I loved Christopher before I ever saw him...

We knew that Christopher was special from the very beginning. Christopher was born with a hole in his right lung. In order to repair this hole without surgery the Doctor's recommended that Christopher stay in ICU with little to no human contact. That meant that we could not hold him, kiss, or feed him. The difficultly in that for a new Mom & Dad was over whelming. The Doctor's recommended that we cover his eyes and ears, to eliminate sound. This would keep Christopher comfortable, and unable to cry. It worked! Within six days we were leaving the hospital on a breathing machine. The apnea monitor saved Christopher's life many times. At the tender age of 14 months, we were given a clean bill of health. The next few years were filled with happiness, health, and love.

Christopher was an amazing sibling to have around. He was a little brother and a big brother: Siblings included Carla, Nicholas, Sarah, Michael, Kayla, Rebekkah, Mason, and little Caitlin. WHEW!!! It's a long story, but each one of these children have the most unbelievable memories of their little HERO!

In January of 2003, our lives would change forever. Christopher was diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor called "Ependymoma". Time almost stood still as we listened to what the Doctors had to say. The prognosis for Christopher's recovery seemed positive. Christopher went through a pretty rough schedule of radiation treatments. Christopher amazed us all with his amazing courage...Fast forward to December 2003...Another tumor has been located at the front lobe of the right side of Chris's brain. The only word I can think of that describes the feelings in our family "devestation". Chris went another round of radiation, and in April of 2004 we were back to square one. Chris had another brain tumor located in the back of his head attached to the brain stem. This was now his third. All I could think was "how much more can my babies body go through"? Chris is the inspiration to all that meet him. His corky laugh and smile, his amazing ability to light up a room the moment he enters. Those eyes! All of you know what I mean. He could melt your heart with those beautiful eyes. But what strikes me the most about my son. "HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE" Where does he get that strength from?

Christopher's MRI in July was great news. We were tumor free. Thank goodness, the chemo must be working. How wrong could we be. Christopher had his fourth brain tumor removed on October 25, 2004. Christopher seemed to rebound extremely fast after this surgery. Mom and Dad; or I should say the whole family was very proud of him.

But more bad news was upon us and we closed the year (2004) with a surgery on December 27th (Gamma Knife) to remove tumor #5 and in the planning the Dr's discovered #6!
Christopher's MRI came back CLEAR on January 20, 2005. Six weeks later we are at this stepping stone. But....the road ahead was still filled with twists and turns. On March 1, 2005, we were handed another blow. Christopher has three more tumors...Nick and I have agreed to do ONE more surgery. Without this surgery, Christopher's life would be shortned to months....

Well we made it thru the double surgery, just to realize that Christopher's life was still going to be shortened into months...In July of 2005 Christopher had five new tumors and the cancer was in his top ventricle (the lining) of his brain! He fought a long and courgeous battle!

Christopher brightened our days, warmed our hearts and filled our lives with happieness and joy...All of you have enjoyed our days and our great memories of Christopher through my heart and my eyes. We will continue to keep God and faith in our hearts, and I know that God gave us a miracle: It was Christopher's strength and love that he showed us each day!

Christopher was our SAVIOR, TEACHER, WARRIOR, HERO, and he is the most precious ANGEL!!!!









*HUGS* TOTAL!
give Christopher more *HUGS*
Get hugs of your own


This is Christopher chilling on the couch! What a SMILE!!!
Click on him and you will be taken to a new page with more pictures!!!



The Chosen Mothers

Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice
and a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how mother's of children with life threatening illnesses 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 make notes in a giant ledger.......

"Foppiano, Christine, son, patron saint Christopher"
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia"."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give
her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this
one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer
a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel,

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will
drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and
resentment wears off, she will handle it."

"I watched her today," said God. "She has that feeling
of self-independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world.
She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she believes in you," said the angel.
"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'll never survive. Yes, here is the woman I will bless
with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet,
but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for
granted. She will never consider a single step
ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see....ignorance,
cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them."

"And what about her patron saint" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles and says..."A mirror will suffice."




This poem was written for Christopher by:
Sandy Mortweet


God sent a special gift to you, Christine,
far more precious than gold.
Skin so soft, gentle and warm,
with eyes so bright, clear, and pristine.

A part of this gift he is calling home,
yet God isn’t leaving you all alone.
For if you look at the sunset with it’s colors of brilliant hued,
Feel the warmth of the sunrise when the world becomes subdued.
When you see the brightest star in the sky,
That is when your child will be saying “hi”.

When you listen to a rainstorm,
it’s droplets making a magical sound.
That’s when you’ll feel Christopher is all around.
When you see the wonder of a starlit velvet night.
God and Christopher will be holding you tight.

For God gave you the strength to be there,
The love and all that was needed to care.
So, don’t think that God doesn’t hear your cry,
for he knows you don’t want to say good-bye.

That is why you will find peace and a special tranquility,
When looking to God up above.
He sends you a sign of Christopher’s warm love.

It may be thru a friend,
or at the rainbows end.
In the eyes of someone he touched,
That brightened their world so much.

So some how, some way,
You will find the signs everyday.
That God’s gift from up above,
Is still yours to love.

Journal

Sunday, October 12, 2008 9:00 PM CDT

Hello to all!

I'm not sure who still follows Christopher's site, but I thought that it was time for an update.

The last year has been nothing short of being difficult. This is just a fact for all families that have lost a child. And I'm no different.

So many things have transpired through the year, that I'm not sure where to begin.

Sarah-Doing great!!!!! Will graduate in November. YEAH!!! She will be moving back to Weatherford. To her it is just home and where she is the happiest. Me...I just want her to be healthy and happy. Which she is both. She is now twenty and still just as sweet and sassy as she always has been. She continues to struggle with the lose of her baby brother. Her one fear is that she will forget him. I told her she will never forget him and the special bond that they had. She still sleeps on his pillow and always has his blanket right beside her. Yes, I'm super proud of her. She is living her life to the fullest, and every now and then she stops to tell me she loves me and clean her room.

I'm still flying and trying to enjoy it. Yes, I did love it at one point......But.....it is just not what i want to continue to do. Plus it does not pay that great! LOL!!

As with everyones lives, there are ups and downs, smiles and frowns and even tears. I try to live each day as positive as I can and respect others and what they have gone through or going through.

This is always a very difficult time of year for me. The next three months are just filled with memories of our lives. The past and even present. The holidays are always filled with sadness but as a mother and a person you must move forward. Its hard to believe that it will be almost three years since Christopher went to be with the Heavenly Father.

I know that Christopher keeps a close watch over me. And I know that he is being well taken care of in heaven. I read through my journal entry's that were posted over the years and just sat and cried. It reminded me the path that Christopher took and the strengh that he had. Amazing!!!!

Well, I'm going to run for now....I will try to be back soon. Life is hectic right now, well I guess everyone's life is hectic.

Take care and will talk soon

Sleep with the ^^Angels^^
Christine

Hospital Information:

Touched Down in Heaven
P.O. Box 2775
Weatherford, Texas 76086
214-514-0201

Links: