Teenage Troubles

I am constantly googling away learning everything that I can about how to make sure that Kagan is getting the best possible treatment.   I have heard great stories from survivors and even more disturbing stories from people who said that they wish they would have known about this or that but it was too late.

My free time is spent scouring the internet to compare treatment plans, to study up on drugs and side effects, to find ways to deal with the day to day of Kagan's care.   There is a ton of stuff out there and I plan to read every bit of it - good and bad.

Teenage cancer is quite different in many ways for the patient.  They are too young in some ways and too old in others.  If you remember being a teenager and dealing with the teenage agony of spreading your wings, you can multiply that feeling times 1000 when you have to do it with cancer.

The New York Times had a fantastic article about this very issue that I thought I would share.  It is located at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/health/16canc.html?pagewanted=all#   This story is such a good summary of what Kagan is dealing with and a good read for anyone that is wanting to know more.

In reading this, I could not help but think how fortunate Kagan is to have such good friends in his youth group.  While there are many people that are doing such sweet things for him this article reminded me of a few that were very special to me because of their sweet gestures towards Kagan.

For my facebook friends, you know that his friend Joey shaved his head in honor of Kagan.  There was even a time when he had a purple ribbon drawn on his head.  Not many high school boys would shave their head to make their friend feel better.  I hugged his neck the other day and tears rolled down my face because I was just so emotionally unable to share with him how much this meant to see a teenager do this.  His mom and dad did good raising that boy!!!

Kagan also has a wonderful youth minister who has been there to provide support for him.  Kagan thinks the world of Justin and I have seen exactly why.  Justin is such a reflection of being a strong leader to the youth of our church and I am certain that Kagan's strength is in part due to his example.  This man, once a member of the US Marines, now softly and gently being their for my son.  

Then there is Janine Parker.  This beautiful and precious young girl, I can't say enough about how I feel here.  As soon as she found out that Kagan was sick she was supportive, she was there and she was active.  She made I don't know how many purple ribbons for his friends and family to have.  Then every picture I saw of her from that point, she was wearing her purple ribbon - even during paintball!   She will always hold a very special place in my heart that will be covered with a purple ribbon!

I feel bad that I can't express to all the friends of Kagan's how much they have shown themselves to be amazing young people.  Everyone should have friends like this.  Friends who care..Friends who do...Friends who you know will be there for you always.

P.S.  Hope you guys don't mind me using your photos.