Alex's Lemonade Stand- Canuso Kids Kick Cancer!

So, this is the story of how I got involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand foundation.
I get the American Greeting emails (not exactly sure why I'm on their list, but it's fun to look over sometimes) and they had a little advertisement at the bottom. Strawberry Shortcake supports Alex's Lemonade Stand.

 

I clicked on the ad to find out that Strawberry Shortcake was donating $50 toward the foundation for every person who signed up to do a stand during September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I thought, well, I can definitely sign up! Last fall, our 10-year-old cousin Coleman fought and won his battle with lymphoma. We prayed as a family for him, got a lot of OHOPers praying for him, a lot of my wonderful blog readers were interceding for him as well! We lifted him up in the Children's Prayer Watch and were rewarded with his complete healing! Our sale was done in honor of him, and it really made it personal for us. The kids and I ended up doing 2 sales at OHOP: 1 before the monthly Awaken the Bride conference, and the other today just after service. We managed to raise just over $100! Praise God! The kids were very excited, despite their goal of $500 not being reached. If you would like to make a donation toward this goal, go to our page: http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/69151 

At any rate, we had a great time doing this and it made us feel great too! We'll probably make it an annual tradition for our family. I put together a little video from the footage Nick took of our sale last Friday. Hope you enjoy it!

Praise Jesus! Coleman is Cancer Free!

Big Time Praise Report!
Coleman is cancer-free in the name of Jesus! I got an amazing, beautiful, blessed email from my Aunt Nona who is Coleman's grandma. He's gotten a clear bill of health and NO MORE TREATMENTS! I am so happy to bring you all this news and to thank each of you for your prayers and intercession.

Ring this bell 3 times well, its toll to clearly say
My treatment's done this course is run, and I am on my way!

To all our Friends and Family:

We could not have asked for things to turn out better for our son and our family.

This was but a speed bump in Coleman's life

and something that will make him better and stronger man one day!!

We thank you for all of your love and support.

Here is the email dated 12-3-2009:

Well we got some GREAT news today. Coleman is cancer FREE. Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually he is in remission and does not have to have any more treatments. He has to go every 6 weeks to be checked and make sure the cancer is still not there. His last treatment was on November 19th. He has been going to the hospital all week having tests ran and the Doctor gave us the good news this afternoon.

I want to say a very BIG THANK YOU for all your prayers and words of comfort. This would not have happened without all of you and the wonderful power of prayer.

Coleman's hair is starting to grow back. He says he has peach fuzz on his head.

Nona

Coleman's (prayerfully) Last Treatment & BPS

Today is Coleman's last chemo treatment for Lymphoma. Please keep him and the medical team lifted up in prayer! Soon he'll have another scan and I'm believing for a clean result, in the name of Jesus!

I taught the 4 & 5-year-olds at children's church this morning and we learned about the authority we have to ask for anything in Jesus' name. I am claiming it (although I lost my little cardboard police shield with JESUS written on it)! I encourage you all to do the same in your lives. "Headache go away, in the name of Jesus!" "Car, start in the name of Jesus!" "Luca, go to bed in the name of Jesus!"

Baby Picture Sunday - why I'm thankful:

Yes, I've used this pic of Sabina before, but it makes me feel happy!

Coleman Update - Press in!

My 10-yr.-old cousin, Coleman, is battling Lymphoma and winning! This last treatment time was scary and just underscores the importance of praying for wisdom for the medical staff involved. This precious boy is a warrior and in Jesus' name he is healed and his battle has come to an end! Please continue lifting him and his family up for strength and peace. Thank you!
This is the update from his grandma:

Coleman had a treatment on Oct. 29th that was not the best. This was a treatment where he had to stay overnight. The doctor over prescribed his steroid medicine while in the hospital. Michele questioned the nurse about the amount of steroid they were giving him. She had remarked that it was 3 times what he had been taking.

When Michele tried to get the prescription filled the pharmacist refused to fill it. Thank God the pharmacist was alert enough to refuse to fill the prescription stating that it was too large a dosage for Coleman's age and size. In the mean time, Coleman was complaining that he felt like fleas were crawling all over him and that something in his chest needed to pop out. The Lord was looking out for Coleman because Michele did not give him the full dosage when they first came home, due to being so busy, or it could have been worse. Needless to say Coleman's parents were not real happy with what went on. They have the dosage straightened out and he is doing just fine now.

The only good thing that came from being in the hospital for this treatment was Coleman got to meet coach Bob Stoops, get his picture taken with him and receive an autograph football. This made his day.

Coleman does not have to take another treatment until November 29th. This will be a spinal treatment, but he will not have to stay overnight at the hospital. After this treatment he will have a cat scan done and they will decide if more treatment is needed or not (Praying not). Will let you know when this is done.

Coleman's spirit has been good and his health has been pretty good. Your prayers has helped tremendously with this.

Thanks to each one of you for praying for Coleman and for caring.

God Bless each of you,

Nona

Coleman's Continuing Battle

Coleman heading for a treatment. What a trooper!

This is the latest about my cousin, Coleman, and his battle against Lymphoma from his grandma, my Aunt Nona. Praying for him has just blessed my heart. He's halfway through his chemo treatments. Please continue lifting him and his family up during this trying time. Thank you!

Coleman had his 10th Birthday Wednesday October 7th. His immune system was way down so he couldn't go anywhere or have anyone over. The kids in his class at school brought gifts to school . the teacher brought them to him along with some flowers and balloons. This really made his day.

Coleman just had his 4th treatment Friday October 9th. This time he was to be admitted and kept over night in the hospital. He has 4 more treatments to go.

I got to go into the room where they do the treatment and it was something. They have the room decorated like an ocean. They turn on a projector and it projects the images on a curtain which makes it move like its actually a body of water. Very relaxing in there. Didn't care to watch the procedure itself but the Doctor and nurse were very nice and made Coleman feel very comfortable. They kept him talking practically the whole time. The treatment this time involved the spine. They took from fluid off the spine then administered the medicine. This whole procedure probably lasted about 30 to 45 minutes. Coleman was sedated so he really didn't feel a thing. He just started talking a little silly about watching some beavers playing.

What amazed me was Coleman. He was a little groggy getting back to his room, but as soon as he got in bed and raised his head up, all he wanted to do was eat. And eat he did, nacho cheese chips (a $1.29 bag of chips), a candy bar, some twizzlers, then came lunch of pizza and chocolate cake. This satisfied him for a little while. For dinner he had 2 cheese enchiladas.

As you can see he is doing pretty good.

Later that evening he got to feeling bad and feeling hot. This is a side effect of the medicines he has to take. After the spinal treatment he has to have three different kinds of medicine, which is administered through his port. This happens right after he gets to his room and then later in the day. This is why he has to stay overnight in the hospital. Saturday he came home feeling pretty good.

He still gets tired late in the afternoon and sometimes just hurts all over. He says he cannot explain how it feels other then it just hurts.

The family is well and doing good. Thank you for your prayers.

PRAISE GOD PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED. Treatments could have been worse, family could still be sick, but all this has been taken care of only through all your prayers.

Coleman also wanted me to tell you Thank You for your prayers.

Nona

Coleman Update and Blog 4 a Cure

This is my brave little cousin Coleman (age 9) who is fighting the good fight - against Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. He is brave and awesome and I am lifting him up in prayer daily. Below is an update on his journey through this battle, written by his grandma - my Aunt Nona.

Prayers are still being answered.

Coleman had his port in on Sept. 18th and had his first treatment. The treatment consisted of 3 different kinds of medicine. The chemo was given to him in the spine at the time he had the port put in. Then later in the evening the second treatment (around 3:00 p,m.) was administered. Then Saturday morning the third dose was given him. They kept him in the hospital until Monday morning. He did really well, did not have a bad reaction to any of the medication.

Then on Friday Sept. 25 he received his 2nd treatment. He was only there a half a day. He did good on this treatment also.

Coleman goes for his next treatment this Friday Oct. 2nd and will stay in the hospital over night as he has the three medications again.

Doctors said everything was going very well so far.

I would like to ask that you pray for the rest of the family's health: Michele (mom), Brian (dad), Mallory, Carlye, and Joseph. All of them have been sick at one time or the other for the last 2 weeks. We really need them to get well as Coleman's immune system will be not be able to fight infections as he takes his treatments. Actually it's good that they are catching all this now while Coleman can still fight off infection. I pray that they will get all this over with and not be sick for the next 6 weeks.

Again I want to say thank you for all your prayers and words of comfort.

Nona

Please continue to pray for Coleman and his family as they stay strong in the fight and live in the Light. Thank you!

Also, check out this link for an awesome way to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and enter to win one of the many giveaways this week!

New Look for Blog

Well, I spent way too much time today on this new blog decor!
But! I did finally figure out how to make my own banner by myself and I successfully made dinner from scratch too. Can you believe it? Usually it's computer or good dinner. I must be getting better at multi-tasking. That, and I didn't have any convenience food available.

I've been in prayer for Coleman today since he was supposed to have his first dose of chemo. Hoping to have an update for you all tomorrow.
Thank you all for your heartfelt comments and prayers on his behalf. I'm forwarding them all to his mom, Michele and dad, Brian. I'm just so grateful to you. Keep lifting them up during this challenging time - battling time - as they also have 3 other children to care for.

Keep believing for those miracles!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for antibiotics and our dear doctor friend who got the prescription for Nick's strep throat. Why is it that it takes husbands twice as long to "get better" than wives? I'll be so glad when this mess has passed.

I'm thankful that the rest of the family is healthy! Praise God!

I'm thankful to be a part of the house of prayer. What an amazing thing to soak in the presence of God and petition Him with my concerns.

I am thankful for all of the wonderful prayer warriors (like you!) who are keeping my cousin Coleman lifted up in healing! Below is an update sent from my Aunt Nona (Coleman's grandma) giving a praise report and also further prayer points. You are all amazing!

Well good news, if anything about cancer can be good news.

Coleman is in stage 2. The cancer has only shown up in his neck. More on the right side (same side that the large tonsil was) than on the left.

He will be receiving 1 treatment a week for the next two months. They will put a port in this Friday around 10:00 a.m. and start his treatments at that time. They will be putting this in his spine. They do not feel that there will be any brain damage from this since his brain is developed. Please pray that this is so.

He will be missing school for a month and then they will see about him going back to school during the second month of treatment.

The type of cancer (Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma) that Coleman has is the easiest treatable cancer. The doctor believes that there is a very good chance of him being cured. Thank God for these answers to prayers.

Thank you for your prayers and I only ask that you keep praying that the treatments go will and that he will not be to sick from the medicine.
Love you all,
Nona

Pressing In, Power in Prayer

It is sometimes a difficult thing, staying close to family from so far away. I rarely get a chance to visit my extended family in Oklahoma, and I don't talk to my sister enough. I blame my kids for that. They just have no respect for phone calls. Now, I am in this strange heart place of prayer for family. I love them, I know them in a somewhat detached family way, and now I am pressing in for healing for two beautiful children who I am delighted to be related to. I know God is a loving father who only wants good things for His children. I know Holy Spirit is capable of miraculous healing. I know Jesus Christ bore those stripes in His flesh so that we can live in health; and He died so that we can live. I feel these truths. My heart is crying out for their divine healing. I am pressing in because there is power in prayer. Please join your prayers with mine for Coleman and Hope.

Coleman - age 9

This is the email I got from my Aunt Nona, Coleman's grandmother:
Michele has asked that I try to keep the family updated on Coleman's progress. Please pray for her and Brian as they deal with this and having to keep the other kids going.

I believe it has come down to Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. You can find out more about this cancer by going to the Lymphoma Research Foundation web site www.lymphoma.org

Coleman had test ran on his bone marrow and a spinal tap. The Spinal fluid was clear and the bone marrow looked clean. They are sending the bone marrow off for testing just to be safe. So this is good news.

Monday he will have an x-ray of his head and neck to see if there are any tumors in that area. Then a scan of the whole body will be done later in the week. They are waiting for the insurance to approve this scan. Friday is the date set to enter the hospital to have a shunt put in for the chemo treatments. He will have his first treatment at that time. He will probably be in the hospital for the weekend.

Some of you already know this but Coleman has a web site. It is www.hotshot99.com if you want to check this out.

Thank you for your prayers and kind words. Please keep praying for all of us.

Nona

Please pray for complete healing for Coleman - a miracle by faith to glorify God! Strength and peace and love over Coleman and his family. Wisdom over his doctors and nurses.

Baby Hope (now 2 months)

As I've written before, my new little niece, Hope was born without an ear canal in her right ear. When I visited my family in July, I took note of her ear being somewhat misshapen and smaller than her left one. It looks a little smooshed. Otherwise, she is baby perfection and quite cuddly. The initial tests they ran came back all fine. Her appointment with the specialists at Boys Town is on September 25th, then it will be determined if her inner ear is developed and where she goes from here. I know that's still a little ways off, but I am believing for a total creative miracle before then. I am praying that her ear is completely healed before that appointment. Thank you, Lord!

Thank you all for your prayers. I know that they are worth more than gold.

Verse of the Day:
"'Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.'
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:29-31

Prayer Request

Just when I was starting to get in a groove with my blog posts, my house cleaning, my everything, I got sick. I'm not talking about the sniffles and annoying sick, but laid out with a fever and spending the better part of 4 days in bed sick. I assume it was some kind of flu - fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, no appetite, etc. I've been fighting it off all week. I haven't been on the computer since Saturday. It's Friday now, and while I was sifting through my email, I found a cry for help from my dear Aunt and Uncle in Oklahoma and thought I should pass it on as I send my prayers up. Thank you all for joining me.

Subject: Pray for our grandson

Coleman is 9 years old and in the third grade.

Now that we thought everything was okay we received some bad news this evening.

When Coleman had his tonsils removed Tuesday, they sent his right tonsil to pathology for testing because it was VERY LARGE. The tests came back positive for cancer. The doctor believes it is lymphoma cancer. He has asked for further testing to find out what kind of cancer. Michele has an appointment for next Wednesday to talk to a pediatric cancer doctor and that's when we will find out the type of cancer and what to do from there.

Also pray for my son-in-law, Brian, for he is having a very hard time handling this news. Michele feels confident that Coleman will be okay.. They have not told Coleman or his sisters and brother the news. They want to wait until they go to the doctor next week.

Steve and I also need your prayers that we can be positive and strong for our daughter and her family.

I have Three scriptures for now:

Psalm 34:4 takes away my fears- Psalms 37:4 grant the desires of my heart- Deuteronomy 33:27 for we are in his everlasting arms.

Your Sister In Christ,

Nona