One day at a time

Disney World - Feb. 2010

    Mason is doing really well by all visible accounts. He is full of energy and has recuperated from his dreadful surgery. He had a slight cough when he returned from Toronto but that has cleared up. He is under the care of Dr. Jonathan Bablad, a naturopathic doctor in Regina: http://www.ndaccess.com/HeadToHeal/Page.asp?PageID=22  Check out his webpage and see what you think. A special prayer for Dr. Bablad wouldn't hurt either.
    Mason is on quite an extensive daily protocol of supplements and a high nutrition diet. It takes some getting used to but Mason, like always, is such a happy trooper. He really is quite amazing. No one would know that a little over a month ago he had 40% of his left lung removed! Dr. Bablad is really pleased with the progress that Mason has made. Mason had a blocked pineal gland that has become completely unblocked in the last few weeks. This would normally take an adult six months or more to accomplish. Dr Bablad is also treating Mason for a virus which he says has been in Mason's system for a long time. In order for the cancer to be conquered this virus must be erradicated first and Mason is receiving virus fighters for this purpose. He is also receiving supplements which are intended to improve the functioning of his kidneys and liver.
    One of the difficult things about starting on naturopathic treatments is the absence of CT scans which we believe really do give a pretty good indication of tumor activity. Even though there are additional concerns about CT scans and the effects of the additional radiation, one can't help but want to see! Jade and Mason are presently in Calgary for a meeting with his doctors a CT scan which happened yesterday. The CT scan shows some small growth of the tumor in Mason's right side and the left side, where the surgery occured, is inconclusive.....probable scar tissue.
    There have been two previous teleconferences with the doctors from Calgary and Toronto. Yesterdays meeting also presented the Calgary doctors suggestions for further treatment......revised chemo, special radiation options, more surgery, etc. We don't understand why conventional medicine refuses to join forces with naturopathic medicine in the building of the immune system......we can't see how this approach would hurt and continue to learn that this approach is having more success than conventional medicine.
    A lady that we have been blessed to meet, Gai Robinson in Nipawin, Sask., 71yrs. old, diagnosed with terminal bone cancer in the right hip, three vertebrae and both lungs, in January of this year, refused any conventional treatment. With her husband, they did home-research and with nutrition and supplements alone, she is cancer free today...........and she feels great and goes to work everyday with her husband, renovating a home which they intend to sell!
    Another lady that we have also been blessed to meet, an RN, who had breast cancer 16 years ago, refused conventional treatment and did the "Gerson Clinic" in Mexico, obviously beating the cancer. She had a "relapse" not long ago and at the urging of a close friend, went to Saskatoon for a lumpectomy. As is so often the case, cancer cells were found to be still active, so she went back on the "Gerson Diet", at home, and is once again cancer free!
    Literally thousands of these stories are being told when you start to do the research. We don't understand why these stories don't get the attention that they deserve. Suzanne Somers new book "Knockout - Interviews With Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer" was a Godsend!
    One of the problems with digging into research of alternative/naturopathic treatments is "information overload" and we did that to ourselves.......in spades! There's no such thing as absolutely knowing the right or the wrong ways. So, how does one choose????? I believe that this is where faith comes in and tells us to trust in our good instincts. Still, because we are so damned "human", all manner of doubts creep into our minds. So what's the answer to that???? My grandmother had a wonderful saying that is often repeated in our family............"We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings". She was one of the calmest people I have ever known.
    So, we'll "stay the course" for now and try to keep you informed as this story unfolds.

Take good care, and we thank you for your continuing love and support.

The Long Road Home - More Difficult Times

    Mason underwent the first of two scheduled surgeries in Toronto on September 13, just a day before his tenth birthday. This operation on his left lung, considered to be the trickier of the two, resulted in the surgeons having to remove a piece of Mason’s bronchia and 40% of his left lung. The previous recent blog entries were intended to speak only of the positives. We apologise for not having been able to keep you as informed as you may have liked. We also know that you will understand.
    We found out last week that the surgeons were unable to get all of the cancer, leaving microscopic cells in Mason’s windpipe or bronchia. The surgeon removed the whole tumor and some surrounding tissue but the pathology report showed that the tumor was not completely dead and showed evidence that some microscopic cells were left behind. The surgeon said that he can go back in and take the whole left upper lobe which would include some more of the bronchia but he could not guarantee that he would get it all because of it being invisible to the human eye. Only a pathology report would be able to say whether or not there was a clear, cancer free margin. The surgeons have also told Jade and Justin that they would still be willing to take the remaining tumor in Mason’s right lung if so desired. Having already lost so much of his left lung, Jade and Justin are concerned about the benefits of yet another operation on his right lung at this time. The Clewis family is coming home to think upon this and other options before making any further decisions. There is no need for panic. They have met with a naturopath doctor twice and a doctor of Chinese medicine since being discharged from the hospital and have started Mason on a strong nutritional diet and supplement regimen. This will build his immune system back up. The family is researching many methods of treatment and nothing has been ruled out. Jade and Justin will be consulting with the Calgary Children’s Hospital as soon as possible in order to obtain additional direction.
    Knowledge seems to be the key and there are thousands of success stories where natural or alternative treatments alone or in addition to conventional treatments have beaten cancer! The secret appears to be the immune system.
    As of right now, the Clewis family is on their way back to Saskatchewan. They will be home sometime on Thursday. It’s not easy preparing food, researching treatment and living out of a motor home for an extended period of time.
    No hope has been lost. More so, our new accumulated knowledge and our belief in a healthy and vivacious Mason is more powerful than ever! If any of you have seen, heard, lived through or otherwise come in contact with an alternative treatment cancer survivor, we would be very grateful for any feedback that you are willing to share. We have already talked with a number of survivors who are giving so willingly of their experiences.
    A very special thank you to all of you wonderful people who worked so hard to make Mason's Rib and Ceasar Night and Mason's Miracle Cabaret such absolute miracles. And much appreciation to the wonderful friends and family who attended the events. And for those of you who could not attend and those who are so far away, your wonderful support has been like a light, pouring warmth throughout our entire family. How does one convey the feelings that are in our hearts? We are simply overwhelmed with the love and support that has been given to us. We will celebrate Mason's recovery, not a twig of doubt resides, and we would be so happy to have you all with us then, as you have been for us now. God love you and keep you.
    We are also so grateful for your continued prayers and support at this time and as we move forward.

    The following pictures were taken last weekend at Niagara Falls. The family had the opportunity to share in the beauty and majesty that is Niagara Falls........plus, Jade was desperate for a hot bath in a real tub rather than the inconsistency of the shower in the motor home since leaving Moose Jaw!!

As I prepare to post this update I am so excited to learn that the family has made great progress since leaving Thunder Bay this morning and they are determined to sleep in their own beds once again tonight!!!!!

Pictures tell a thousand words

Jade says: "Mason playing rock band today at Marnies Place, an awesome room for patients and their families to hang out. It has air hockey, pool, xbox, wii, computers, rock band on a huge flat screen, crafts and a state of the art kitchen!  It definetely peeked him up! We are going to go back tonight."

Day 2 after surgery

    Mason is doing really well and already sitting up in a chair as you can see. This picture was taken this evening after Mason was finally moved to his own room. His constant hospital companion "Lucky" is with him as always. Mason spent the first night in ICU and then was moved to an intermediate ward until this room opened up. Jade finally has some sort of bed to sleep on. She spent the last 2 nights in a rocking chair. Mason had a slight fever during the night last night but it has come down now. Justin and Kale spend their days at the hospital and return to the motorhome to sleep.

    Not much more to report right now. We thought that you would like to hear how things are going. Thanks once again for your continued support and your prayers.

    The following pictures are of the hospital from the fifth floor. The first one is inside the hospital looking down towards the main entrance. The second one is of the outside, also looking down toward the main entrance. Mason and Jade are in room 71, Unit 5B.

Thank God

    Wonderful news! So much relief! Mason is out of surgery and doing very well. Jade, Justin and Kale are just waiting to go into the intensive care unit to see him!
    Details from the surgeon: The main tumor on Mason's left lung has been successfully removed as well as the small tumor at the bottom of his left lung which has not been doing anything for almost a year. They did not have to remove as much lung tissue as was feared possible.
    Mason will be in the intensive care unit overnight. The surgeon reports that he is very comfortable, the epidural is working well and he is breathing very well on his own!!!!!!!
    We are so relieved. We are also so very grateful for all of the prayers and well wishes from all of you. If there is a good (Godly) purpose to all of the hardships that Mason has had to endure, then surely it is the realization of so many wonderful friends, family and strangers who have come together in faith to help us in our time of need. Words can never express our gratitude.

Toronto

    The Clewis family arrived in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 8th. They were all quite amazed with the six lanes of traffic going in both directions. They made it to their campsite in Scarborough which is not exactly like the beautiful sites they had on the way down. It is expensive.....pay for everything, even sewage disposal at $10.00 per visit and unfortunately there is no internet.......we have to find another way around that problem!! Any suggestions?????
    On Thursday they got a car rented from Enterprise......a Ford Focus, and they made it to the Hospital for Sick Children for the 1:30 p.m. appointment. Mason had a CT scan and then Jade and Justin met with the surgeon, Dr. Gerstle. They found him to be a very friendly and understanding person and they had a good talk with him about the intended surgery, the expectations, the negative possibilities and the possible benefits of some "alternative treatments". Dr. Gerstle assured them that even if Mason were to lose a good portion of his lungs the prognosis is still good. He said that children rebound dramatically and in a short time it becomes hard to tell that they have lost so much lung capacity. He was also quite frank that there are no guarantees that at some point the cancer may not re-appear. In the meantime we are doing as much research as we possibly can and are growing in confidence that Mason can overcome this disease with additional nutrition that has been proven to defeat cancer. That, and of course faith in God.
    Today, Friday, the family was at the hospital by 8:00 a.m. for a meeting with the anaesthetist and they also had a follow-up meeting with Dr. Gerstle to go over the results of the CT scan. These CT scan results continue to confirm that the tumors are shrinking. The tumor in Mason's left lung is still an object of concern and appears to be attached to a major artery. There is also some indication that the cancer is also associated with a lymph node at this location and, therefore, it is even more important that it be removed.
    After their hospital visit they all went "downtown". They toured Yonge St. and all the strange shops and people in that area. They also went to the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame where Jade says that Justin was overwhelmed...."reading everything and even going back to re-read some exhibits. It was better than Christmas morning for Justin" LOL!!! They also went to the CN tower and took the elevator to the top. They were on foot for this whole downtown tour. When I finally caught up to Jade this afternoon she was "sitting on a curb in downtown Toronto"....sounds like a Gordon Lightfoot song ...... waiting for Justin to show up with the car. The boys were complaining of sore legs and were "scrapping" with one another......good old family stuff!!
    Pictures...the first is self explanatory except that Justin looks like he's been struck by something! LOL. The second is from the ferry that crosses between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay - from South Baymouth to Tobermory. Jade says that the swells got to 20 ft. - ya right - and everyone was getting green so they went inside........and of course it got worse!!!! Landlubbers!!!!

    On Monday, Mason has to be at the hospital by 6:00 a.m. Surgery is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. and will hopefully be finished by 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. There is a special mass for Mason scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Monday morning at the Church of Our Lady in Moose Jaw.
    Where ever you may happen to be on Monday we would so appreciate it if you would think of our precious Mason and say a special prayer for him.

A visit with Terry Fox

    Shortly after leaving Thunder Bay yesterday, the family had an opportunity to visit the Terry Fox memorial. This was a very emotional time for everyone. Terry also suffered with osteosarcoma.
    Then it was on to Eagle Ridge Provincial Park home of Canada's longest suspension bridge which the whole family climbed. At the top of two different suspension bridges and a high hill or cliff a zip line brings courageous travellers back to the starting point. This zip line is 2,680 feet long and is 185 feet high near the top. Mason was the first to go! The whole family took it.....even Jade!
    They travelled as far as Neys, Ontario yesterday and stayed at Neys Provincial Park. Today they travelled to Sault Saint Marie and will make the final push to Toronto tommorrow.
     We thank you for continuing to think about and pray for Mason.

Off to Toronto

    Jade, Justin, Kale and Mason departed for Toronto yesterday at 1:00 p.m. We've never been a family of early risers - LOL. Rocco the dog got a ride to Regina where he will be staying with Justin's parents, Sandi and Brian. The first incident, a blown back tire, happened just west of Indian Head. Thankfully it wasn't a front tire and also that the back tires are dual, so they were able to limp into Indian Head where they received wonderful service and a new tire in very little time.
    The next problem was finding a campground that wasn't already booked up. We failed to consider that it is the Sept. long weekend and the last big camping weekend of the year. Jade and Justin tried to phone ahead to 3 different campsites that they had previewed.....with no luck. Jade called her little brother, Jordan, who went on the net and finally found a nice spot just east of "WinterPeg".
    As of 10:00 a.m. this morning, the family is up and on the road again. They had just crossed the 100th meridian as I was texting Jade......"Doing well, very comfy beds! Manitoba has some serious road construction going on. Heading for Thunder Bay!"

    The following pictures were taken on Thurday evening at Jade and Justins. The Beatty and Brentnell families were over to help with loading the motorhome and they brought many departure gifts and special supplies and food. What would we ever do without the love of such good friends!

(L to R)   Holly Beattie, Jade and Alysha Brentnell

Mason with Alysa Beattie. Mason is holding his "Dolphin" staff, carved by special friend Peter Slade.

Children, video games, presents.......what more could you ask for?

Kai Beattie....."You're really going to give me 2 cookies?????"

Mason and uncle Jordan

Justin and Todd Beattie discussing the "Theory of Relativity"....Ya right!! Hockey no doubt!!!

Departure Day:

And This - Just In!!!!

Upcoming Fundraising Events

Mason's Rib and Ceasar Night

An evening of Great Food, Refreshments, Silent Auction and More

When : Saturday, September 11, 2010, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where : Champs Sports Bar, 82 Manitoba St.West in Moose Jaw

Ticket Cost : $15.00 per person

Contact :  FRAN @ 692-0992 for TICKETS and/or DONATIONS 

Tickets can also be purchased at the Door

 

 

Mason’s Miracle Cabaret Fundraiser

An evening filled with Dance, Refreshments, Food, Silent Auction and More.

When : Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 7:30 p.m.

Where : Cosmos Centre, 235 3rd Avenue NE in Moose Jaw

Ticket Cost : $15.00 per person

Contacts : for TICKETS and/or DONATIONS:

Alysha @ 691-0794/631-0490, Holly @ 694-6489/631-4603,

Jana @ 694-6266/690-7778, Kelly @ 694-1567/684-4008

All proceeds will go to support the Clewis family while Mason undergoes surgery in Toronto.

The Clewis Family would like to thank everyone for the generous  support and the continuing prayers and well wishes for Mason during this difficult time

Chemotherapy Round 6 and Plans for Toronto

    Mason completed another round of chemo on Monday, August 16th and was released from the Calgary Childrens Hospital on Tuesday. Once again, Mason did wonderfully.

    The family had an opportunity to visit Ghost Lake, west of Cochrane on Wednesday, and Calloway Park on Thursday, after Mason's bloodtests. Mason's blood levels have begun to rebound once again and the family is returning to Moose Jaw today!!!! We can hardly wait!!!
    The response to our "request for help" has been overwhelming and we are so grateful to our many friends and family members.
    The family have decided to rent a motor home for Jade and Justin and they will drive to Toronto, as due to the nature of the surgery, Mason will be unable to fly home. This way, the family can spend some more time together on the road, see more of our beautiful country, build some wonderful memories and Mason can travel in comfort.
    Mason is scheduled to be at the Hospital for Sick Children on Monday, September 6th and surgery is still tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 9th - possibly Monday the 13th.
    The photos were taken at Buffalo Pound Lake in July.

A Little Help From Our Friends

For some time now we have known that Mason will be undergoing surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. We don’t know when Mason will be going to Toronto or how. We do know that Mason will not be able to fly after his surgery. We also know that this next step in “Mason’s Miracle” is going to be an expensive one. If any of our friends and family would consider helping out with this added expense we would be most grateful. I have included banking information below. Thank you so much for your help and continued thoughts and prayers.

For those wishing to make a donation, there are the following three options:

- If you are a Royal Bank member and are set up with online banking, you can choose to make a straight money transfer from your account to "Other Royal Bank Customer". You will need the following information in order to complete the transaction:

Branch # 05188
Account # 5081930
To Surname/Company Name: Clewis
To Given Name or First Initial: Jade

- If you do not have a Royal Bank account, but live in Moose Jaw, donations can be made at the Royal Bank in the Town & Country Mall as long as you have the account information listed above.

- For those wishing to make a donation by cheque, they can be sent to the following address:

Greg Lien
P.O. Box 783
Moose Jaw, SK.
S6H 4P5

Off to Calgary... Again!

Despite the belief that the next stop for the Clewis family would be Toronto, they have once again made the journey back to Calgary for another round of chemo.  Call it a hospital blunder, or perhaps a communication breakdown, either way the Clewis' will be in Cowtown for the next couple of weeks.  I think we all know how difficult it can be when you're lead to believe one thing, only to have the proverbial rug pulled out from under your feet.  All in all though, these past three years have taught us that nothing is written in stone and surprises can happen in a matter of seconds... Keep up the positive attitude Mason!  I know I'm not alone when I tell you that "I know you will."  Seems as though Papa Greg has made a serious error in judgement by giving Uncle J creative control of the blog... for now!  You'll notice I changed the background.  Much love to Cousin Amanda for creating this wonderful form of expression for the Clewis family but them dots in the background were driving me crazy - lol!  After reading Mason's blog I would continue to see dots for a long time after.  So you can consider the change very self serving... I'm good with that, I have broad shoulders.  As always people, your thoughts and prayers are more than welcome... They're cherished!  I'll do what I can to update any info that comes my way, and once Gregger gets off his butt and sends me some pictures, I'll post them as well (Can you feel the love there? haha).  Love to all! Pictures are canoeing in Bowness Park in Calgary.

A Very Special Gift

    On the first day of his most recent chemo in the clinic at the Calgary Childrens Hospital, Mason was informed that he would be having a visit from some Calgary Stampeder players. He got ready for this visit by quickly making a poster that said "Go Riders Go". He taped this poster to his bedside table!

    Three Calgary Stampeder players came and visited Mason. They got quite a chuckle from Mason's obvious "RIDER PRIDE" and they told him that he was absolutely right to cheer for his home team and to never let anyone change his own choices. There was another man who came with the players but he didn't get in the photos......he chose to stay out of the pictures and away from the attention, but he has become a very special person to Mason and to our whole family. This man was stricken with cancer, non-hodgkin's lymphoma, when he was fifteen years old. He was a very skilled athlete when he was fifteen and full of energy. His battle with cancer was very long and grueling with many similarities to what Mason has undergone. His name is Vince Danielsen. On top of the strong and loving support of family and friends, Vince remembers that during his own chemotherapy treatments he had a very special visit from Lui Passaglia - the famous placekicker of the B.C. Lions. Vince loved football dearly. When he recovered from his battle with cancer he went on to his own successful 8 year career with the Calgary Stampeders during which he earned 2 Grey Cup Championship rings in 1998 and 2001.

    Remembering how Lui Passaglia had gone the extra yard and made such a difference to his own life inspired Vince to start his own "Every Yard Counts Program". As Vince says, "Survival was the product of all the support I received and all the experiences that fueled my positive attitude. I started the "Every Yard Counts Program" to provide children with cancer a one day "getaway" from their treatment schedules. A day where they could have their minds taken away from cancer. A day which, like me, they would never forget." The program was started in June 1997 in unison with the Stampeders and the Alberta Children's Hospital.

    Mason received four tickets to the July 1st, Calgary vs Toronto game donated by Vince Danielsen, along with special seating with Vince. The whole family got to go and they were treated royaly. Mason was welcomed to the game by the broadcast announcer, given an autographed hat, an encouragement package and a letter of encouragement from Vince. After the game, Mason, Kale and Dad got a guided tour of the locker room to meet the players and receive autographs (Mum had to wait outside the locker room - LOL)

What a special day it was indeed!                              

 Another never to be forgotten day!

In the locker room with Vince Danielsen.                            

Update on Mason's treatment:

    Mason made it through round 5 of chemo for this year on June 27th. Mason once again did a spectacular job - staying positive and impressing the nurses!! As reported earlier, the family managed a quick trip home on July 11th only to be called back to Calgary for more tests on July 16th so they only had 3 days at home, starting and ending with a day of driving. The tests went smoothly and the good news was another day of driving right after the tests were completed! So, the whole family is at home once again and we've had some decent weather, visits with family and friends and even some good times at the lake.

    The doctors have been deliberating recently on the next step. We have for some time been aware that one of the most likely scenarios will be a trip to the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children for some rather tricky surgery. It is now appearing that this will be happening in the near future. We will do our best to keep you all posted and thank you for your continuing prayers and support.

A week off at HOME !!! - Or NOT !!!!!

Mason and the whole family got to come home for a week!! They arrived home on Sunday, July 11th and will hopefully have an entire week at home. Mason was released from hospital, after round 5 of chemo, on June 27th. Justin and Kale arrived in Calgary on June 29th so the whole family have been spending time in Calgary since then going out to see some of the sights and parks in Calgary and checking into the hospital to monitor blood levels. The whole family received Calgary Stampeder Football game tickets from a special friend - more on that later - and had a great time at the game and visiting with some of the players after the game. The Brentnell family from Moose Jaw stopped in for a visit and they all had a good day at the Stampede and another day in Banff. Mason is waiting to have another CT scan together with a bone scan.

    The pictures are: 1. Mason working on his "Fencing" model which he made with plaster cast bandages.

                              2. Mason and his art teacher displaying the "Fencing" model and his Pink Pig with Purple Polka Dots!!

                              3. Making some great music with Marc, the resident music teacher.

                              4. Outside the Calgary Childrens Hospital on the teeter totter with his constant "friend" the I.V. cart!

                              5. Exercise - the "in hospital" way!!!!

Jade just got a phone call from Calgary which informed them that they have to return on Thursday for the CT and bone scan which has been scheduled for Friday. It is quite disappointing that they don't get to stay for the weekend. Two days of driving and only three days at home! Oh well, we're happy to have them home for whatever time allows and will send them back to Calgary with our love and good memories of the times that we have had.

Another round of chemo

Jade and Mason and Papa Greg drove back to Calgary last Tuesday. The #1 highway was still closed beyond Maple Creek but they made a quick detour through Golden Prairie which saved a couple of hours. Mason went back into the Calgary Childrens Hospital on Wednesday for round 5 of chemo for this year. He is on day 4 and is doing really well. If all continues to go well he will be finished the chemo tomorrow, Sunday, and will be discharged on Monday. Justin and Kale will hopefully be driving up to Calgary by then also. Still no word on upcoming treatments.
   Picture of Mason at Bowness Park in Calgary on June 13th.

Mason is in Moose Jaw!!!!!

Mason had been scheduled to return to the Calgary Childrens Hospital on Friday for more chemotherapy. This decision was made on Thursday following a lengthy meeting with Dr. Brindel, Mason's surgeon, and Dr. Struthers, the head oncologist. More testing will be required prior to a decision regarding further surgery. The P.E.T. scan did not turn out to be as effective as was hoped, probably due to residual chemotherapy drugs still in Mason's system which dampened the normal biological processes that were to be studied. In the meantime, more chemotherapy will hopefully continue to shrink the tumors. The doctors are very happy with the amount that the tumors have reduced in size.
    Blood tests that were done on Friday morning revealed that Mason's blood levels were not high enough yet for further chemotherapy and Jade was given the green light to make a quick trip home for the weekend.
    It didn't turn out to be such a quick trip!! Flooding, due to record rainfall at the Alberta/Sask. border, closed the Trans-Canada Highway and Jade and Mason were forced to make a 5 hour detour - north at Dunmore (just east of Medicine Hat) to Oyen, then east to Rosetown and south again to Swift Current - on secondary highways that have never seen such traffic (5,000 vehicles per day)! The flooding that went through Maple Creek is the worst ever recorded!
    Jade and Mason arrived home at 1:30a.m. They will likely have to return to Calgary again on Monday.
    The pictures are of Mason at a playground near to Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev's. Feeding ducks, paddle boating and enjoying Bowness Park in Calgary. Mason entering the P.E.T. scanner. Two pictures of flooding across the Trans-Canada Highway.