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On Friday Madi was scheduled to have her chemo port removed, the last planned medical procedure (the last planned cancer treatment was in November). It was delayed to February, just a scheduling conflict.
All things considered, Madi is doing very well! She started at Moorpark College on January 12, received a part-time job offer January 15.  Madison is a member of the Cancer Support Community in Westlake Village CA and was featured in this months newsletter. Her "survivor story" is very inspiring... you can read it at this link.
"Cancer": Do cancer patients think of it as a battle cancer or consider it a journey? Ponder the definitions: "Battle": Noun. A hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces: "Journey": Noun. A traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather longtime; trip: Writing on kevinmd.com, Rob Ruff writes of the journey metaphor: “With this (journey) image, having an illness takes us on a trip, a journey that will be marked by twists and turns, ups and downs, unexpected detours, smooth stretches of roadway, seemingly impassable rocky paths, enemies that threaten us as well as loved ones who support us. One is often changed even transformed by a journey. We learn lessons along the way, lessons we may never have learned if we hadn't been set on this challenging path. We weigh what we need to take and what is better left behind. Sometimes, we have to abandon items we thought we would need but don’t, traveling lighter as we go. Storms may arise which blow us far off course, off the map we’d been using to guide us, leaving us lost in an unknown land.” “Yet we can, with effort and assistance, chart a new course and regain our bearings. On a journey, we can appreciate the beauty we encounter and have deep conversations with those who travel alongside us (instead of the chaos and conflict that characterize a battlefield, strewn as it so often is with the destruction and detritus of war.) One doesn't win or lose a journey but rather takes it a step at a time". It's been one heck of a journey for Madison and her family. From our hearts, we humbly thank you for taking it with us, and for your kindness and support. Love, The Jones'  Madi, her mom, step mom, dad, step dad, and grandmother were given an extraordinary gift yesterday. We had the privilege of attending a church sermon that featured Nick Vujicic: a man with no arms, no legs, and "no worries". You can read more about Nick's journey by just simply searching his name on Google, or clicking this link to watch a brief four minute video. Nick is amazing and inspirational beyond description... his perspective is very powerful!
So how's Madi?! In about 12 hours she restarts college after being away for a year and a half during various chordoma treatments. The picture below is one of determination... the stink eye to have her dad/paparazzi STOP with the camera.   This picture was taken today by the parent of a very young chordoma journeyer princess with a world famous Radio-oncologist at Mass General in Boston, one of the top dogs globally.
Excellence and compassion... Dr. Liebsch personally escorting this princess to her first Proton Treatment. by cscvvsb on January 6, 2015 The holidays were approaching, and things were weighing heavily on the members of the Cancer Support Community’s Young Adult support group. “The holidays, the reality of having cancer, the statistics, surgeries, treatments – every member was deeply affected,” says Tricia Lethcoe, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist who facilitates the group. You can read more about the story and wonderful act of kindness at this link. Madison is quoted: “As a patient, it is easy to get caught up in the shuffle of appointments, tests, and treatments,” says Madison, another group member. “That’s why the Origami Owl jewelry donation was so special. We chose charms that each represented something to us. The necklaces are so beautiful because they are a tangible reminder of who we are outside of cancer. The donors’ gift is bigger than a necklace. For me, it is a powerful affirmation of who I am, and I will be forever grateful for their generosity.” Thanks to the Cancer Support Community and volunteers there! ... continued.
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