Tomorrow Drew will go for his last chemo round. What a milestone this is for our family. As I look back through the blog, I remember all the heartache and pain of this journey. I remember the first round like it was yesterday, yet it seems light years ago. I look back and think about the family we were then, and how different of a family we are now. We are way stronger than I ever imaged we could be. We look past the little things, and value each moment with each other. This has been the defining moment in our lives. As a family we would get each other through this incredible journey. Each taking turns carrying the weight of this burden and finding the strength within to forge forward. Here we are at the end of the journey, and I can only reflect now on the impacts to our lives.
The number of people that have touched our lives throughout Drew's journey is humbling. Where do you begin thanking all the friends, family and strangers that have taken this journey with us. It is your support that carried us through this, and we could not have done it without you. Each and everyone one of your are amazing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
To My Mom and Dad: I love you so much. I use to having a saying with my parents "NLM" which stood for "Nobody Loves Me". As a little girl I would tell them NLM and they would give me a big hug and say "I do". Little did I know later in life the strength of that love would carry me through the most challenging of times. You have made me the person I am, so I thank you. You have taught me to be strong and fight for what I believe in. It is these lessons that allowed me to fight so hard for Drew.
Tony's Parents: You have been so amazing through this entire process, and we love you. You have taken care of us during the worst of times, laughing with us and crying with us. Thank you for always being there. We could not have gotten through this without your love and support. You have taught us so much about unconditional love not only through your words but also through your actions.
Our Sisters & Brother-In-Laws: "We are family, I got all my sisters with me". Little did I know what these words would mean to me some day. You have been with our family each and every step of the way, supporting us through this journey. I thank God for giving me such an amazing family. I have been blessed. Sisterhood is a bond that can never be broken, only strengthened throughout time. Thank you for your amazing strength and support during this process.
Joe & Rochelle: Thank you for coming along with us on this journey and for always focusing on the positive. We needed this positive energy, when we wanted to fall apart. Thank you for being our cheering section, even when things didn't always seem on the winning end. You have taught us what positive energy can do. We love you both so much. We are lucky to have you be a part of our lives each and every day.
Our Nephews & Nieces: Thanks for making us smile. For helping entertain Jack and for all those innocent little prayers. God must be listening to your quiet voices, and answering you. Drew will get better soon and playing with you soon. We love you. Hugs and kisses.
Tony: You are an amazing husband and definitely my better half. Silently you picked up the slack, when I was too tired to go on. You have given me the strength to keep moving forward to a bigger and better future. You are unquestionably the best father in the whole world. Our kids are lucky to have you. Thank you for always being there for us.
Jack: Buddy, I love you. You are so strong and so willful. These traits will get you far in life. I am sorry you had to experience something so scary this early in your life. You have been such a trooper. You have made us laugh, when we wanted to cry. Thank you for all the giggles. Each hug and kiss got us through the rough days. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.
Drew: My little peanut, wow are you strong. I was so scared for you. As your Mother I wanted to protect you from all the bad things in life. You have taught me that my job is not to protect you, but to guide you through the rough spots in life. We will always be here to love and support you. You are strong and resilient, hang it there we are almost done with the worst part of this life long journey. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.
Friends, Extended Family, Co-Workers, and Strangers: Thank you so for helping us through this journey. Each one of you have touched our lives, and we are forever changed because of it. The out pour of support and prayers from everyone has been overwhelming. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Please keep Drew in your prayers tomorrow and the upcoming months. He will end the chemo process tomorrow, and start the life long journey of being a cancer SURVIVOR. This will not always be an easy road for him, there are future risks associated with his path in life. We can only hope for the best, and thank God for giving us a second chance at having him be a part of our lives.
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5 comments:
We hope this last and final round goes as smooth as the fifth!! All of you are in our thoughts and prayers today and always! Look forward to a few weeks from now to read that he is through all the steps of this last round and can go play with all his cousins and aunts and uncles!! Keep up that positive energy!!
Lots of love always!
Ken, Celeste Nicholas & Lisa
Good luck on your final round of Chemo. All of us will be praying and thinking about you. Try to stay healthy this final month so that we can have our whole family at Bella and Halle's Baptism. Your cousins are very excited to meet you and uncle Mike and I love you and can't wait to see you and play with you again.
Beth, Mike, Bella, Halle, & Buddy
Drew
We are thinking of you today and will be saying paryers that you have an easy round like #5. We love you lots. You are a strong little boy and we can't wait to spend time with you soon.
Tom, Holly, Jake, Brett
Heidi & Tony,
We cried when we read your message today. The things a person does every day somehow impacts the people you meet in some way. Life and each of our jouneys is not determined by us alone.
Remember Tara Faundeen....As a parent our hearts have been heavy for your family and the pain that you had to endure. No matter how hard you try, you can only be there to hopefully help make the journey a little easier. As parents that is what we did for you and in return it gave your family a little more quality time with Drew and Jack when maybe you would not have been able to have that. We love all of you so very much and would not have had it any other way. Heidi, your sisters are great. They understood the need for us to be there for you guys, much more than they ever said.
Your family, WOW! The unconditional Love you have for one another is the most rewarding jewel in life. You are stronger, and every event you may have to face you will be able to do because of the bond you have.
We are so very proud of you Heidi, Tony, Jack and Drew.
We only ask for one thing! Please everyone when this segement is over, to continue to keep Heidi, Tony and there two boys always in your prayers and on the life long prayer chains. You were in the best place and God placed in your midst the best Doctors.
Spring is here and that means A NEW LIFE. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
All Our Love
Mom and Dad
Drew,
We're so happy that this is the FINAL round. You are a fighter. I hope that this round is even smoother than the last. Get strong and we'll be playing with your soon. We Love you!
Heidi,
Your message was wonderful. I'm sure it was tough watching your baby go through all of this, but he did it with you and Tony right there. He's a lucky little guy.
I wish that we could have done more for all of you.
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