I've changed my mind about what I was going to initially write. I'm too tired and too sad. I think people (us included) forget that when we enter the world of oncology, it's no longer about just your child. We have met so many wonderful families and we've become friends with a lot of them. So after awhile, you no longer just worry only about your child, we're all in this together. Us families in the "oncology club," celebrate the victories and the milestones together, no matter how small, or how big. However, when things don't go the way you want or hope, it's a blow to all of us in the "club." When I look at myself in the mirror, I no longer see a carefree young guy, (even though I still have the maturity level of an 18-year-old), I am beginning to see a tired old man.

Excerpts from Thomas' website posted today: God Answers Prayers. He not only answered our every prayer these past 8 months, but he never failed at guiding us with each and every bump and roadblock along the way. God's plan for Thomas and our family is to take him HOME to heaven. ……… We have all cried buckets of tears and it's no surprise that Thomas is comforting us already by saying he will be our family's guardian angel, asking God to continue to give us strength. Our hopes are for the five of us to hold onto each other and to love each other and to be with each other until our loving, precious, curious, adorable, kind-hearted Thomas takes his last breath.

Thomas is the 8-year-old boy that I had posted about yesterday. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Hearne Family.