Love, Loss, and Other Four Letter Words
  • Home
  • About Chordoma
  • Photo Gallery
  • Blog - Madison's Journal

Last Planned Procedure... Delayed

1/22/2015

 
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's "Survivor Story" Featured 

1/14/2015

 
Picture
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'


Nick Vujicic

1/11/2015

 
Picture
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!  

 

Picture
Picture
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.   
Picture

Compassion and Excellence

1/7/2015

 
Picture
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.   



More Than Cancer: Small Acts of Kindness Add Up to Make a Big Difference

1/7/2015

 
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.
Picture
Picture

    Archives

    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013

    Picture

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.