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!!!!