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Welcome to Jake's Web Page. Jake was diganosed with ALL Leukemia (with leukemia in his spinal fluid- only 3% have this envolvment at time of diganosis) in July 2004. This web page is provided to keep our family and friends updated about Jake's progress and treatment.
Jake complete his treatment on September 10, 2007!
"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
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THIS SEPT I AM RUNNING IN THE ROCK 'n' ROLL HALF MARATHON TO CELEBRAT JAKE's COMPLETION OF TREATMENT. PLEASE SUPPORT MY FUNDRAISING BY VISITING: http://www.active.com/donate/tntva/tntvaKCortez
Journal
Thursday, July 17, 2008 11:07 AM CDT No, we have not dropped off the face of the earth. I had not intention of waiting sooooo long in between updates. I have thought of updating many times but for one reason or another I put it off.
First let me start off with an apology to those who have been continuing to check in on us. We, for the most part, are doing great. Life has been hard these past six months but very sweet at the same time. Jake is doing GREAT! In fact, it is 4-years today that he was diagnosed. Can you believe it? Four years ago our journey began. About this time of day four years ago, Jake just completed his first of many bone marrow biopsy’s. I literally collapsed after the procedure doubting I would ever be strong enough for my child. As we made our way off the elevator onto the Oncology Floor at CHOP I wanted to scoop Jake up and run away. (I probably would have it Mitch was not blocking the door.) Four-years ago today. At that time I could not fathom the end or even thinking of what our end would entail.
Thankfully, we are here. At Jake’s last Dr. appt. she told us that after 4-years from diagnosis statistically the chances of “it” returning is VERY small. (Mind you we know of a few kids who it has returned after 4-years but statically it won’t.) So I am choosing to trust our Dr. Anytime the thought enters my head I am CHOOSING to push it out. Sometime is comes very easy and others it is a struggle. But I am choosing to replace the fear in my heart with peace and trust in the Lord. Since I have made that choice I can’t tell you how happy I feel. To quote my friends Sam, “I have no time to worry about cancer, I [we] have too much living to do”!
Jake’s labs have been perfect and he his immune system is that of a healthy child. In fact it has been that way since December – most kids spend 6+ months getting their immune system back. Jake has again defied any doubt and is showing no side effects (medical or learning).
He finished his first year of school with a bang. His teacher says he is slightly above his expected level! Now, he is ready to tackle first grade. How can that be? Within the last two months Jake has grown and matured so much. He is 55-inches tall and 60 lbs! He is an analyzer (just like his Mom) and if you tell him no – he likes to discuss the options and help you understand why his way is best (again like his Mom). My little boy seems so grown up.
So you may be asking if things are going so great why did I say life has been hard. I learned early on in our journey that it’s all relative. Compared to some, I should have nothing to worry about – I still have my child to tuck into bed every night, we both have great jobs, a stable home and family and friends who care about us. All this is true but some of our dear friends and family are not as lucky and that has taken an emotional toll on me more than I than I expected. I also realized after coming off a 3-year rollercoaster it too has caused some emotional distress. Once I stopped long enough to process what we have been through I realized how horrifying it all was. During Jake’s treatment there were not many times I felt overwhelmed. This was something we had to do. People would say “I don’t know how you do this. I could never do it”. My response was – “you just get up each day and do what is required.” I never liked it but yet I never despised it either. Mitch and I decided early on, with our families’ help, we were going to do this the best we could for Jake’s sake. It became a challenge of how we could make the best of things.
As many of you may know, this past January, my Grandma Noreen passed away from her cancer. We were able to visit her days prior to her spirit going to heaven. I did not think I wanted to be close to her during her last days as I wanted to remember her how she was - living not dying. But I feel honored that my cousin Teresa and I were by her bed as she took her last breath. I am a believer in God but I can’t remember every feeling his presence as strongly as I did at that moment. It was the most sad and amazingly peaceful moment I have ever experienced. Still to this day, I grieve for her. I find myself wanting to talk to her about gardening or discussing what’s going on with my cousins. I am sorry I did not spend more time with her when I had the opportunity. I am sorry that my grandfather has to wake up each morning without his bride of nearly 55 years. Even more so, I am angry that cancer took her life. My grandmother was a very active and healthy lady who was eating healthily and living green before it was the thing to do. So why did this happen? If she had not had cancer I know she would of lived another many years working in her garden and enjoying her grand and great grand children. Maybe her death was to spare her kids from the same fate. (Have you all had your colonoscopy yet? I hope so because it is so very preventable! My old boss, who is already a cancer survivor, had his colonoscopy and found stage 1 colon cancer. Surgery removed it all! If only Grandma Noreen was as lucky.). OK, I will get off my soap box …..get your colonoscopy!......OK really I am done now!!
Additionally, I have some very dear friends who’s children are fighting as hard as they can to rid their cancer once and for all. Many of you know of my dear friend Sam. Well her cancer has returned requiring her leg to be amputated. After her continued recovery, her cancer has spread to her lymph nodes. I can’t understand how this can be? You would think after loosing her leg and her cancer’s return would bring a blow to her sprits but no she is the most amazing, strong, and beautiful person I have met. She realizes she can't let cancer control her and she is doing everything in her power to focus on her LIFE while beating cancer. Your prayers are needed for her and her family as they continue on their journey. (She now has a caringbride site - www.caringbridge.com/visit/samathatrost).
Tommy, Jakes friend during treatment, is also fighting like a champ (www.caringbridge.com/visit/tommygosser). In four years, we have known ten kids whose lives have been cut short from cancer or its side effects. Sometimes this alone has been too much to bear. Yet, they each have left a huge footprint in my life. They have each, in their own small way, reminded me of the importance of how to live life; soaking up each detail and not giving into worry as there is too much to live for! For these lesson's I will be forever thankful I had the privilege of crossing paths with these children.
I did not intend to make this so long and/or sad but I guess I had more to say than I thought. Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes. We are so lucky to have each of you in our lives. I hope this finds you all well.
I will put another update in Aug about our Summer.
XO – The Cortez’s
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