June 18, 2013
So we went to PM Pediatrics on Sunday, Father's Day. Cody has been having some back pain and he wanted to get it checked out. So an xray was ordered. He ended up having 2 nodules on his left lung, not even where the pain in. We got scared. Called Sloan and could not get through. We found out last night the reason for that was that one of his drs had a heart attack and passed away suddenly. Very upset by this. So this morning, very early I dropped him and Brittany off at the train. Brittany was his girlfriend during the beginning of all this. Not sure what her deal is, I know she has a b/friend. Just being a great friend. Cody insisted on going alone, without me. He is doing it with contrast and will be drinking that yucky stuff. We should get a preliminary report today. I am scared but praying for the all positive results. Our friend, Meghan got clear scans so hoping this karma is passed along!
Please keep Cody in your prayers. We leave for FL on Saturday!!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
4 years later....June 4, 2013
Dear Friends and Family,
Four years ago today, Cody received his stem cells to cure his body of leukemia. It was a day of reflection for us. Last night Cody opened a bottle of Jones Soda and the message on the cap said : and I kid you not-"Tuesday is an important day for you". We were both stunned. Today was more than important. We call it Cody's rebirth day. By 'we', I mean me and Cody. We are a team and have been since his diagnosis. Well, even before that since he was a cranky baby and always "mommy's boy". He did not want anyone but me!
On this day, 4 years ago, Cody received the new stem cells from donated umbilical cords. He actually got 2 units. He was doing a medical study at MSKCC. The plan was for one unit to take and it did. Cody's blood type changed and he was soon all donor cells. It is an amazing process and cures so many of this dreadful disease.
I know that we all know and remember how hard Cody fought and how very sick he was. Well, he is doing GREAT now! I thank God each day when I go wake him up for his pills before I leave for work. It is my pleasure. He is finished with 2 years of college already too now. I am so very proud of him and I pray for his continued good health.
Love,
Mary
PS. Casey is back in GA now and we are meeting in FL in just 18 days. I will be together with my family and my boys. I cannot wait!!!!
Safe, healthy and a happy summer to all of us!!
This is Cody being goofy at dinner tonight!!
Four years ago today, Cody received his stem cells to cure his body of leukemia. It was a day of reflection for us. Last night Cody opened a bottle of Jones Soda and the message on the cap said : and I kid you not-"Tuesday is an important day for you". We were both stunned. Today was more than important. We call it Cody's rebirth day. By 'we', I mean me and Cody. We are a team and have been since his diagnosis. Well, even before that since he was a cranky baby and always "mommy's boy". He did not want anyone but me!
On this day, 4 years ago, Cody received the new stem cells from donated umbilical cords. He actually got 2 units. He was doing a medical study at MSKCC. The plan was for one unit to take and it did. Cody's blood type changed and he was soon all donor cells. It is an amazing process and cures so many of this dreadful disease.
I know that we all know and remember how hard Cody fought and how very sick he was. Well, he is doing GREAT now! I thank God each day when I go wake him up for his pills before I leave for work. It is my pleasure. He is finished with 2 years of college already too now. I am so very proud of him and I pray for his continued good health.
Love,
Mary
PS. Casey is back in GA now and we are meeting in FL in just 18 days. I will be together with my family and my boys. I cannot wait!!!!
Safe, healthy and a happy summer to all of us!!
This is Cody being goofy at dinner tonight!!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
April 27, 2013
Happy 20th Birthday to Cody!! I remember this day well. Cody was a planned c-section. I went into the hospital early and the delivery was delayed because of some potassium levels were off. I think he was born around 11:25am. Casey came up that night to see you and he was all smiles. Nana was here staying with Casey. We lived in Cedarhurst in Apt. 1F. Cody quickly grew up in that apartment for the next 5 years. We moved out here to Melville right before Cody started kindergarten. We have been here ever since. All was going well until the diagnosis in Dec. 2008. The past few years are a blur. There are a lot of things I do not remember too. The sequence of events gets messed up from time to time too. We talk a lot and try to piece the events together. I am proud of the young man that Cody has become. I am proud of both of my sons, for that matter.
Today we celebrated Cody's 20th. We went to a street fair and it was a beautiful day! We got lunch and walked around and then relaxed back at home before dinner. Cody wanted mexican so he found a place and we enjoyed our dinner. Seems like a quiet birthday after what we did last weekend for mine. During dinner, we skyped with Casey so Cody was happy about that.
Where does the time go?? How old I feel!!!
Today we celebrated Cody's 20th. We went to a street fair and it was a beautiful day! We got lunch and walked around and then relaxed back at home before dinner. Cody wanted mexican so he found a place and we enjoyed our dinner. Seems like a quiet birthday after what we did last weekend for mine. During dinner, we skyped with Casey so Cody was happy about that.
Where does the time go?? How old I feel!!!
Friday, March 29, 2013
March 29, 2013
Happy Good Friday!
So Cody started back soccer!! He is working with a trainer at International Soccer Academy. He lasted for 3 weeks and sprained his ankle. He took some time off and went back this week and did a last kick and got a groin strain. So he is taking it easy and going to physical therapy. He is planting peppers and still enjoying his time with the Islanders. He is doing well in school and it is hard to believe he will be finishing his 2nd year.
Healthwise, he is great! He is back on track and eating more than ever. He has more stamina and feels good. The bouts of nausea have not occurred for some time now. He is going to the long term team this week so I will report back on that. He will also be going to his kidney specialist and hopefully decreasing his medication that he is on now. We need to get him off his anti depressants and move on!!
We are keeping tabs on Casey, as he is overseas again. We get to chat and Skype with him which makes me happy. We are planning on a trip at the end of June and are all connecting in FL. It will be nice to be all together again.
Happy spring to everyone!
So Cody started back soccer!! He is working with a trainer at International Soccer Academy. He lasted for 3 weeks and sprained his ankle. He took some time off and went back this week and did a last kick and got a groin strain. So he is taking it easy and going to physical therapy. He is planting peppers and still enjoying his time with the Islanders. He is doing well in school and it is hard to believe he will be finishing his 2nd year.
Healthwise, he is great! He is back on track and eating more than ever. He has more stamina and feels good. The bouts of nausea have not occurred for some time now. He is going to the long term team this week so I will report back on that. He will also be going to his kidney specialist and hopefully decreasing his medication that he is on now. We need to get him off his anti depressants and move on!!
We are keeping tabs on Casey, as he is overseas again. We get to chat and Skype with him which makes me happy. We are planning on a trip at the end of June and are all connecting in FL. It will be nice to be all together again.
Happy spring to everyone!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
March 20, 2013
Wow, it is the first day of Spring! We have been very busy and Cody feels great! He has started working with a soccer trainer and LOVES it. His comment was: I felt nervous when I got there but once I touch the ball, I knew I was back. So cute and so touching. He never ceases to amaze me.
We spent the day with a recording studio and they put together a promotional clip for Contractors For Kids. It is awesome. We have gotten amazing feedback and I hope it helps them with some funding.
Cody is back doing some hockey games and is almost finished with his 2nd year of school. I am so proud of him.
Casey is overseas and we worry daily. Nicole was here visiting so we enjoyed some time with her. We are all planning a trip for the end of June to be together at my dad's and brothers. I am looking forward to that!
I pray for our lives to continue this way and only get better. Our friend, Meg, is finished with chemo and we pray she is on her road to recovery. Matisse is in the maintenance phase of his treatment and is doing well too! On a sad note, we pray for the Bellero's who lost their son in a car accident. He was just 20.
Thank you for reading and keeping us in your prayers. XO
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8IkdXmWwdA
We spent the day with a recording studio and they put together a promotional clip for Contractors For Kids. It is awesome. We have gotten amazing feedback and I hope it helps them with some funding.
Cody is back doing some hockey games and is almost finished with his 2nd year of school. I am so proud of him.
Casey is overseas and we worry daily. Nicole was here visiting so we enjoyed some time with her. We are all planning a trip for the end of June to be together at my dad's and brothers. I am looking forward to that!
I pray for our lives to continue this way and only get better. Our friend, Meg, is finished with chemo and we pray she is on her road to recovery. Matisse is in the maintenance phase of his treatment and is doing well too! On a sad note, we pray for the Bellero's who lost their son in a car accident. He was just 20.
Thank you for reading and keeping us in your prayers. XO
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8IkdXmWwdA
Sunday, January 27, 2013
January 27, 2013
Good morning. I cannot believe that this week February begins. Crazy!
So it has been quiet here which is always a GREAT thing. Cody goes back to school tomorrow for the 2nd part of his sophomore year. He is looking forward to it because he knows it is closer to getting finished. He also signed up for soccer training. He is so excited! I think this is the one thing he has missed the most. Matter of fact, I know it is. He will be training with a coach and one other kid. He starts Feb 12. He has asked that I do not go and I can't anyway. I have started seeing a therapist to help me get through my tough days. I worry about Cody, non stop. I know that will not ever go away, this is what moms do but I know it is annoying to him. I am waiting to hear that Casey is deploying, any day now. That is another huge worry too. I am so looking forward to our cruise this summer when we can all be together and have some fun and relax!!
This year, I have focused on ways to give back to those great foundations that have helped us along the way. The one that is close is Contractors for Kids. I was happy to be asked to speak at one of their dinner events a few weeks ago. I was nervous but was honored to do it. Cody is such an inspiration to all who are battling. We met another family there and will add them to our prayers.
We continue to pray for those we know battling this disease. Many prayers to our friend's niece, Meg. She is battling a rare bone cancer and going through some tough chemo now. Stay strong, Meg!
Thanks for reading.
So it has been quiet here which is always a GREAT thing. Cody goes back to school tomorrow for the 2nd part of his sophomore year. He is looking forward to it because he knows it is closer to getting finished. He also signed up for soccer training. He is so excited! I think this is the one thing he has missed the most. Matter of fact, I know it is. He will be training with a coach and one other kid. He starts Feb 12. He has asked that I do not go and I can't anyway. I have started seeing a therapist to help me get through my tough days. I worry about Cody, non stop. I know that will not ever go away, this is what moms do but I know it is annoying to him. I am waiting to hear that Casey is deploying, any day now. That is another huge worry too. I am so looking forward to our cruise this summer when we can all be together and have some fun and relax!!
This year, I have focused on ways to give back to those great foundations that have helped us along the way. The one that is close is Contractors for Kids. I was happy to be asked to speak at one of their dinner events a few weeks ago. I was nervous but was honored to do it. Cody is such an inspiration to all who are battling. We met another family there and will add them to our prayers.
We continue to pray for those we know battling this disease. Many prayers to our friend's niece, Meg. She is battling a rare bone cancer and going through some tough chemo now. Stay strong, Meg!
Thanks for reading.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Happy New Year. As I sit here alone, my choice basically, I reflect back and really am thankful for what I have. (Cody is in Canada visiting his dad and Casey is in GA.) Cancer changes life in every way and it will always be different. I know that I have a lot to overcome but each days gets easier. I do not constantly yell at Cody to drink anymore, for fear of dehydration which would land us back in the hospital. It is there but it gets easier somehow.
We are trying to get to the bottom of his eye issues. They are drooping and basically all tests are normal. He had neurological testing last week and there is some nerve damage in his feet from the chemo but the eyes are good. So we are looking into cosmetic surgery to lift the lids.
I am trying really hard to help Cody in the social world. He has been out of it for a long time and it takes time getting that back. He commutes to school so that does not always lend itself to the best of friendships. It will come, I know. I help where I can. Time...
Please keep my friend's niece in your prayers. She is battling a rare form of bone cancer and getting some strong chemo. She is a sweet girl and having a very tough time. Add Meghan to your prayers. Thank you.
For now, Happy New Year. Stay strong and healthy my friends. Don't forget to add Casey to your prayers too, he deploys again in the upcoming weeks.
We are trying to get to the bottom of his eye issues. They are drooping and basically all tests are normal. He had neurological testing last week and there is some nerve damage in his feet from the chemo but the eyes are good. So we are looking into cosmetic surgery to lift the lids.
I am trying really hard to help Cody in the social world. He has been out of it for a long time and it takes time getting that back. He commutes to school so that does not always lend itself to the best of friendships. It will come, I know. I help where I can. Time...
Please keep my friend's niece in your prayers. She is battling a rare form of bone cancer and getting some strong chemo. She is a sweet girl and having a very tough time. Add Meghan to your prayers. Thank you.
For now, Happy New Year. Stay strong and healthy my friends. Don't forget to add Casey to your prayers too, he deploys again in the upcoming weeks.
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