September 3, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

August 27, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

August 20, 2010

Brody can officially say “I’m a survivor”

Dear Editor,
Last Friday, Aug. 13th, a new chapter in our lives began. Brody is no longer receiving chemotherapy treatments. 
Near the end, the waters were a little shaky. His bone marrow is tired and his counts were not recovering like they should. We’ve had to make extra trips back to Edmonton for blood transfusions. The oncologist team decided to cancel the last of Brody’s intrathecal methotrexate. We have to go back on Sept. 7 to do blood work and see where Brody is sitting with his counts. If his blood work comes back good, they will book him in to remove his central line within a couple of weeks afterward.
Over the last few years, people have said, “I don’t know how he does it, I don’t know how you do it”, my only response to that is … if you want to know the strongest person you will ever meet all you need to do is look within. 
No matter what the universe throws at you, you have the power to change it, if you choose. Brody has touched the lives of thousands of people around the world and continues to touch the lives of thousands more. Who would have thought a little boy from a small town called Eckville would have such an impact on so many people around the world.
From the beginning, he took a devastating diagnosis, turned it around to bring joy, laughter and hope to others who are fighting this disease. He chose a direction to help heal the spirit which is just as important to finding a cure for cancer. To inspire, to give hope to strangers. 
There are so many people we would like to thank. The first I would like to thank is Dr. Myburgh and the medical clinic in Eckville. As far as I am concerned, you are the one who saved my son’s life. You took the time to listen when I first brought Brody in to you. You acted quickly and did what needed to be done. For this we will always be grateful. 
We would like to thank the oncology team at the Stollery Hospital in Edmonton, Dr. Paul Grundy, Dr. Sunil Desai, Dr. Beverly Wilson, Dr. Kent Stobart and Dr. Maria Spavor. Brody kept them on their toes and probably gave them each a few grey hairs. We would like to thank all the nurses in the inpatient ward and outpatient clinic. It takes a very special person to work on these wards. We have the utmost respect for each and every one of you. 
We would like to thank the Children’s Wish Foundation for granting Brody’s wish and because of this he has made a lifelong friend, Dog the Bounty Hunter. We would like to thank Dog for his friendship, he did not have to stay in touch with Brody, it could have been a meet and greet and that could have been the end of it but it wasn’t. He helped Brody through a rough time when Brody’s own spirit was breaking and was ready to give up. He continues to stay in touch.  Another lifelong friend Brody has made during this journey is former Edmonton Eskimo Tom Wilkinson, better known to his fans as Wilkie. Wilkie came into our lives after he read an article in the Edmonton Sun about Brody. Whenever we went to Edmonton for chemo treatments or if Brody was admitted into hospital, Wilkie dropped everything, would grab a bag of jujubes and come to the hospital to sit with Brody. My son now looks like a giant jujube, thanks Wilkie.
We would like to thank the Stollery Hospital and the Kids with Cancer Society — these organizations have been a blessing to us.
We would like to thank the community of Eckville. Whenever there is a family in need, no matter the circumstances, the community pulls together and gives the support and love that is needed. It is a community we are proud to call home.
We would also like to thank all those who have kept up on Brody’s website and Facebook group. Your love and prayers have always meant the world to us. Over the last few years, we have received so many e-mails and messages. It was impossible to respond to all of them but we did read each one of them and they uplifted our spirits. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.
When Brody had his very last Vancristine treatment, Wilkie asked Brody “What do you plan to do now?” 
Brody’s response was “Have a party!” 
So that’s exactly what we are going to do. Because we have so much to be thankful for, we thought it appropriate to celebrate this joyous occasion the weekend of Canada’s Thanksgiving, Saturday Oct. 9th. This will not just be a party for Brody but a party for all of you. It is our way of saying thank you to everyone and we hope that you will mark your calendars and join us for a magical day filled with food, games, music and entertainment.  
The date is set but we are still working on the details and will update you all on the time and place once it is established. For those who are coming from out of town and like to camp, Eckville has a nice little campsite. As well overnight accommodations can be found in Eckville and Sylvan Lake. We are looking forward to seeing some old, new and special friends.
It still hasn’t sunk that we have come to the end of this journey. Admittedly, I have been very emotional. I’ve expressed to others that I don’t know what normal is anymore. One mother of a survivor child said to me, “The normal life you had before cancer will never come your way again, you will have to learn to live with a new normal” and I do believe we will appreciate it so much more than the old. Our lives have changed forever.
Today Brody can officially say “ I am a survivor!”
I guess they just don’t care.

Carmen Chapman,
Eckville

August 13, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

August 06, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

July 30, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

July 23, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

July 16, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

July 9, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

July 2, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

June 25, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK

June 18, 2010

NONE THIS WEEK