N.E.D.

Today, everything looks brighter.  The grass looks greener, the sky is blue-er (is that the correct spelling?).  My heart is bursting with joy.  I'm sitting here reflecting back on the nightmare that began early this year with Jack, and I cannot believe we have received the news that we did yesterday night.

Jack is my first nephew.  He's my middle sisters first child.  He's not my baby, but he's almost my baby.  He's special, and all things good, and funny, and smart, and happy, and perfect in every single way.  He has faced 6 rounds of chemo, two hospital stays for fever and zero immunity, countless tests, pokes, shots, icky tummy times, sore legs, dressing changes, and swallowed gallons of medicine. 

His doctor called Laurie last night with the results of the MIBG scan, and said the most amazing words ever spoken..."No Evidence of Disease".  N.E.D. 

On March 8, 2010 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.  August 12, 2010...N.E.D. 

I have learned so much from my Jack and my sister and my brother (in-law, but I call him brother) Zac during this.  I've learned what troubles truly are.  I've learned what really matters in life.  I've learned the power of prayer.  I've learned that anything can be faced with a smile.  If it's possible, my already closer than close family has grown even stronger.  We're like one big, mushed together unit now, and I can only tell you that it's really something to be a part of.   No words can describe what I'm feeling...what we're all feeling.  Thankful.  Grateful.  Humbled.  Shocked.  Overwhelmed.  Ecstatic. 

I'll never, ever, understand the WHY.  But I am beginning to understand a lesson behind the WHY.  

Jack still has the rest of his treatment regimen to finish, but this is simply to ensure that it is FINISHED.  Done.  Please continue your prayers for Jackers.  Jack-Jack.  Jack-o-lantern.  Jackeroni.  J. 

N. E. D.