Jacob's Journey

From top left: Jacob on the field; Angel at homecoming with her date Peter; Angel with the Chikfila bird at the Orioles/Nationals game; Angel with her best bud Alex; Jacob in his football gear - GO #41!!!!; Angel with Spongebob at King's Dominion; Kids with the Nationals bird; Kids with the Orioles bird; Jacob playing one of his favorite games - UNO; One of Angel's many self-portraits

Welcome to Jacob's web site.

We appreciate your continued prayers and support. Continue to journey with us as we celebrate Jacob's victory over this brain tumor and the wondrous work of God in his, and our, lives! Remember to celebrate life with passion and appreciation, and LIVESTRONG!!!!

In January 2005, Jacob was diagnosed with an anaplastic ependymoma grade 3 brain tumor. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor at UVA, and then radiation treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
May 5, 2005 -- we came HOME after 100 days away!!!!
July 13, 2005 - CLEAR SCANS -- NO SIGN OF TUMOR!!!!!
November 21, 2005 - MRI scan - ALL CLEAR!!!!
April 2006 - ALL SCANS CLEAR!!!!! (brain, spine, spinal fluid)
May 5, 2006 - Celebrating ONE YEAR since treatment ended! ONE YEAR cancer free!!!!!
August 21, 2006 - CLEAR SCANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4, 2006 - CLEAR MRI !!!! The BEST Christmas present!
April 5, 2007 - Clear MRI's of the brain and spine!!! TWO YEAR BENCHMARK!!!!!
August 13, 2007 - CLEAR SCANS! WAHOOOOO!!!!!!!
December 4, 2007 - Clear scans!

THREE YEARS CANCER FREE!!!!! March 31, 2008 - Spine MRI, April 1, 2008 - Brain MRI - ALL CLEAR!!!

September 29, 2008 - Clear scans!!!!
We are thankful for answered prayers!






Keep our friends and their families in your prayers:

Cole, Hannah, Sebastian, Chris, Austin, Paige, Will, Michaela, Sammy, and so many - too many - more


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Remember the families of these angels in your prayers. We miss our dear friends so very much.

Cameron, Zach, Nolan, Justin, Jessie, Jared

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Journal

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Jacob had his St. Jude check up last week - Monday and Tuesday to be exact. The MRI of the brain was all clear!!!! I had the chance to talk with his radiation oncologist for a little bit, and he told me that they are having really good results overall with this protocol that Jacob is on. It was just so good to hear that. The entire medical team that sees Jacob is so impressed with how well he is doing. They are excited about the sports he is playing, how well his coordination is doing, how well he is doing in school...... Even his right eye closes well since having the facial reanimation surgery - so much so that he no longer has to use any drops. They all say that if they didn't know what he'd been through, they wouldn't be able to tell from looking at him. We are so very blessed! There are not enough words to say how great it is to have him here and doing so well.

Jacob is playing football this fall. He loves it!!!! Of course, he loves to tackle. They asked if he wanted to play running back and he turned them down! I was pretty surprised. He would rather be in the positions like corner and tight end where he can block and even tackle. He is also doing some wide receiver. In the first game of the season, he had two key tackles and a big block that allowed a teammate to get a touchdown. Jacob's goal is to play for the NFL. If anyone can do it, he can!!!!

Angel is also doing well. It's hard to believe she is a senior in high school already. She is looking at colleges and wants to major in international studies and foreign languages. She wants to work at the UN and in Africa at some point. It's just awesome to see her growing up into a beautiful young woman with dreams and goals and all of the talent and intelligence to do whatever she wants!!!!! She's also a very talented photography - her teacher last year said she has a natural eye, something that can't be taught. She was even asked to take the picture of her school for the school website.

I am plugging away at school and can't wait to graduate in April!!! Wahooo!!!!!! I continue to work with at-risk youth and have also begun to train with doing substance abuse assessments for teens. It's challenging work, and also very rewarding. Keith is doing well at work as well and has also been preaching just about every weekend.

Well, that's that highlights. Of course we have ups and downs, as most of us do. But they are "normal" ups and downs and we're always grateful that we're healthy and able to stay busy.

Thank you for continuing to check in on us and for your continued prayers.

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Links:

E-mail Author: kjenwhit@comcast.net