Thursday, June 28, 2007

Radiation OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its almost like Christmas... well OK maybe not but I am one Happy camper today knowing that I do not have to lay under that radiation machine one more day. Everyday I would lay on that table and say a little prayer asking god to give me the strength to put up one more day, each time he answered that prayer and we made it through almost unscathed. I look back and think well it could have been worse I guess. I am happy cause now my life can get a little more back to normal, in a about two weeks maybe less I will get to resume some activities like swimming in a pool rather than my tub. I can spend more time out in sun just have to be cautious not to over heated. I am having a CT scan tomorrow morning to see how much the cancer has shrunk, I wont have the results back until I meet with Dr. B next Friday. I am getting excited about the fundraiser tomorrow night put on by Amphibian. I want to say a special thank you to Kathleen Anderson Culebro the Artistic Director with Amphibian for doing this for me. Remember to to tell them at the ticket window if your going that your there to support me. I hope to see you all there tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great day.

God Bless
Jake

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

2 More Days/ Fundraiser

YES! Only 2 more days of radiation I am more excited than you can ever imagine. My skin is doing a lot better after having that week off, thank goodness. It will get a little worse again after this week but Ill take it like a man be done with it. It will be another 2 weeks or so after the radiation till I can partake in any normal summer events like swimming in a pool and stuff like that. That has been tough because my apt. is right next to pool and there is always beautiful scenery out there. I meet with Dr. B tomorrow to find out when my next chemo will be. I wish that part was almost over.

Also, Amphibian Stage Productions, a theatre company in Fort Worth is going to be hosting a fundraiser for me on Friday at their performance of Miss Witherspoon. If you come to the show on Friday night and tell them that you are there to support Jake Cartwright, 25% of the price of your ticket will be donated to the fund. There will also possibly be snacks/concessions for sale with profits also going to my medical fund. Here is the info for the performance:

Amphibian Stage Productions presents Miss Witherspoon Friday, June 29 8:00 pm
The Buschmann Theatre (On the campus of Texas Christian University)
To make reservations:Visit http://www.amphibianproductions.org/ Or call 817-923-3012

There is a good chance that Ill make it there as well so this might be a great chance for those who have never met me or those who haven't seen me for a while to come and see a great show and me too.

If you can’t make it to the show, you may also donate to my fund by going to any Bank of America and depositing a check into the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund. The teller at any Bank of America should be able to pull up the account and deposit your donation. Make sure to tell them it is a contribution/donation fund! And please note: all donations are tax deductible!

You can also mail a check directly to my parents or me, made payable to the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund and we can deposit it for you! Let me know if you would rather go that route and I will be happy to send along our addresses!

Jake

Thursday, June 21, 2007

A Week Off/ Donation Account

Once again I fail to update everyone on the latest events and I am sorry. I had radiation on Monday but was so burnt that Dr. Ilahi gave me the rest of this week off to try and let my skin heal. I decided since I had been just sitting around my apt all the time I needed a change of scenery and came down to my parents house in Conroe. I guess its been a week off it seems as though all I am doing is applying more ointment that they gave me and taking treatment baths. I will finish off the last four radiation treatments next week. This break was much needed my skin was in bad shape.
Some very close friends of mine and pretty much a second family to me the McMullin's have set a non-profit account to help me cover my expenses the next few months until I can get back to work. It is not like me to ask for help or money for that matter, I am a very proud person. Though in times of need I am learning to just ask cause there are special people out there willing to lend a hand. The account is set up at Bank Of America, there are two ways to donate.
1) Go to any Bank of America in the US and deposit a check into John J. Cartwright Medical Fund the teller will be able to bring it up, make sure to tell them it is a contribution/donation fund.
2) Mail a check to either my house or my parents made out to John J. Cartwright Medical Fund and we will deposit it.

Jake Cartwright
350 E. Vista Ridge Mall Dr.
apt #111
Lewisville TX. 75067

Johnny and Carolyn Cartwright
317 E. Hunting Tower Run
Montgomery TX 77316

Any donations made will be tax deductible. The money will go to help me cover my medical bills and other bills I have since I am loosing my pay in another week. God has bless each and everyone of with people that will lend a hand in a time of need. Though these trials I have truly learned how much he does bless up. If you have any questions regarding the account or donating please contact me and I will do as I can to answer any questions.

Jake

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Weekend report

Just a short little update today since one of my friends Ben got mad at me for not updating enough. I had a nice weekend spent Friday night in at my sisters just hanging out. Saturday I went with my mom and sister to see Aladdin put on by Kids Who Care it was fun watching all the little kids perform. Then went and Hung out with Ryan R. we saw Oceans 13 which I liked then afterward on the way home his car ran out of gas which I found hilarious cause I got to steer and he got to push, Ha Ha it was so funny. Fathers Day was nice as well my dad stayed down in Conroe since he had just returned from a youth mission trip in LA. So I went to Plano which is close to my apt. and hung out with a friend and her family which was very nice and had a lot of fun. I am excited about this being my last week of radiation I can wait for it to be over because my skin is so burnt at hurts so bad its not even funny. It keeps me up a lot and cutting into my sleep time which I hate. I have to put on ice packs to cool down the skin and deaden the area so i can catch a little shuteye. I pray my skin heals fast and get on with beating this thing. I Hope everyone else had a great Fathers Day weekend.

I Love You DAD Happy Fathers Day.

Jake

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Rebounding Well...

I am finally turning the corner and feeling alot better now, which excites me because I hate feeling down and not like myself. I met with my radiation oncologist yesterday and have only 6 more radiation treatments YES!!! The radiation is has really starting to get old now that it has really made my skin very uncomfortable, itchy, burning, you name it. Its like the worst sun burn Ive had but where the sun dont shine. I will be very relieved to be done with that part. Other than that not much news. Keep it up all you prayer warriors.

Jake

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Holding up OK.

Sorry it has once again taken so long for me to post another. I finished the second round of chemo on Friday as people had warned me each treatment does get a little tough than the last. I'm not really feeling bad but just exhausted which is normal. God is seeing me through it though and helping me rebound quickly. I should be back to feeling alright by next weekend, that's what I'm praying for. Its strange to sleep so much, well maybe not I guess I could sleep this much back in college but that was just to miss class. I am starting to get my appetite back now after the treatments which is quicker than last time so that is huge plus, maybe I wont loose any weight this go round. And to all my old college buddies no I am the 17o pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal any more those were in my heavier days now its closer to 156 pounds of twisted steel. Its the leaner more aerodynamic version. Once again I want to thank everyone for all your prayers and words of encouragement from your emails and comments please keep them coming while I might not update everyday I do check see what people are saying.

Jake

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Round 2

I started my second round of chemo today. I am feeling good but am already starting a little fatigued from the medicine. Today I was the first patient there and the last to leave 9am to 5:10pm that's one long day. The first day of 3 last so long because of all the added fluid they give me. I am glad tomorrow and Friday will be much shorter just half days in chemo. I am hoping things work out for me like last time and am only down for a few days before I rally and come back. I'm sure god will be there to see me through these rough next couple days and help me to recover quickly. I will post a pick of the bald head as soon as I can get my hands on a digital camera, so give me a few days. Hope everyone is well and having a great day!

Jake

Monday, June 4, 2007

The blog is back

Sorry its been a few days since I posted I just started feeling as though I was saying the same things over and over. I have decided I will post a few time a week but probably not everyday unless I have something to say. I am still feeling good and ready beat this. I half way done with the radiation side of the treatment, which I am thrilled about. I should be starting round two of chemo on Wed. as long as my white blood cell counts have gone back up. I hope I am only down a few days afterwards like last time then am back to my old self that would be great. My hair finally started to fall out so I went to the barber and had them shave it bald for me. I still look good bald though. Not much else to say but thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Jake