Tuesday, October 15, 2013

A Weekend of Emotional Healing

Finally, it's Caleb's mom here - feeling strong enough to update the blog. Words can't express our thankfulness for darling friend Bridget, who has been keeping you updated. I have read each and every one of your meaningful comments. I wish I could respond individually to everyone of you. It's simple to snuggle with Caleb and read the blog, not so easy to type while holding him. :) We spent the weekend at Camp Cliff in Burton, Tx, organized by the "Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance". They're known for providing emotional, educational, and practical support to families who are dealing with childhood cancer. They did that and MORE for our family. We left home Friday feeling broken, but came back Sunday feeling whole. Here's a look at how our healing began...


We still keep asking ourselves: How is a child, who has barely gotten out of bed in a month & unable to climb stairs at home, able to climb a rock wall and then zipline down? Only by the love and care and counsel of Candlelighters and the grace of God! We hadn't seen him smile in so long... what a blessing.



LOOK AT HIM GO!!!!! 

Candlelighters encouraged him to paddle his own canoe. He dug deep inside - and DID IT.      
                                                                                                                            
We released almost 400 balloons in honor of children who lost their battle to cancer, for those fighting for their lives like Cal, and those who've defeated cancer.


We wrote special messages on our balloons.


Big brother, Zachary, even dressed-up his balloon, to make Cal smile.
 Believe me, plenty of tears were shed, as we watched the balloons disappear into the beautiful sky, with new hope for the future. (All to the beautiful tune of "Borrowed Angels" by Kristin Chenowith).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             There's something powerful between horse and child.   I think "Sugar Ray" shared a powerful message to Caleb's sad little eyes.













Caleb hopped on him without fear and again... that smile.

 Caleb shocked us with his determination to conquer the Ropes Course in record timing. He scaled the unimaginable and completed what I wasn't brave enough to do.
Smiling again....

 Later, in the darkness by a campfire, a spokesperson from every cabin came forward, made a wish, and lit a candle. We sent the candles away on a "wish boat" in the water. Before the lit-up ribbon sailed by, there was only darkness.
We were reminded that in darkness, all alone, is not a happy place to be. We need to look toward the light and love of others to get through this. Then, the sky burst to life with fireworks. We felt God's love shining down upon us. We could finally see light at the end of the long tunnel. Peace washed over us, as we listened to "Home" by Phillip Phillips.
Caleb's Daddy got a "buzz cut" to show him how cool short hair is!

To wrap up the special weekend, we were each given a piece of yarn. We all tied our pieces together and we were told to remember that we all have a "common thread" and to count on one another in times of need.  We hugged each other, while listening to "The World's Greatest" by R Kelly.

When we got home, Caleb completed 30 days of swallowing a total of 592 pills. (YES, I counted every single one of them and charted each victory!) :) Many days - 20 pills per day! We watched him go from drinking 4 huge glasses of juice to get them down in an hour to just half a glass in one minute!

He also just made the bold and incredible statement, "Cancer is not in my body anymore". I cried myself to sleep, but for the first time, with tears of utter joy. We will find out this Friday if his prediction is true. Please keep this brave, strong little boy in your prayers. We stand amazed at him.  We know it's YOU, helping lift him up through prayer. God bless you all. The overall theme of this past weekend was based around Katy Perry's song "Roar".  Ironic that one of our dear friends gave Caleb a stuffed lion, with an engraved name tag "Courage" & the Bible verse Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong & courageous.  (Thanks Heather!)  Caleb is proving to be just that.   

20 comments:

  1. Prayers for you and your family Melissa. You are amazing.

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  2. Praying for you Caleb! My eyes are tearing reading your about your fight against this terrible disease. May God comfort you and your family.

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  3. I'm crying my eyes out reading this! Praying for your family during this tough time.

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  4. Love, LOVE and LOVE to you guys! I continue to pray and believe God's healing hands are all over Caleb. It sounds like Caleb feels them as well. NO MORE CANCER!

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  5. Melissa... great to hear from you. I ask Mike daily...Did you get an update from Melissa?? Prayers are going for you, your family and especially Caleb. I think of you daily and pray for complete healing and also coping for everyone.

    Crystal Iscovitz

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  6. So good to read your words dear friend. My heart is with you and your family. I know in my heart his prediction will come true. What a special weekend. I'm so glad you could all do that. I am just amazed at all of your strength. Keep it up and know we are all holding you up from near and far. Love and friendship keeps us close. My prayers are with you guys. XOXO!

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  7. I look everyday for an update on Caleb. Words can not express how this has brought my family closer together. The boys and I pray together to heal Caleb and give each of you the strength you need. May God continue to bless and walk side by side each one of you. I can't wait until I see you guys again to give you hugs. Thank you for being a blessing in our life's. Love Stacy Green and Family!! XXXOOO NO MORE CANCER!

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  8. Melissa, it is so wonderful to read this great news! Please know that Caleb's Crusaders are praying and sending much love to your precious family.

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  9. Melissa please know that this terrible disease can and will be defeated. My daughter Nicole went throught this battle for 3 yrs and we are now on our 2nd yr of no chemo. On behalf of my baby Nicole and our entire family we pray everyday as we have for years now that God will bring you and your Caleb many more wonderful years of laughter and fun. As we were told years ago this will be but a blip on the radar of what will become a life full of bright and wonderful memories.

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  10. The Lord will continue to hold Caleb close to his heart, and WILL deliver him from this evil. He will be healed, and whole, and will be with you to continue to spread his own unique love and joy to you, his family, and to the rest of the world! The Lord is with YOU! He loves ALL OF YOU, and is there whenever you open your eyes seeking him. God Blesses all of you. Hugs.

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  11. What a blessing that there is a camp like this to help the children feel like children and enjoy the simple pleasures that are often taken for granted. Blessing to Caleb for a return to health and also all his caregivers and especially mom and dad and brother.

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  12. Super Hero indeed! That rope course looks crazy high!!!! Rejoicing with YOU!!!!!

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  13. Prayers always Melissa! GOD will bring you and Caleb and your family through this! Love the Robertson's

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  14. This entry of your weekend is an amazing recap of Candlelighters Camp CLIFF. We at Candlelighters want you to know that we are here for you and your family. We hope to see you guys at the Family Fall Festival on 10/27/13 so you can catch up with your cabin mates and new friends. In our prayers, The Candlelighters Staff!

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  15. Prayers said! Great job tough guy!

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  16. What a wonderful camp, I'm sure everyone had a great time. I think about your family and I pray that God holds you all in his arms through this horrible time in your lives. Hold on tight to each other, I know you will.

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  17. MW and fam,
    So many of us are checking this site for updates and are so thankful to have them. I am praying, my family is praying, friends on social media are praying. It's amazing how inspiring Caleb is!
    One friend told me that Caleb is touching lives across the country and bringing families closer and causing people who haven't prayed in years to pray. What a gift to God.
    I know you and your family are suffering but you have so many prayers heading that way from strangers, from friends, and from kids. We love you!

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  18. It was such a pleasure to meet you and your wonderful family at camp and especially to see the smiles on Caleb's face. I'm so glad camp turned out to be just what we intend for it to be, a time to relax, have fun, get away from the hospital, and to feel the love and support of others who are or have been on this childhood cancer journey. We hope to see you at our Fall Family Festival. God Bless Caleb and all of his Crusaders!

    Joellen Snow, Candlelighters Board Member

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  19. I am in tears reading this, but overjoyed at the wonderful news that Caleb's cancer is in remission. I pray for the entire family daily, and believe me God has been listening. Caleb is healed, have faith, live it, believe it, know it. What a courageous young boy he is, so happy to see him happy and smiling. May there be many more happy days. God bless you all each and every day.

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  20. I cried with joy as I read of Caleb's strength and victory! Melissa, we continue to pray for all of you and know the Lord Jesus Christ is Caleb's Great Physician and He will be with Caleb surrounding him with helping angels for healing, comfort, and smiles. How else can you explain those pictures? Or that weekend? Bless you all, and your Mom and Dad we love too! Amen.

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