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| Written by Sarah Jio, format by Laura VanderHoek (Thank you!) |
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Web Obituary - Cash van Jameson Parriera
Service Information
Thank you for your prayers and beautiful comments the past few days. They have been very encouraging and uplifting. We have confirmed the date and time of the service for Cash so I wanted to pass that along.
Memorial Service for Cash van Jameson Parriera
Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Cornwall Church
(4518 Northwest Drive Bellingham, WA 98226)
Memorial Service for Cash van Jameson Parriera
Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Cornwall Church
(4518 Northwest Drive Bellingham, WA 98226)
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Final Healing
Cash left us and went to meet the Lord this afternoon at 3:50 pm. He was in Wendi's arms as he breathed his last and was immediately at peace.
I'm sure as time goes on I'll have more to say as we reflect on this past year. For the moment, I would simply say we are at peace and thankful Cash is in the arms of Jesus. We were granted the amazing privilege of being Cash's parents for the short time God allowed us to be with him on the earth. We are sad yet rejoice in the tremendous healing Cash has been given and we thank God for His grace, mercy, peace, and love.
We are surrounded by those who love us and words cannot express our gratitude for your prayers and support this past year.
I'm sure as time goes on I'll have more to say as we reflect on this past year. For the moment, I would simply say we are at peace and thankful Cash is in the arms of Jesus. We were granted the amazing privilege of being Cash's parents for the short time God allowed us to be with him on the earth. We are sad yet rejoice in the tremendous healing Cash has been given and we thank God for His grace, mercy, peace, and love.
We are surrounded by those who love us and words cannot express our gratitude for your prayers and support this past year.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Answering Prayers
This afternoon Cash took a significant turn for the worse. His breathing has become very labored and he is now unresponsive and sleeping. Our immediate families came over to visit an now we are waiting patiently for the Lord to welcome into His eternal kingdom.
We have prayed since Cash was diagnosed on February 8, 2010 that Cash would be healed of his cancer and we know from the Bible that God always hears and answers our prayers - He is answering our prayers and while we are sad, at the same time we are rejoicing in Cash's ultimate healing.
We are thankful to everyone for your prayers and support this past year - Wendi and I continue to learn about compassion, giving, and love from everyone who has been there for us. Please continue to pray for Cash and Jensen as they both are still fighting. God is merciful and loves all His children!
We have prayed since Cash was diagnosed on February 8, 2010 that Cash would be healed of his cancer and we know from the Bible that God always hears and answers our prayers - He is answering our prayers and while we are sad, at the same time we are rejoicing in Cash's ultimate healing.
We are thankful to everyone for your prayers and support this past year - Wendi and I continue to learn about compassion, giving, and love from everyone who has been there for us. Please continue to pray for Cash and Jensen as they both are still fighting. God is merciful and loves all His children!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
A Few Pics
Since the last update Cash has continued to remain about the same. He's sleeping pretty good at night and takes multiple naps during the day. His energy is nearly gone and he struggles to speak but still if you ask him a question, he'll weakly respond. We continue to be amazed at his resiliency and are thankful to God for each additional day.
Please pray for Jensen - he continues to struggle and is in a lot of pain. Wendi and I talk or text with Julie daily God continues to grant both our families tremendous grace and mercy.
Jodi took a few beautiful pictures yesterday that I had to share...thank you for your continued prayers - they are needed - Julie wrote this week that if you wake up in the middle of the night, say a little prayer that Jensen doesn't experience pain...I concur and it seems as if we are in prayer all night, even when we are sleeping.
Please pray for Jensen - he continues to struggle and is in a lot of pain. Wendi and I talk or text with Julie daily God continues to grant both our families tremendous grace and mercy.
Jodi took a few beautiful pictures yesterday that I had to share...thank you for your continued prayers - they are needed - Julie wrote this week that if you wake up in the middle of the night, say a little prayer that Jensen doesn't experience pain...I concur and it seems as if we are in prayer all night, even when we are sleeping.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Jesus Loves Me
A few months ago Aunt Betty asked if we knew the other verses to Jesus Loves Me - she mentioned it was written with a dying child in mind...I've been so busy that I hadn't had time to look it up and then this morning I saw the card she wrote us which included verses 2-4. I immediately stopped what I was doing and after reading it I had to share the verses.
V2:
Jesus love me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide,
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little children come in.
V3:
Jesus loves me! Loves me still,
Tho' I'm very weak and ill,
From his shining throne on high,
Comes to watch ms where I lie.
V4:
Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way,
If I love him till I die,
He will take me home on high.
I'm so thankful Jesus loves Cash! Thank you god for your amazing love and power and for sending Jesus to experience our pains and ultimately free us from this body when we meet you in heaven!
V2:
Jesus love me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide,
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little children come in.
V3:
Jesus loves me! Loves me still,
Tho' I'm very weak and ill,
From his shining throne on high,
Comes to watch ms where I lie.
V4:
Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way,
If I love him till I die,
He will take me home on high.
I'm so thankful Jesus loves Cash! Thank you god for your amazing love and power and for sending Jesus to experience our pains and ultimately free us from this body when we meet you in heaven!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Weekend Update
Not much has changed this past week - there have been days when Cash sleeps a lot and others when he barely takes a nap...each day is different but his resolve to fight is still strong...here are a bunch of recent pics - thank you for continuing to pray!
Monday, January 17, 2011
One Pic
Thank you to everyone that continues to stop by, write notes, cook dinners, etc...it has been great this past week to see so many people, including my Auntie Ine and cousin Manuel (and his family) from California.
Jodi took a great picture of Cash today which sums up his favorite food...
Cash is still steady and while very tired, still manages to talk, eat, and watch the iPad...we thank God for each additional day with Cash.
Thank you for your prayers!
Jodi took a great picture of Cash today which sums up his favorite food...
Cash is still steady and while very tired, still manages to talk, eat, and watch the iPad...we thank God for each additional day with Cash.
Thank you for your prayers!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Pictures from the past week
Now that I can blog easily, here are a few pictures from the past two weeks...
Holding Strong
Cash seems to have slightly improved each day since Monday. He has been sleeping well and when he's awake he sits with us and reads books, watches his brother, and talks a bit. He's in great spirits and doesn't cry or complain about any pain.
We've had an amazing amount of support this week with visits, meals, grocery store runs, etc. Julie D even surprised us this morning with breakfast. For the most part, unless Cash is napping, he interacts with everyone and always says "bye bye" when they leave - every time he says it I get a tear in my eye (it's adorable).
He's hanging in there and continues to fight - I reinstalled a blog app on my phone so I can blog more frequently as time allows. Thank you for your cards, prayers, and comforting words - we appreciate it!!!
We've had an amazing amount of support this week with visits, meals, grocery store runs, etc. Julie D even surprised us this morning with breakfast. For the most part, unless Cash is napping, he interacts with everyone and always says "bye bye" when they leave - every time he says it I get a tear in my eye (it's adorable).
He's hanging in there and continues to fight - I reinstalled a blog app on my phone so I can blog more frequently as time allows. Thank you for your cards, prayers, and comforting words - we appreciate it!!!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Post-MRI Update
First off, we want to thank everyone for your comments, emails, calls, meals, and visits. They have been very encouraging and uplifting during this difficult time. I don't think I could even count how many family members and friends that have stopped by - it has been so good for Cash to see so many kids playing on our playground and it encourages him to crawl around and play.
Cash's health seems to be declining rapidly - yesterday we were so worried about him that we had a nurse from hospice come out to visit. They came out again today and have been very kind and helpful. Basically they are available to us 24 hours a day if we need anything and will dispense medicine if needed.
To say we're taking it one day at a time would be an understatement. Wendi should receive the mother-of-the-year award as she spends 24 hours a day with him, most of it spent sitting on the couch, reading books, cuddling, eating m&m's, napping, and keeping him occupied and content. He is such a strong and sweet boy and has taught us so much in his few short years. We are so thankful that he has not experienced any pain the past 11 months and he continues to flash his beautiful eyes at us and smile, acknowledging his love for us, and us for him.
Pastor Robert and his wife (First CRC) stopped by on Sunday night and he said that we have been given a special grace, which he referred to as 'cancer grace'. I know that must be true as both Wendi and I are at peace and feel great comfort in knowing that Jesus loves him and will welcome into His kingdom with open arms. God has carried Cash and our family through this season and continues to give us the strength we need to endure each day. We are blessed beyond measure and while we don't understand why, we are thankful to God for giving Cash to us, even if it is for a short time and it has been a privilege to be his parents.
We would ask that you continue to pray for Cash, that he is at peace and that God wrap His loving arms around him and whisper to him that it will all be ok. I will post more if there are any changes and would encourage you continue to send us messages, emails, and calls, as they encourage us and give us strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Cash's health seems to be declining rapidly - yesterday we were so worried about him that we had a nurse from hospice come out to visit. They came out again today and have been very kind and helpful. Basically they are available to us 24 hours a day if we need anything and will dispense medicine if needed.
To say we're taking it one day at a time would be an understatement. Wendi should receive the mother-of-the-year award as she spends 24 hours a day with him, most of it spent sitting on the couch, reading books, cuddling, eating m&m's, napping, and keeping him occupied and content. He is such a strong and sweet boy and has taught us so much in his few short years. We are so thankful that he has not experienced any pain the past 11 months and he continues to flash his beautiful eyes at us and smile, acknowledging his love for us, and us for him.
Pastor Robert and his wife (First CRC) stopped by on Sunday night and he said that we have been given a special grace, which he referred to as 'cancer grace'. I know that must be true as both Wendi and I are at peace and feel great comfort in knowing that Jesus loves him and will welcome into His kingdom with open arms. God has carried Cash and our family through this season and continues to give us the strength we need to endure each day. We are blessed beyond measure and while we don't understand why, we are thankful to God for giving Cash to us, even if it is for a short time and it has been a privilege to be his parents.
We would ask that you continue to pray for Cash, that he is at peace and that God wrap His loving arms around him and whisper to him that it will all be ok. I will post more if there are any changes and would encourage you continue to send us messages, emails, and calls, as they encourage us and give us strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A Most Difficult Day
Wendi took Cash this morning (with amazing help from Laura and Julie) to Children's for his 2 month MRI check up. The last MRI left us feeling pretty good with how things were progressing but our expectations for the MRI's are always mixed.
The news from today's MRI is not good. The main tumor has basically doubled in size and is protruding into other parts around the stem. In addition, there are numerous spots on his lower spine. The strangest part is that he still looks really good, with the exception of his right eye - over the past few days we've seen him struggle to open it fully and now that we've seen the scans we know why. There is a lot of extra fluid that is not flowing to the appropriate parts of his brain, putting pressure on different areas, one being the optic nerves.
We have decided not to pursue any further treatment as the low-dose chemo seems to have lost it's ability to affect change (positively). The hospital is connecting us with hospice care in the event that Cash will need assistance as the tumor continues to grow. There are a few experimental treatments we can try but there is no guarantee that they will even help and will most likely make him sicker so we're opting not to investigate them any further.
I don't think the news could get any worse, and then Joanne gave me a verse that was on her heart this morning - Psalm 91:11 - "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." We are deeply saddened by the MRI results and at the same time at peace. That peace we feel is from the Holy Spirit, which is referred to in the Bible as the Comforter (or Helper) (John16:7). We are thankful to God for a great year with Cash and will continue to hold out hope.
The amazing thing is that Cash is amazingly strong. Aside from being tired, with his hair growing back (and it's getting long) and talking/laughing/showing his teeth - you would not know he has a huge mass in is brain. He is a fighter and he is as courageous as his good friend Christopher, who fought the same battle.
We continue to ask for your prayers during this extremely difficult time and pray that God will keep Cash close to Him and as free from pain as possible. I think it would be too much to bear to see that little guy in pain and we're hoping his symptoms continue to stay relatively minor. Thank you for your prayers - our prayers tonight are not only for Cash, but Jensen and Charlie Middlebrook. Jensen's family received some difficult news this week and Charlie had a stroke a few days ago. May God grant them peace, strength, and healing.
The news from today's MRI is not good. The main tumor has basically doubled in size and is protruding into other parts around the stem. In addition, there are numerous spots on his lower spine. The strangest part is that he still looks really good, with the exception of his right eye - over the past few days we've seen him struggle to open it fully and now that we've seen the scans we know why. There is a lot of extra fluid that is not flowing to the appropriate parts of his brain, putting pressure on different areas, one being the optic nerves.
We have decided not to pursue any further treatment as the low-dose chemo seems to have lost it's ability to affect change (positively). The hospital is connecting us with hospice care in the event that Cash will need assistance as the tumor continues to grow. There are a few experimental treatments we can try but there is no guarantee that they will even help and will most likely make him sicker so we're opting not to investigate them any further.
I don't think the news could get any worse, and then Joanne gave me a verse that was on her heart this morning - Psalm 91:11 - "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." We are deeply saddened by the MRI results and at the same time at peace. That peace we feel is from the Holy Spirit, which is referred to in the Bible as the Comforter (or Helper) (John16:7). We are thankful to God for a great year with Cash and will continue to hold out hope.
The amazing thing is that Cash is amazingly strong. Aside from being tired, with his hair growing back (and it's getting long) and talking/laughing/showing his teeth - you would not know he has a huge mass in is brain. He is a fighter and he is as courageous as his good friend Christopher, who fought the same battle.
We continue to ask for your prayers during this extremely difficult time and pray that God will keep Cash close to Him and as free from pain as possible. I think it would be too much to bear to see that little guy in pain and we're hoping his symptoms continue to stay relatively minor. Thank you for your prayers - our prayers tonight are not only for Cash, but Jensen and Charlie Middlebrook. Jensen's family received some difficult news this week and Charlie had a stroke a few days ago. May God grant them peace, strength, and healing.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Snapsister's Touch
The weather has been so beautiful the past few days that Wendi decided to take the boys outside for a photoshoot...Here are a few pictures that she took of the boys.
Cash, while still somewhat fatigued, has been improving the past few days. His cough has diminished significantly and we still continue to hope the past few weeks can be attributed to croup. This Friday Cash has another MRI which will give us a good indication whether or not the past few weeks are croup-related or tumor-related. I will blog on Friday as soon as we receive the results. God is good and knows what is best for each of us and we continue to put all of our trust in Him.
Cash, while still somewhat fatigued, has been improving the past few days. His cough has diminished significantly and we still continue to hope the past few weeks can be attributed to croup. This Friday Cash has another MRI which will give us a good indication whether or not the past few weeks are croup-related or tumor-related. I will blog on Friday as soon as we receive the results. God is good and knows what is best for each of us and we continue to put all of our trust in Him.
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