My goodness it has been quite a while since my last update…I have not been as diligent as I had promised. Sorry.
Progress continues to be made in physical and occupational therapies, albeit very slow and small progress, yet progress all the same. He has new braces because he has outgrown the older ones. The new ones offer him some flexibility in his feet which is more like normal. We continue to try to realign his right foot with splinting, but he still pulls it inward and walks to the outside of it. We will discuss possible botox injections with our therapists in Memphis next month. This could help to help to relax the muscles and allow more stretching of those tendons that are pulling on his foot.
We have arranged for a Math tutor this summer and I see great progress there. Though he hates the time it takes he is being a real trooper working very hard twice weekly for 90 minutes of Math…what kid wouldn’t like that. His teacher keeps it moving and makes it so much fun that time just flies and then he is out in his pool…Mikey is also working with another teacher to develop his writing skills, then he and I spend time reviewing Math, and practicing cursive writing. Almost like school has never ended.
Matthew graduated from Catholic High on May 23rd. The ceremony and Mass were so personal and special. Mark and I sat with him on the floor of the arena and walked out to a crowd of waiting faculty from the school applauding and congratulating the boys. Brother Ray found Matt and gave him a big hug…it brought me to tears. This is a very special group of men and women who truly answer to call to serve in the lives of these young men. Max will be there in another year and I cannot wait for him to have that same high school experience. Matthew will leave us in a few weeks to attend Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. I am trying to prepare myself for that big step, but I miss him just thinking about it. It is a new chapter in his life and though I will miss him terribly, I am excited for the opportunities that await him.
Meredith is officially a Senior at St. Joseph’s Academy. They held a very special ring ceremony for the girls in May also. She has been busy this summer working with the Louisiana State Legislature as a Senate Page. She loved the experience and hopes to do it again next summer…or maybe even head to Washington to maybe work with Senator Cassidy. We will see. Later this summer she head to Indiana for a Leadership Conference with the Best Buddy’s program. As the incoming Chapter President she will be facilitating the activities of the chapter at St. Joseph’s in the fall. The BB program was begun by Anthony Kennedy Shriver 20 years ago to help bridge the gap between those mentally challenged children and their peers. It is an amazing organization and I am so proud of her involvement with it.
Maxwell is working this summer assisting our friend Carla with her Aquatics program. He loves having something to do and well getting paid to have fun is just the icing on the cake. He is already looking forward to his final year at MBS and his last year in Pelican football. He placed very high on his Terra Nova scores and even took the ACT this spring with a score of 18 overall. He plans to become a doctor and follow in the footsteps of his cousin Andrew who just graduated from Medical school this May. I know Max will make a wonderful physician, because he cares deeply for others and has always stepped up to help care for Mikey while on therapy.
Mikey and I head back to Memphis on the 6th of July for two days of clinic visits. He will see all of the specialists that have cared for him throughout his treatment protocol and we will, once again check his labs to be sure his cancer is still in remission. Looking at him I know that he is well, yet I am fearful until the news comes that all is well. I approach these visits with a sense of caution and fear that late at nite can drive me to tears. I guess it is all part of the journey and I am only one mother in the multitudes of mothers who must endure this. It will all go away only when the doctor calls me to say he is still in remission.
We have spent the better part of the past two weeks cheering for beloved Tiger’s as they swung their way into another National Championship in the College World Series last week. Mikey was thrilled when that final out was called and his Tigers were champs again!!!! Never doubted it!!!
Sports Illustrated is doing a story on Ciron for their upcoming SEC series. They called for an interview and will include Mikey in their story. He cannot wait to see the final product. I will let you know when it hits newsstands, ‘Cause you know you gotta have one! Maybe I will get the boys together for a book signing!!!!
Keep those prayers flowing, the 6th is just around the corner and Mikey and all of our St. Jude families appreciate them. God Bless.
