02/07/2010
by Michael Wells Sunday morning and life in the “Man Cave” is just about as sane and serene as it can get. I am listening to Jack Johnson, John Mayer and Noah Jones (Pandora web radio) and I guess it has a way of mellowing out even the most stoic of sadists. This morning I have a problem (a good problem) but none the less a problem. I really have nothing to write about! Brady is sleeping soundly and is not even connected to his IV pumps. He has no temperature, he is just about done with his fungal antibiotics, he is eating well and basically acting like any toddler. Last night; I had the “watch” and other than Brady taking a late nap and thus not going to sleep until somewhere around 1:00am he appears to be a wonderfully normal little boy. It’s a fantastic feeling to be groping about trying to find something to write about that all of Brady’s friends and family members would find interesting to read. But the fact is at this moment Brady is doing remarkably well. I will take this blessing for its face value and enjoy every moment as much as possible. Just a reminder; today if you are anywhere near the Elk’s Lodge in Union, New Jersey please stop by and donate a pint of blood. I know we have all heard the commercials but I can tell you I have a whole new appreciation of the need to donate blood. Unfortunately; I cannot donate at this event as I was instructed not to donate blood until after the stem cell transplantation takes places. But I assure you I am going to donate for the rest of my life! So, if you can please help! A couple of days ago I thanked a lady named Debbie Roedel for cooking us some delicious stuffed peppers. Debbie is a friend of Ellen & Frank Gambatese and we have never met Debbie. The peppers alone were a praiseworthy gesture but it’s only the beginning; it seems the Roedels have offered Sherrie and me to pay for a couple of nights of hotel expenses when we are in Philadelphia. This gesture is just amazing and so far beyond my comprehension. The Roedels own the Monmouth Mobile Home Park and their website tells it all: Our Philosophy (Monmouth Mobile Home Park) The Park owners and employees are active members in Township activities and involve the Park residents in every aspect of community life. There are bus trips to Ice Shows & Atlantic City, a Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony and an Easter Egg Hunt through the Park. In addition, we participate in a Circus & Run for Vision with the Lions Organization and a number of other events including our favorite, Community Unity Day. Monmouth Mobile Home Park is more than somewhere to live, it is a nice place to raise your children or begin your married life. Recently, one of the members of the South Brunswick Board of Education offered the comment that; “Children from Monmouth Mobile Home Park generally tested higher then other surrounding neighborhoods, including those from more affluent areas.” They believe it is the sense of community within our Park. In October 1999, the Park donated two (2) Starlab Planetariums to the South Brunswick Community. One reason is because we put a lot of children through the school system and we wanted to recognize the effort that it takes to educate them. Another reason is because we wanted our children and the members of our community to be proud of where they lived and to be able to identify with a contribution to the “Quality of Life” in South Brunswick. The inscription on the Starlab reads “This Planetarium is a gift from the neighborhood of Monmouth Mobile Home Park to the community of South Brunswick. South Brunswick Foundation For Excellence In Education” There is nothing I can add to this except a heartfelt thank you for their generosity and compassion. Thank you!!! We are planning on staying at the Ronald McDonald House but it is based upon availability so, I will let you know where we end up Wow! I guess I did have something to write about after all. Until next time; please continue to pray, hug and think good thoughts for Brady as they continue to nurture a miracle in the making…Another totally uneventful day for Brady; life’s pretty darn good! Brady was off his IV pumps virtually the entire day and it was almost like being a “normal” family. A couple of interesting topics; Brady continues to increase his sign language skills as he has added Mother, Father, book, kiss, ball and more to his vocabulary. It’s really cool to see him sign and say “more” simultaneously. Also, we had a surprise visit from Stephen Jones today. Mr. Jones is the CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and I must say an extremely caring man. He stopped by to see “how things were going” and spent about a half hour chatting with us and Brady. It isn’t every day the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest hospital in New Jersey stops to see how you’re doing. I cannot imagine getting much better service than this. I just was watching the halftime Super Bowl performance of The Who and turned the TV off after the apparent wardrobe malfunction of guitarist Pete Townshend. Seeing his bare belly was more than enough for me (and probably a 1,000,000 other people) to leave the room. Well, I think the 3rd quarter must be underway by so; until next time, please keep the prayers, hugs and good wishes coming Brady’s way, Tuesday we need all the help we can get!!!
“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.