Our Little Princey Fellow - Collin Cureageous

When Collin was born, his sister called him her "princey fellow." Collin was diagnosed with High Risk Metastatic Medulloblastoma (a brain tumor that had spread to his spine) on 4/22/10 at 16 months of age. He has had brain surgery, high dose chemo, an autologous stem-cell rescue, maintenance chemo, a phase II trial, more chemo, and radiation to his brain and spine. He has relapsed twice, but is fighting with such strength and courage, we have more recently dubbed him Collin Cureageous.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thursday, November 25 - Day +43...Thanksgiving

This year I am incredibly thankful for so many reasons. I am thankful to be able to celebrate this Thanksgiving with my husband and BOTH of our children. My heart goes out to the many parents who are facing this holiday season (and life) without a child because of cancer. Please keep them in your prayers.

I am thankful for our families, who have been so loving and supportive throughout the past seven months. We love you all so much!

I am thankful for our friends, old and new, and even the ones we haven't met, who have prayed, visited, fed us, and sent messages of support, encouragement, hope and love. Thank you for helping hold us up throughout the last seven months!

I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, and therapists who have cared for us, educated us, cried with us, and celebrated with us. You have become like family to us, and we are forever grateful to you for everything you have done for us!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

4 comments:

UnknownNovember 25, 2010 at 8:11 AM
So happy you're celebrating at home! Enjoy this day with your beautiful family. Happy Thanksgiving, Kratzers!

Carol

p.s. wonderful news about getting the broviac out! I hope Collin LOVES his first tub bath in ages :-)
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AnonymousNovember 25, 2010 at 9:57 AM
And we are thankful for you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Shelly
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AnonymousNovember 28, 2010 at 10:36 PM
What a treat to see Collin all dressed up for Thanksgiving at home! Prayers continue - enjoy being home together as a family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tricia McKinney
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AnonymousDecember 4, 2010 at 5:05 AM
Jen,

I'm so glad to hear you guys are doing well! I look at his blog all the time now that I don't get to see you guys ( although I am happy that you are not here!). It's so nice that you are home with your family this time of year. Tell Neya and Bill I said Hello, I miss them too! Your in my thought and prayers!

Love Always,
Susie :)

WooHoo for tub baths! :)
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I am the proud mom of 2 wonderful kids, Neya (born in 2004) and Collin (born in 2008). When Collin was born, Neya loved princesses, and called her baby brother her "princey fellow." As a mom, my greatest fear in life is something happening to one of my children. My fear was realized when my sweet 16 month old son was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2010. I have watched him go through things no child should ever experience, and I am in awe of his strength. He is my hero.

I have learned that cancer is the #1 cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 20, killing more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every single day. 7 children die from cancer every single day. 1 out of every 5 children diagnosed with cancer will die. There are 5 children diagnosed with cancer for every one diagnosed with pediatric AIDS, yet only $20,000 is invested in cancer research for every $595,000 invested in pediatric AIDS research. Of the National Cancer Institute's budget of $4.6 billion, breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancer combined received less than 3%.

I started this blog as a way of keeping loved ones and friends updated on Collin. Now I also hope that his story will help raise awareness about Medulloblastoma and all childhood cancers. Awareness about childhood cancer needs to be increased so that it may some day receive the funding it deserves so that a cure can be found. Children deserve the chance to grow up and live their dreams; they shouldn't have to fight for the chance to live.

For more information on Medulloblastoma, view this document from the American Brain Tumor Association web site.