This Memorial Day weekend marked the one year anniversary of Jack's brain tumor diagnosis. I remember it all very clear. We had spent six weeks in and out of the doctor's office getting explanations for the lethargy and occasional morning vomiting anywhere from Pnuemonia to Mono. We were finally admitted to Sutter Hospital to determine what was going on. After numerous inconclusive tests we spent friday night in the hospital with a CT scan planned for the next morning to "rule out" a brain tumor. Jackson was 2 years and 11 months so the hospital had him sleeping in a crib. He was so uncomfortable that night and not used to being in a crib that I lowered one side and crawled in. I spent the entire night snuggled up in a crib with Jack. The next morning they wheeled him into the CT scan and we waited. The anethesiologist walked out shortly after and with tears in her eyes said "he has a brain tumor". That moment has forever changed our lives. The next 24 hours were spent in an uncomprehensable blur of calls to family, an MRI, an emergency burr hole drilled into his head to relieve the pressure, a night in the PICU and of course the following morning a 6 hour surgery and a Cancer diagnosis.
We have had a rough year spent in and out of the hospital. Jack has endured more then most people in his short three years and it shows. But, he is starting to feel better, developing and becoming a little boy and we are very proud of him. Wyatt has also suffered in all this but he has come out shining. He is becoming a sweet, sensitive and very loving little brother. The year spent in isolation has brought my boys closer then I could imagine and I am thankful that they have each other to lean on.
We are not out of the woods, we don't know if we are in remission, we don't know what the future holds for us but if you had asked me one year ago where we would be in a year, I did not think we would be here, all four of us still together and enjoying life. This year we spent Memorial Weekend together on vacation, just the four of us. Hopefully, it was a start to a much better year.
Next week we will again head to San Francisco for a Pulmonary test, MRI, labs and Chemo. Please continue praying for Jackson as we again head into a stressful pre-MRI week.
Thanks so much for everyone's support during this last year, we could not have done this without you!
You guys are amazing. Here is hoping for the best of years with many more to follow. Thoughts and prayers with you guys always.
Positive thoughts always being sent your way. I too hope for a better year for Jack and all of you, followed by many, many more to follow. I am so happy that Jack is able to play with other kids again, his smiles and laughter are priceless.
Love you guys,
Sam
You guys are an amazing family, and I love you. I am glad that you got to have a vacation just the 4 of you. what a great time. Hugs to all of you and kisses too!
Love you guys, Miss Belinda
Milkman, Wy-Man, Keri and Kelly,
You are an amazing family with strength and you are correct, no one has endured what the Milkman has and he has been an amazing person doing what he has to do. Im glad you had a nice vacation and as always, I send positive thoughts everyday.
Love you all!!!!!!
Go team Jackson !!! May this be your year. We are wishing you the best.
And Keri and Kelly, may there be many more years to come listening to the adventures of your two amazing little boys. Team Jackson will stay strong in this fight Jackson and we will right by your side the whole way. You keep fighting and making progress and we will keep praying and hoping daily.
Also good job Wyatt, because the love of the little brother is priceless!! Go get ‘em Jobes!!!
Patricia, Juan, Tommy & Nicky
Hi Keri,
I was moved to tears reading this post. It all sound too familiar. I too climbed into the crib with Davina, with my 7 month old pregnant belly. She is also inseparable from her brother, my boy has been fighting the battle with his sister even before he was born. I thank God for the strength He gave both our families. Always good to see Jack smiling. Wishing you a brighter and better year!
Hugs,
Frida and Davina.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davina1
God is good!! All the prayers have been heard and answered throughout this year and what a joy to hear how you all were able to get away together for some family time...so
deserved. Before long Jack will be celebrating his 4th birthday!!! WOW
As you stated,even though Jack isn’t out of the woods yet, our prayers will continue until the day he is. So dear family, keep doing what you’re doing because it’s working!!!! All our love, Missy and family
A year ago I wrote this and it has been my prayer and mantra each day. It is posted in my home where we see it often. On this anniversary it seems fitting to bring it out into the light of love here on this page. (that I check often but seldom post on)
Everyday in every way Jackson Jobe is growing, healthy in body, intelligent in mind, strong in spirit and free of cancer.
And everyday in every way Kelly, Keri, & Wyatt are growing, healthy in body, intelligent in mind, strong in spirit, blessed and held by love and light, amen
A year of triumph behind you, a year of hope ahead, may this be the start of something special and good and easeful for all of you.
all our love
Rose & Crew
You are an amazing family and such an inspiration. I feel so fortunate to have met you and look forward to getting to know you and your gorgeous boys better. Here’s to a healthy and happy summer. Our prayers are with you.
Love,
The Sanchez Family
As has happened many times in the past, your posts brings tears to my eyes. But today they are tears of pride and love. We are so proud of you all, and so lucky to know you and count you as friends. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Miss you JJ and Wyatt..............
What a special triumph this weekend holds! Jackson, you are truly our hero, our inspiration, and our proof of the miraculous powers of prayer. K&K;, your strength, endurance, and dedication are awe-inspiring models of what parental love can do. Our little Wyatt, too--all that compassion and love and understanding in such a little guy!!
Your journey touches the souls of everyone who hears about it and reflects God’s mercy and love. You have refocused our busy lives on what is truly important.
We’re so incredibly happy to be able to share in this new year of recovery and growth here with you. We adore watching the boys play together, and know they will grow up to be not just cousins but also amazing friends who are now equipped to persevere through anything life throws at them. We thank you for so much that you have taught us. Here’s to an amazing year ahead!!!
jack you aer our clone trooper you get rex1 the leder i get rex2
love brendan
Disclosure: this is all Bren--spelling too; Aunt Lisa simply typed in the email address. I have no idea what it means, but hopefully Uncle Kelly knows Star Wars and can interpret!
Your family is amazing and inspiring. I can’t believe a year has gone by. Parker still talks about his friend “Jackson from my old school”. We wish you the best for this year (more smiles and less hospitals)!
Your journal entry was so beautifully written. Thank you
Love,
Zorro & Mousse