Major Milestone...

Boy, I thought my son's 1st haircut would be the most memorable. Was I ever wrong! He just got his first haircut since it grew back from losing it to chemo and I bawled like a baby!!! Happy tears, mind you. I was just so emotional because his hair had gone from completely bald to long enough that he needed it cut. This time last year, we didn't even know if he'd still be with us. Very humbling to know that God is listening to ALL of our prayers! I am definitely one grateful momma!!! THANK YOU, JESUS!

 

UPDATE TO THE RECENT HOSPITAL VISIT:

Well, it sure did scare the beJesus out of us finding that new lump, but all is well. The CAT scan showed the lump to be nothing more than enlarged lymph nodes and the blood gas test (or whatever it is called) came back as showing no cancer indicators! THANK YOU, JESUS!!! And, thank everyone out there who follows this blog and is praying for my son. Obviously, those prayers are working!!!

Now, if I could just get Raymond to take better care of himself, maybe the cancer will never come back...

HEADING UP TO THE HOSPITAL IN A FEW MINUTES...

We are about to head up to the hospital to get a new lump checked out... very scared that Raymond's cancer has returned.  I am praying hard that it is not back. Can use all of the prayers we can get, so if you are seeing this, please bend God's ear on this. Raymond's disposition is not strong to be able to go through this again. He has already said that if the cancer is back, he'll just let it take him and he's not fighting. He's only 25 and that is the worst possible attitude to have. Cancer cells thrive on negativity and he's got that in abundance!! We're going up to Genesis... I'll keep everyone posted... PRAY, PLEASE!!!!

Tried harder...

I posted on Marines facebook page asking for help to get the message to Clayton about his brother. He probably already knows and just hasn't responded, but I just really wish that side of the family would put their differences with Raymond aside long enough to give him peace of mind so that he isn't dwelling on past mistakes. I want his mind clear, especially now. He is worried about the area where his surgery was done. Need to get his ID so that he can get in to the doc to get that checked. Until then, he'll keep worrying... I know from personal experience that untreated bipolar disorder is off-putting and that people disown you from their lives once you've done or said something you regret, but now is not the time to hold grudges!! This young man has just went through a whole summer of chemo, fighting a very aggressive form of cancer and his paternal side of the family did not even acknowledge his suffering, with the exception of his Grandma Young. They all have the link to this blog, yet have chosen to ignore it. I am just praying that it has not come back and that we are not headed for another four months of torture for Raymond. Please pray that the Holy Spirit move his paternal side of the family to compassion and understanding....

Well, I tried...

So, I sent letters to Raymond's dad and to his brother. No response from his dad, and he doesn't answer when Raymond calls him. I got the letter to Clayton back "attempted not known" and it was sent to his address to his unit on base, so that tells me he refused it. Also, I had someone message his stepmother from their fb page... She recieved a message from the stepmom asking who she was. She replied back with the reason for contacting her and now she's blocked from the stepmom's account. Nice. No matter how much I am estranged from my other son, Clayton, I could never stop loving him. Ray Sr., on the other hand, won't even swallow his pride despite a cancer scare for his namesake. Knowing his mother and father, I know he was raised with better morales than that. Shame on some people! Well, they all have this link and are able to follow Raymond's progress, should they ever grow a heart...

Been a long time between posts, but...

GOOD NEWS!! I think that Raymond is now cancer free!!  We'll know for sure after his labwork comes back. It's been a long hard road, but I am pretty sure the whole experience made Raymond a stronger person and one who appreciates his life a little more.

He got ahold of his dad yesterday. They were able to talk a bit. I'm glad about that. I know it meant the world to Raymond. He hates when he is at odds with his dad and brother.  I think the whole cancer battle made him realize just how short life really is. 

They do say "Everything happens for a reason..."

I Just Got Wonderfully Exciting News!

A lady I met through DUC on Facebook, Kat Vecchione, is a rock radio talk show host. She has agreed to interview Raymond and I live on her show to get awareness out about the struggles cancer patients and their families face during the journey!! My nephew, +Jordan Arnold is going to get the "RaymondsHope" website up and running before we do the interview so that it will be live right along with us on the air!

Kat told me that she is also a survivor! She had her last surgery for BC in January. Ironically, it was also the same month when Raymond had his FIRST surgery! 

I had absolutely no idea just how many people there are out there that are affected by cancer in one way or another until my son's diagnosis brought us to so many of them.  God wanted us to meet all of them because we are hearing so many inspiring stories of survival, strength, determination, and truly brave individuals that we have met. 

As I mentioned, Kat's radio talk show is live on Saturdays beginning @ 6pm Eastern time... Here is a link to the website. Feel free to share it with your friends and stop by to check it out live Saturday night! They have a live chat during the show, too.  Sounds like fun.

World Talk Rock Radio with Kat Vecchione on itsyourradio