Mason Arik: March 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

3 Trees

March 29, 2012 Our family planted 3 Trees for Mason. The first 2 trees were planted at Corporate Woods. We have always watched fireworks at Corporate Woods, ran the Head for the Cure. Also American Adoptions is located there. 3 wonderful reasons...and the boys rode their bike through the trails. It was an AMAZING day. The last tree was very special as our family and friends met at Bluejacket Pool to remember Mason. It was a day just how Mason would have planned, bubbles, kites, sidewalk chalk, Ice Cream, Gummi bears and music. Most importantly his friends were there. Even those they could not make it were there in spirit. His heroes from the Overland Park Fire Department watered the tree after all the kids planted the tree. Words can not express how thankful we are for your continued support and love. Mason you are forever in the hearts of so many. We love you and how we miss you...

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Tree Planting March 29

Live, Laugh, Love, and Splash!! Everyone is invited to help plant a tree in Memory of Mason on March 29 at 4 p.m. The tree planting will take place at Bluejacket Pool at 101st and Bond in Overland Park. Mason loved to swim and he celebrated his 7th and 9th birthday at Bluejacket. We will be wearing green and remembering our brave little soul. We love you Mason!!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

We are Planting a Tree

Everyone is invited...March 29th we will plant a tree in memory of Mason at 4p.m. We will be visiting Bluejacket Pool to find a perfect spot. Mason celebrated his 7th and 9th birthday at Bluejacket. He loved to swim. We will also be serving ice cream with sprinkles of gummi bears.
The pool is located at 101st and Bond in Overland Park.

It's hard to believe that it's been one year. Grief still attacks with no warning on any given day. Tears fall at random, something as simple as a Star Wars lunch bag. Or Ally wanting me to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid book ( write you own). Inside Mason's handwriting filled the first 20 pages. I froze at our family picture. The star on my shirt made me smile. The empty pages so hard to flip through; reminding me of the emptiness inside our hearts.

Monday, March 5, 2012

THANK YOU BROOKRIDGE GIRLS!!!

What an AMAZING weekend!! It all started on Friday. Words cannot begin to express how proud and honored we are at the Brookridge girls for honoring Mason and raising money for the Tigers at the KC Zoo. We are so thankful and feel so loved. Thank you for keeping Mason's memory alive. I still can not believe it has been almost one year. We have finally thought of some places to plant a tree as March 29th approaches we will be hopefully working out the details. Thank you for keeping Mason in your hearts. A special THANK you and hug to the Brookridge 5th grade girls for working so hard and dedicating your dance to Mason. He was so happy, SNOW fell from the sky that morning. Live, Laugh, Love and Roar like a Tiger!

The rest of the weekend was fabulous too! Maverick has been wanting a Buddy for Rex and a dog to call his own so when we just happened to find "Buddy" a 6-year old cocker spaniel mix it was truly a match from the start.

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)