Just a little update to let you know that Jack did really well yesterday with his scans.  We got to the hospital and he was in great spirits.  We were able to deliver some of our “Stronger Than Cancer” shirts to some of the PCH employees since we had a little bit of time on our hands.  Walking back in to radiology used to feel like you were walking into the hallways of doom because it’s simply terrifying but now, even though we are still nervous about it all, we walk back there and we are greeted by our second family.  The nuclear med team, the CT team, nurse Angela, and of course Dr Maze are all there waiting for us and with open arms.  They care so much about Jack and our family and knowing that they will take such amazing care of him while he is under, makes a huge difference.

Jack fell asleep well, with a smile on his face but with a very strong grip on to Zac’s shirt.  We gave him kisses and ran up to the oncology floor to deliver some more shirts while he was asleep.  The scans didn’t take any longer than needed and we were back in recovery in about 1 1/2 hours.  Jack was sound asleep and after about 20 minutes, he woke up well, ate his popsicle, and we headed home….with a small stop at Toys R Us of course!  Once we were home he had another snack and out he went to play in the backyard….all was back to normal again!

Now we sit and wait for Dr Eshun to call.  We know we won’t know full details until Tuesday but I am really hoping that we get some preliminary results today at some point.  My birthday is on Saturday and the only thing I want is for Jack’s scans to be clear and for him to be cancer free forever.

Thank you all for your love and support…it means so much to us…

Monday night Nikki and I met up with the rest of the “Children’s Fight for Life” committee to present the check to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at PCH and it was amazing!  Here’s the check:

Can you see that…??? $100,300!!  How amazing in that?!  Everyone was so happy to see the large amount on the check and all of those at the Center were more than thankful.  It really feels so good to be able to give that amount of money to the clinic since this place was our second home for so very long.  The clinic is filled with honest love and there is nothing better than that.  Of course, the slew of treatment that Jack went through also has to do with his amazing outcome, but we wouldn’t have been able to get through it without these people.

My friend, Angie, owns Yogurtology at Arrowhead (20241 N.67th Ave Ste A-7, Glendale, Arizona) and she announced today that she will be selling Jack’s “Stronger Than Cancer” shirts at her store and every time you wear your new shirt in to get yogurt, you get 20% off!  So if you live in the Glendale area…head over to Yogurtology and get your shirt, have a tasty treat, and give Angie a hug and tell her how amazing she is for all she does for her community.  She really is amazing!

So I was running around this morning with Braden trying to get some last minute Christmas things done.  I have been so busy lately and have had so much on my mind that I haven’t stopped to enjoy the little things…like running errands with just Braden and being able to soak up that time with him while I can.  We were at Target and I was getting a few gifts for the kids and was in the game aisle.  Another mom and dad were in the same row looking at something for their daughter.  The dad picked up a game and goes, “Oh, I bet she will like this one!” The mom replied, “I am sure she will, but are you ACTUALLY going to PLAY it with her?  That’s the real question.”  Dad says, “Well it’s only for 2 players so it could only take, what, 10 minutes to play?” Mom, “Probably.”  Dad, “Well then I can handle that.”  Are you flipping kidding me?!  I wanted to bonk their two heads together and ask them what their problem was!  How could you say something like that??  How could you NOT want to spend that time playing a game with your daughter?  A little peeved with their conversation, I took a deep breath, kissed Braden on the head, told him I loved him, and accidentally elbowed the dad on the way out. (Not really, but I should have.)

We walked in to Barnes and Noble and I instantly felt better.  There is something about a book store…I could have stayed in there for hours.  Now Braden, he isn’t as big of a fan as I am!  If you know him at all, he talks a lot…and he talks very loud, so a bookstore isn’t the best place for him but we still managed to get a few things accomplished while we were there.  Like I said, my mind, as well as most of ours this time of the year, has been all over the place.  I was going through a big checklist in my head while I was driving home, Braden was pretending to be a choo-choo train (loudly!) when all of the sudden, the song “Ronan” by Taylor Swift came on the radio.  I have never heard it on the radio before and have only listented to it once with Jack since we heard it and downloaded it  at the Stand Up to Cancer event.  I instantly got the chills and then noticed that Braden was totally silent.  He sat there and said, “Wisten Mom” with his little hand up to his ear.  We sat in silent for the couple of minutes that the song played as I drove and as tears streamed down my face.  That song is so powerful and even more so since we knew Ronan and Maya while he was being treated at PCH.  I “wistened” to the song and can only imagine how Ronan’s family feels every day, but especially around the holidays.  The song was over and Braden went back to acting like a train and I started thinking about all the things that I am so thankful for and that I don’t even realize…like Braden’s choo choo sound.  It’s loud.  It’s more like a high pitch scream rather than an actual “choo choo” and I will admit that there are times when I am driving and totally tune it out (it’s what mom’s do!).  I started thinking of where I would be if I could never hear that noise again or how I would be if I never heard Jack say, “Well actually Mom…I was going to remind that you are wrong.” or hear the little cough on the monitor in the middle of the night that woke me up just as I feel asleep and left me lying awake for hours.  All of these little things that are actually the big things in life.  The little things are what we need to listen to, remember, write down, record so you always have them.  We need to take time during this time of year, and really all year, to take a deep breath and “wisten” to what’s going on around you and embrace it.  We are lucky.  We are so lucky to have both of our boys here with us.

I started this post yesterday and didn’t finish it.  Today, a horrific act of violance was committed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Conneticut.  A man is responsible for killing 20 children and 6 adults, which includes his mother.  This is something that will never be explained or justified.  These little, innocent, beautiful children were robbed of their lives and their families will somehow have to learn to live without them.  I cannot imagine what the pain is like for them.  I cannot imagine what it was like in that school and what the children who survived actually witnessed.  I wanted nothing more to run to Jack’s school today and pull him out of school early but I fought it with everything in me.  Instead I arrived at his school a bit earlier than normal and waited to see his famous bright neon green Vans backpack come through the door.  I have laughed with other parents and teachers that we can literally see his backpack from a mile away and today I was so thankful for that.  I couldn’t even see his body, but I saw his bag and I have never been so relieved.

Like I was originally posting yesterday, try and take time to soak up your days.  Soak up the moments that will soon be just memories.  Learn to laugh more, love harder, live better, play more, leave the electronics alone for a bit and pay attention to what is really happening around you.  You never know when life will change…through cancer or a sudden tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those effected by today’s horrific event.

Saturday’s Ignite Hope Walk was beyond successful!  I am not sure yet of the total number that was brought in for PCH, but I do know that our “Stronger Than Cancer” team brought in just over $6800!  We are happy to say that we were the top team and we are thrilled about it!  Thank you for taking the time to walk with us or to donate.  We have some pretty amazing people who have stood behind our mission and we can’t thank you enough.  Nikki was a great team captain and did an amazing job putting this all together.

When we arrived at the hospital, the emotions were a bit overwhelming.  We walked up as they were paying Silent Night and you could see all the little heroes inside waving their lights down to us.  Since we were at the front of the walk, we were able to see over 1,000 people with their lights file in.  This year was the first time the walk was put on and I hope it continues for years to come.

Nikki and I are headed back to PCH to present the check with the rest of the Children’s Fight for Life committee  to the center for cancer and blood disorders. How amazing that the event brought in $100,000 this year!  I really look forward to giving them that money tonight!!

Now that the walk is over, we are starting to plan our event for March, Comedians for a Cure! I am really excited about this year!  Last year was our first year and you always learn something new each time you do an event so I think that this year is going to be much larger than last.  As we get in new details, we will release them to you!  As of now, we are looking at Sunday, March 10th for the event…mark your calendars!!

Last note:  I have been getting emails asking about shirts and if we still have them and yes we do!  We have most sizes left as well as some long sleeves now!  We will be selling the long sleeves for $25 (which are unisex and super comfortable!).  If we don’t not have your size, we will order it in the next order we place!  All you have to do is donate the appropriate amount for what you want and don’t forget to note the sizes!  If you have any questions at all, contact me at lmorton@thejackmortonfoundation.org.

Thank you!!!!

Some of our “Stronger Than Cancer” Team!

Kiddos having fun before the walk began:

Tons of activities for the kiddos to do before we began…

Nikki holding the flag since our team raised the most money!

Starting off the walk!

Braden was so excited!

My mom and I!  She flew in just for the day to be here with us:

Jack and Meg holding up his light so the little heroes inside could see us:

This is what it looked like form inside the hospital looking down…pretty emotional!

Just a friendly reminder that I am placing the next order for shirts TODAY!! I am overwhelmed by the support you have shown and cannot explain the love and appreciation that I have for all of you! Please let me know if you want to be included in this order! You can either go to Jack’s Foundation page and click on the donate button to place your order or message me and I can give you the address to send payment to. Adults are $20 and kids are $15…don’t forget to include your sizes!! All of the proceeds will be going to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at PCH!

lmorton@thejackmortonfoundation.org

We are putting in an order on Tuesday of next week so please let us know what sizes you want!!  All you have to do is click on the “Donate” tab and donate for the amount of shirts you want.  $20 for adults and $15 for children.  Don’t forget to add a note of what sizes you want!!  Please email me with any questions!

lmorton@thejackmortfoundation.org

How handsome is Jack in his shirt!  He was so proud to wear his today!