Mason Arik: Give me a home where the buffalo roam.....

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Give me a home where the buffalo roam.....

A day filled with sunshine! We visited Shelby Farms Park, and saw goats, llamas, and buffalo. Buffalo is the Kansas state animal, so we started singing,
Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Then we got to pick our own strawberries, Mason's favorite. We were also fortunate to find a nearby Wal-mart. Mason had a craving for Salsa and Chips. Can't forget the cheese, he blurted out "Cheese" in his dreams last night. Mason keeps wondering what everyone is doing back at home, and can't wait to return. We have a treatment calendar and have finally settled in to a routine. Good night everyone. Salsa and Strawberry Dreams!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: glad you're finding fun things to do in Memphis --- we used to live close to Shelby Farms and passed the Buffalo every Sunday on our way to church --- keeping you all in our prayers --- Suzie Johnson; May 17, 2010 at 9:04 AM
M Yates said...: This is from Marjorie Yates, a friend of Mimi (Grandma Kay). I was happy when Nancy forwarded me this site so I can keep up with Mason's progress. The prayer warriors at Hosanna Lutheran Church have your whole family in their prayers. You are an awesome family - I send my love and wishes for Mason's full recovery!; May 17, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Amy said...: How nice that you had sunny weather there. It rained all weekend here in Overland Park, and continues today, too. It is a lot of fun to pick strawberies. That was a favorite thing for me to do with my boys when we lived in upstate New York. But we had to wait until the end of July for ripe berries. How nice that they are ripe already while you are there in Memphis. It looks like you make time for an adventure everyday while still fitting in the treatments. I hope all is O.K. with your husband gone and you on your own with the two kids. I hope Mason is feeling well. Please say "hi" to him and Ally from me.
~Amy, the crossing guard; May 17, 2010 at 12:28 PM
The Harvey's said...: thanks for the pictures! When will you be returning to OP? Do you have a calendar you can share on your treatments and plans? Love all of your daily updates!
Greg & Melinda Harvey; May 17, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Tell Mason that I will have someone take pictures on Friday at the picnic.

Mary Shatz, Grace's Mom; May 17, 2010 at 9:42 PM

Seasons of Wishes

About Mason Arik

To continue Mason's dream and his memory, we dedicate this blog to him. He has been diagnosed with Diffuse Pontine Glioma (Brain Tumor) (04/22/10). He courageously battled his cancer for 11 1/2 months. On March 29th, 2011, it was snowing in Heaven. He is and will be missed forever. We will continue to write and share the strength and courage that Mason has taught us as well as the many other lives he has touched, near and far. Links are listed below to provide additional information regarding DIPG.

Discovery of Tumor-Dx April 22, 2010

Beginning in March of 2010, Mason complained of severe headaches, mostly at night. Then the headaches went from 2-3 times a month (over a 2 month period) to every night and more severe, by the 3rd night I contacted his pediatrician. I was told to give him Excedrin Migraine.

But by the next day we were walking to school and he had double vision- Thanks to the school nurse, we scheduled an appointment that day with Sabates eye care. After his eye was dilated they noticed his eyes were shifting. An immediate MRI was scheduled.

After the most agonizing MRI, we went home awaiting the results. That's when we were told it was a tumor (pontine glioma) We waited to visit the doctor before researching the internet. So imagine the shock to hear this is the worst locations to find a tumor, inside the brain stem. (inoperable and unfortunately very serious)