11/29/2009
by Michael Wells As we end the holiday weekend several thoughts and people come to mind. Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, and that we are. We were able to spend a nice, long, relaxing weekend with our baby at home. We had several wonderful surprises this weekend. First, I would like to extend a very special thank you to Jenn for coming to see Brady on Saturday. It was great spending time with her. She renamed his indoor tunnel/tent to a “little man cave”. I thought this was very funny. To Michael Burkley, as always, you are too kind. Your offer to donate bone marrow, should you be a match, is beyond self-sacrificing. Please let us know when your results come back as we might need to take you up on your big hearted offer. To Tracie and her two daughters Jacquelyn and Julianna, Brady loves his stuffed dog and the books. We also appreciate the donation to the children’s hospital. To the Marines and Toys for Tots, thank you for the barking Bull dog, it really is moving to receive such a gift. To grandma Wells, Arleen, and Michael; thank you so very much for your generous donation to Brittany’s race in honor of Brady. Thanks to you she has reached 10% of her goal amount to be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society*. To Kellie Brockman, my childhood friend, thank you for your continued support. Without being able to call you on a daily basis to laugh, cry, and vent I would be lost. Thank you for your donation to the Caring Bridge Website. And last, but certainly not least, a thank you to our family of friends at Kiddie Academy of Kendall Park. Brady only attended this school for a short period of time so we are very touched by the overwhelming generosity that they have displayed. When Brady and I pulled in the driveway last week we saw a gigantic bag of gifts. Included were food, snacks, chocolates, Hershey “HUGS”, puzzles, books, stuffed animals, and a V-Tech Teaching Turtle. One of the parents even was thoughtful enough to give us a movie gift card for a fun filled family adventure! Miss Kris, Brady loves the GIANT frog! Michael named him Jaba. To Brady’s teacher Miss Khadija, your family’s gift of a huge cuddly teddy bear and a much needed sweet treat just hit the spot! I have to admit that as I opened the gifts for Brady I was able to keep my cool and “ooh and ahh” at the appropriate moments. And then it hit me, and I could not keep it together any longer. EACH and EVERY child made a card for Brady. When I saw the stack of cards from the children, I broke down in tears. I have not read them yet but one day (when I’m a little more stable!) I will. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has blessed our lives. As always, we ask that you continue to keep Brady in your thoughts and prayers. And remember; give someone a hug for Brady! Warmly, Sherrie, Michael, and Brady*The Hugs for Brady Foundation will ALWAYS be in support of other foundations who allow people to donate blood, platelets, plasma, or register to become a bone marrow donor. However, we no longer ask supporters to donate financially to ‘The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’ as their focus on childhood cancers does not coincide with our foundation’s mission.
“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.