On this day a year ago....

On this day a year ago, I lost my father.~~He Is Not Gone~Ease your grief, he is not gone,~For in your heart he lingers on~His smile, his laugh, his special way~Will comfort you from day to day~You'll feel his presence in the breeze~That dances gently through the trees~And it's his face that you shall see~When you're in need of company~At any time you can recall~The love you shared~you saved it all~And in time, more than anything~You'll find peace in remembering......Miss you dad !

More pics of Trenton...

Trenton Noll's Story

In January 2008, just before Trenton’s 2nd birthday, we noticed a flicker in his eye. Our family doctor suggested we see an ophthalmologist, who would have known how our world was about to change. The ophthalmologist suggested an MRI to confirm Trenton’s eye flickering was nothing more than a common childhood problem. On May 31, 2008 a neurosurgeon would break our hearts and tear our world into two telling us what the MRI images found. Trenton was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, a juvenile pilocyctic astrocytoma. The day, the images, the pain will forever be burned into my memory, how can this be, our world was shattered.
Deep breathe! God grant me the courage and strength to pull myself together and be the Mom that my child needs right now! Two days of tears and a pity party for me, and that was it, off I went on a mission to save my son. 44 months have passed since that day, 39 months of chemotherapy, 5 surgeries that would take us to hell and back, more hospital stays and days in clinic than I care to recount, 4 birthdays, and lots of tears and laughter here I am. I am one of the lucky ones; I am a mother whose child is still here to battle.

Today we still fight the good fight and Trenton is still on treatment at this time. As we are about to gather for Trenton's Sixth Birthday this week I am overwhelmed with joy for having the time I have had with this wonderful child. As I look back and realize that Trenton has spent the last four years fighting for each and every day he is given, I remember to be thankful for that time. Four years is a long time to fight, but to be given the opportunity to do so is a blessing that often is overlooked. I remember how two years ago I celebrated Trenton's 4th birthday in a clinic room while he received his chemo still unable to walk and barely talk from a surgical procedure. Many days have passed since then, some days that I thought we would never make it through, yet here we are about to celebrate his 6th birthday. This time it will be making pizzas and decorating cupcakes for his friends to come and enjoy with us, a long way we have come. I am tearful just thinking how much he has accomplished in the last two years and overall in this child's six short years here. It is inspiring to see how he keeps fighting everyday and how thankful he is for so many little things that most of us take for granted. As I have seen many children pass from this horrible disease over the last four years it reminds me of how truly precious each day is. Trenton seems to be wise beyond his years in recognizing that. He chooses to take the time each day to make others smile and enjoy all that the day gives him, a reminder we all need from time to time.

Trenton will continue on this experimental drug that was given to him in October as a last effort for "compassionate reasons". Three months ago I prayed for him to see Christmas, little did I think he would see his 6th birthday. But here we are, and with his strength and determination there may be no end to all the days we will see with this wonderful little boy. This is one of those stories that gives hope to so many that there may be that one drug that works. The MRI in January showed he is stable and the drug is working. It truly is a reminder that there is always Hope, something we all need from time, children especially; there are always Smiles, you just need to find them; and there will always be Love, you just need to give it.

New Sponsor for the Kids

Thanks Cowgirl Swank, for donating a cap for Amy!

http://www.cowgirlswank.com/

Trenton Noll

Here is a little bit about Trenton, from his mother Mena:

My name is Mena Noll and I am both the Outreach Person for Children's Cancer Recovery and also the mother of a child with cancer. I want to personally say thank you for reaching out to us. Reading your email was inspiring to see what you have done and how you want to give back touches my heart. My story of how I came to Children's is somewhat similar. My son Trenton was diagnosed almost four years ago with a brain tumor at the age of two. Since then he has struggled with this continuous battle of constant treatment and surgeries. Complications from this process has caused this child to overcome more than you can imagine. A surgery in 2009 left him unable to talk, walk, and almost lost all memory, but he came back from it all with his amazing strength and courage, he is my inspiration! Last year he briefly went into remission which is how I came to Children's Cancer Recovery. They were the only organization that helped us when we were going through our battle. The financial difficulties that come with having a child with cancer can be overwhelming. It was their Helping Hands Program that gave to us when no other organization would. For three years they continued their support and helped to enable me to stay where I was needed most, by Trenton's side. Last January when Trenton went into remission I like you wanted to "pay it forward" so when they asked me to come on board with the organization it was the perfect opportunity.

Since then Trenton has resumed treatment and we are currently on a clinical trial for a last attempt to save his life. We realize the blessings we have had with this child and put our faith in God to choose Trenton's path. I have continued on working with Children's because I know how much work is needed done to create more awareness and raise more funds for childhood cancer. One of the events I created was the Ride for Hope, an event for trail riders to gather for a fun family camping weekend. When I got this email I couldn't have been more excited to hear what you are doing and would love to attend. There are some pictures of Trenton on The Ride for Hope site at http://www.rideforhope.embarqspace.com/ if you want to see him and my son Bryce.

BullRide Mania, Harrisburg PA

It's time to find my next family to give them a great night at the rodeo! If you know a family who has a child that has fought or fighting cancer or heart disease in the Harrisburg area, please let me know. I am planning on taking a family to the Bullride Mania on April 28 at the Harrisburg Farm Show Arena! The search is on! Please email me at Jackie@dreamingofthree.com with his/her story.

Horse and Rider Magazine

After many months (since September) of keeping a lid on things for a "horse" type magazine, (other than The Barrel Racing Blog intereview, which was a friend's blog regarding the local area barrel racers), nothing has seemed to have developed as far as an article.  With much disappointment, I have decided to move on, as I must keep moving forward instead of staying idle.  As, the longer I wait, the later the issues in which stories can be printed~therefore, not helping me with the families I take to the rodeos earlier in the season. 

Horse & Rider magazine will be putting a small blurb with a photo in their very popular "up-front" "Talk" section of their magazine in their April, 2012 issue.  I am excited to get SOME exposure, as the more exposure I receive, the more companies may get involved to help me moreso with the children and families I take to the rodeos.   That is my main concern as far as getting some coverage, is helping me make their night at the rodeo bigger and better for those families throughout the year. 

I will continue to move forward with all of my plans for 2012, and to do the best I can for everybody in all areas.