A day in the life of Mason. His days are pretty busy! Today we were at appts. for about 4 hours. Some of the days consist of multiple doctor appts., physical and occupational therapy and everyday is radiation and chemo. He only has 10 more radiation treatments to go!! We still don't know how soon we would be back in Arizona after he's done. We take it one day at a time. * this pic is him getting ready to have radiation. The mask was specially molded for him. He wears it for every treatment and it's locked down and he cannot move for about 5 minutes. I get chills even thinking about having to wear that. He's so brave and strong, he says it doesn't bother him!
This was the loot from the package Marvel sent him.
Yes this really happened! After 60 days straight in 3 different hospitals, Mason finally gets to come "home"! We are still in Texas living close to the hospital but at least we are a complete family again. He was more than ecstatic to leave! Me on the other hand am so glad to have him out and with us but Iam beyond nervous about this new transition. Mason is still not walking on his own and depends on us for complete care. We are in charge of getting him back and forth to radiation everyday, taking him to therapy, giving him multiple meds a day and giving him his chemo everyday. Also managing his tube feeds along with making sure he's hydrated. And to to top it off he is nauseous all day long so it takes some very fine tuning on keeping him comfortable and not vomiting. If you can't tell I'm a little overwhelmed! Even though this is hard we will get through this together on day at a time!"
Marvel sent Mason an original drawing from one of their artist made just for him! Thanks uncle John John Carpenter for contacting them for Mason. He loves it!
Facebook pulled this picture up for me showing me what I was doing 3 years ago today. I couldn't help but get a little emotional to see our sweet Mason without a care in the world and with legs and a body that worked (bottom row). I'm still fighting for you Mason! You have already done amazing things!
-Love Aunt Catie
Mason this is for you!! Madi's first day of fifth grade. She wanted to show how proud she was of her big brother! I know things aren't fair. While your friends are starting off their high school years, you are fighting the battle against an ugly thing called "cancer". I know you were excited to be starting high school, you have always had a love for learning and it came so natural to you. But, over your cruddy summer break I know you have learned things about yourself that you could never have learned in school. You gained something higher and more special than any schooling could ever give. You are showing everyone that you have an amazing will and strength about you that is beyond measure. I couldn't be more proud of the young man you are.Love, MOM
Mason had a really good weekend! He was so glad to see his uncle Kenny after 2 long years. We went to the aquarium and he was so happy to just be out doing something. Everything takes a lot of preparing now just to take him anywhere and he gets tired after a few hours but if it makes him happy we will do it. I asked him if he had a good time and this is what he said.
"Yes, it was fun all except the part where I just see peoples butts the whole time."
Being in the wheelchair that's pretty much eye level. He is constantly making us laugh!!
Mason met some of them Texas Gals!! Y'all
We got free tickets to the Texans-49ers game. Great seats! Mason loved it! We are still Cardinals fans no matter what.
Only 4 more radiation treatments left!! Mason is finishing it off strong!!
*we took an outing to the 60th floor of a downtown building, it was an amazing view. Oh how I love this boy so much!
Mason made a new friend while staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Mogie the dog lives at the RMH and makes new friends all the time with families always coming and going. He's also the star of a children's book series, the proceeds of the sale of which help support the RMH. Mason asks to see Mogie everyday and will definitely miss him when he leaves. It's an indication of how much he misses his precious Recon. But, I think I will buy Mason Mogie's books to remember his friend who helped him get through difficult times while staying in Houston.
Today was his last day of radiation!! We get to come home on Saturday and Mason gets a month long vacation!! We are so happy!! Time to party!
Mason was so excited to go visit Andy Moss! The calm, quiet peace that you feel when around these two extraordinary guys is like no other!
It has been a great week at home all together! Mason has done a lot of visiting and catching up with his friends. We took him to the movies for the first time in 3 months and he loved the theatre lounge chairs. The best part was being able to take him to church. He's ready for another fun week!
Heading back to Houston. Prayers for Mason that he will be comforted and not worry. That his MRI will go smoothly and his doctors will be guided to know the next plan of treatments that is best for Mason.
With a heavy heart and a whole different realm of emotions, the news this week isn't what we wanted to hear. Mason's cancer has relapsed in such a short amount of time. He has three tumors all in the same area of the original one where he had surgery, one of them being on the brain stem. He is scheduled for surgery on Monday! And then he will be doing more extensive chemo after that. This has all happened so fast! One day at a time is all we can do. Yes, we are scared out of our minds but we are not giving up this fight. We know who is ultimately in charge and we just pray that we can find peace and comfort at this time, especially for Mason. No child should ever have to feel this scared or go through this but Mason is a fighter and he has so many angels watching over him.
