Cameron was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in Febuary of 2008. After his tumor resection surgery, he underwent six weeks of radiation therapy and four months of chemotherapy. After these treatments, we went back into our "normal" lives and Cameron progressed well getting back into school and the day-to-day of being a little boy.
However, a routine MRI on March 19, 2010 showed his cancer had returned. On November 9th, 2011, Cameron finally conquered his battle with cancer when he opened his eyes to the joys of heaven. Even in these dark days, we know God has richly blessed us by putting so many wonderful people in our path during this journey and we are so very thankful for them all.
It's been week since my last post and things remain about the same. Cameron had a pretty good week. He spent lots of time at the kitchen table doing art projects. Mr. Mize (his teacher) came by with some art supplies from the art teacher at Salem Elementary which made Cameron's day. He has become quite the artist these days and I have to fight him to keep his precious drawings because he wants to give them all away. :-) Ms. Germano and Cameron have been working on a school penguin project which they finished up this afternoon.
Today we had a VERY special visitor. The weekend we first arrived at Duke some three years ago, we met a 2nd year neurosurgery resident; the doctor who gave Cameron the name "Action Jackson." Cam instantly just fell in love with him, as did we all, and we have stayed in contact with him over the past three years. This morning he came over and spent the morning with us and brought "Action" a model of his car...a silver Nissan 350Z. It was such a great visit and made me realize even in the midst of this nightmare, God managed to arrange things perfectly where we would meet the most amazing doctors to take care of our precious son.
This week is a big one for our family. Connor turns 13...AHHHH!!!! We are hoping to make it a special week for him despite the craziness going on around us. He deserves it and more. Please be in prayer we have an uneventful week to enjoy, and spoil, Connor! Love to you all.
These days, beautiful weather means the Jackson's are on the move. No more waiting around for "next weekend" because who knows what next weekend may hold. And to be honest, I am beginning to like this mindset. We packed up and went to the beach this past weekend to do Cameron's most favorite activity...putt putt. We were in Myrtle Beach a total of 30 hours (almost half of which was sleeping) and played 6 rounds of putt-putt golf. It was great. He had a blast and I think Connor had fun too. We did have an addition to our car this trip, a wheelchair for Cameron. He loves to get out of the house but gets tired rather quickly so we got this to help. The first few times we pulled it out, I had to fight the tears. It's not the easiest thing to see your child in. And I had to fight the desire not to FIGHT...literally...the people who gave me that pity smile. Cameron on the other hand kept thanking us for his new wheelchair and telling us how much he loved it. Only Cam would have such a perspective!!!
For me, there is nothing more peaceful than the ocean. Looking out across the open sea makes me feel so close to the Lord. Last night there was a full moon over the ocean that simply took my breath away. I told Cameron as we stood on the balcony, "If God can create THIS for us here on Earth, just imagine what Heaven will be like." Love to you all!
I know it has been a while since i updated the blog but just couldn't seem to find the words. This past week has been an emotional one for us. It was the three year anniversary of Cameron's diagnosis and surgery. As you can probably imagine, it brings back a flood of memories and marks a time when the life we knew ended and another began. And, as if the memories aren't enough of a reminder, the Mix 101.5 Radiothon for Duke Children's always coincides with the anniversary of when our journey with cancer began and therefore, it makes the week hard. Last year we went on the radio rejoicing that Cam was cancer free not knowing that the following month, we would learn his cancer had returned.
So we have tried to stay busy and not think about things. This past weekend, we had family visit from Georgia and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. We went to Frankies (a Cam favorite) and played some putt-putt. He made three hole in ones which made his day. We did a little shopping and just enjoyed the weekend together. On Monday, Cameron was able to go to school and hand out his Valentine's cards. There is no better feeling than opening a classroom door and hearing 24 gasps and a room full of kids excitedly say "IT'S CAMERON!" I am overjoyed to see the love his friends have for him and deeply saddened his friends, who have walked this road with him since kindergarten, will be left wondering how this can happen. In praying for Cameron, please remember all his friends too. Cameron even received a Valentine's gift from his bus driver. It has become very evident to me that my little boy has managed to touch the lives of just about everyone he comes in contact with. If only I could live like that? What if we all approached everyday like that?
Unfortunately, Cameron has had a few headaches over the past week which is of concern. He's a kid that always has a smile and never complains...to the point I almost forget we are fighting this battle. A false sense of reality that quickly departs at the words "my head hurts." It's emotionally exhausting. But I'm trusting God will continue to provide what we need with each passing day. Love to you all!
It's so strange how tragedy can change your perspective on life. I don't know if I was one to complain prior to this journey with cancer...truthfully, I don't even remember life prior to Cam's cancer. But these days, I just don't find much to complain about. Every day of life is such a gift. In the midst of this crisis, I find myself surprisingly at peace. I am so grateful that EJ and I both have wonderful jobs that allow us to be flexible and spend time with Cameron. I feel so blessed that we have such amazing friends surrounding us and praying for us during this time. I am so thankful we have learned to let go of the little things in life that tend to drive most crazy. And most of all, I am just thankful beyond words that Cameron has been headache free for almost 7 weeks. Seeing him smile, play, giggle, and even fight with Connor is worth more than gold.
Strangely enough, I feel closer to Christ than I ever have in my life and yet I still find it exceedingly hard to get on my knees and pray. Yes, I know, that is a bizarre statement but as a mom, I want certain things and as a believer, I want to trust Christ. In this situation, those two desires may not match and therefore, its exceedingly hard to pray. But God, being God, has obviously poured out everything I need because I've never trusted Him more than I do at this moment. I feel His presence everywhere, in everything, and I know He is in control of this situation...every single aspect of it. So for now...life is good!
We had a great weekend. The weather was absolutely beautiful here in NC. Cameron couldn't wait to go to church to take communion. He's been waiting for the day it was served in church since his baptism and this past Sunday it happened. He was up early...so early we made it to early church. :-) Without a doubt I believe the Lord was smiling from Heaven at the little boy who couldn't wait to head to church and take communion. After church, he wanted to go to Frankie's Fun Park and play some games and putt-putt. So we did. I wish all of you could have seen his face when he won 400 tickets on the Deal or No Deal game, as well as when he got a "hole in one" on the first hole of the course. By the time we got to #18, he was really tired and ready to come home. He rested for the afternoon and then went to the Waffle House for supper. Yes...another Cameron favorite.
Yesterday he was rather tired but today he has had the absolute best day since his scan. He woke up in the best mood...happy and talkative. I had to go to work for a few hours and while there, I received several texts from him saying hello, telling me about he and dad's trip to Wal-Mart, and requesting I stop by TGI Friday for some chicken tenders. Ernest said he found him several time humming and singing while doing his various activities; sounds we haven't heard in weeks. He was back in the floor with his Hot Wheels; building city sets and roads with his little imagination. I'm not quite sure what brought on Cameron's energy today but I'm going to bed with a burst of energy myself because I got the best gift a mom could ask for today; I got to see my little guy laugh and play.
