Dylan's Celebration Info

I haven't been able to write...I can't even explain how broken I feel. I know time will heal..time is just going really slow. I just wanted to share Dylan's Celebration info. Thank you for following his journey. His legacy will live on. We have many things in the work. We are excited to share as things start happening. We love you all and can't thank everyone enough for all of your support and Love. It has made this storm in our lives much more bearable.

Greenview, Ca-Last Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, Dylan James Frick succumbed to the Brainstem Glioma he was diagnosed with on June 6 of this year. His loving parents were by his side.

Josh and Jenn Frick welcomed their son Dylan into the world on Nov. 11, 2000 in Medford, Ore. As a toddler, Dylan enjoyed playing with Bob the Builder toys, watching “Shrek” and putting his favorite Thomas the Trains on the track watching to see who went the fastest. A few short years later, Dylan graduated to PlayStation games and building LEGOS. He started with fairly simple LEGO sets, like cars and small space ships, then progressed to a large castle with working parts and an old sailing vessel.
Dylan’s faith in the Lord grew strong in the last few years. He enjoyed attending Awana and looked forward to church on Sundays. Soon after Dylan’s brain tumor (DIPG) was diagnosed, Dylan and his family went to stay at the Ronald McDonald house in Palo Alto. Dylan knew he had a life-threatening condition, but instead of feeling sorry for himself, his kind heart and strong faith led him in another direction. One day, Dylan looked up at his dad and asked, “Do you think the other children here know Jesus?” Josh replied, “I don’t know, Buddy. Why do you want to know?” Dylan answered earnestly, “Because I want to pray with them.” And they did pray with several families that day, all because a selfless 10-year-old boy wanted to bring peace to other sick children.
During his stay at the Ronald McDonald House, Dylan compiled a “Bucket List” of things he would really like to do. Among them was going to an Oakland A’s game, getting baptized at Jones Beach, and experiencing LEGOLAND. Not only did he cross everything off of his list, he also received a beautiful gift from his favorite singer, Kim Walker. She came to visit Dylan and sing for his family. Dylan never lost his wonderful sense of humor, either. Jenn was outside one night trying to collect her thoughts when she was charged by a territorial raccoon. She quickly aimed a rock and hit him in the head. Instead of frightening him away, he chased her back to the building! A few weeks later, after the family returned from their trip to LEGOLAND, Dylan was ready. As they got out of the car, Dylan started smiling and called out, “Raccoon … my mom is here,” then he turned to Jenn and asked, “Are you scared, mom?”
A few weeks ago, Dylan hosted a community party at Greenhorn Park to thank all of the wonderful people who worked so tirelessly, donated generously and prayed for his recovery. He had a great time that day and was able to make some wonderful memories.
Dylan is survived by his parents Josh and Jenn Frick; his sister Lyndi; his paternal grandparents Scott and Tammy Frick; his maternal grandparents, Rosalinda Sendejo, Sonia Cantrell, Paul Yingst and Dwight Fugler; and his aunts and uncles, Luis and Jessie Valladares, Will Fugler, Julie, Jessica, Selena and Bianca Sendejo.
In lieu of flowers, please make monetary donations for LEGO sets or donate actual LEGO sets to Mountain Heating & Air, 211 E. Oberlin Rd., Yreka, CA 96097, or to the Frick Family, P.O. Box 121, Greenview, CA 96037. Each year, the Frick family will be traveling to the Lucille Packard Hospital on Dylan’s birthday to handout the donated LEGO sets and pray with the families living in the LPH house awaiting their treatment.
There will be a celebration of life party in Dylan’s honor at Lower Greenhorn Park this Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 at 1 p.m. Per the family’s request, please wear bright-colored clothing, bring a folding chair and a main or side dish to share, and come celebrate what a remarkable young man he was.

This was Dylan's Favorite bible verse:
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
Girdner Funeral Chapel is handling the services for Dylan.

Thank you again The Frick Family

An Unreal Friday

I have let my sweet princess down...my son my needs me by his side. He has made it clear he doesn't want me to leave his side. Not that I want to. You may read this going what is she talking about. Well as some of you know our Princess turned 9 on Monday. Well tomorrow she is having her all girls tea party. She wanted me to go with her. The place the tea is being held is over an hour from our house...I promised him I wouldn't leave his side. I told her I would go to this party. So I have to let down one of my children. So my heart breaks because I hurt hers. We have been trying to keep her busy with art, bike rides, friends, and family. She is so broken. Her big brother is passing away before her eyes. I feel so helpless...I am... I can not leave him. I don't feel there is much time left and neither does his Doctor. I am by his side 24/7. I just feel dazed...I sit here and go this is really happening...It is. I don't know if I can really do this..I know Christ will continue to give me strength, that's what I am praying for. We just want him to be comfortable...ugggghhhh....He woke up today with his eyes popped wide opened with his arm and hand reached out for me. I grabbed that hand and he closed his eyes and went right back to sleep. This isn't fair... Thank you Papa God for the strength that you continue to give us. I know great things will come from this. Thanks for loving and supporting Dylan and our whole family. It's one of the things that makes this storm way more bearable. GO TEAM DYLAN FRICK

So Very Broken

Afraid things have taken a things for the worst. The last three days have been very trying for us all. We as a family still try as hard as can be to laugh, share stories, and keep it as joyful as we can. We do not want either of our children to suffer anymore then they both already are. We are thankful the Lord gives us strength to love, and support them in the manner we have been able to. Do not get me wrong. I cry just in the night, and when I go outside. I pray and surrender again to Papa God. I feel a strength and way to find the joy throughout our days in these moments coming to Him.

Dylan has only been able to have popsicles and only a couple of times in the last three days. No food anymore.. His oxygen levels have dropped about 40%. His heart is working overtime, and his organs are shutting down. His coloring isn't looking very good, and he sleeps 95% of the time. When he is awake he can't really talk a whole lot. It's all happening so fast. It feels so unreal. I know it is real. It's just like has it really turned this bad this quickly? He only received his diagnosis a little of two months ago. I WANT MORE TIME!!! Want parent wouldn't. This cancer has robbed my child of his precious life.

So as I sit by his bed I rest in the fact that With Christ All Things are Possible...Even losing our precious angel Dylan <3 Praying for His Will...If he heals him Praise Him..If He heals, restores, and makes him complete in Heaven we will Praise Him. Either way we pray His will is soon. I don't want him to suffer anymore.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Roman 8:39

Still Counting It All Joy

I want to start off by saying that Children who are fighting cancer are such an inspiration. So many sweet angels. I just want to bring an awareness and raise money for research!! We need to beat this monster called cancer. It has no place in anyone! Feeling helpless..So as he sleeps I type.

I want to count all the joy we had today. Then I will fill you in more on what is currently going on with my little guy. So we have a new doggy. Dylan is in love with him. His name now is Buddy. Buddy is a great new edition to the family. Dylan had an oreo chill;) His nurse Nelly( such a blessing) helped us every step of the way!! Thank you Father for her. We really love her so already. The nurse Larry got his Catheter in first try(PRAISE YOU JESUS!!) Had an incredible family come eat lunch, and pray behind the hospital for Dylan and our family. Had so many wonderful people praying for my angel. I am just so thankful for the good stuff. I am also thankful for the bad stuff...sounds weird I am sure. I know that God will be strong enough for the both of us. His plans are bigger then anything I could fathom. I rest in his goodness. He is molding us all through this!!

Now on to the stuff that isn't so much fun. I am thankful we can continue to stand strong as a family through this time. Part of having a DIPG is losing your many of your body functions. So he has problems swallowing, breathing, walking, and using the restroom. Well over the weeks his urinary retention has gotten worse and worse. It stopped completely yesterday=( After I told him what his Doctor said about getting a catheter he tinkled the littlest amount, but that wasn't even worth measuring. His wonderful Nurse came over and attempted one and he had an obstruction. We went to the hospital immediately. All of his pain medicines have been increased. His nurse got it in on the first try. However, we just hung out while he slept for a couple of hours. The pain he experienced and continues to experience breaks my heart. I just look at him completely amazed at the strength he has. I thank God for the strength and peace he gives my baby.

We can't thank each and everyone one of you enough for you support. It is such an encouragement to my family. Thank you so much for all of your love, support, prayers, and encouragement! It's priceless. Much love from the Frick Family

"Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds" James 1:2-7

Spreading Awareness

I research, copy, paste, cry, pray, and pray some more. So many sweet innocent children suffering with sickness. Please pray for so many hurting families. Our heart breaks for them as well as for ourselves. I had no idea how many children suffered from cancer. Cancer really sucks.

The only thing I can do is spread awareness, and Let people know about childhood cancer. It can effect any child at anytime for no reason at all. Scary stuff we know.

I feel so helpless. The helpless feeling seems to get worse every day. Daily Dylan gets worse. Today was his last trip over the Forrest Mountain. The bumps, light, and getting in and out of the car is just to much.. He is eating less and less. He is on oxygen more and more. His pain is getting unbearable. So we take the best care of him and pray. Watching our sweet precious child slip away day by day is something I can't even explain with words. Continue to give us strength Lord God.

I also research like crazy. Not researching for the "miracle cure" but researching what is being done to find cures , and what kind of funding do they have for curing childhood cancer. He was able to complete 4 radiation treatments but the outcome wasn't good. So we went with quality of quantity. When we left LPCH she gave him very little time. Praying that someday parents won't have to make those kind of choices. This is information about the brain cancer that Dylan has.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

A Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a tumor located in the pons (middle) of the brain stem. The brain stem is the bottom most portion of the brain, connecting the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The majority of brain stem tumors occur in the pons (middle brain stem) and are diffusely infiltrating, (they grow amidst the nerves), and therefore are not able to be surgically removed. Glioma is a general name for any tumor that arises from the supportive tissue called glia, which help keep the neurons, ("thinking cells") in place and functioning well. The brain stem contains all of the "wires" converging from the brain to the spinal cord as well as important structures involved in eye movements, face and throat muscle control and sensation.
Source: The American Brain Tumor Association

The median overall survival of children diagnosed with DIPG is approximately 9 months. The 1 and 2 year survival rates are approximately 30% and less than 10%, respectively. These statistics make it one of the most devastating pediatric malignancies.
Source: Treatment of newly diagnosed diffuse brain stem gliomas in children - David N. Korones.

The standard treatment for DIPG is 6 weeks of radiation which often dramatically improves symptoms. Unfortunately, problems usually recur after 6 to 9 months, and progress rapidly.
Source: St Jude Childrens Research Hospital

In their quest for a cure, DIPG children must move from one experimental protocol to another enduring treatments with many side-effects which would be unacceptable with any other diagnosis. The cruelty of this disease cannot be denied. Sparing their cognitive abilities, DIPG slowly robs children of their motor functions resulting in partial paralysis, loss of voice and sight and finally ending with an inability to eat and breathe. It is both heart wrenching and painful as they are fully aware of their decline often until their last day. The cure starts now...
Source: The Cure Starts Now

We currently DO NOT know what causes brain tumors. The major causes seem to be chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. Research so far has statistically proved very few instances of possible environmental causes for childhood cancer. The Children's Oncology Group (COG) continues to conduct epidemiology, cytogenetic, and microbiology studies in their quest for answers.

Funding for pediatric brain tumor research is critical since treatments discovered for adult brain tumors may not be appropriate for children. Pediatric cancer research has been important in understanding the basic biology of cancer, treating adults with cancer and providing principles of therapy and advances for other diseases of children and adults. For example, chemotherapy was first shown to be effective in curing children with cancer.

In recent years, the amount of funding for childhood cancer clinical research from the federal government has been declining. (we can change this!!!) We can make a difference. It breaks my heart that funding is very minimal for a monster that gives these kids a death sentence.

This is just the beginning. We as TEAM DYLAN FRICK will spread awareness and raise money for research. I can't express how thankful we are for each and everyone of you. Thank you again for you continued prayer, support, love, and financial support. It has blessed us with time that is priceless =) Thank you for being part of our journey.

Day After Day

Day after day of Dylan being sick breaks my heart. Not that it wasn't already broken. We are trying to just have fun everyday and be in the moment. I am going to share a couple of heart breaking moments and a couple of very joyful things. I appreciate all of your love, support, and continued prayers. I just can't thank you all enough.

Lyndi our princess has been struggling. The last couple of times she went to spend the night somewhere she has called to come home. This time when she got picked up she shared with us what was going on...Me "Babe why didn't want to stay the whole night?" Lyndi in tears " Dylan may die in the middle of the night. I am afraid I will never see him again." Break our hearts. I had no idea. We pray!!

Dylan has had many times he just breaks into tears. I had no idea that he would have the hardest time being home. Please do not get me wrong. He is VERY happy to be home. However, he is the only sick child that goes around with a wheelchair and oxygen. As we strolled through Raley's the other day he starts to cry. "mommy there are no other sick kids here. Everyone else in wheelchairs are old." On my knees in Raley's, we pray. People are curious and constantly looking at him. He wants to get out and about. It will be less though. He doesn't have the same kind of energy.

So for the good news...

Dylan has had his guy party!!! He had an absolute blast. They played legos(surprise.lol) ate food, camped outside, and just had a good guy kind of time =) He has been able to see so many of the people he loves and cares about. We went and watched smurfs. It was a cute kid movie. Dylan really liked the Kitty in the movie.lol He cracks me up all of the time. His laughter is contagious. I can hear him laughing as I type...LOL seriously awesome.

As I sit here about to wrap this up tears streaming down my face( the laughter is soo good) I just want to say enjoy each day. Wrap your arms around your loved ones and cherish as many moments as you can. Even if your kids are grown...please hug them. We are never to old.

"Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds." James 1:2