Jonathan's Story
written by dad Gregg

Jonathan was born December 3, 1996 much to the delight of my wife Stacey and I, as well as his sister Meghan.

His favorite activities were "jumping" up and down in our laps, as well as of course, playing with Meghan. He adored her ~ especially making her laugh and "buzzing" her tummy. He also loved to be sung and read to. He had just learned to crawl, and was taking a few practice steps while holding on to the table in the living room. He was overall, happy. Such a simple word, but it totally encompassed our Jonathan ~ and would give us brief glimpses of hope over the next months in that special smile of his.

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1997: A DAY THAT WOULD CHANGE OUR LIVES FOREVER.
On this day, he began passing blood in his diaper. After several days of tests, it was discovered that he had a tumor in his right kidney. The kidney had to be removed, and upon examination, the tumor was found to be a Rhabdoid Tumor, extremely rare. In fact, only 111 other cases had been documented at that point throughout the world.

This type of tumor has a tendency to spread to the lungs and/or brain. In every single case where it spread outside the kidney, the child has died. When it has not spread, the survival rate was still only 10%.

He was shortly thereafter diagnosed with a brain tumor. I refused to "hear" the doctors. The term "no hope" was just not an option for me. We found a surgeon who agreed to try doing surgery. He took out what he could of the tumor and then Jonathan had 18 weeks of Chemo. It was a difficult process for him, but he was ever brave and always gave us the smile. The cancer had returned and was growing even faster, and left no other treatment available. His time was short.

He liked trains and fire trucks, being outside and enjoying the weather and listening to the birds. We took endless walks at all hours of the day and night. He loved to cuddle with beanie babies, and his wiener dog, "Oscar", who would sit patiently beside him, "guarding him". He loved every moment with his sister, Meghan ~ his "sis", the best in the world. He loved being with his Nanny (his grandmother), who catered to his every heart's desire. Jonathan loved life.

Jonathan passed away on December 16th, 1998, just after his 2nd birthday.

Jonathan had a beautiful smile and a wonderful nature, despite all that he'd been through. He is truly our "Hero". Jonathan lived, and still lives on, in all of us whom he touched ~ that's what Angels do.