Mason Arik: Holding on to Courage

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Holding on to Courage

Courage-the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, or uncertainty.
The mail has brought honor and courage this past week. This week it started with a letter from Alaska with an inspirational message. "A warrior of great courage" The Overland Park Police Department sent a Challenge Coin for Courage. Yesterday, a coin from the Marines stationed in Iowa and Nebraska. "You are a hero and role model for all"

Courage... Mason facing each new challenge every day. Never complaining or uttering the words, "this is unfair or why me?" Mason, you are my strength , thanks for teaching us about what life is all about. Thanks for teaching us all to hold on to courage.

Thanks to all the law enforcement officers and the armed forces who have served and who are serving our country. Thanks for facing courage everyday.

Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow- Dan Rather

3 comments:

Amy said...: Mason is definitely the face of courage...such an extraordinary boy. And, Andria, you also model amazing strength and courage for all of us. Sending love and hugs your way.; March 15, 2011 at 9:11 AM
Anonymous said...: I couldn't have said it any better, Amy. Sending prayers your way and hoping for sunshine to fill your day:)

Lucretia; March 15, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Stacy said...: I hate seeing our boys go through this. Oliver is the same way. He never complains and knows what will most likely come. We've been open with him and continue to have hope of healing for him and all the DIPG kids.

I hope he had a wonderful Valentine's day and St. Patrick's Day!!!

Stacy Palmer
Waterloo, Iowa
Mom to Oliver (dx DIPG 12-23-09), Eden, Jaren and Phineas

www.oliverpalmer.blogspot.com; March 15, 2011 at 7:17 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)