Greetings from the Howell family quarantine....
I know this update is arriving in the midst of COVID-19 and there is uncertainty all around us, but I wanted to share some news that I'm certain will bring some brightness into your day: Jackson got his MRI results back and there were no signs of tumors, the cancer is gone!! It's hard to put into words what it felt like to receive the news, but Jackson yelled a choice expletive before screaming "it's gone!" The sound in his voice of so much relief was bitter sweet to hear. I can't imagine what was going through his 16 year old mind for the last six months, but he got the answer he was fighting so hard for...cancer free! While this whole experiece has felt like a tough fight to make it through the playoffs, to us we just won the Stanley Cup! 

Jackson has always been a competitive fighter, always wanting to win. During this battle he has shown us how strong and courageous he is. Cancer sucks and it knocked him down many times but he got back up and continued his fight. He has kept an amazing attitude through this whole process. Sure there were moments of frustration, of wondering "why is this happening to me", but at no time did he ever give up. He was a trooper throughout, always keeping his (mostly inappropriate) sense of humor.

As we look back over the past 6 or 7 months, we clearly realize that at no time was he alone. From the beginning he had an army of support. Team Howie is truly impressive and we have all of you to thank for that. We are so grateful for all of your prayers and positive thoughts.  

As for now, we were getting back to normal before COVID-19 arrived. Jackson returned to Timberline and was enjoying being back at school, seeing friends and getting stronger each day. He went to Colorado three days after his treatment finished to see his hockey team take State. We did not go down there as a family, but the pictures show it was a moment that Jackson will not forget. As much as he wanted to be on the ice with his teammates, he could not have been more proud of his boys as they achieved one of the goals they set back in August. He had his bags packed to join them in Arizona for regionals when we received the news that regionals were cancelled. It was an abrupt end to an amazing season. It was a huge disappointment to say the least but Jackson knows first hand how it feels to have something you love come to an abrupt halt, so he could share what they were feeling. 

At the beginning of all this back in October, John and I have been so overwhelmed with all the love and support from everyone. We have an amazing support system and could not of made it without all of you. The countless messages from everyone sending their love, the delicious meals, the special care packages that brought a smile, friends and family visiting and Facetiming getting Jackson through his treatment, walking the dog, mopping the floors,  giving the other kids a hug when I wasn't there. There is so much more and we are so, so grateful! 

We never thought we would be the family who had a CaringBridge story. Thank you to Renee Cesario and Johnna Johnson for starting this...I have to admit it took me days to read the first entries but I am  so thankful to have this to document our journey. We want to especially thank Nikki and Ted for everything they have done for us. There are so many individual thank yous and shout outs that we would like to give. We feel blessed to have had so many supporters on our journey. We would like to say that we will give you a great big hug the next time that we see you, but I'm not sure that will be socially acceptable anymore. For now, a great big THANK YOU is going to have to do!

Much Love....
John, Erin, Jackson, Ashley, Tommy & Charlie