OUR PURPOSE

Last Friday, I received a call from my dearest friend Jay, who has been so instrumental in Justin's Quest,that his good friend was just diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor. Jay was frantic as he called me and explained the situation and asked for help. I was at work and I immediately stopped everything that I was doing so I could help Jay's friend. I have spoken with his friend several times before. I called Jay's friend and offered total support as his life was just turned upside down. I Know exactly what it is like to go through this horrific time and I just wanted to help his friend in any way I can. I helped him get a game plan of doctors and what to expect and give him direction because you feel so helpless. We believe that Justin was diagnosed with his brain tumor to help those in need with this terrible diagnosis. It is Justin and our family's calling. I told Justin that night about Jay's friend and he expressed tremendous concern about his prognosis. Justin wants so bad to help others and when he hears the sad news about someone being diagnosed with a brain tumor, he feels so bad and wants to help. The good news is that Jay's friend has things lined up and is on his way to getting more clarity about his situation. I am telling you this story because there are to many people that are alone in dealing with a horrific medical diagnosis. We as a community need to help everyone going through this because it is so lonely and incredibly scary. Yesterday, Justin came home from school with headaches and blurry vision. A parent may not think twice about this situation with their child but when your son has a inoperable brain tumor involving his optic nerves your heart sinks and we were sick to our stomachs. Justin was terrified and incredibly freaked out. We immediately called his neuro-opthmologist and he thankfully fit him in and saw Justin today. It seems that Justin may have migraines which is a good thing if totally confirmed. I felt so bad for Justin as I was driving him to the doctor this morning. He said dad " I am done with my brain tumor" " I want to say to the world that I HAD a brain tumor not HAVE a brain tumor" "it is so hard to live with this" I told him our mantra again " I have always been there for you and I will always take care of you and we will beat this and get through this as we have the best doctors in the world at Mass General". It has to be hard on anyone going through this but especially a child. He knows that this is his and our purpose to make a difference and we preach it and live it. Once again, I preach, love your family and appreciate everyhting you have because you never know when a family diaster may strike.