So I saw this teen from the back today. People said he was a member of our family, but with that curly hair? Who could it be?

Chase? Really???

Ha! Now that's hair! Not that I'd ever want to go through chemo, but if I ended up with nice thick curly hair and people pushing me to gain weight...

They told him his hair might come in different, and it sure did. The only editing needed was red eye removal.

Well, and a little smudging to get rid of a few pre-anniversary cruise tanning bed wrinkles, but no one needs to know about that, do they, Judith?

Good grief, I've forgotten how to blog...

Anyway, for the three of you (that would be Mom, our friend from Sweden, and... okay, for the two of you) still watching, Chase is back in Chapel Hill!

Packed and ready to go. And I mean packed.


Leaving in the Fantasy Car (don't ask).


Unpacking. Um, yeah. Soooooo effective.


Sit. Stay. Good boy.

As far as I know, no tears were shed, but he was definitly told that we did not want to meet him in the ER in six weeks.

He's officially on the baseball team in some capacity my non sports mind refuses to recall, his gig at the Omaha College World Series earned him a job as a High school sports stringer for the Greensboro paper, and then there are all those pesky classes.

NO TIME TO GET SICK THIS FALL!

Boo!

Did I spook you? Aunt Beth here, under direct orders from Judith to post links to Chase's blog from Nebraska. Oh, you didn't know he was in Omaha? Well, Chase is the freshman manager for UNC's baseball team, and they're in the finals of the College World Series in Omaha, NE. Chase has been asked to write a column for the Greensboro News-Record! No, I have no idea how this came about, but I follow orders real well. Just a little late. He started blogging, er, last week sometime...

:: rummages through inbox ::

Last Friday, his first blog

Saturday, Opening Ceremony

Sunday, I don't ever want to leave!

Monday, reporting on a little family fun

Tuesday, Ouch

Wednesday, visiting some hospitalized kids

Thursday, Rocky!

Friday superstitions...

And he and Reece even got press in the Omaha paper!

So far, UNC's in winning mode. Well, there was that one game, but we won't mention that. Saturday is the first of the double elimination games against Oregon State, who just happen to be the defending champions. Watch them play on ESPN and keep an eye on this page for Chase's next installment! And note the picture - look at all that hair!


:: waves to Judith, fresh(?) from her 18 hour drive to Omaha ::

Go Heels!

What's this?

:: rubs eyes with fists ::

A new blog???

Yup. The sitemeter keeps rising so I figure someone other than Grandma's checking in occasionally. Chase has been back in Chapel Hill, doing whatever it is he does with the baseball team and whatnot, looking forward to getting back into school full time.

Speaking of baseball, Mom and I met Judith and Buddy today in Chapel Hill today to watch a double header with Duke (yeah, Mom & I were a little late seeing as we got there just in time for the 9th inning of the second game). But the real reason we went was for this!

In honor of Reece Holbrook (Coach Holbrook's son) and Chase, the entire baseball team "volunteered" (some more willingly than others), to shave their heads to raise money for pediatric cancer research at UNC. With 39 team members charging $100 a head, they hoped to raise nearly $4000.



If I were having my head shaved, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with everyone laughing...

At any rate, it was a huge success, and they raised over $5000! So the coaches had to get their heads shaved too. Even head coach Fox!



A few more pictures. Sorry I don't know names, and I don't even know if the camera was in my hands when these pics were taken, but here ya go:





If we're lucky, Chase will add some names to these pictures. If we're really lucky...

The link to the donation site from the Carolina Baseball news site is still active. Just sayin'

PS. He's got hair growing back. Just a little bit so far...be very, very quiet - we don't want to scare it away...

For the first time, I'm going to make an appearence on here.

Cancer was peculiar for me- I spent the majority of time denying that I had it, or just not realizing it. You hear cancer and it just devastates you. Personally, I had grown tired of thinking about it from the onset and just put it away. There was no way that I had this terrible disease. Not me, couldn't happen. I go to Carolina, I had just started making new friends, things like this don't happen to healthy 18 year old males. Maybe at State or something, but not me.

And now I've beaten it. That hasn't hit me yet- no way I could get cancer and beat it within a few months. I'm still waiting for the whole "I've seriously got cancer" and "I just beat cancer" thing to sink in.

As for the past few months, they have been the absolute best and worst of times. I could not have ever realized how much I impacted people around me without something as dramatic as this happening, and my eyes were opened. I felt unbelievable knowing that around every blood check and MRI, everybody associated with my upbringing for the first 18 years of my life had my back 100%. And that right there makes the difference. Every card sent, gift, dinner, prayer, thought, time spent, and question about how I was sent bursts of hope through me. No one person actually beats cancer. A large group of people all rallying towards one goal beat it. So now, we can all take a deep breath: I'm done. Chase Jones, that kid who randomly got a brain tumor, is now that kid who randomly beat a brain tumor.

My thanks goes out to everybody, literally everybody, that had ever known me. That is the only way I would have ever managed this. Cliche- yes. Unmeaningful- never. I am indebtted to everybody in the best way possible.

Most importantly though, I have to thank my family. It was funny- I spent my entire senior year dying to get out of my house. I was ready to jump to the west coast, live on my own, forget the past, and never look at North Carolina ever again. After being in Houston for 6 weeks, I realized there was only place God created for me: home. To my mom: my only hope is for you to get cancer one day so I can possibly ever take care of you half as good as you have for me. Given, sometimes I have grown tired of seeing you at my side every day. But nothing will ever compare than the love that you've given me. You made me hot dogs when that was the only thing I'd eat, and you made me everything else when I could never stop eating. It takes a special person to do what you did, and if I ever become something, you made me it. Aunt Beth- I think your writing made more people interested about me than I ever did, and I thank you for everything that you have helped with. I don't know how you put up with me being cranky throughout this thing, yet there was still a blog to check all the time. And to the rest of my family- Dad, Jacob, Grandma, Memaw, every Uncle and Aunt, distant family, cousin, pet, and every one of my friends- I am where I am today because of your support. There is no way around it; without a family to lean against, I would have fallen a long time ago. And to God- well, needless to say we had a lot of long talks during a lot of sleepless nights. It gets awkward to pray to not wake up, to pray to just be done with everything at that time. I am alive, and could not be happier. Folks, if you ever doubt there is a God or that He loves, look at me. I'm a perfect example. After that, there is no argument.

On that note, this was probably the longest post of all time. Again, thank you to everybody for the support. Ragsdale- I'm speechless. I did not think announcing the lunch menu would bring this many supporters. But I always knew if I was ever low, I could walk into my former high school and immediately be cheered up by anybody there. I hope I did not kill everybody's time reading this, but I could seriously go on thanking all day.

I beat it. Check that. WE beat it. And that is the best feeling I've ever experienced.

DONE!

By the time we got back from the big celebration Friday, the apartment's internet access had been turned off. Not that they were rushing us or anything. But even after 24 hours without internet access, no one got the shakes. We were too rushed trying to pack up 6 weeks worth of "stuff" into 2 weeks worth of luggage. I think Mom and I were mostly appreciated for our baggage allowance.

Chase finished Friday afternoon and there was a big celebration. Here's a short video of "the gonging". What you can't see is the crowd of people, cameras, and cell phones in front of him - they really do it up right there! Unfortunately, Judith's camera doesn't have sound, so you'll just have to imagine a startlingly loud gong sound at the appropriate moment.



Applause! Applause! Applause!

Here, have a cookie!


If his face looks a little red, it's not because he's blushing, but because he just spent an hour locked down like this:


Aligning the acrylic forms for treatment.
But that's OVER - whew!

The celebration was fun, but...we still had to pack. Our flight wasn't at 7:30 Saturday, it was at 7:15! I did get the AM part right, though, dangit, and it's hard getting up at 4:45 when you were still packing at 0'dark thirty the night before. But we made it on time, thanks to no traffic and a very nice curbside check in guy. I think we had a total of 15 bags, including a last minute "throw it in that shopping bag over there" one.

We landed at RDU and headed for home - Buddy picked up Chase and Judith and drove to Greensboro, but I don't think Chase will light there long. NC State tonight, Chapel Hill tomorrow(?) and moving in to a Chapel Hill apartment on Monday. He's looking forward to becoming a college student again, ya think?

Many, many thanks to the friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, medical staff, and virtual strangers who made this passage bearable. Y'all are amazing!

I'm signing off and turning the keys to the blog over to Chase now. As rough as it was on him, at least he can never say he had a boring Freshman year!

Mom and I got in to Houston last night after a long flight on a teeny tiny plane. There were several doors leading out of the terminal, and we wandered every which way until we heard a voice we recognized say "Doesn't this mean anything to you?"



Houston's a big city. I know, Duh... Judith says we didn't see it all, but we did spend about 6 hours today in and out of the car. I need a nap!

This morning (and I use that term loosely), Mom and Judith left Chase snoozing (I was in the shower) and drove off to gape at all the huge houses in River Oaks. I told them to keep an eye out for secret service men, but they don't think they saw George Sr.'s house, reported to be in the area. By the time they got back, we had to rush to get Chase to his next to last treatment. We had lunch at a TX BBQ place, and then on the the Houston SPCA to thank them for their help with all the pets after Katrina. We came thisclose to bringing a darling, personable kitten home with us on the plane, but no... So cute, though!

Then we headed back to the Proton center to pick up Judith's phone...oops.

I have no idea what else we did today, but it involved a lot of traffic. Oh, we did pick up Chase's "goodie" for graduation tomorrow (a big chocolate chip cookie with the UNC logo on it). Judith was upset that Mom and I weren't particularly interested in shopping at the Galleria Mall. C'mon, Mom and me at Versace???

We're doing our best tonight to clean out the fridge and pantry of food - more chips any one? How 'bout a hot dog? Salad? Ice cream? :: burp ::

Tomorrow, the gong!



19 down, ONE to go!

Almost there... He's rounded the final turn and is racing down the home stretch. Or is it he's rounded third base and is heading for home? He's in the final quarter and up by 13? Are there any more sports analogies I can throw in here?

Packing up and getting ready to go, but Judith and Chase still have to entertain Mom and me for a few days. We'll be there Wednesday night to kick Chase out of his room for good (we get the twins, he gets the air mattress). There are a few things we need to see around Houston, and we wanted to make sure we were there for the final Gong on Friday. He had appointments with a bunch of doctors today and they all said he could leave Saturday. Good thing, 'cause we're all booked on a 7:30AM flight that morning!

Chase's treatments still take too long (at least according to him), but...

17 down, 3 to go!

Forewarning: a rather photo intensive blog ahead...

Since two influential presidents were conveniently born just 10 days apart, Judith and Chase had the day off. Not that they wanted it actually, but there ya go.

So they started out in a park in Houston where the arty boots are hanging out. If you click on the link, there are a lot of boot pictures there, or if just one will do, here's one for you:



There were some fancy kites flying as well. Judith took this movie of a circular kite flying (then, well, not flying). As of midnight, it's...not working, but hopefully by morning, youtube will have finished "processing" it (whatever that means).



Once it works, you'll see the slowly rotating rainbow kite, and behind it you'll see the Geico gecko taking off (or maybe it's a dragon - didn't the Chinese New Year start Sunday?)

After enjoying the park, they headed down to Galveston.

Who woulda thunk? The Gulf is cold in February!

Out on the pier (psst! Judith - "i" before "e", except after "c", not "p" ;-). Self portrait - notice Judith's arms reflected in her glasses.


They went to Pier 21 and saw the film on the Storm of 1900, when over 6,000 lives were lost, and the history of the protective wall guarding Galveston Island. The wall has held up through all the hurricanes since it was finished in 1905.



Just one of the friendly locals. Did he think Chase had a can of tuna under his cap???

So tomorrow begins the Last! Week! of Treatment!!!

Still...16 down, 4 to go!

In honor of Judith and Chase's final week in Houston, may I present:
Cowboys on Ice



I did talk briefly to Judith today, and from the sound of it, they had a great day off in Houston and Galveston. I was promised photos and maybe even a video. Until they surface, though, the cowboys will just have to do!

It was nice while it lasted :: sigh :: The weather cooperated, and a good time was had by all.

Buddy and Jacob are back home - already...but they had a very good weekend (many thanks to Susan and Charlie for the tickets!) I got a jumble of info in an email from Judith - she mentioned going to a Booster Ball with Debbie - cowboy chic dress requested:


A little bull riding (and showing off her new boots):


Those bulls look a bit different than I expected...


Meanwhile Chase and Jacob went to an Aeros hockey game where Chase was welcomed by name on the Jumbotron. Then they went back to Sugar Land with Debbie and Jake's two boys to play video games. I didn't even hear of any sibling fussing going on (not to say there wasn't any, of course!)

One more photo, and no, it's no one we know. But how often do you see a guy with a red mohawk riding a moped?



Countdown to Saturday - and home!

Many people seem to expect daily blogs. Okay, a few. Well, one, really.

Mom.

But Mom, if your daughter and grandson are too busy to call and update me, I can't just make stuff up out of thin air, can I?

Hmmm....Or can I....This could get interesting...

But truthfully, Chase has started on his "boost" treatment. No longer is he getting full head and spine radiation, but just the tumor bed (the origination point), and the two spots on his spine. So the sessions are supposed to be shorter, and he only has 4 more to go until he's DONE! Since Monday's a holiday, he'll be done on Friday, the 23rd, and I think he'll be home on Saturday!

16 down, 4 to go!

Y'all done good! I'm no longer pouting and Judith's no longer crying. I'm sure the latter has nothing at all to do with Buddy and Jacob's arrival in Texas. Wow, the family's all together now (well, except for her pooch JD, back at home, no doubt running around with...Sadie is it?) So anyway, they celebrated in style at Massa's.



You know, I worked on this picture for a long time, but that still doesn't look like Buddy. *g* Laugh if you will, but I'm so tired tonight that it took me a while to figure out why there were 4 people in the picture but Buddy wasn't one of them...

Regardless, they had a great time celebrating Judith's birthday (did I mention that it was her 44th?)



She really should be 45 by now since she celebrated yesterday as well at a restaurant which shall remain nameless since no one, not even the manager who collects bottles has ever been allowed to take one home before. The tears worked, though, and she got one for her beautiful birthday rose.



By the way, I blurred out the restaurant name so don't even try to make out the Truluck's name, okay?

Well, well, well...

Over 100 people have viewed this blog since I broke the news about Judith's 44th birthday . I'm soooooo sad that only 2 people left her comments on just how old she's getting! (and one was MOM!)

:: sniff ::

C'mon, y'all! You can do better than that! It just takes a second to leave an annoymous annoying comment. I think I'll go off and pout until there are a few more comments. Yeah, that's it. I'm withholding info on Chase's boost radiation treatment and Buddy and Jacob's weekend trip - no more boring blogs until at least 5 people leave a comment! We can't have Judith's 44th birthday ignored!

Pssst! Mom, Karen, Memaw - I may need your help to spam the comments...

A new friend! Actually, two new friends!
Eva (who put together the song/photo montage I linked to a couple days ago) came to the apartment today to meet Judith and Chase. They had a good time at lunch (even if it was interupted several times by Judith's rude family member's phone calls - guilty!)

Then later, Judith figured out how to stop the dog upstairs from whining all evening - the owner brought Zenji down to visit!



Cute puppy, and with some warm furniture (i.e. laps) to sit on - no whining! I think this will work out very well.

Psst! Thursday's Judith's birthday! Let's all jump out and say "Surprise!"

Okay, that won't really work here. Sooo....

Happy Birthday, Judith!

15 down, 5 to go!

Midterms time...so this is just about all Judith saw of Chase today:



It's been a while since I was in college, but seven 5+ page papers? assigned by one teacher? due within 30 hours of assignment? Am I missing something here? like reality? At least he didn't blow off his radiation treatment like he threatened (I would threaten bodily harm if he had!) For all I know he's still sitting in that chair typing away right now, at 2 points off per hour past deadline. I sure hope I got some misinformation, 'cause that just ain't right!

Judith had an "interesting" day as well. Tired from the joys of apartment life (i.e. a neighbor's new puppy whining late into the evening), she nonetheless headed off to school to tutor - only to find the classes out on a field trip. So now she knows what it's like on the other side of the equation, having previously forgotten to alert parent volunteers about special days. Oops!

Judith's also been busily traipsing up and down the stairs to the laundry room, getting sheets washed and everything ready for Buddy and Jacob's visit this weekend. She gets to do it all again next week because Mom and I finally got our tickets to go down for Chase's last 2 days - coming up fast! I don't know quite how we'll fit everything in; Mom wants to visit the space center, the Houston SPCA (because they helped with Katrina animals), the Parasol Project, and be at the Proton center for the ceremonial banging of the gong after Chase's final treatment on Friday, the 23rd. Since Mom generally travels at about the speed of sound, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

14 down, 6 to go!

A couple of pictures from the weekend. Apparently the Globetrotters' game was the only time Judith was allowed along...





While Chase and friends went out and drove (i.e. got lost) all over Houston, Judith was taken shopping by Debbie. She's now the proud owner of a pair of Texas cowboy boots. Not her first pair of cowboy boots, but the first in, oh, 30 years, I'd guess.

Uncle Mitch co-wrote a song for Chase a while back (I think the lyrics have been posted before), but now a friend of his, Eva, has put together a montage with the song and photos on her myspace page (scroll down). It's very good - check it out!

12 down, 8 to go!

This space intentionally left blank.

I would have a blog here, but someone hasn't called me back, even though she said she would.

Yesterday.

:: insert whiny voice :: Mommmm! Judith's ignoring me! :: whiny voice off ::

Chase's friends have arrived in Houston - and what a smile. Was he really afraid they wouldn't recognize him? Naw, he was just being silly. Your limo awaits...


Here's one Ashleigh took on the plane:


Too cute.

So tonight they're out on the town, with only the occasional "Mom, I'm lost" phone call. *g*

Back to knitting that sock monkey dress for Judith... Shhhhh!

Griffin and Ashleigh should be at the airport by now and will arrive in Houston around 8PM, just in time for a late dinner with Chase - and without his Mom!?! How could he do that??? What will she do??? All alone in the apartment with nothing but a pint of Ben & Jerry's to keep her company. Oh wait, that would be me.

Chase got his bloodwork done today, but when I talked to him, he actually seemed rather chipper, so I'm not too worried. His friends will keep him busy (and if I know Griffin, laughing), so the break will be good. The weather in Houston's not to bad, and it beats what we had up here today. It sure was cold and rather drafty in my house today. Having work done on your house is ever so much fun!

So to keep warm, I've taken up knitting. My first project was going to be this, but Judith said she wouldn't wear it. So I'm starting out doing afghan squares for a group Warm Up America project. I think Judith should do a square too, don't you?