Stories like these pick me up because at least I know that through Julie’s struggle she was able to help others so that they do not have to endure the same struggle. Below is an email sent to Jen Kerber by one of her friends…

Jen, wanted to let you know how Julie has personally touched my life. Iwent to the doctor a couple weeks ago for my second annual check-up (thevery first time I went was right after Julie was diagnosed and hadencouraged everyone on the blog to go). At that time, they removed asuspicious mole on my right shoulder blade. I received a call last weekindicating it was cancerous and I would have to come back in and have “themargins” removed. It was, obviously, scary for everyone in my family andcertainly got our attention.I went for the outpatient surgery this morning. Turns out, it was NOTcancerous (yet) but was “very abnormal”—so much so that the pathologistrecommended the doctor remove additional tissues surrounding the mole, justto be safe. The doctor has also recommended that I be checked every threemonths, instead of one year, so that we remain proactive. I was extremelyrelieved to find out that it is not cancerous, but, more importantly,because of my situation/Julie’s, my entire family is now going to bechecked.God bless Julie for spreading the word. If it had not been for her, Ihonestly don’t think I would have ever even thought about going to thedermatologist—let alone actually go

She was an awesome human and I am sure she is an even better Angel….Yay God,Brendan

Thanks to our friends Ken and Sue, we attended the Shriner Circus at the Rosenberg Fairgrounds over the weekend. And in true Ken form he did it up big for us. As the seats are first come, first serve… he and my dad headed out early to make sure we had the best seats possible. Let’s just say they accomplished that mission as they were the fourth car to arrive in the parking lot that afternoon! We sat right in the front row in our “box seats” front and center.

Waiting in our seats were sodas, water, light up toys, shirts and cotton candy and we sat down to take in the show. Some of the many acts were, the lion tamer, jugglers, acrobats, a couple who shot apples off of each others heads with crossbows, trapeze artists, bears, elepants and of course the clowns. During intermission we took to the circus floor for a pony ride, an elphant ride (yes I rode as well with the kids and my hips are sore from that experience… My hips had to pop out of joint to sit on that thing!) and a picture of the four of us where Hallie is holding a 3 year old Alligator! I will have to scan that picture in later.

However, the highlight of the day was when they called out the raffle ticket winners and… HOLLY SMOKES… Hallie won. She now owns a brand new “Ozone” 15 speed mountain bike which is just small enough for her to ride now. The timing on this is perfect because she has basically outgrown her current bike as I had just moved the seat to its highest point.

Thanks to the Arkell’s for providing such a wonderful day for my kids and my parents for tagging along to help me with them!

I would also like to thank everyone who has responded and donated to my Relay for Life event. I have now surpassed my established goal and am looking forward to the event. If you have not donated yet and still would like to… its not too late! Again, my thanks go out to all of you.

YAY GOD!

-Brendan

I know the blog posts have been few and far between. Its been a combination of staying busy and exhaustion.

This is going to be a very quick post as we are drawing very close to the date of the Relay. I have published a very modest goal of $600 that I personally want to raise as a contribution to our team in total. I am less than half way there at this point. If you can, I certainly would appreciate your support. Please remember… I am not asking for the money for me… I am asking for all of those who are fighting or will be fighting this insidious disease. Current statistics show 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women will be diagnosed at some point in their life. Please help me, help those who are currently battling, celebrate those who have won, remember those we have lost and prevent future generations from the experience that I and my kids now live with daily. Its easy to do… Just click the link that reads “Relay for Life Team Home Page” and follow the instructions.

I will post more this weekend as I have some other news to share and a big weekend ahead of us as we venture off to the circus.

Yay God!

Brendan