Ronan was born on June 13, 2001 in Edmonton to Joe and Ali. He is a big brother to Malcolm; grandson to Lydia, Teresa and Bob; nephew, cousin and friend to many. A 4th grader at Prince Charles School; musician; music lover; chess champion; Harry Potter fan; bananagram-er; card shark; board gamer, corny joke teller. And cancer fighter.

This blog is intended to ensure that Ronan’s vast support team of family and friends are connected, informed and engaged while he, dad Joe, mom Ali and brother Malcolm help him beat a terrible, scary disease - embryonal sarcoma, a rare childhood liver cancer. So welcome to Ronan’s blog. Sit, read, cry, and vow to fight this fight with Ronan, Malcolm, Ali and Joe. And please leave a few words of encouragement with a Comment.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Comes Early

This past month or so, we have been showered with generosity and well-wishing, and it has been fortifying, heartening, helpful, and, frankly, a bit shocking in its extent. A community united is an impressive force, and when it is united to serve the benifit of your son, it prompts a heartfelt gratitude that is, I promise, unforgettable.

Nonetheless, it goes without saying that the gift that would make Ronan and us happiest (indeed the only gift that would make us happy) would be the news of something not given, but taken away. Just now we received word from an oncologist in Halifax who has just finished an analysis of a CT scan that Ronan received last week here in Saint John.

His tumour mass has been reduced by 40-60% percent.

Cancer's never met an opponent as aggressive as Ronan - fuggetaboutit. He's beating this thing.

Joe
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23 comments:

  1. AliDecember 20, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
    I am now having trouble concentrating on making supper...
    Keep the prayers and happy thoughts coming!!

    xo

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  2. TanyaDecember 20, 2010 at 9:35 PM

    Indeed the best Christmas present....there were whoops of joy at the Patersons when I got off the phone with you Ali....we love you guys!

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  3. MaureenDecember 20, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    Jumping for joy for TEAM RONAN!!!! Alleluia!!!
    What unspeakably glorious, thrilling news!!!
    Keeping the prayers and happy thoughts coming...all of us are!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TEAM RONAN!!!

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  4. UnknownDecember 20, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    Just checking in before bed, what a nice note to go to bed on! I will be sure to share this great news with the kids in the morning. Sweet Dreams.
    see you soon
    Helen

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  5. karenboydDecember 21, 2010 at 12:00 AM

    Christmas comes early! Ronan, this is like Christmas, birthday, summer vacation, valentine's day and easter all coming early. We're doing a happy dance in Canmore tonight - happiest news we've had in quite some time. Yaahoo!

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  6. David EaketDecember 21, 2010 at 12:01 AM

    Best news so far! Good fighting Ronan.

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  7. EllenDecember 21, 2010 at 12:44 AM

    Lunar eclipse on the Winter's solstice for first time in over 300 years - interesting news.
    News of Ronan's shrinking tumour 3 days before Christmas - AMAZING, WONDERFUL and PRICELESS!

    Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  8. MaureenDecember 21, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    love the new look to the blog....beautiful family photo!! Still rejoicing at the great news!!

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  9. Erin Howell SharpeDecember 21, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    I am unbelievably happy to hear this news.Go Team Ronan!!!

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  10. Cathy BoydDecember 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Great news and well said Joe. Isobel says it's a wonderful Christmas present. Let's make a skype date for Christmas Day so we can all celebrate this really good news! Let us know when you are around.

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  11. Joanne BoydDecember 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Way to go Ronan. We are so happy to hear this news. Keep up the battle. You are a true Warrior!

    What a beautiful family picture. Lots of love, Joanne, Garry, Cameron and Rosita in Ottawa.

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  12. Robin HebbDecember 21, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    This is incredible! Way to go Ronan! Merry Christmas! :)

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  13. Clinton CharltonDecember 21, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    We all needed this! Thank you Ronan, your fight means so much to so many and you are truly one special little boy!

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  14. JoanneDecember 21, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Awesome news!!! Way to go Ronan! Hope you all have an amazing Christmas!
    ...and I love the redesign of the site! What a beautiful photo!!

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  15. AnonymousDecember 21, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    merry christmas ronan .hope you are feeling good we miss you buddy from khuylier davies and khailub bourgeois ....gr 3 pcs school

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  16. UnknownDecember 21, 2010 at 7:22 PM

    I read this earlier today and cried so many happy tears for all of you...I couldn't leave a comment then but I'm ready now....
    ***GREAT NEWS***
    What a wonderful way to enter into Christmas celebrations!!!! Prayers answered. We will be giving thanks here in Darmouth...
    Merry Christmas and all good things for 2011!!!
    Love Cousin Lydia, BJ and Tanna

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  17. ValDecember 22, 2010 at 8:41 AM

    Amazing, wonderful news! The power of prayers and the determination and fight of a boy and his family. Way to go Team Ronan!!!

    Have a very Merry Christmas with family and friends. Thoughts and prayers continue to be sent your way.

    Love Val, Tim, Brenna and Erin

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  18. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 4:21 PM

    YOU DON'T KNOW ME RONON,BUT WE'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR YOU ,THIS IS REALLY GREAT NEWS ,,WE'LL KEEP THE PRAYERS GOING...MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
    JOAN & MICHAEL OWENS

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  19. UnknownDecember 22, 2010 at 6:18 PM

    Merry Christmas Ali and Joe. I am really glad you have good news in time to really enjoy the holiday. Happy, Happy Christmas! Barbara, Peter and family.

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  20. AngieDecember 23, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    This is great! Keep up the fight Ronan!!

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  21. gpsDecember 24, 2010 at 9:04 AM

    Evan and I are thrilled beyond words at this fantastic news! Ronan, you are indeed a very strong and brave warrior. We knew you had it in you. And congrats to Team Ronan for your endless support and positivity. That could only have helped. We wish you the very merriest of Christmases and much more good news in the new year to come! Lots of love, Garnet and Evan Siddall

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  22. UnknownDecember 28, 2010 at 2:19 PM

    Joe, Ali, Ronan & Malcolm

    Paula and I want to send our best wishes to you all as you get ready for your next trip to Halifax. We will be thinking of you as we await more good news as the treatment progresses.

    George & Paula

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  23. UnknownDecember 30, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Hello Ronan, Ali, Joe and Malcolm.
    I was so happy to hear this wonderful news that the tumour has decreased in size by such a large amount. I think of you all often and always keeping my eyes and ears open for any information that would be helpful. Your strength, determination and prayers have brought you positive results with more to come. Let's hope that the New Year will bring in more positive news.
    Take care. Helen Ann Higgins

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