Dress Code

Tell me this:

What goes better with green vampire teeth, a hulk t-shirt and blue cape?

I thought, "Cowboy boots" also.

Glad to know that great minds think alike.

And, more importantly, that the tumor clearly has not affected my fashion sense.

Come find out what I'm wearing to the race and bowling!

Hope to see you there!

Strawberries and Apples and Cliff Bars. Oh My!

Who likes strawberries?

Apples?

Cliff Bars?

Come run tomorrow morning and these yummy treats will be waiting for you.

We owe a big thanks to Whole Food Market in Trolley Square for their delicious generosity.

Thank you.

See you bright and early tomorrow morning.

Now go to bed.

Become a fan of Whole Foods Market Trolley Square for updates on their community giving and hottest deals at facebook.com/wfmtrolleysqr

Catch Me! If You Can...

Just doing a little training at physical therapy.

I'm getting faster and stronger.

Are you?

Honorable Mention

Gage, Troy, Gretchen and their friend, Jeremy

There have been so many thoughtful, wonderful, heart warming events that have taken place since Gage's surgery. So many people have reached out to love Gage. To lift Gretchen and Troy.

The above picture is a highlight.

Troy's buddy, Jeremy, asked a friend to draw a picture of Gage, the Superhero, beating up The Tumor. Jeremy, then, made a beautiful stainless steel frame to showcase the picture.

Gage is excited to hang the picture in his room. A reminder of who he is and the feats he has already accomplished.

Thank you. To all of you. Who have given to us. 

We are beyond thankful.

This Little Light Of Mine

Gage at his Spring Sing Recital

It's been almost two months since Gage's second brain tumor surgery.

Two months of great strides. 

Two months of heart breaking frustration. 

Two months of daily support and love. 

Two months of parental worrying.

Two months of hugging, snuggling and holding.

Two months of humble gratitude.

Gage's little light is contagious.

Come catch it Saturday.

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

All of our thanks to Syliva Johnson! 

Gage and cousins with Baby Cow

Troy and Reese

One grateful family!

Last night was a huge success!

And we owe it all to Sylvia Johnson, the Chick-Fil-A crew and their gracious guests.

Thank you for hearing our story.

For being bossed around by Jill, Gretchen's mom.

And for mentioning Gage when ordering your dinner.

And Dear Sylvia: Thank you for you for your energetic and contagious spirit. Thank you for reaching out to our family and making this night special. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Our hearts are full.

Thank you Charlie Sheen.

Gage is winning!

(Was Charlie Sheen onto something? Possibly? I mean, I know he was on something. But, did he have a moment of clarity when he shared his thoughts with the world? I'd like to think so... But we can save our discussion about Charlie for another day.)

My point is: Winning. Conquering. Overcoming. Accomplishing the impossible. Completing something difficult. Crossing that finish line.

Gage is doing that. All of it.

It's still amazing to watch Gage heal. Each physical therapy appointment shows us how far he has come and also reminds us of the what ifs. Where we could have been with this little spirited four year old. And confirms our gratitude for where we are now. The odds were piled up against him. The odds that are still out there, like a threatening thunderstorm. But, we take a deep breath. A quiet sigh of momentarily relief. And then we put up our dukes. We keep fighting. Pushing for Gage's continued strength. For his body to reconnect. To heal.

Throughout this ordeal, we have been blessed with undefeated hope. Hope that has been transmitted and borrowed from you. It has built our endurance and outlasted our fears. It has kept our heads up.

I hope that when you are running on Saturday for Gage some of this miraculous support will be shifted to you. To sustain you as it has sustained us. I hope that when you cross that finish line or bowl a strike and the crowd around you cheers that you feel the love we have felt. The strength of numbers that has aided one little four year old boy.

I hope you know that your support has made all the difference.

And because of you, our Gage is winning.

Eat More Chicken

Need an idea for Tuesday nights' dinner?

Come to Chick-fil-a in Sugarhouse.
Tuesday April 24th, 2012

 1206 E. 2100 S. 

from

5:00-8:00 P.M.

Mention Gage at the door and 10% of all proceeds go to help Gage with his medical bills. 

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Question

Quick question for you:

Who has two thumbs and is excited to race you?

Yup.

 You got it.

This guy.

Flahback Photo

I hope this made you smile a little.

10 DAYS

Gage, as the incredible Hulk (of course)

Look out!!

We've been busy training. (The physical therapist is impressed.)

And we're waiting for you.

You have 10 more days to try and catch up to this guy.

Good Luck!

Don't forget:

APRIL 28

SAVE THE DAY! 5K

STRIKE FOR GAGE Bowl-a-thon and silent auction

(Click on the sidebar pictures for more details)

Mark it on your calendars.

Or I might get angry....

You

Dear You:

If I could give each and every one of you a giant hug, I would. And I'm not talking about a wimpy, two second, pat on the back hug. Or even more awkward, a side hug with a hand shake. I'm talking about a real, all up in your face, bear squeeze. One so tight that it might possibly take your breath away. A hug that encompasses the overwhelming gratitude and love that I have felt from you.

You have taken time from your busy lives and given those precious minutes to us. You have poured out concern for our little Gage. A stranger to many of you. You have sent well-wishes, notes of encouragement and stories of sympathy. In sharing our story, we have found some life long friends. You have been Gage's angels, lightening his burdens.

You have donated your hard earned dollars to ease the strains on this little family. You have given over 80 (!) items to the silent auction to cover piling medical bills. You have committed to run. To support. To come and participate in our little Gage's life and witness the miracle in which you have been a silent partner.

You have dropped off meals, cards and gifts to these bright and thankful brown eyes. You have wrapped your arms around Gretchen and Troy. You have stopped by, to bring some sunshine and share some of your warmth. You have loved Gage. And you have made him feel like he is a super hero.

I feel inadequate. Simply offering you a measly bear hug in return for the freight train of concern and love for Gage that has been sent. It does not quite measure up. Even if it is an up close and personal I'm-not-letting-go-yet hug. A hug, that if you know her, is just like Gretchens'.

But I hope that you feel it. Our sincere gratitude.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Reese

Happy Birthday to Reesey-bell! Reese turns two today. Lover of babies, bracelets, purses, lipstick and sunglasses. She is big tease, fashionista and, above all, a sweetheart. Reese: We absolutely love you! You are a great sister to your big brother Gage.

Struggles

It seems like Gage has had an uphill battle since conception. Struggling to get his growing body to match his energized spirit. Gage has been dealt some rough cards in his four years of life thus far. The two brain tumors were the huge cherries on top of years of numerous therapies and treatments.

What you may not know is: Gage was diagnosed with torticollis at age one. His neck muscles on right side of his body were weaker and stiff, making Gage compensate by tilting his head. Since this diagnosis, Gage has been to physical therapists, worn (and slyly figured his way out of) three neck collars for hours and hours throughout the day, had botox injections to loosen his muscles and more invasively, had his neck muscles clipped. Sadly, he has been no stranger to doctors, surgeries and recovery, though nothing could have prepared him for brain surgery.

It is apparent now that the torticollis diagnosis was incorrect and his symptoms were caused by the developing tumor in his brain.  The original diagnosis for torticollis came after x-rays, C-scan and other tests were done in a narrow search focusing solely on the neck.  At the time, Troy and Gretchen pleaded with the doctors to expand their search but were assured that expanding the tests further up into the head/brain were unnecessary.  Without a doctors orders, doing these tests would have been costly and outside the scope of their insurance.  Troy and Gretchen surrendered their instincts and intuition to the knowledge of their doctors and finally, after years of frustration, the tumor grew large enough to present itself with symptoms that called for more expansive tests.  Our little superhero has been poked, prodded, scanned, examined, stretched, annoyed, injured and finally blessed by the science of modern medicine.  We are prayerful that Gage can continue the healing process and that his physical and occupational therapy progress is rapid and his days of doctors are numbered.