Fought with courage and humor.... | Tuesday, January 24, 2012

It is again, I bring sad news of the loss of another Oldham client. Mark and his sisters came to our studio almost a year ago. He was positive, upbeat and full of laughs... I'm so glad to see that he faced his death with the same character. To his family, we extend our deepest sympathies and are so thankful that they made the trip from Bay City to have Mark photographed.

JANZ, E. Mark, age 42, of Bay City, Michigan, died of brain cancer on January 21, 2012 at Bay Regional Medical Center. Mark battled cancer the same way he faced life: with humor, courage and a deep faith in God. Mark was born March 10, 1969 in Saginaw, Michigan to Edwin S. and Mildred H. (Hammerbacher-Wuepper) Janz. He graduated from Bangor John Glenn High School in 1988, where he was on the track team. After high school, Mark worked at the Meijer store on Wilder Road, where he stayed for 20 years until his illness forced him to retire. Mark was passionate about music, movies and history. In 2010, he achieved a long-time goal and took a history of rock and roll class at Delta College. He was also a dedicated blood donor, and received a life-time award for donating more than 6 gallons of blood. But most of all, he loved his family. He was a proud homeowner and loved caring for the home that he shared with his mother and his dog Pal. He leaves his cherished mother and five sisters; Sharon (Jim) Brown; Kate (Todd) Schisler; Susan (Marty) Crook; Ruth (Tim) Sutton and Jean (Don) Mead; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves his Meijer family, especially his good friend Diane McGregor. Mark was preceded in death by his father; nephew Kevin Mead; grandparents Albert and Meta (Lutz) Hammer-bacher; Blondina (Kolm) Janz and Sylvester and Helen Janz. Mark's family would like to thank the employees and management of Wilder Road Meijer and Meijer Corporate Office in Grand Rapids for all their loving support and generosity during his illness. They also wish to thank Drs. Campau, Cook, Copeland, Hurt, Littles, Schisler, Sriharen and the staff of Bay Regional Medical Center and Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice-especially Shantel-for their compassionate care. Finally, they would like to thank Carol at Elsa U. Pardee Foundation and the Oldham Project for their assistance. Funeral services will take place on Thursday January 26, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 510 W. Ivy St., Bay City with Rev. William H. Allwardt with interment following in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Gephart Funeral Home, 201 W. Midland St., Bay City from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. on January 25, 2012. Mark will be taken to the church on Thursday to lie in state from 12:00 o'clock Noon until the time of services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be directed to Zion Lutheran Church; to the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation or that they donate blood in Mark's name. www.gephartfuneral home.com "Death is nothing at all; I have only slipped away into the next room; I am I and you are you; whatever we were to each other, That we are still…"Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847 - 1918.

Labels: brain tumor, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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Kids will be kids.... | Friday, January 6, 2012

As a parent, we fret and worry from the time our kids are born about ear aches, sore throats and runny noses...that they'll fall learning to ride that bike or break their arm playing football, but rarely does the thought of cancer cross your mind. Rebecca P. relates the awful day she learned her son, Cayden had cancer. Having been assured by the physician's that this was "nothing" and "no big deal", "probably just a benign tumor", and cancer being the furthest thing from her mind, she arrived at the appointment, alone, with Cayden. Being taken from the treatment room, she was informed that this indeed was not only cancer, but Stage 3 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, that in the past month, had now invaded his entire sinus cavity and had moved into his ear canals. In shock, trying to reach her husband, Cayden was left alone in the room, now knowing that something was desperately wrong. Every parents worst nightmare began. Diagnosed in June of 2011, Cayden has now undergone two extensive surgeries to remove as much of the tumor as possible, 15 weeks of chemotherapy and 8 weeks of radiation... and is a testament to faith. Coming from a strong Christian family, faith is their cornerstone, prayer is their language and peace fills their hearts. Rebecca says, "from the beginning, I've been given a peace and know that he's going to be fine." And even though she tears up and cries, she exudes a peace that can only come from a bigger source than herself...."so many of the horrible things they told us would happen to Cayden, didn't happen. He didn't loose his hair, he didn't get burned from the radiation and his hearing is still there! We believe it's because of prayer."
Surrounded by a huge support system in a small town, they have so much love, prayer and encouragement from family, friends and the community! Cayden appears to be a 'normal' 8th grade kid, attending school when he can, thinking about a future with the NBA and enjoying his friends. He would love to become a graffiti artist...He dreams of playing in the NBA and I'm sure as everyone else, thinks of growing old. With that attitude and the power of God, I believe he will!

Labels: brain tumor, cancer, childhood cancer, Kourageous Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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A very long road.... | Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Since 1991, Sharon S. has been in a valiant fight for her life... and will continue to do it her way, until the end. Having her parents die when she was very young, Sharon has been a fighter... bonding with her younger sister Carol, the two began to look after each other in their teens and as a result, have obviously become very close. They say they're "twins who were just born 6 years apart!"
Diagnosed initially with Breast Cancer in 1991, she underwent surgery and radiation, advised that was all the treatment she needed at that time, but a bout with Thyroid cancer a while later, brought years of illness and an eventual return of cancer elsewhere. Fighting continual illness and weakness after the thyroid cancer, left her bedbound for almost 2 years and after persistence on her part, she was diagnosed with an aortic valve problem and underwent open heart surgery! January 2011 brought a recurrence of the Thyroid cancer and her diagnosis now.... metastatic breast cancer with lung, sternum and bone involvement. Attempting to treat this with 6 chemo treatments earlier this year, the cancer continued to grow and all treatment was haulted late in 2011. She now remains in Hospice care in her home, surrounded by her family... and the sister she grew up with. Carol has put her life on hold now, to move in with her sister and care for her full time, until the end. Visiting her in her home the day after Christmas, she was dressed to the nines... anxious for her portraits, to capture this time in her life, having pictures done with her sister, her husband and her special needs son...doing it her way.
Sharon stresses that women become proactive..." Ask questions if you don't understand, until you do understand, be proactive and trust your intuition." She's spending her days comfortable and creating memories with her family... " this time is for them. I need to allow them to say goodbye. I didn't think I was a strong person, but I guess I am..."
I'm sure she's teaching them much... about grace under fire, about inner strength and about the love of family...

Labels: bald woman, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, Hospice, Hospice of Lansing, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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