Eli watching the activity in the backyard as the foundation for the playset is going in. |
Families aren’t at St. Jude just because it is free, but because it is a leader in pediatric cancer treatment. The hospital is also unique in that it treats the “whole child” by addressing more than the disease. An accredited school is available for Kindergarten through 12th grade children; a dentist and optometrist is on campus; furnished housing for the patient and family is provided so that the family unit is maintained and a gift card provides groceries each week. Transportation is provided from housing to the hospital for appointments, plus St. Jude even pays gas or plane ticket to Memphis and back home when treatment is over. That is not an exhaustive or detailed list, but it is a remarkable place of which we have had the humbling honor of experiencing. I wish I could have gained that knowledge through a brief tour of the campus, but our lot was and is to live it. So, speaking as a recipient of this great work, it is one to which we owe our son’s life, therefore, I consider it one of the worthiest of causes.
Eli's sister in the middle and Melissa's girls working on cards. |
Eli holding his sign made by a visiting team St. Bernard. |
Also, I was thrilled to be among “my peeps” again and soak up their good vibes in person because I have so badly missed being with my own friends whom I already knew I loved, but now know that I need. I am a social gal, a team player, and thrive on the energy of my friends like Superman and the sun. I’ve had so much fun going to birthday parties, my kids’ games, church activities, school activities, and really, just the simple few minutes of running over to my mom’s house. Eli has not started back to school, but I get a few minutes to myself while he is at the tutor’s house for an hour - who, incidentally, is also a friend that I’m so glad I get to see regularly again - so I have been able to exercise with one of my besties, Melissa, some on those mornings. Admittedly, the exercise is minimal, but my soul benefits so much from that cleansing exhale with her before the day starts. We’ve also been trying to work in a lot of family time as we inch closer and closer to Eli’s three-month scan the first of December, so it has been fun to have a real excuse to avoid housework instead of just avoiding it out of laziness (yet a real excuse is still an excuse, right? So, maybe a fake excuse is better because then it is not an excuse. Hmmm?). We are so blessed to have a new perspective and understanding. A gift I wish for no one.
We were able to visit the local Children's Science Museum. This is in the tornado exhibit. |
As a side note, several times I have seen where the frustrated mother of a cancer child has mocked the research and study of pediatric cancer because, in her general words, scientists have sent men to the moon and cars to mars, but have failed to identify a small group of cells that cause cancer. The answer to this is simple. Any success in exploring space, though it may be brilliant, is of man. But, the human body is God’s creation. Its endless complexity is beyond our complete understanding, and sending a rover to mars is preschool patty-cake comparably. So, it is not surprising that we as humans have failed to find the key. Cancer may be our Tower of Babel which keeps us humble and serves to remind us that we need God and can’t be successful without him. It’s just a thought.
Eli operates. |
So, Dr. Rawdon believes in the body’s ability to heal itself by tapping into and understanding God’s Way of built-in healing. He shared graphs and charts with us in his explanation and description of how the human body works. And, it makes sense, that’s for sure, besides none of it was detrimental in and of itself. He, of course, has prescribed, among other things, what is called “juicing.” That’s taking raw (like shake the dirt off the roots raw) veggies and fruits and squash them up real good to squeeze out the nectar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served. He gave us samples of juices that had just been prepared in the kitchen. The first one was a thick, dark green liquid. To call it juice is a stretch. After I finally swallowed my timid sip, he said, “Well, what do you think, what flavor is that?” My cheeks sucked in and I curled my lips under and said, “hmm... I’d call it ‘Mowing the Grass’.” Thankfully he laughed. It’s hard for you kind people to believe, I know, but not everyone thinks I’m funny. So, he wants ninety percent of Eli’s diet to be raw, which I’m really afraid that Chick-fil-A is going to balk when I order raw chicken nuggets. There are some other things he gave us to do, like for Eli to bounce 10 minutes each day to stimulate his lymph fluid; and I’m suppose to massage him with coconut oil, and he has to take some other oral oils. He’s supposed to get plenty of sunshine and avoid stress. That last one is a challenge in this household.
I wanted to give a couple of updates on other kids. Please, say special prayers for Jayden. He has been put back in PICU in Ann Arbor where he continues to suffer from seizures that they can’t seem to control. He is fighting a relapse PNET tumor battle. Also, sweet smiling Jonathan in New York is beginning his third and final chemo for a rare liver cancer. He is a little guy, but in every picture that he is not sleeping he is smiling. Rock Star Ayden was unable to have a surgery that he needed because his immune system was too low. Jack had a port placed in order to begin chemo soon. Thanks to you generous people and a kind family on Saturday we have met my personal goal of $1,000 for Ryan’s final arrangements. I am constantly amazed and enticed by such acts. It just gets me excited and makes me feel challenged. And, I love a challenge. I am eager to get this pancake breakfast for him going now so that I can hopefully double that original goal. If we can do that, combined with what they have at this point, that will be half of what they need. There are dangers of living such blessed lives, but there are perks, too, and one of them is being able to help others just as described in Acts 20. Sincere thanks and love to you all.
Eli's first lost tooth! How much more normal can you get than that?! |
St Jude is such an amazing place. I am actually running the St Jude Marathon in December as a Hero (so far I have raised nearly $2,600)
ReplyDeleteI found your story through my Mom. She lives in Harvest and forwarded me Eli's story. With your permission, would like to run a mile in honor of Eli.
Wow, Jenn, great fund-raising. And kudos for the marathon. I saw a friend that is training for it and he was so excited to have had done 17 miles, but that is still 9 miles short! Amazing. I would love for you to include Eli in your journey.
DeleteAwesome, I will add Eli to my list! :) I just completed 16 miles last week - it is still so far away from the 26.2 but for some reason it was a huge hurtle! I figure if I can do 16, I can do 26, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you keeping this blog. When I am questioning my training I come and read your blog and it reminds me why I am runing! :)