Guest guest Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 An extraordinary set of photographs entitled a Mother's Journey by accomplished news photographer Renee Beyer currently of the Sacramento Bee has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography this year.. The series of 20 photographs are described as an " intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer " . I would recommend taking some quiet time to absorb these deeply moving photographs taken of young Derek Maden and his mother Cyndie French during their 11 month journey with his neuroblastoma diagnosis. It is rare for those outside the confines of pediatric oncology to be able to glimpse this world, and these pictures honor not only Derek and Cyndie, but all children and young people with cancer challenge, their families and care givers, and the humbling work of pediatric oncologists. http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2007/feature-photography/works/index.html Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com http://www.aromaconnection.org " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Marcia, Thank you for posting the Pulitzer prize-winning photos, A Mother's Journey. I have tears in my eyes, as the photos are hauntingly familiar. I hope others don't mind me sharing my experience. My brother's son, Skyler, was diagnosed at aged six, soon after he started first grade, with ependymoma, a type of brain tumor. He and his family fought the cancer for four years, going through two brain surgeries and two sets of radiation (each time driving daily for two hours). The only good thing about most brain tumors is that they rarely metastasize to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, his did, (one of about 8 cases on record) and the cancer was found in his lungs when he was nine. The doctors felt it was worth trying chemotherapy, and he spent most of three months (over the Christmas holidays and his tenth birthday) at Children's Hospital in Seattle, enduring grueling treatments. His parents took turns driving up from Olympia to be with him, so that he was never alone, and my mother and I helped take care of the house and his younger brother. I don't think most people have any idea how difficult it is for a family when a child has cancer, so I am glad that this set of photos won a Pulitzer. Atleast there were two parents to share the burden in my nephew's illness, (they both work for State Dept. of Fisheries, but were not able to work regular hours for a year), and they had insurance, and some financial security. I often thought about how incredibly difficult the situation would be for a single parent. We lost Skyler last Oct. 4th, and it's been a real struggle for all of us to deal with the pain and try to get back to regular life. I do not have children of my own, and so I felt especially close to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 thank you Marcia It was incredibly sad and made me count my own blessings to have healthy kids. I can't imagine the strength one must have to watch helplessy as one's child goes through all that. I hope I never have to find out through personal experience. K -- Cheers! Kathleen Petrides The Woobey Queen Http://www.woobeyworld.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Condolences to you and your family. Susan , Autumn Scott <autumn wrote: > > Marcia, > > Thank you for posting the Pulitzer prize-winning photos, A Mother's > Journey. I have tears in my eyes, as the photos are hauntingly > familiar. I hope others don't mind me sharing my experience. My > brother's son, Skyler, was diagnosed at aged six, soon after he > started first grade, with ependymoma, a type of brain tumor. He and > his family fought the cancer for four years, going through two brain > surgeries and two sets of radiation (each time driving daily for two > hours). The only good thing about most brain tumors is that they > rarely metastasize to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, his > did, (one of about 8 cases on record) and the cancer was found in his > lungs when he was nine. The doctors felt it was worth trying > chemotherapy, and he spent most of three months (over the Christmas > holidays and his tenth birthday) at Children's Hospital in Seattle, > enduring grueling treatments. His parents took turns driving up from > Olympia to be with him, so that he was never alone, and my mother and > I helped take care of the house and his younger brother. > > I don't think most people have any idea how difficult it is for a > family when a child has cancer, so I am glad that this set of photos > won a Pulitzer. Atleast there were two parents to share the burden in > my nephew's illness, (they both work for State Dept. of Fisheries, > but were not able to work regular hours for a year), and they had > insurance, and some financial security. I often thought about how > incredibly difficult the situation would be for a single parent. We > lost Skyler last Oct. 4th, and it's been a real struggle for all of > us to deal with the pain and try to get back to regular life. I do > not have children of my own, and so I felt especially close to him. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Autumn, I could hardly keep from sobbing uncontrollably when I first viewed them and knew that they needed to be shared. I am intimately acquainted with Children's . . . Probably the most marvelous hospital to exist that I know of. I, myself, have never lost a child of my own or one close to me, but I know many who have been blessed with various kinds of care at Children's. My heart goes out to you, may your family heal soon and find meaning in your grief. My best friend (for over 35 years) is currently undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. She's had a lumpectomy and subsequent removal of lymph glands twice since she was diagnosed. She made it through chemo and has chosen to do radiation every day in order to get her treatment over with faster. More intense because of larger dosage, but won't drag on for the 5-6 months of bi-weekly treatments. I cannot believe how brave, upbeat and determined she is. She bought a new house just before diagnosis in December and will be moving in middle of May - in Darrington, which is an exquisite little town surrounded by snowy mountains north of us here in Snohomish. I know this will be a healing place for her. Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com http://www.aromaconnection.org " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria On Behalf Of Autumn Scott Thursday, April 26, 2007 5:45 PM Re:OT The Agony of Cancer in Children Marcia, Thank you for posting the Pulitzer prize-winning photos, A Mother's Journey. I have tears in my eyes, as the photos are hauntingly familiar. I hope others don't mind me sharing my experience. My brother's son, Skyler, was diagnosed at aged six, soon after he started first grade, with ependymoma, a type of brain tumor. He and his family fought the cancer for four years, going through two brain surgeries and two sets of radiation (each time driving daily for two hours). The only good thing about most brain tumors is that they rarely metastasize to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, his did, (one of about 8 cases on record) and the cancer was found in his lungs when he was nine. The doctors felt it was worth trying chemotherapy, and he spent most of three months (over the Christmas holidays and his tenth birthday) at Children's Hospital in Seattle, enduring grueling treatments. His parents took turns driving up from Olympia to be with him, so that he was never alone, and my mother and I helped take care of the house and his younger brother. I don't think most people have any idea how difficult it is for a family when a child has cancer, so I am glad that this set of photos won a Pulitzer. Atleast there were two parents to share the burden in my nephew's illness, (they both work for State Dept. of Fisheries, but were not able to work regular hours for a year), and they had insurance, and some financial security. I often thought about how incredibly difficult the situation would be for a single parent. We lost Skyler last Oct. 4th, and it's been a real struggle for all of us to deal with the pain and try to get back to regular life. I do not have children of my own, and so I felt especially close to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Marcia, Thank you very much for your kind words, they are appreciated. I have passed the article on to several other people. I told my brother about it, but of course he does not want to see it, it would be too painful. I think that's another thing that makes it so hard for me, is knowing how heartbroken he is, and knowing there's nothing much I can do for him. A person feels very helpless in this situation. Life will probably get easier for him, but I don't think he'll ever really heal. I want to pass on my best wishes for your friend. There are so many people with cancer, I must have about 20 friends and relatives who have had cancer, and most of them got it before they were 50. I believe I heard that Seattle has the highest rate of breast cancer in the country. Some people think that part of the reason may have to do with our low light levels. I guess there are atleast three of us (including Nikki) that live in Western Washington? Are there any more? I live in a rural area on the Olympic Peninsula, about 25 min. from Pt. Townsend (3 miles south of Chimacum, if you know the area at all). I looked at your website awhile ago, do you live in Snohomish? Many years ago, when I was in college, I lived on a little farm in Cathcart. I'd like to go to the gathering in August, but Austin is a long way from here, and I don't think I can afford to fly. Autumn Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Hi Autumn, Nikki and Marcia, I live in Sequim. (waving hello) It's nice to meet other people on the Olympic Peninsula/ western Washington area, as it seems there are not a whole lot of us on lists. I've been pretty quiet on the list, lurking, but learning lots. Thank you Marcia for sending the link to those photos. I, too, had tears streaming down my face while I viewed them and read the captions. I hope that these photos bring awareness to other in this same or similar circumstances. Autumn, I wish you and your family healing and peace with all that you've been though. Sincerely, Sandy in Sequim <snip> I guess there are at least three of us (including Nikki) that live in Western Washington? Are there any more? I live in a rural area on the Olympic Peninsula, about 25 min. from Pt. Townsend (3 miles south of Chimacum, if you know the area at all). I looked at your website awhile ago, do you live in Snohomish? Many years ago, when I was in college, I lived on a little farm in Cathcart. I'd like to go to the gathering in August, but Austin is a long way from here, and I don't think I can afford to fly. Autumn Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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