Mason Arik: September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

It’s September, are you aware?

For cancer you can not prepare

It can grab your children, beware.

Living in its nightmare,

Forgive me if I swear,

Why? Inoperable and RARE!

I gasp, as I breathe the air.

You don’t have to stare,

Help fight, do you dare?

Take a stand! Show you care!

Help find a cure, it’s out there!

Childhood Cancer, are you aware?

by Andria Kempf

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Beautiful poem, Andria. Thank you for sharing.; September 1, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Amy said...: That's powerful, Andria.; September 1, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Andria, thank you all for always sharing your hearts and minds with us and bringing us awareness!! This was truly touching!; September 1, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Anonymous said...: I have goosebumps Andria.
I love the person you have become.
Rhonda; September 2, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Anonymous said...: Holy Cow, that was so moving!; September 3, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Anonymous said...: I have to agree - that was powerful and it gave me goosebumps. Praying for you all every day... Diane R.; September 5, 2010 at 10:13 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)