**********************************CALEB JOHNSON******************************* *********************************UPDATE**************************** ********** GOING TO BE AN EPIC LONG POST!!******* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is with COMPLETE excitement and overwhelming JOY that I get to announce that Caleb Johnson has officially and successfully completed his 6 weeks of daily Proton Radiation, and we were finally able to COME HOME, where we will remain for the better part of the next MONTH for some much needed R&R. ...This time is given in order to get Caleb as healthy, and in as good of spirits as possible, and to Fatten him up in preparation for the next course of his treatment(s), which will begin around the second week of February. (I will post more on this at a later date) ---- We are no longer at the Montrose address in Houston. Please dont send any more items to that address. - From here on out; Please send all Get-Well Cards and all other various packages and items to our HOME address; Which IS... DAVID / CALEB JOHNSON 1371 SCENIC VIEW DR. CANYON LAKE, TX 78133 - We arrived home the afternoon of Wednesday the 31st, just in time to be at home for the new year. Once we were home we both commented several times to each other on how GOOD it felt to be home, and neither of us could contain our excitement. We spent the entire afternoon together, just hangin out in OUR HOUSE, relaxing, lazily watching movies, and playing games, as well as getting re-acquainted with our surroundings and much missed simple belongings... - I cant possibly put into words how GREAT it is to see the comfort, happiness and joy on Calebs face, for him to simply walk into HIS room, lay on HIS bed, and be surrounded by all his favorite toys, books and other worldly possessions. I know for a fact that at-least an hour went by where he just laid there, on his bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to stop smiling... - His LAST radiation treatment was at 7:30 a.m Tuesday the 30th. - Caleb finished wonderfully strong. He marched right in the MD Anderson Proton Center with an energy and vigor stronger than EVER before, hopped up on the table, and said, LETS DO THIS!!. ...When he began to awaken from the anesthesia, he looked up at me and said, I DID IT DAD! -- I LOVE YOU.....Needless to say, leaning over his bed, EVERY ounce of my body went limp, and I just melted in Calebs arms as HE held ME tight, and it was HIS strength that kept ME standing..... - It is a tradition at the Proton Center that each patient gets to Bang the ceremonial and celebratory gong which announces (to everyone in the building) the successful victory and completion of that portion of each patients FIGHT against the monster we call cancer. ......Unfortunately, there are some who do not get the opportunity to Bang the Gong,--------It is a big deal, to bang the gong, and throughout treatment every now an then while in the building, we would hear the random, SUDDEN, LOUD crescendo of the gong, and everyone would jump from being startled, then take a second to stop, and smile at each other with the occasional, WHOOO-HOOO!...ing from somewhere in the facility... When it came time for Caleb to announce his success and victory, the ENTIRE staff of Doctors, Nurses, Radiation Technicians, Child Life Specialists and even Receptionists...basically everyone, lined the hall to watch Caleb do his thing...With everyone watching, Caleb walked right up to the gong, and gave it a good, HARD, solid WHACK! Then before I knew it, Caleb reared back again, and BEAT the gong repeatedly, in the same fashion TWO more TIMES!!,,, - Caleb had made his statement.; He had announced his victory!!! - From the time of their first treatment and even when the patients go for their initial visit and orientation, everyone eagerly looks forward, and dreams of the day that they will get to Bang the Gong. But the TRUTH be told, and the funny thing is; As happy and exciting it is to beat that gong, knowing that a major battle in an even bigger fight has been won, Caleb and I BOTH found it a little sad.... - The people that work there, the ones you see everyday...The ones that take care of you, the ones that help you, GUIDE you, the ones that HOLD you, and the ones that CRY with you.....They become your FAMILY.....and until THAT MOMENT, you dont realize how incredibly GIFTED these people are, and even more so... how MUCH you actually DEPEND on them, how much you LEAN on them, how much you NEED them....how MUCH you LOVE THEM...and how much you will MISS THEM.... - Caleb was no exception, and neither was I. As soon as he finished beating the gong, I could instantly see a solemn, sort of melancholy demeanor change in him. He immediately became quiet, somewhat shy, and a little withdrawn... - That morning on the way to the center, I did the normal parenting thing, and reminded Caleb to make sure to tell everyone Thank You, and not to forget to say Maam and Sir appropriately....As soon as he beat the gong, I noticed an immediate change; Very subtle and almost unnoticeable to most. But too ME it was VERY obvious.- -He seemed a little lost, confused and almost as if he wanted to retreat....I quickly spoke up, and asked him non-discreetly, Caleb, Do you have anything you want to tell everybody?.....Instead of the before hand rehearsed Thank You(s), He looked up at everyone and simply said, I LOVE YOU. ........As he gave out hugs, it was very obvious to me that he was doing his best to fight back tears, and it was obvious to me, that he did not want this to be discovered...I know EXACTLY what he was feeling...... *********The CALEBSTRONG- KICKIN CANCERS ASS************ *************** WRISTBANDS HAVE ARRIVED***************** -The wristbands have arrived and they look absolutely FANTASTIC!! I could not be happier or more pleased with them. The company that I worked with to make the wristbands (both orders) is absolutely the BEST and I HIGHLY recommend them if you are ever in need of such items. The name of the company is AMAZING WRISTBANDS and they are based in Houston..They went out of their way to help me in ANY way possible, and couldnt have been more helpful and professional. ...Every step of the way, they continued to bend over backwards to assisted me when needed. Not ONCE, did I ever have to initiate a single phone call, or wait for a reply on an email....What I did not know, nor was I aware, of the fact that this company put a HUGE RUSH UPGRADE on my order!....Completely FREE!! ...(usually costs about $125.00) ....Not only that, but they also just about DOUBLED my order; Once again; At NO additional charge!!! They told me that they had been following on Facebook...since BEFORE I was a customer, and they wanted this to be their way of helping in the fight...If ever the need arises, I ask that you give them a shot...You wont be disappointed...Or... It would be great; If once you receive your wristbands, give them a call or shoot them a quick email to let them know what an awesome job they did, and help ME to tell them THANK YOU!!!....... Their kindness and generosity came unsolicited. Amazing Wristbands 4025 Willowbend, Suite 310 Houston, Texas, 77025 Tel 800-269-0910 Fax 713-589-8611 AmazingWristbands facebook/AmazingWristbands - I have already begun distributing the wristbands, and some of you may have already received them... The process is quite slow and tedious, and I only have so much time to spare.....just bare with me...I am still experimenting with, and trying various ways to send them out inexpensively...There is a chance that I may try and combine a few shipments, for those of you that live close to each other, work together, are friends and/or family, etc,, Not only will this make my life easier, but help save on the ever critical time and money. If you have any ideas or suggestions of wristband requests that can be combined, and mailed to one location, please let me know; I would greatly appreciate it.... IF YOU WOULD LIKE A WRISTBAND AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR CALEB AND HIS FIGHT; PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS, OR THE ADDRESS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM SENT TheRealSuperDave@hotmail - There is SO much more that I would like to say, but this is already way too long. I will just have to included in another update... I wont wait so long again to post an update.(I PROMISE!...to try)...It just seems that things are always so busy and crazy... and to be honest...Im just always so tired, and often just feel exhausted.....Caleb and I plan to take FULL advantage of this time at home, and want to make EVERY minute count.... Because what lies ahead......In REALITY....This Is just the calm before the STORM.... -- AGAIN; THANK YOU....THANK YOU all so very much for all the prayers and incredible support you have shown us, and for all that you do. I am so terribly grateful. I continue to stand in wonder and amazement at the incredible kindness, compassion and generosity shown to us. It is truly humbling..... ... I MEAN this when I say this...I LOVE YALL!!
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:28:45 +0000
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