We met with Dr. Wagner today and had a very good discussion about numerous concerns that Mike and I both had. The first concern was the "spot" on the liver. It is a very tiny spot. It is 6mm. Do we know 100% for certain that it is NOT neuroblastoma...no. Do the 3 docs, including Dr. Wagner, who looked at this on the CT scan think this is a NB spot...no. Are Jody and Mike concerned with the "spot"...yes. But, that does not mean that we are fearful. The plan of action right now, is to watch it on the next set of scans which will be in Feb. The fact that it did not glow on the MIBG scan, and that Roman is doing very well, and labs looked AWESOME, and the fact that NB does not just come back like that on the liver only, Dr. Wagner said with confidence "that would be extremely out of the ordinary for a NB relapse." So, with all of that being said, we are concerned because we know it's there, that's it. Other than that, we will not be worried about the spot at all.

 

We also discussed relapses and the time they most occur. Dr. Wagner said, "he wished he could give us a time frame and tell us that a relapse would not happen after a certain time, but he can't". And we know that. However, he did say, the most relapses occur in the first 2 years after being diagnosed. He told us that from here on out, there will probably NOT be a time where Mike and I will not be worried or concerned with SOMETHING going on with Roman. We will ALWAYS be concerned about every little thing going on with Roman.  And, we know that too.

 

We talked alot about re-immunizing Roman and the shot schedule. Dr. Wagner is such a magnificent doc. We hold him with the highest respect. Mike and I have things to talk about with the shots schedule over the next 2 years. Roman is not allowed to have any "live" viruses for 2 years post transplant. But we do have some shots he can have now, which he can get from the pediatrician finally!!!! HOORAY! The pediatrician's office can't wait to meet Roman. They will soon get to meet him because he got the first part of the flu shot today in his thigh and in 4 weeks he has to go back for the second part. And, will be having it at the pediatrician's office. For those of you who don't know, Roman and Sheridan's pediatrician died last year while Roman was in transplant. We miss you Dr. Michaels so much. Dr. Harmeling is the kids new doc and she is very nice and we are happy that their entire office is excited about seeing and meeting Roman.    

 

Roman also got a very thorough exam today and Dr. Wagner felt this lypmh node on Roman's neck and it still felt the same. So, good news there too. We did do a urinalysis, but I don't have results of that just yet. Probably tomorrow sometime I will get them.

 

I did get to meet Melissa Gross, Kevin's mom. Melissa is the mother of a 16 year old NB survivor. Kevin had his clinic appt today at the same time Roman did. We did not get to unfortunately meet Kevin, but we are going to for sure real soon. It was good for me to just hug a cancer mom who's been going thru (what we have gone thru) for 14 years or so. Melissa, we love you and so glad we got to meet you. You and your Kevin and your family are such a huge inspiration to Roman and our family and many others. God bless you for reaching out to us like you have. Can't wait to meet Kevin!!!

 

This week has been extremely hard on all of us and you all, our Roman supporters. This week would not have gone as planned had it not been for my mother in law being here for us AGAIN. All hours of the morning, taking the ferry to see us, getting Sheridan fed, ready for school and on the bus and even picking her up too. All 3 days while we were with Roman at the hospital. Mom, we cannot thank you enough for all you do and have done for us. We love you so much. I have said this before and I will say it again...Roman, Sheridan and Ian are blessed to have such great wonderful loving grandparents like you and Dad. We love you! You are the very best there is:)

 

With Thanksgiving coming up, boy do we have ALOT to be thankful for. And x-mas is just going to be the very best there is for Roman and Sheridan. If there is one thought I leave with you it is this...please, don't take one second for granted. Do fun things with your kids. Play games with them. Run around the house with them. Wrestle with them. Do puzzles with them. Cook with them. Read to them. Love them more than you can possibly, humanly love them. Give them attention even when your not in the mood to. If you don't normally give them chocolate or whatever, give it to them. Let them have a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. Let them lick the icing off the cinnamon rolls. Let them jump on the bed. Let them throw your pillows off the couch and line them up and play on them.  All of these things are seen thru my eyes, the mom of child with a deadly cancer who will never be out of the dark woods completely. Give them what they want. Because, as all of you know, things can change in a split second and change your lives forever.

 

God bless all of you for your wonderful uplifting messages...WOW!!! Roman has never had so many messages before on his carepage. Our carepage is such a wonderful extended family. We love all of you. And our faithful Roman supporters from my email list, all of you are just a blessing in our lives. We know we have the support of an army out there for us at any given time. From Oregon and California to New Jersey down to Florida. What a great feeling to be us:) Love to all of you! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)  

After a very long, physically and emotionally exhausting 2 days, Roman is NED!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU GOD!!! We just got "THE CALL" from Dr. Wagner. I am in tears as I am typing this update. I swear I am physically ill right now...the worst headache ever probably going into a migraine, been going to bathroom for the past 2 days (I know I tell everyone way too much info), stomache is in complete knots, not eating good, not sleeping good...just everything wrong with me physically that nerves attack. The MIBG Scan came back showing no uptake anywhere at all, Thank God! However, the CT Scan did show a spot on Roman's liver, about 6 mm...I know everyone will be worried about this spot...Dr. Wagner assured me with 3 other docs looking at it that it is not NB. He even said they went back and looked at Roman's previous scans and this "spot" has been on previous scans so...no concern to Dr. Wagner...no concern to us. We will get to see this "spot" tomorrow when we see Dr. Wagner for a clinic visit on his CT scan images. Roman will also have a urinalysis done as well just as a routine check. Our visit is at 10:00 tomorrow.

 

This has been the worst waiting for me personally this time around. With all of the sad news out there with our dear friends, it just made it that much more difficult for us. We cannot thank all of our cp/cb families and friends who sent us the most wonderful emails and messages of support, strength, and prayer. If we could hug all of you right now we would and you could cry tears of joy right along with us.

 

Thank you to our dear friend and neighbor Stacey Murphy... again, for bringing by puzzles and a ball for the kids today while we were gone. Mike and I do live in the very best neighborhood ever and God was surely looking out for us when we moved here with all of you taking care of us.

 

Please continue to pray for all of our cp/cb families going thru exactly what we are with the WAITING for results. I am sick right now...and happy and relieved all at the same time. God Bless all of you for supporting us thru these very difficult days. Having your support, really helps more than you know. Love to all of you! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

I wanted to update and let everyone know that we still do not have CT results as of now. We may or may not get them this evening. Roman did absolutely amazing as he always does. They even wanted us to try to do the scan without propofol (sleep meds) and we said that would be too long for him to sit still. So he drank his contrast and sat thru the doc putting an IV in his hand not once but twice. He missed the first time and got it on the second time. All Roman said calmly was "that's my blood". Then, after the scan, he had to drink his little thyroid protector stuff for his MIBG injection and scan tomorrow. Got the 2 IV's taken out and was ready for his bandaids.  He is so strong and never stops amazing Mike and I and all of the docs and nurses who take care of him. Not one move and not one single flinch out of him. It's odd because most parents would be calming their kids down thru all of this...... And here Roman is, my own 3 year old son, with his calm behavior, calms me down:)  Incredible!!!

 

We have to be there bright and early for his MIBG Scan at 8:30. We will leave here at 7:00. If by chance we hear something this evening, I will update again. I want to thank our dear friend and neighbor Stacy Murphy for bringing us dinner tonight...you don't know how nice it is not to have to worry about dinner too while waiting for scan results and more worry with a scan tomorrow. We love you Stacey and God Bless you for taking care of us. We had numerous offers for dinner tonight...we are so richly blessed. And thanks to our carepage/caringbridge supporters, your messages of support is just what we need to get us thru this scan time. We love you and thank you! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello 

Well, tomorrow we start our nerve wracking scan time with Roman. He has a CT scan of his head, chest, abdomin and pelvis at 1:30. We have to be there at 11:30. He will have to drink contrast for the scan. He usually does remarkable with this. After the scan, Roman has to be injected for his MIBG scan on the next day. I am not sure if we will get any results tomorrow or not since the scan is late in the afternoon, we probably will though. If we do, you know all of you will be informed as soon as we get home. 

 

I do not have to tell you how scared we are. You already know that and feel our fear as best as you can. To all of our carepage and caringbridge families, you know exactly what this fear is. It is absolutely unbearable. We have never given up on faith that Roman will be ok and remain NED. It's just with all of the sad news going around with some of our fellow NB carepage/caringbridge families, it's hard to stay focused on positve thoughts for these scans with Roman this week. I am worried and the pit of my tummy has the hugest knot in it. I have been talking to God and telling him that I have lifted everything up to him... worries, fear etc. So, now I ask all of you...please pray for Roman tomorrow and Wed. Please pray for Zebbie and Nicholas OUR SHINING STAR. Please pray for Benjamin and Zoe. All of these kids have scans and testing this week. I am quite sure there are more kids, but these are the kids I know of. All of us are worried with getting results. Pins and needles, white knuckles, etc. Fear and more Fear!!!

 

Please pray for ALL of our fellow carepage/caringbridge families. I will update tomorrow as soon as we get home from the hospital. Until then, please pray harder than you ever have for Roman. God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have. Thanks to all of you for your support and messages. We love all of you! With never ending faith and full of nerves...Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello  

Yesterday, Sheridan woke up with a sore throat. So, of course I called the dr.'s office to get her in. And, of course she did not go to school yesterday either. I took her temp and she was not running a fever here at home. And then, she was running a fever at the doc's office of 100.5...go figure! With everything we have been thru with Roman and chemo fevers and taking temps with him, we know what a fever is and feels like. And to me...Sheridan was NOT running a fever. Anyway, we gave her tylenol and she has not had a fever since the doc's office yesterday. This morning she was fine and ready to go back to school. Never a dull moment here at the Fariello household.

 

This Saturday (tomorrow), the kids will be staying the night with Derney and Duppy. Mike and I get a much needed break just the 2 of us together without children. The kids are soooooooo excited to be spending the night with their Derney and Duppy. They love it over there and get soooo much attention...and Uncle Steve always comes over to see the kids and spend time with them too. So, Mike and I won't know how to act having a night to ourselves. We are fortunate to have Mik'e parents be able to give us breaks every now and then. I know some of our dear friends parents live out of town so, we know it's a special treat for Derney and Duppy as well as Mike and I. We love Sheridan and Roman...but sometimes a break from them is what we need. Time to be just Mike and Jody and not Mommy and Daddy. Specially, with our upcoming week next week with Roman's scans. We need this time together.

 

Corey Nickell's Ct scan yesterday came back with showing no other spots or new tumors THANK GOD. The tumor is unchanged and Dr. Wagner told Jim and Debra that in another month we should see some shrinkage and it takes about a month after radiation to see the effects from it. So, STATUS QUO for the Nickell family. And, our dear friends in Indianapolis, The Freeman family with their son Austin, all his scans came back NED. Much love sent to the Freemans. They have been following Roman's journey since the very beginning. Enjoy your relaxing holidays now Dan and Audrey!!!

 

Please continue to pray for Shannon and Charlene, JayJay's mom and sissy. JayJay cp:JayJaytheJett earned his wings last week and they are missing him terribly. And, please continue to pray for Coleman cp:ColemanScott. And, upcoming scans next week for Roman, Zebbie cp:ZEBSpage and OUR SHINING STAR Nicholas cp:NicholasDefelice. All of us and many more I am sure are having scans next week. Zebbie and Roman are at just about the same time frame in after-treatment. And of course, Nicholas relapsed the same time Corey did. His scans are going to hopefully show reduction of his tumor. Just a real scary time for all of us parents. Please say a prayer for all of us. I am looking forward to getting them done and over with.

 

That's it for now. I will update early next week. Roman's CT scan is on Tuesday along with MIBG injection for Wed. MIBG scan. Please give strength to the Nickell family and Defelice family so they can keep on going thru treatment. And for the Dodge family, and our family, so that we may continue to be NED and free from relapse. And for all of our carepage and caringbridge families who are going thru treatment, scan time and who are just missing their angels in heaven. God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have.  With hope and anxiety! Have a good weekend! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and RomanFariello:)

Tonight, we took Roman and Sheridan to see THE WIGGLES!!!!!! OMG!!!! Roman was so excited. At first it took him a few minutes to really understand what was going on, kinda taking it all in. But then, you could see his hands clapping and just getting so excited seeing the BIG RED CAR, WAGS THE DOG, DOROTHY the DINO and  Captain Feathersword. They really do put on quite a show for the kids. Singing all of our favorites..."Do The Monkey", "Yummy Yummy","Hot Potato" and so many more. Derney and Duppy went, and so did Uncle Andy, Aunt Jenn and cousin Ian. All of us had a wonderful time. We got the kids WIGGLES flashlights, Captain Feathersword hats and swords. And, of course we got Roman another Wiggles t-shirt. All of these things were very pricey...but Roman getting to see his favorite show was PRICELESS!!! Click link below to view slideshow... 

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/jody.fariello/TheWigglesNov2008?authkey=7pRnhNjxlYA#

The show lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes or so. As we were walking out of the center, Roman looked back and said "bye Wiggles". I thought it was sooo cute. And then as we were in the car, he said "Mommy, Ida had fun at the wiggles tonight" And Mike and I of course were thrilled that he enjoyed himself so much. Mike even said that he got a bit teary eyed as we were sitting there watching this with Roman because just one year ago, Roman was in transplant and the only thing he would watch over and over and over again were Wiggle dvd's. Mike and I were both so sick of watching them...but we'd do it all over again and again if it makes him happy:) In that moment, all we could both think about was how far we have come with Roman since last year. And as soon as Mike told me that about his teary eyed moment, I too told him we were feeling the exact same thing together. Boy are we ever married...we always think alike. I love you honey! Anyway, what a wonderful time we had together as a family, all of us together. Ian had a great time too dancing around and jumping up and down.

This was Roman and Sheridan's first LIVE show. I am quite sure the first of many to come:)

 

So, I hope you enjoyed the slideshow I sent tonight. God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have.

God, please give Mike and I and our families the strength to get thru scans next week. It is so hard on all of us. God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello 

Since my last update, I have heard more bad news in the Neuroblastoma world. It never ends. Kody Edwards earned his angel wings the day before yesterday. Today, JayJay earned his angel wings. His Mommy's name is Shannon and  he has an older sissy Sheridan's age named Charlene. Their carepage is cp:JayJaytheJet   Please go and send them some loving support. JayJay just came home on hospice within the past week or so. And then of course I already told you about Brody Hurt earning his angel wings a couple of days ago. 

 

That is 3 (was 4 but I cannot remember his name) young boys, who lost their battle with Neuroblastoma in just a matter of 4 or 5 days. I do not have to tell you to how important prayers are right now for these families. I cannot describe the mood and feelings I get personally when I read these kind of updates when I get them. Unfortunately, I get them quite often. Sometimes I know the bad news is coming and I get scared opening up the updates. Sometimes I immediately cry, and other times it hits me later when I am not expecting it. When it comes like this with more than one child losing their young life at once, it is more than difficult for us cancer parents who still have our cancer warrior child still breathing and very much alive. Not a guilty feeling, but rather a feeling of WHY their child, and why ANY child at all, comes to mind every single time NB takes a life away.

 

I look at Roman and Sheridan playing right now, here on the living room floor doing their "karate" and jumping and kicking around all over the place like they love to do and I cannot imagine the pain for these parents and their families. I wish to God we could take it all away from them. Please, remember to just say a prayer for strength for these families. I appreciate it and I know they do as well. And, don't forget about JayJay and sending his mommy and his sissy a message.

 

Please continue to keep praying for Roman, Corey Nickell, Joe Melville, Nicholas Defelice, Nolan Kenter, Nathan Ormsby, Eli Horn, Shannon Crowley, Zebbie Dodge, Bradley Jude, Destiny Ross, Jessica Rose, Chloe Hightower, Alyssa Ramos, Toby Benton, Laura VanDerBos, Madison Bailey, Noah Biorkman, Nathan Couch, and  Daniel Depatie, and of course if I forgot someone. All of these children above, are in the fight of their lives every day. With either being NED and living in fear of relapse like us or being newly diagnosed, some having scan time again, and some have relapsed and in treatment all over again. These are just a few of the families I follow. Not all of them, but most of them that I could remember. That's not including the other children I follow without cancer, with other types of cancers and other diseases. I only wanted to do this to show my supporters just how many kids approximately (I follow) that have NB and who are battling each and every day just like us. That is entirely way TOO MANY kids and families going thru this nightmare. God, please bless ALL of us going thru this journey with so many different levels and stages. And, God bless all of you for supporting us with Roman.    

Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!! Our visit today with Dr. Wagner confirmed his lymph node theory. He is such and incredible doctor and Mike and I have ALWAYS felt very confident with Dr. Wagner as Roman's doc. Today, confirmed that even more for us. It is an enlarged lymph node. It's not a tumor or NB. He feels this is just one of those things that happens to little guys Roman's age. He does feel it will go down or get smaller. We discussed why Dr. Wagner felt pretty confident that it was nothing to be concerned about.  Reasons are...he is overall doing well, eating, drinking, gaining weight, growing, playing hard etc. Also he checked Roman literally from head to toe. Felt no other apparent enlarged lymph nodes anywhere else on his little body. Checked ears, mouth just EVEYRWHERE. So, he came to the conclusion that with Roman otherwise doing well, and no other enlarged lymph nodes, he felt good about just keeping an eye out. We need to of course watch it to see if it gets bigger God forbid. But, since we go back in 2 weeks for scans, Dr. Wagner will check this out then again.

 

Mike and I feel better that Roman was checked out, at least we know it is a lymph node and not a tumor or anything else. However, Mike and I will both feel better knowing that Roman will have his scans done in 2 weeks to just make sure...I did ask if this were God forbid cancer again, would it show up on his MIBG scan, and Dr. Wagner said "absolutely, because it is soft tissue and MIBG picks up on that as well". So, YES, we will feel much better when scans are done in 2 weeks.

 

Roman will also be getting a flu shot in 2 weeks. Mike and I are not big fans of the flu shot, but since it is Dr. Wagner's recommendation and in Roman's best interest, Roman will of course get the shot.

 

Tomorrow, Roman has his fitting for his hearing aid for the right ear. I will update more tomorrow on that experience.

 

So, over the last 48 hours, I have not slept well at all. I have had the biggest agonizing feeling in the pit of my gut, I have not eaten too well, I have been worried to tears and I could go on and on and on. But, thru it all, I know and we know that we have had your support, your prayers, your dinner offers, your babysitting offers for Sheridan etc. and your encouraging messages that have kept us going. It is in these most trying, most difficult and most scariest times, that we feel we are so blessed to have the circle of support we have. We love all of you! Thank you again!

 

God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

Polly our coordinator just called and said that Roman's appointment tomorrow is for 1:00pm. And, she also said that Dr.Wagner wanted to let me know that "he is not alarmed about this" (so glad HE is not alarmed) and that "little guys Roman's age, sometimes when they are fighting an infection of some kind, tend to have a lymph node that might pop out". Well, until Dr. Wagner sees this, touches it, examines it and then tells us it is nothing for us to worry about, Mike and I are very much going to be WORRYING!!!! Much easier on the outside looking in. Believe me!

 

Just pray that Dr. Wagner is right with his lymph node theory. Mike and I can only pray that this is the case with Roman. I will of course update more tomorrow as soon as I can. And, to thank all of you for the encouraging words of support. We are so blessed. Roman is so blessed. Your messages today to us have made us feel more than loved. Thanks again and God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman fariello 

We hope everyone had a good weekend. What I am about to tell you is not meant to scare you, but to keep you informed. I struggled with even sharing it with you until more info has come from it, but you are our "family" and our circle of support. I could not keep this from you or anyone else for that matter.

 

Over the weekend on Saturday afternoon, I was wrestling around with Roman in our living room. Sheridan was playing in her room and Mike was about to go in for work to address a computer issue. Roman was on the floor in front of me and I was sitting on our couch looking down at him. He turned at one point, and I noticed a little "bump" or "knot" sticking out on the left side of his neck. I immediately went to touch it with my finger... and all you cancer parents know when you see anything like this, your heart just stops beating. It is about the size of the tip of a finger. It sticks out at different times when he moves his neck. I don't have to tell all of you the feeling right now for Mike and I. We are scared to death.

 

I called Polly our coordinator this morning and emailed her as well. She called me back right away and told me that Dr. Wagner wants to see Roman tomorrow afternoon...I just don't know an exact time yet. Polly said she will call me back to let me know a time. Until Dr. Wagner looks at this and we know what exactly we are dealing with, it is going to be very LONG day and night for us here.  

 

This could be nothing as we are obviously hoping it is. My mind is racing and it has taken everything in me to not think the worst case scenario here. Please, just say a prayer for Roman today. Pray that God keeps blessing our Roman as only HE has been able to do. My gut hurts. I am very nervous. I am more than scared. This cancer journey has been anything but simple and easy. It has taught Mike and I that there is never a dull moment...literally. Sheridan is off school tomorrow. So, she will be with Mom while I am at the clinic with Roman. I will let all of you know a time as soon as I know.

 

Also this morning, as if anyone needs to hear more bad news...one of the litttle guys I talked about last week in a few of my updates earned his angel wings this morning. Brody Hurt. Please say a prayer for this family as they try to go thru the next few days with plans etc. I cannot even fathom their pain. I hate Neuroblastoma!!!

 

Thanks to all of you for your support thru out Roman's Cancer Journey...as it appears we will ALWAYS need your support and your prayers for Roman and for all of our cancer warrior and cancer angel friends. I will update again later. Until then, very hopeful and praying with everything in me. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello

We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! I was way too tired to do an update last night. We had a blast!!! Both Mike and I dressed up along with the kids. Mike was a vampire and I was a Pirate. Roman was Spiderman during the day yesterday and then last night changed into his Superman outfit. Sheridan was an angel. Last year, we did not get to have fun as a family on Halloween because Roman was in transplant. We were seperated. Mike was with Roman at the hospital and I was home with Sheridan taking her around. That was very difficult on all of us. But, what a difference a year makes...we DEFINITELY made up for lost time and had so much fun.

Click on link to see us all made up for halloween!!! Enjoy!!!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/jody.fariello/Halloween2008?authkey=mec0eHnUGpM#

 

I went to Sheridan's classroom Halloween party to help. All of the kids looked so cute in their costumes. And of course, I was the only parent that dressed up for the kids:) I LOVED it! My mustache kept falling off, but the kids loved seeing me dressed up. Mom was here with Roman while I was with Sheridan. Mom took Roman to Big Boy yesterday, just the two of them together. The pic of Roman on the floor with Derney, playing on the blanket, I thought was so cute of them. Then, Miss Tina came for Roman's speech therapy. Of course Miss Tina brought Halloween goodies and treats for both Roman and Sheridan. THANK YOU Miss Tina, you are so sweet to our kids:)

 

Mike went to work dressed up in his vampire attire and WON best costume. And, they were having a chili cook off too and guess who WON that TOO???? Yes,  Mike...my husband. Everyone who knows us knows that Mike is the cook, not me:) So, he had a great day at work yesterday. Good job Honey!!!

 

Then Dad (Duppy) and Uncle Steve both came over after work. Uncle Steve dressed up in some clown gear that we had here at the house. He pulled Roman around in the wagon. We went out walking from about 6:00 until 7:30. Then, Uncle Andy, Aunt Jenn and cousin Ian came over towards the end so we could see Ian dressed up too. Ian looked adorable! We really did have a great time.

 

I cannot believe that it is November 1st already. Time just goes by so fast. Thanksgiving will be here in a couple of weeks and then Christmas, and then a new year. Unbelievable! Well, that's it for now from me. I hope everyone enjoys the weekend. God, please keep blessing Roman as you have. Please everyone keep praying for Corey, Nicholas, Nolan, Coleman, Brody, Kody, JayJay and just so many others. Love to all of you! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

Well, tonight we have had the most fun carving our pumpkins for tomorrow night for Halloween!!! The kids were saying "gross" scraping the bottom and all of the gunk out of the pumpkins. They are just so excited. We took plenty of pics. So, enjoy!!!! Click on Link and then hit slideshow at top left!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/jody.fariello/HalloweenPumpkinCarvingNight2008?authkey=SYx-uq8o3rw#

 

 

We also got our NICK POWER bracelets in the mail yesterday from OUR SHINING STAR'S Mom Denise. I colored the inside of the letters with a sharpie so all of you could see it. One of the pics is of my wrist supporting OUR SHINING STAR'S bracelet, then it is Corey Nickell's with Courage 4 Corey and of course followed by Roman's with RescueRoman.org. I have so many kids to support, I am going to have to grow more arms!!!! Denise, THANK YOU for sending us the bracelets for Nicholas!!! He is of course OUR SHINING STAR!!!!!!!!!

 

I also wanted to thank those of you who sent us donation money for RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON! From all of the ribbons I sent out last week and the week before, we are starting to get some donations coming in. It will certainly help us with postage, ribbon, safety pins, envelopes and zip lock baggies. We are so happy to be spreading the awareness for all children battling childhood cancer. It would not be happening if we didn't have your help and support. So, HOORAY for RALLY 'ROUNDTHE GOLD RIBBON!!!!!!!!!!

 

I guess that is it for now until tomorrow's pics from the kids dressing up for Halloween.

God, please keep blessing Roman and all of our carepage and caring bridge families. Love to all of you!!!! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)   

And, here we go again with the FEAR I was telling you about. I just learned from one of our dear families we follow that their son was sent home on Hospice. His carepage is cp: JayJaytheJet. We learned this news also from Destiny Ross's mom, who just sent Roman his Halloween card and picture of her daughter Destiny a couple of days ago. This does not sit too well with all that is going on in our NB world right now. There are 3 more boys that I follow who were also sent home on Hospice care recently. They have caring bridge sites. They are Kody Edwards, Brody Hurt and Jacob Stovall. All 3 boys have been battling NB for a while now. I hate sharing such sad news with everyone, but this is our world. This is why my FEAR for Roman is very much alive 24/7 non stop. Please, keep these boys and their families in your prayers. That is 4 boys all sent home with NOTHING left for them to do. Regina (Destiny's mom) is really having a hard time because Jay is just as much her son because their families are real close. Please pray for her to have the strength to be there for her friend (Jay's Mom). Regina, we are thinking about you!

 

All of this news of course does not make me feel real comfy and confident knowing scans are coming. All I can do is pray and lift everything up to God as I have been doing all along. I feel like crying right now but I cannot because I have Roman and Sheridan right here with me. As all of my fellow cancer moms can relate, we are the STRONGEST of moms when we have to be. Right now, with Roman and Sheridan being right here with me, is one of those STRONG times. And then later on thru out the day when I have a moment to myself, I will go and tear up somewhere, get it out and then get my STRONG face right back on again. It's like a cycle and part of my Cancer Mom routine. With these boys and their families facing what they will face, even though we have never met them, my heart aches for them. We are NB family, and we will be there for them in any we can. And if that means sharing their sad news with all of you to get more prayers lifted up, then so be it.

 

Thanks for listening to me this morning. I hate starting the day off like this. And we think we have it bad, just think of those 4 families and what they have to face everyday from here on out with their boys. And our dear friends Jim and Debra Nickell with Corey and Denise and Brian Defelice with Nicholas and Team Larson with Coleman. These families are in a really bad spot right now taking in this view of these boys who are now on Hospice. Their view of all of this is even worse than mine is. Their fear is worse than mine is. Because their fear turned into reality with Realspes. We follow each other's stories, and take the good with the bad. It's what we do. We are FAMILY in every sense of the word. Please pray for all of the families I mentioned and the ones I did not. There are so many. And, I wanted to thank all of you for the emails and messages from my last update...it means more than you will ever know, specially right now. God Bless! Jody Fariello

I wanted to let everyone know that Roman will be fitted for his hearing aid for the right ear next Wed. at our Crestview Children's location. Mike and I decided not have the additional test out in Liberty Township due to the simple fact that it would not change the outcome of Roman needing a hearing aid. This test was more or less a clarification of the thresh hold of Roman's hearing in the right ear. Why put him thru another test for the same ending result. So, I will let all of you know about the fitting when we go next week.

 

The kids are excited about watching "Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" tonight. And, to be honest, I am excited about it too:) As soon as Roman and I picked Sher up from school today, she reminded me that there are only 3 more days until her party at school and Halloween. She is more than excited.

 

I hope all of you got to read AJ's dad's research. I do not know why 20/20 or one of the big news media don't pick up on his findings...can you imagine what an impact that would have on research funds for our children??? We can only hope and pray and continue to do what we have been doing for our children.

 

Today, our sweet Corey cp:coreynickell, finished his last radiation treatment. He had 15 total to his head where his tumor is. He was suppose to start chemo yesterday, but his counts were not where they should be to handle more chemo. This of course was not what Debra and Jim wanted to hear. A week is forever in the Neuroblastoma cancer world, specially when your praying to God for it to kill and shrink a tumor. A week is a LONG time to wait to get chemo going again when your fighting for your son's life and every day counts. Please continue to pray for the Nickells and for Nicholas "our shining star". Both families need our prayers and support, and just so many more families as well.

 

I cannot even begin to tell you the FEAR I have for Roman's upcoming scans. Debra knows my fear as well as all of our fellow NB cancer parents do. I cannot even begin to put it into words for you. With every day that goes by, I look at Roman and and think to myself "Jody, he's doing fine, he APPEARS to be fine". That's exactly what Debra and Jim thought about Corey too. See, there again, there is no comfort zone, no cushion, no safety net. No NOTHING to help ease my fear and Mike's fear. Everyday is filled with FEAR. Roman's scans are not until Nov. 18 and 19 and I am already not dealing too well. As I have said it before, this is our life now. We live in small increments of 3 months at a time. Sometimes even less than that if a symptom pops up with Roman, God forbid. I have had many people tell me that I am strong. And, don't get me wrong, I am. But there are times when I feel like I am not strong at all...like with scans coming up. It's every day that we get time with Roman, that means more than anything to us. When I read other carepages, my heart aches and I just hold onto Roman even harder. I am telling you this because we need your prayers too. I know that alot of you pray daily for Roman. Well, please don't ever stop.

 

God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have. Thank you for all of your prayers, your kind messages on our carepage and email messages. They really do help us get thru. Thanks and God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

We hope everyone is having a good weekend. We are. Friday night, we got to babysit cousin Ian for a couple of hours. Sheridan and Roman were so excited to have their cousin here with them. As soon as Ian stepped into our house, the kids were off and running with their dump trucks pushing them around all over the house. They had so much fun together. We love you Ian!!!

 

Then, yesterday, Sheridan was invited to Macy's (from preschool last year) birthday party. The girls got to wear their pajamas and have a SPA birthday party. They got to make their own body lotion, have make-up put on, make hair bows and of course had yummy ice cream cake. Sheridan was so happy to see her buddies from preschool. I know she misses them ALOT. The pic of the girls is Ava, Macy, Chloe and Sheridan. They looked so cute!

 

Then, while we were at the party, Mike and Roman were supposed to be going to find a costume for Mike to wear. But, Roman had other plans...he fell asleep. So, when Sheridan and I got back from the party we ate, and after Roman woke up we went school clothes shopping while Mike and Roman went costume shopping. Plans happend still, just not at the time we originally thought:) So, we are all set for Halloween here at the Fariello household. We have candy, we have costumes...now we wait for Friday to get here. Sheridan and Roman are sooooooo excited.

 

The website is still doing really well, and getting alot of hits everyday. The ribbon orders have slowed down, but, that was to be expected. Until we get our non profit status, and we can officially "take orders" on the website, we can still fill any and all orders that come in just like we have been doing. Debra and I are excited to be meeting with the attorneys hopefully sometime this week for our RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON mission. I will keep everyone posted.

 

I hope all of you got a chance to read AJ's dad's research on the funding of the charities that our wanting your support in the form of money. I truly believe that some day our time will come for all children battling childhood cancer. I believe that with so many cancer parents out there like myself and Debra, like AJ's dad Bob, like Mimi Avery, the PAC2 and so many countless others working hard for the same thing, we are bound to get the change we need and want for our children. If you have not read the research, I urge you to do so. It is quite eye opening and shocking to see how much an operating officer makes for the charities he mentions. It will make you think twice about where your money goes. Anyway, just my 2 cents there.

 

The other 2 pics are of Roman holding a Halloween card and pic he got from a fellow NB warrior, Destiny Ross. Destiny is 6 years old. They live in Irvine Kentucky. Roman was so happy to get mail and specially with a pic inside from a fellow NB warrior! Thanks again Regina and Destiny. Destiny's carepage is cp:DESTINYLOVESYOU. Much love to you guys coming from Hebron to Irvine:) And the other pic is of Roman and Sheridan holding their footballs they got from our family getting Boo'd last week from one of our neighbors.

 

Prayers still very much needed for Corey and Nicholas. And I am asking for prayers for all of our fellow cancer parents and families who seem to be having a very rough week with missing their beautiful children in Heaven. I want them to know we are thinking about them and hope they get the strength to continue thru the days, months and years ahead without their children, for Mike and I are still blessed to have our Roman with us everyday. And we thank God each and every day for that time with him. God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have. Much love to all of you who support Roman and our family on his cancer journey, we are truly blessed. God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

Roman and I mailed out some more ribbon orders today at the post office. It feels so good to know that our message is getting out there for all children with childhood cancer. I have been honord to "meet" so many fellow cancer parents, grandparents, family friends and even strangers who just want to help us with RALLY 'ROUNDTHE GOLD RIBBON thru the website. It will happen, one GOLD RIBBON at a time:) I spoke on the phone yesterday with the audiologist who did Roman's hearing exam at Cardinal Hill. He looked at  previous hearing exam results that Children's did and came to the conclusion that Roman would benefit from doing one more special hearing test before getting him fitted. One of the tests from Children's did not have the same result as one of the test he did. So, he wants to make sure and be thorough. He told me that he felt confident with the exam he did on Roman, and that it was ultimately up to us to have this other test done. He also referred me to a colleague of his at the new Children's facility out in Liberty Township. I know it's a far drive for us, but, if it's what Roman needs, we will do it. So, I have to call out there to make him an appointment for this special test. After we have the test, then Roman will have an appointment to get fitted for his hearing aid. So, I will update more on that as it happens.

Please keep the prayers coming for Corey and Nicholas and all children fighting for their lives. God, please keep blessing our Roman as you have. Please, take this time to DONATE blood and/or PLATELETS if you can. You WILL be saving a life...and it just might be a child's life. Love to everyone and God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)  

I guess that is all for now. God, please keep blessing our Roman and all kids fighting for their lives each and every day. And for all of the angels who have already earned their wings into heaven way too soon. Thank you for supporting our Roman and for all the help you have given to us and to the Gold Ribbon campaign. God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)

 Still need bodies for Sunday's ribbon making. Men, there are jobs for you as well like cutting the ribbon and opening safety pins. You don't actually have to make the ribbon itself. So, we have jobs for everyone. Please keep Corey, Nicholas, Isabella and Rachel in your prayers. Both girls have lukemia, and have recieved transplants already. Both girls are at Cincy Childrens. I know both families. It is fitting since Roman was in transplant 1 year ago, and that their cancers are different than Roman's, that they know they too can hold onto hope just like we did last year. Pray for all children fighting for their lives each and every day. And for all of the angels who have already earned their wings into heaven way too soon. God, please keep blessing our Roman. Thank you for your support thru out Roman's journey. And to our carepage supporters, your messages mean the world to us. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello  

 This month is Down's Syndrome month. Our dear friends, Lisa and Tom Turner (carepage is Maraangel) have the the most adorable, beautiful daughter named Mara with Down's Syndrome. Lisa has been here to help make ribbons with us and they are friends of the Nickells. Lisa, Mara and Elijah (Mara's brother) came to the walk last weekend to help RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON and they walked with us. Such a sweet amazing loving family. Lisa told me a horrible statistic, 92% of women who find out they have a child with Down's Syndrome chooses abortion as the answer. I am in no position to tell anyone what to do as a women making a decision but...to me...there would be no decision to make...if the docs told us about Roman having cancer while he was in my belly...that would NOT have changed us having our most precious Roman. It is the same thinking with Down's. Lisa and Tom, could not imagine their lives without their precious Mara.

 Today, my dear friend and Roman supporter Robyn O'brien, was on the new hit TV show THE DOCTORS (Dr. Phil spin off directed by his son Jay). She was on to bring awareness for our children with food allergies, like Roman's peanut allergy. She is in the position to bring awareness for our kids with food allergies from her website www.allergykids.com   Roman and sweet Emily VonderMeulen (an angel in heaven already from her peanut allergy), are both on Robyn's home page of her website. Robyn has had Roman's story on there since last Oct. We thank you Robyn for helping us get the awareness of food allergies for our kids and Roman and Emily's stories. We love you MOMMA WARRIOR!!!! Go to www.thedoctorstv.com to see today's show and Robyn!

 So, we still need ALOT of prayers for Corey and Nicholas and so many others battling and fighting for their lives. So many kids with upcoming scans like Roman. Please pray that God keeps all of them safe.

I gotta go check for more ribbon orders!!!! God Bless and thank you for supporting Roman, and our www.RALLYROUNDTHEGOLDRIBBON.org website and mission. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)  

Roman is doing just fine. Sheridan was glad to be back at school today. And, me...well  I have been very busy replying to ribbon requests...I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I have much moe to share with all of you but no time to do it in. Please keep the prayers coming for Corey and Nicholas "Our Shining Star". They need prayers everyday along with so many others. Roman needs prayers for his upcoming scans next month. So, please tell God he has alot of prayers that need to be answered:) God, please keep blessing our Roman and all kids fighting for their lives. And for all of the angels who have already earned their wings into heaven way too soon. Thanks for all of your support for Roman and our RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON campaign and website. God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)

 

Tomorrow is our walk at Coney. We have raised well over $1000.00 as a team. And I am sure that will go up much more after tomorrow. Our team is called of course...RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON...we have 31 registered walkers for the walk. It is not too late...if you want to walk c'mon out tomorrow and register for our team and walk with us. Here are some things that my team members need to know...

Walker check in is from 8:00 til 10:00 am. Also the kids carnival starts at 8:00. Opening ceremony is at 10:00. The walk starts at 10:15. From 11:00 to 1:00 lunch will be served. And at 2:00 it will end. Now, we will be meeting in the WEST parking lot near the Picnic Grove area. You will look for the banner with the Letter "R"con it for our team. We will meet there by 8:00am. If you still have to turn in money(checks, cash, credit cards)...I will direct you to the WALKER CHECK IN lines. (I still have to go there too.) There you will turn in your gifts along with gift deposit slips (make sure checks are made out to the hospital and on it put ONCOLOGY). And in return you will get a number bib, lunch voucher and a prize ticket. As soon as you are done, come back to the Banner "R" and we will then all walk together as a team for the opening ceremony. We also have some "special" hand made ribbons for our entire team to wear and keep afer the walk. Debra Nickell's dad had them made for all of us. We will also be handing out many many ribbons from our bucket pails to EVERYONE we can come in contact with. So, any questions at all, call me on my cell I will have it with me tomorrow 513-476-0369. We hope to see everyone there!  And to our sponsors...we could not have done this without your support! Go Team RALLY 'ROUND THE GOLD RIBBON!!!

Tomorrow is also Debra Nickell's birthday...I already know what she wants for her birthday........Debra, we love you and that is the exact same birthday present we want for you too:) So, as a team, we will also be celebrating Debra's birthday together.

I guess that is it for now. WHEW!!! Alot of info...I warned you:) Prayers are still needed for Corey, Nicholas, Chloe, Roman and ALL children fighting the fight of their lives. God Bless all of you for your ongoing support of Roman. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

I have not talked to Debra Nickell yet today...I know Corey had radiation at 11:00 today, and he gets his last dose of chemo today for this first time getting it...they might get to go home today! I just don't know yet for sure or not.

I know I told everyone about the deposit made by Chris Rock's wife Malaak yesterday...well I found out who was behind it all...our dear friend and supporter Robyn O'brien, founder of AllergyKids.com   She emailed me yesterday and told me she just met with Malaak on Friday. I emailed her and thanked her immediately. On her website, she has Roman's story still at the bottom of the homepage underneath our angel Emily's story. I would love to someday maybe join forces with Robyn on a "dream team" of our own to do research on food allergies and the connection to Childhood Cancer. I truly believe there is a link between the two...specially with Roman's cancer Neuroblastoma. Robyn, again, THANK YOU for your ongoing loving support and awesome "connections". You are amazing! Go to her website and be informed of Food Allergies and chlidren. Tonight, we have ALOT of our gold ribbon making supporters coming to the house.

I went to the grocery today...and I got so angry. It is to the point with the Pink ribbons on products, that it is just on everything! Like Mike said..."people are going to be de-sensitized to seeing them and won't care anymore what they stand for". I must say that after today...I agree. I am going to make sure when we do our product push for the Gold Ribbon, that we do not let it get out of control. 

Well, prayers are still needed for Corey and for OUR SHING STAR Nicholas. Nicholas is getting a port put in tomorrow and hopefully will start his chemo right away. And Corey, please pray that radiation and the drug combo will get rid of the "grape" all together. We love both of your boys and your families. God, thank you for giving Mike and I the gift of TIME with Roman. His birthday means the world to us as we know other families don't get to celebrate birthdays like we did, because they are in treatment or their child is an Angel in heaven already. We so appreciate the "normal" days and count each and every second of them. God, thank you for sending great people into our lives like Robyn and Malaak Rock. What great things they do for families like ours.

God, please keep blessing our Roman and all kids fighting for their lives, specially Corey and Our Shining Star Nicholas. And, for all of the angels who have already earned their wings into heaven way too soon. Thanks to all you for supporting us and praying for us. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:)

Now...for the best news ever......TODAY IS ROMAN'S BIRTHDAY......HE IS 3!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!! Roman, Mommy, Daddy and Sissy love you so much. We will celebrate the big 3 by going to "Big Boy" as Roman calls it. He picked there to eat tonight for his birthday. Happy Birthday Buddy! We love you! And, a reminder for tomorrow night...Ribbon Making at 6:30 here at our house. We need to crank out ALOT of ribbons so we can go to the walk on Saturday feeling confident that we can give EVERYONE there a gold ribbon. There are over 3000 walkers for the walk...not including family and friends who are going but are not walking.  So, we need to make alot of ribbons.

And, the greatest coolest thing happened yesterday...Mike called me and he was checking Roman's RescueRoman account...this past Friday, a deposit of $2500.00 dollars was put in there. It was such a shock to us who sent it...everyone knows the comedian Chris Rock...Mike traced the email back to his wife, Malaak, who has a website called www.angelrockproject.com We do not know how she found us or stumbled upon us, but we are ever so grateful for the loving support. She just paid for Roman's single hearing aid that he needs. They run about $2000.00 per hearing aid. My Mom always said to me..."the Lord will provide" and HE has and HE is for Roman and our family. We are working on sending them a huge thank you as soon as we can find out more detailed info.  

I guess that is it for now. Please keep the prayers coming for our friends who are going thru the worst of times right now. And, please keep the prayers working for Roman...they are working and he is a walking miracle. God, please keep blessing our Roman and all kids fighting for their lives ech and every day. And for all of the angels who have already eanred their wings into heaven way too soon. We thank you for your loving continued support for Roman and our friends. Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello:) 

On Sunday, we will be celebrating Roman's 3rd birthday. He will actually be 3 on the 7th. I cannot believe he is going to be 3 already. I think how he has grown up in more ways than one with all he has been thru. We will be having family here during the day for his birthday cake that Aunt Jenn is making for him (peanut free of course) and then at 6:30 I have more people coming to make ribbons. We need ALOT of ribbons made. Today, a new Roman supporter who found us thru Rescue Roman, named Kathleen Bertline and her daughter Haley came by to give Roman his birthday present. Kathlen has been such a wonderful person who has just dived right in to help making ribbons and buying pins for us. She has joined our team for the walk and has raised ALOT of money in doing so for us and for Rally 'Round The Gold Ribbon. She brought Roman coloring books, crayons,a sticker book and Scooby Doo matchbox cars. Her daughter also gave Sheridan her very own Leap Pad and case and many if not all of the cartridges for it. Kathleen, I cannot thank you enough for being such a wonderful person to us and the Nickell family and for Rally 'Round The Gold Ribbon. You are a very fine example of what GOOD is out there in times of need. God Bless you Kathleen and we love ya! That's it for now. Please keep the prayers coming for Corey, Nicholas and Roman and ALL children fighting for their lives each and every day. And for all of the angels who have earned their wings into heaven way too soon. And, to personally thank all of you for reaching out to Mike and I because of our fear for Roman. Our fear is unbearble. Love to all of you and God Bless! Jody, Mike, Sheridan and Roman Fariello