One more chemo treatment to go!

    Jon has spent the last two days in the clinic at Hershey receiving his chemotherapy.  He is not feeling so well today and looks forward to feeling better!  Next week he will receive what is considered an IV push.   Yesterday and today he received IV drips all day and he is now finished with the very toxic chemo.  Jon enjoyed seeing many people dressed up for Halloween!

   Yesterday in clinic we had a very special visit from Woody Wolfe!  He played the guitar and the ukulele to songs that he has composed and those of other artists.  What a great treat!

     Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

A new job!

Jon has been hired to work part time at the Banana Republic which is to open next week at the Park City Mall!!!!  He started yesterday with orientation and will be working to get the store ready for opening day.  He is excited and looking forward to this new adventure!

Jon had a visit with Dr. B today.  He commented that his scan looked good!  There is a small spot that has been there, unchanged since surgery, that he will continue to keep an eye on but nothing to worry about!  His next MRI of the spine and head will be in February.  Dr. B was very impressed with how well Jon looks and is doing!!!!! 

We thank you for your continued prayers, words of wisdom and support!!! 

MRI scan is GOOD!

Jon had his MRI scan yesterday.  Dr. Sheehan informed us that the scan looks GOOD and he will see him in 4 months.  He is referring Jon to a plastic surgeon to discuss his facial palsy.  Jon has an appointment with Dr. B, his radiation oncologist to discuss his MRI.

Jon started his anatomy class last evening at HACC.  HE really enjoyed being back in class.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!!!!! 

October 16

Jon is on a break from chemo at this time!  He will have his last cycle starting Oct. 30.  The 30 and 31 he will spend all day in clinic with his favorite nurses!  His last chemo is scheduled for Nov. 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jon had a visit today to see the ophthalmologist.  The doctor was very pleased with his eye.  He removed the plugs that were blocking J’s tear ducts to keep his eye lubricated.

Jon has added a new member to the family.  She is a little Yorkie and her name is Crissy!  Rudy is very good with her but wonders when she is leaving. 

Jon has been working out at the Hempfield Rec.  He  now has a 6pack!!!  He is getting around really great!  The Hempfield Midget Football A squad is doing really well this season and Jon is enjoying coaching!  He loves football!!!

He has a MRI scheduled for Wed.  Pray that all is clear.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers!  Your words of encouragement keep us strong!  Jon and his family truly appreciate the time you take for thoughts and prayers on his road to recovery!!!  If you would like to look at pictures visit  www.carepages.com under Jonathon Sangrey

Last overnight stay in the Hospital!

     Jon had his last overnight stay for chemotherapy last week!  Everything went well though they did cut his chemo dose in half due to some hearing loss in his left ear.  The right ear remains at this point a total loss of hearing.  Next week will be the end of his 8th cycle of chemotherapy and only one more cycle to go!!!  He continues to regain better balance and is getting around great!  He is eating well and has hit the 175lb. mark for his weight!  He has joined the Hempfield Rec.  and loves to work out in the weight room.  Jon is very proud of his six pack!!!

    Jon is missing many of his friends who have gone to college!  He is looking for a part time job as he is a very social person and needs to keep busy!  Jon is assisting in coaching the Hempfield Midget Football A team!!!  He loves football and the A team is doing very good this season!

      He continues to work on his school work and will be taking a course at HACC this fall.  We visited Bloomsburg University a couple of weeks ago and spoke with the head of the Speech Pathology Dept. and other professors.  They would like Jon to speak in November to a class of swallow study students.  He can enlighten them on a first hand basis.  His swallowing improves everyday as he continues to regain more strength!

     Jon attended the Penn State Notre Dame game with his dad complements of his great friends at Penn State.  They had a great time!

   Last Sunday, Sept. 23, Jon and his family walked for the First 4 Miles for Four Diamonds Walk-A-Thon.  We all were very impressed with Jon’s marathon walk!!!  The turn out was very good to raise money to help conquer childhood cancer.  Thank you to those who sponsored us!

     Jon was interviewed by channel 27 a few weeks ago for a program called Brainstorm.  His neurosurgeon and panel of doctors did a segment on brain tumors.  Viewers could call in and ask questions.  The Bush family was also present and everyone did a great job!

     THANK YOU and may GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!!!

August, 2007 Eleven months

Here it is mid August!  Many of you are getting ready for school.  Jon is looking at colleges and is interested in taking a few courses locally this semester!  Summer is going so fast!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Jon’s celebration!  We all had a great time!  We missed those of you who could not attend due to other obligations. 

Jon has had another overnight stay for chemotherapy last week and is doing ok!  July third he had a gold weight surgically implanted in his eyelid to assit the eyelid to close.  It is looking good!  Jon continues to work very hard in physical therapy!  He is no longer using the cane and his balance continues to improve!  He enjoys playing a variety of games in occupational therapy while working on his “finger dexterity”!

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!  Stop by and say hi!  Enjoy the rest of your summer!

All CLEAR

     Today, June 20 Jon went to Hershey for a MRI of the brain and spinal cord.  The Dr. informed us that the scan was ALL CLEAR, everything looks good!  What great, fantastic, wonderful news!!! 

      Tomorrow Jonathon is looking forward to golf instructions at the Hershey Country Club! 

     Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Drop in, We look forward to seeing you at Jon’s party on Saturday, June 30   3-7 at 817 Lakeview Dr.

May 29

Jon has returned home today after another overnight stay at the hospital to receive chemotherapy.  He is doing ok but is very tired.  He continues to have a great positive attitude!

Over the past few weeks Jonathon has reached many goals!!!  He went over a mile on the elliptical machine, started lifting weights again at school (benched 135×10!), tied his shoe standing up and caught three big cat fish at his pop’s boat!!!  Amanda baited the hooks, caught the first fish and Jon netted it for her encouraging her to reel it in! Altogether she caught 2!  Jonathon attended the prom  and had a good time with his friends. Everyone looked great!  Congratulations to Paisley, 2007 prom queen!!!

Jonathon has increased his weight to 174!!!  He is looking really good!  The ophthalmologist will surgically implant a 1 gram gold bar in his eyelid on July 3.  It will help his eyelid to close better when blinking to protect the cornea.  When he no longer needs it the weight can be removed.

GRADUATION!!! June 5!  Congratulations to all seniors.  Jonathon will be walking with his class on Tuesday at commencement!!!  He is also looking forward to the beach with his buddies!!!

We would like to thank you for your continued support and prayers.  Please drop in on Saturday, June 30, from 3-7  @ 817 Lakeview Drive to celebrate Jon’s graduation and birthday!

Is Spring Here?

Now that the weather is getting nicer Jon is ambitious to get out!  Even though he is tired he continues to move forward.  He is currently receiving chemotherapy which brings him down because it wipes him out physically and mentally.  He pushes himself hard to stay positive and is very thankful to the great friends he has!  His buds have recently taken him to the movies, breakfast, Ritas, basketball games, out to dinner, played some cards and stopped to visit.  It truly lifts his spirits to be able to get out or just hang out with friends!!!

Thank you to those who participated in the recent Lift a thon to benefit Jon!!!  He hopes to get back in the weight room. He misses lifting and his friends!

Jon continues to gain weight, he is up to 162 lbs.  Eating and swallowing have gotten much stronger.  During chemo treatments he looses his appetite but he tries to continue to eat!  Last week his therapist worked on swallowing pills (m&m’s, skittles and tic tacs).  Jon did great!!!   He continues to receive Vital Stim to regain his facial movements.  He has started to have some feeling on the right side of his face, YEAH!  He is able to drink several successful swallows consecutively!  He has come a long way! He is scheduled for a swallow study the beginning of April. 

Last week he met a few teens at clinic who were very inspiring!  It was good to be able to connect with others who are going through life in a different way! It is amazing to be around people who have a positive attitude about life given the trials that they endure every day.  Jon is a true inspiration to us all!!!  The nurses and staff at Hershey are all very caring and encouraging!

School work is going well.  He loves Shakespeare!  His English course will definitely prepare him for college!  Jon and his parents are looking forward to June 5th when he will graduate with his class!!!

Jon is anxious to start driving again and have some independence!  He successfully accomplished the tests in Occupational Therapy to drive!  His physical therapists continue to work on balance and strength.  They are all great at LGH rehabilitation!!!

The prom is in May and Jon is looking forward to attending with Amanda!

This month he is scheduled for an MRI.

Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts!!!  God hears!

February

What a cold month!  Jon finished another cycle of chemo. and has a break until March 20.  He continues to gain strength with the help of his therapists.  They are great!!!  Jon is starting to get cabin fever and would like to get out and hang out with friends.  Stop by and visit!

Last weekend we attended THON which was so awesome!  The students at PENN STATE do a fabulous job of raising money for The Four Diamonds!!  They raised over 5 million dollars!!!  Jonathon was able to meet the dancers and other members of Adopt-A-School, thank you Jenna and Lindsey!

Jonathon and his family really appreciated the kindness and visit from a couple of his former LMS teachers!!! Thank you! 

Thank you to all who continue to pray for Jonathon’s recovery!  He remains optimistic and works very hard.  His swallowing continues to get stronger.  He  is looking forward to the day when he can eat normal “without drinking a gallon of water”!  He has gained 13lbs.!!!