene that stimulates tumor growth. The affected genes produce a new protein that isn't found in normal cells. This is vital information. It can be used to better diagnose and, hopefully, to cure this cancer. Dr. Barr's laboratory is working to determine how this new protein causes cancer; and, more importantly, how to stop this from happening. He is also looking for ways to help individualize viable treatment plans. Only about 350 children in the United States develop Rhabdomyosarcoma each year. Because this disease is rare, it doesn?t often make the news; or attract funding and medical research. It takes dedicated individuals like Dr. Barr to pursue research into rhabdomyosarcoma. The discoveries he is making may ultimately lead not only to a cure for all children with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, they may lead to a better understanding of the underlying causes of cancer. We urge you to donate to this important research and we thank you for your interest in saving children's lives.(This is from Suryan's website at http://survivor-support.rare-cancer.org/rhabdomyosarcoma-research-donations.html)
Journal
Saturday, February 3, 2007 6:20 PM CST There were 27 who donated blood this year at the blood drive. This is less than in previous years, but we are very thankful to each person who donated blood. Several regular donors called to say they were sick. There were some who came to donate, but could not because they went on a mission trip to Haiti.
Jason's birthday was December 16th. He would have turned 25 this year. Christmas Day has come and gone now. This is our 6th Christmas without him. We still and always will love and miss him.
Monday, November 30, 2010
Just wanted to let our friends know about this year's blood drive.
TAKE THE TIME TO GIVE
THE GIFT OF LIFE
THIS CHRISTMAS
Fifth Annual Blood Drive in Memory of Jason Archer
Saturday, December 11, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
First Baptist Church Hendersonville
in the Underground
December 16th would be Jason's 25th birthday. It is hard to imagine he has been in heaven for over 5 years now.
Just read today that another child, age 10, treated at Vanderbilt for the same cancer as Jason, a little girl named Brandi, passed away on Sunday.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Dear Jason,
Just thinking about you today, like everyday, but today is a special day. Today is your birthday and you would have been 24. Happy Birthday in Heaven. We wish we could celebrate today with you. I miss you.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
It has been a long time since I put anything new on here. We are doing okay. Another of Jason's best friends was married a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful wedding. I wish Jason could have been there. From heaven, I know, Jason rejoices for the happy couple.
I want to remind everyone, it is time again now for the blood drive. Here is the announcement. We really appreciate everyone who participates in this.
4th Annual Jason Archer Memorial Blood Drive
On Saturday, December 5, 2009, there will be a special blood drive held in memory of Jason Archer (12/16/85-8/25/05) at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville. This is the fourth year for the Jason Archer Memorial Blood Drive, which his family hopes will continue each year around the time of his birthday. Jason was always concerned more for other than for himself. He would have liked the idea of us doing a blood drive in his memory. The busy month of December is often a time when there are shortages of blood. In this season of giving, please take the time to give the gift of life.
Several of those who have given blood each year have been Jason's friends and many became first time donors at these blood drives. We especially want to thank each person who has participated in the blood drives in the past and those who will come this year.
Jason, the oldest son of David and Pam Archer and brother of Justin, Josh, and Jenny, was diagnosed with a rare very aggressive childhood cancer (alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma) just weeks after his 18th birthday. He was a senior at Heritage Christian Academy at the time. He graduated with his class that year and watched his friends go off to college in the fall, while he bravely endured the torture of cancer treatment including chemotherapy for 18 months, radiation, and surgery. As with most children going through cancer treatment, Jason required several blood transfusions. We will always be grateful for those who gave blood for him. We always hoped and prayed for a cure for him here on earth, but the best treatment available currently for this cancer was not enough. God healed him by taking him on to heaven. He passed away at the age of 19 on his father’s birthday. He will always be loved and missed. His website during his illness was www.caringbridge.org/tn/jasona/ and messages can still be left there for his family.
Please make reservations by calling The BABBCENTER at 824-3772. More details can be found at http://firstbaptisthendersonville.com/ .
Friday, April 3, 2009
Today is our Jenny's 14th birthday. Her brother has been gone since she was 10. She probably doesn't remember him much at all and may not remember what he was like before---before his cancer diagnosis. Josh is a senior in high school and will be graduating in a couple of months. I hardly ever hear the songs Jason used to like playing on the radio anymore. I don't see his friends much anymore either. There just aren't words to describe how it feels to go on day by day without him. ...but inevitably time just goes on.
Easter is almost here. It is because of what Jesus did on the cross that we have hope that we will see Jason again. We are thankful for the sure hope of heaven.
Thank you for stopping by. God bless you Colette.
Pam
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thanks for stopping by. It is almost spring again. The daffodils and forsythia are blooming here in Tennessee. It goes without saying that we will always miss Jason and the passing of time, new seasons coming and going, weddings and new babies born, are all markers of how long he has been gone.
At the blood drive in Jason's memory in December 42 units of blood were given. We thank all those who helped, who came and all those who gave. It means so much to us and to those whose lives you saved by donating.
God bless you for thinking of us.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hi Everyone,
I just want to let everyone know -- The 3rd Annual Blood Drive in Memory of Jason will be December 13, 2008 from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church Hendersonville, TN. It will be in the youth area (The Underground) of the new Family Ministry Center. It seemed appropriate that it would be in the youth area. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON - DONATE BLOOD. We hope to exceed the number of donations given in the past. If you live in the area, whether you can give or not, stop by and visit--we plan on being there the entire time. Also, we still love to read messages in the guestbook, if you want to take a few minutes to sign it.
We still miss our dear son as much as ever, and as his friends finish college, marry (Katie got married this summer) and start careers--we so wish that Jason were doing all those things, too. On his birthday, December 16, he would have turned 23. He was the best Christmas gift we ever received - a gift staight from God, and at this point we really don't understand why he had to leave us so soon.
Thanks for caring.
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Thursday, February 7, 2008 2:52AM CST
Jason, It's almost Valentine's Day and I just want to say that I'll love you forever.
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Saturday, December 22, 2007 1:51AM CST
Jason, Merry Christmas in heaven. We miss you more than words can say and long to see you again.
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Monday, December 17, 2007 3:50AM CST
Thank you so much for visiting Jason's webpage and for your kind messages for his birthday.
Just wanted to let everyone know how the blood drive went--49 units of blood were given this year in Jason's memory--this is more than last year. Every cooler that the Red Cross brought plus 2 box were packed full of the donated blood. Thanks so much to those who gave blood and to those who helped in anyway with the blood drive. It means more to us than we can say. It is a lot to ask of people. Thank you so much. Several who gave were first time donors. Jason's brother, Josh, is 17 now and gave blood for the first time. Several of Jason's friends made a special effort to be there and give blood. Every year we learn a little bit more about how to do the blood drive better. Next year we will have more signs up and it will be in a location at church with more people coming and going and, hopefully, we can get the machine set up for double red cells to be donated.
It is hard to imagine, but some of Jason's friends who graduated high school the same year as Jason, couldn't be at the blood drive on Saturday because they were graduating from college. Jason didn't get to go to even one day of college. He wanted to. One of Jason's best friends is engaged to be married, with a summer 2008 wedding planned. I wonder what Jason would be doing today--how he would have changed-- if cancer had not invaded his life.
On Sunday, his 22nd birthday, we had flowers placed in the sanctuary at church. After the service, I was given a bouquet from the arrangement to bring home, and some of the roses were given to the widow of our dear pastor who went to heaven on September 11, 2007.
For lunch we had one of Jason's favorite home-cooked meals, tacos with all the fixings. Later, after supper, David, Jenny, Josh and I, each wrote a message to Jason on a balloon and then we let the 4 balloons float up into the cold, starry sky. Then we had cake-a Boston cream cake-for Jason's birthday. Jason didn't much care for cakes, but he might have liked this one since it wasn't too sweet.
Justin didn't come by at all this weekend. On October 28, he turned 20 and moved out. He lives in his own apartment on the other side of town now, and, disappointingly, he doesn't come to see us often, or stay long when he comes. I know that he just wants to be independent, but feel that he spends so little time with us that he just doesn't care about us anymore. He stopped attending church on a regular basis when he started working at Arby's four years ago. Please pray for God to work in his heart. He generally only calls us when he needs something. I miss him.
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:15AM CST
Many thanks to those who still visit Jason's page. Collette, we appreciate, more than words can say, your faithfulness in visiting, leaving notes and praying for us. God bless you.
I wanted to let everyone know about this:
Second Annual Blood Drive in memory of Jason Archer
Saturday, December 15, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
First Baptist Church Hendersonville
Call 824-3772 to schedule a time (not required-just helps in planning)
More information about donation requirements can be found below.
REMEMBER--NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE YOU CAN STILL GIVE BLOOD IN JASON'S MEMORY EITHER ALONE OR EVEN AN ORGANIZED BLOOD DRIVE. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU DO.
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Please come out to the blood drive held in memory of our dear son Jason. This is always done around the time of his birthday. On December 16, Jason would have been twenty-two. Jason was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma just after his eighteenth birthday. He bravely endured eighteen months of torturous treatment including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, but the cancer kept coming back. He went to heaven on August 25, 2005, his dad's birthday. We miss him so much. His website address is www.caringbridge.org/tn/jasona/ , if you would like to visit or leave a message there.
The busy month of December is often a time when there are shortages of blood. Jason required several blood transfusions during his treatment as do other children going through chemotherapy. He was such a sweet, caring person--we know that Jason would have liked the idea of us doing this in his memory. Take the time to give the gift of life this Christmas.
Last year more than 40 units of blood were given at the first blood drive held in Jason's memory. Several of those who gave blood were Jason's friends and many were first time donors. Many thanks to each one who took the time to give blood last year and to our Sunday school class who sponsors the blood drive and baked homemade goodies to share with donors.
Link to Red Cross's 50 Quick Facts. http://www.givelife2.org/sponsor/quickfacts.asp
Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
For faster registration please bring your Red Cross Donor Card and bring acceptable identification such as a driver's license. As a volunteer blood donor, to be eligible to donate you must feel well that day, be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 lbs, have not donated whole blood in the past 56 days or double red cells in the past 112 days andhave not received notification from Red Cross requesting that you not give.
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Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:02AM CST
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Not many people know that it is. Every school day 46 kids are diagnosed with cancer. You can make a difference. Go to www.curesearch.org and learn how to help fund the cure and how to urge our elected officials to value our children. Bills to help support childhood cancer research are voted down without the voters even knowing it. Funds have been cut this year. The CureSearch website can help you let Washington know that that is unacceptable! In Jason's precious memory, please help.
Please, please take time to watch this vido...it says it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGS4yE5v9rM (copy and paste)
Thanks for all of your love & support. I don't post much because what more is there to say than what is at the top of this page--we continue to miss Jason so much.
Thank you all for continuing to visit and for leaving messages here. Thank you for caring about us and praying for us. We are so thankful for you. God bless each of you.
Pam
Sunday, March 26, 2007 12:30AM
Thank you all for stopping by and for the messages you have left. I just wanted you to be in prayer for children and young adults on our Rhabdo list who have relapsed:
Miles, Kiersten (both young adults) and little Elizabeth, who is only 6 years old. Also, please pray for Penelope London, a precious little 4 year old, with neuroblastoma that many of us have followed and prayed for: http://www.caringbridge.org/ny/penelope/ (copy and paste) The end of her life here on earth is near. Her parents request "Please pray for Penelope and that this part of her life's voyage is as peaceful and pain free as possible." It is heartbreaking.
Seven year old Matty died tonight from Hepatoblastoma, I'm sure his family could use some words of support. They are a wonderful family with a 9yr. old brother Christopher and a baby brother Zachary, 2or 3?
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matty
I get e-mail updates on news about rhabdomyosarcoma. I don't usually post links here, but I thought I would today. I don't know the young man mentioned--here is the link to read about another young man who is now 18 and has been told that his cancer is terminal. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in his foot and had his right leg amputated just below the knee. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/mar/25/making_his_mark/
~~~~~~~~February 6, 2007~~~~~~~~~~
Exactly 3 years ago today, Jason was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. I can't bear to look back at my old journal entries right now, but some dates can never be forgotten.
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I just recently read that caringbridge pages are deleted if they are inactive for a year or more. I hope that doesn't ever happen to Jason's page. I contacted caringbridge concerning the spam problem in the guest book and I am so thankful that they have taken care of it.
I am sorry that I didn't let you know how the blood drive went. It was a success. It was held on December 16 at our church. That day would have been Jason's 21st birthday. Many people came--45 people were able to give blood that day, which is a phenomenal number considering that it was just 9 days before Christmas--such a busy time for everyone. Many were first time blood donors. This included our son Justin who is now 19. Some of Jason's friends drove long distances to get back to Hendersonville to give blood. For those who are regular donors it may not have been quite as big a deal, but it was really hard for some of those who were new to it. David and I both gave--(I felt a little faint at the very end though-which made me think of what a hard thing we asked people to do).We are just so grateful to those dear ladies in our Sunday school class who helped organize and plan this special memorial to Jason and for those who came out to give blood, and those who, though perhaps they couldn't give blood, brought snacks for those who did. Almost everyone in our Sunday school class came that day.
I think that Jason would be pleased to be remembered in a way that helps others--not only helps, but actually saves lives.
One of the ladies (Rhonda)says that a blood drive in memory of Jason is already on the calendar for next year--always to be the second Saturday in December--always near Jason's birthday. This way folks can plan in advance since there is a limit to how often you can give blood (every 56 days for regular donation and every 112 for double red cell donations). We are just so grateful that others would give a donation in memory of Jason. It means the world to us. I would like to encourage anyone who can give blood to do so--do it in memory or in honor of someone you love.
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I've been reading about how people are remembering their children who have passed away from cancer:
People remember their children who have passed away from cancer in many ways.
**Lemonade stands to raise money for cancer research.
**Walks/runs/bicycle races to raise funds.
**A blood drive on the child?s birthday.
I think that a blood drive around Jason?s birthday would be really good. Giving blood is a gift of life. Jason?s birthday is near Christmas. There are always shortages of blood around holidays.
I found this on Michaela Ann?s website and it expresses so much how I feel. It is so hard--I don?t want him to be forgotten. Just like Michaela Ann's mom, I also belong to several support groups for children with cancer, including Jason's type of cancer. Lately, I feel pretty useless as far as giving support to new families there, but still I read and pray for all these children. Here is the part about grieving parents that I wanted to share. This was written by Denise Persons.
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"The biggest fear of a bereaved parent is that our son or daughter will be forgotten. It is difficult to put into words the depth and intensity of the pain, hurt, and despair we feel each day the world continues to progress when it feels as everything should have stopped with the life of our child. Not only do we grieve for our child, but also we grieve for the future of our child and all of the "what should have been" of our futures together. Family vacations, holidays, birthdays, the advancement from one grade to the next, dances, high school graduation, college choices, wedding, their children, and the so simple joy of living out our lives together are all denied.
The first year can feel like living "numb", and life takes on a very surreal quality. Everyday we "know" in our heads that our child died, but our heart hopes against hope that somehow it is all wrong and maybe tomorrow we will wake up and find it was all a very horrible nightmare. This incongruity between our head and our heart is very normal. There are so many "firsts without our child" that occur during the first year after our child died, and they are all very painful to live through: our first family photo, first family vacation, first birthday, first holiday, and, even more difficult, the first day, week, month and year anniversary of the day our precious child died.
Some of us struggle with the "right" way to mourn our son or daughter. I have come to learn there is no "right" way. However, I have also come to learn that there is a wrong way, and that is not to mourn our child. Society is very hard on us in that we are expected to "get better" or to "move on". The intensity of our grief on some days builds up to others, until finally there is a small release of some of the pain. However, this "release" seems to be just enough to allow us to carry the rest of it around without succumbing to it completely. On one hand, we can't live with the intense pain of missing our son or daughter every single day, and on the other hand, we cannot live without it. To live without it seems to be "accepting" of the fact that our child died. Although we have to live with the fact that our child died, we rarely "accept" this fact easily. As more time continues to pass we will cope differently, and hopefully better. The best sources on grief teach that although the pain and intensity of living without our child will change, this grief and mourning will remain with us for the rest of our lives.
We share our lives with other families who have also experienced the stunning loss of a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. We remember one another and "our angels" on special dates, like birthdays and eternal life dates. We support one another as we each make our way through the horrible grief. No one can really understand, except those who have gone through very similar circumstances. We all wait for the day when we can see our loved ones again in heaven. Until then we try to hold one another up in the initial staggering grief, and and we try to encourage one another as we learn to live without our angel, bit by bit, and day by day.
To see the calendar I spoke of or to meet Denise and her Angel please visit~
http://www.ourangels.personspages.com/
If anyone feels the need for a grief support group, there is an excellent one on the internet- angelonmyshoulder@yahoogroups.com. This group is for those who have lost a child to any type of cancer. For grief in the loss of a loved one of any age to cancer this ACOR group is great FACING-AHEAD@LISTSERV.ACOR.ORG.
Thanks for stopping by and trying to understand. It means the world to know that Jason isn't forgotten and that our family is still thought of as well.
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Eric Layer was from Columbia, SC. He also died of rhabdomyosarcoma.
Eric's mom had this poem posted on Eric's page yesterday with the words "I hope this for all of you." I do, too.
God bless each of you.
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The Slow Dance
by David L. Weatherford
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
Or listened to rain slapping the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
Or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
Time is short, the music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly,
When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
Time is short, the music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
'Cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
Time is short, the music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It's like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life isn't a race, so take it slower,
Hear the music before your song is over.
This poem is from the COPYRIGHTED collection of David L. Weatherford. It is offered for private use ONLY. It is not to be distributed for promotional purposes, without permission, and are not for resale. Please do not include these writings in any personal collections for distribution on the web without providing a link back to my pages. ? David L. Weatherford http://www.davidlweatherford.com/intro1.html
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Dear Jason,
"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure...You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure..."
Oh, my dear son, I miss you so much.
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Homesick ~ by Mercy Me
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now.
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With Hope
(Steven Curtis Chapman)
[1Thess. 4:13-14 / Heb. 6:9, 10:23]
This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but...
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and...
We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so...
We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Note From Katie~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you all that have been praying for Jason over the past year and a half. Your thoughts and prayers have meant the world to both myself and Jason's family. This has not been an easy time for any of us, but your knowledge of our situation and continued prayers bring comfort to even our darkest days.
I loved Jason from the moment I met him and I know he's smiling down on each of us thanking each of us for getting him to the place he belongs.
God Bless,
Katie (Proud to have loved Jason) Kealdrid@samford.edu
(I thought Katie would want this to be here on the front page--so no one would miss it)--Pam
~~~~~~~~~A message from Katie's mom~~~~~~~~
Dear Pam and David, the entire Archer Family and everyone that has been signing this page,
I am Katie's mom and a very proud mom. I want to thank all of you for thinking about and loving my Katie. I know that Katie meant so much to Jason and was an important part of his life. But I want you to all know that it was not a one way street. Jason meant just as much to Katie and gave her as much as she gave him. He accepted her unconditionally--no makeup, hair a mess, bad mood-- he gave her uncondtional love. He even went shopping for clothes at the mall with her!! (all guys just love that!) He brought so many smiles to her face and I know that those smiles will continue as she remembers him in the days,weeks and years to come. I'll be honest.. I did worry about her when she entered into this relationship because I did not want her hurt. I soon realized that even though the outcome, without a miracle, would just break my child's heart ...the journey, the love, the laughs and the knowledge that someone as wonderful as Jason would chose her to spend the little time he had left on this earth with was worth it. She is a better person for knowing and loving Jason and for that I will always be greatful to him. And to Jason, thank you for all you did for my Katie and I know that you are one of the guardian angels that God has given her to help her through the years to come! May God Bless us all!
Much Love,
Carolyn Aldridge
Thank you, Carolyn. Words are inadequate. Spending time with Katie made the last months his life joyful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I keep reminding myself that Jason is no longer suffering. He is with Jesus, whom he trusted as Savior when he was only 4 years old. But he is not with us and we miss him terribly. Christmases, birthday parties, picnics, basketball games--happy times of love and laughter with our family--three dear little boys and one sweet little girl. In a way, we will never be whole on this earth again.
I remember last summer when Jason was given his death sentence by the doctors that he said, "It's okay if I die now, Mom. It will just mean that I am in heaven a few years before you." In tears, I said, "We'll miss you so much." Then I told him of how bitter my mother became when my 15 year old brother died in a car wreck in 1972. Jason said, "Mom, I don't want you to be like that. I want to see you in heaven." Well, Jason is there in heaven now and heaven looks even sweeter to me--I want to see Jason again and he's there waiting for us.
Dear family and friends, all of those who have prayed for Jason these many months, I?m sure that Jason would say those same words to each one of you. He just wants to see you in heaven. It may be a few days or it may be a few years. Our time here on earth has no guarantees and the day will come when each of us must die. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please believe that he died for your sins, and trust him to save you, and then, you will have a hope that never perishes, no matter what happens here.
God bless each one as we all grieve the loss of Jason who bore so much pain and suffering as he tried so hard to be strong (he was) and not to complain. Please also--cherish your family. Spend time with them. Take pictures. Hug your children tight and let them know that you love them. Don't stress over the small things. Life is too short.
Thank you all for stopping by to see how we are doing. There are no more urgent prayer requests as there once were when Jason was enduring so much pain--just us--here missing him each day. Please don't avoid us or avoid speaking about Jason. Talking about him may bring tears to our eyes, but tears really are healing and we do cherish our memories of Jason and would love to hear your memories of him, too. Until we get to heaven, where we will see Jason again, the pictures and memories are all we have of him. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for us as we learn to live without him. We look forward to seeing him in heaven one day.
God bless each of you.
In Christ,
David and Pam Archer
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: In heaven where he is healed, happy
and healthy again.
Links: http://liddyshriversarcomainitiative.org/Newsletters/V01N04/rms.htm Information about rhabdomyosarcoma, pretty technical, but has links to simpler sites
http://survivor-support.rare-cancer.org/rhabdomyosarcoma-research-donations.html Fund set up to raise money specifically for rhabdomyosarcoma research-finding a cure - www.caringbridge.com/fl/suryan/
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