Fifteen Years and counting 🙏

15 years. And not a day goes by that we aren’t grateful for the unconditional gift we were given on September 27, 2011.

Today marks 15 years since Stephanie Moglia—our “angel”—selflessly gave one of her strong, healthy kidneys to Jim, giving him the opportunity for a longer, healthier life.

After fifteen years, “THANK YOU” doesn’t seem nearly adequate.

Her gift is something our family has never taken lightly. It is still humbling, amazing, and almost impossible to put into words. Stephanie gave without hesitation, and because of her, Jim has had these sixteen precious years with his family.

Today, we find ourselves facing another difficult health battle. Jim is currently fighting Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), a fast-growing type of blood cancer. His doctors have emphasized that it is highly curable, even when it has spread. Thankfully, his PET scan after treatment 3 of 6 brought us encouraging news: the cancer has shrunk, it has not spread, and the local lymph nodes are no longer inflamed or active. 🙏

His treatment plan includes six cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He begins treatment #5 on October 6. Each cycle is 21 days. The days around 7–10 are usually the hardest—the “nadir” period—when the steroids have worn off and the chemotherapy hits the hardest. Heavy fatigue and an overall feeling of being unwell can make those days especially difficult. By about day 14, he generally begins to turn the corner and feel significantly better before the next cycle begins.

His treatment includes modern targeted immunotherapy designed to attack the cancer while minimizing damage to healthy cells. And through all of this, his kidney—the kidney Stephanie gave him sixteen years ago—is healthy and working at its expected capacity. ❤️

That fact is not lost on us.

Fifteen years later, her gift is still giving.

This has truly been the hardest health battle we have ever faced, but together—with our family, our faith, and the incredible medical team caring for Jim—we will get through this.

So today, we celebrate:

Happy 15th  Anniversary, Jim & Stephanie. ❤️

Stephanie, there will probably never be enough words to express what your gift means to Jim, to me, and to our entire family.

THANK YOU, STEPHANIE.

For your courage.

For your selflessness.

For your incredible gift.

“BEAUTIFUL BLESSINGS COME AT THE MOST UNEXPECTED HOUR.” ❤️🙏

 

It's been a LONG time.  I may try to catch everyone up on "livingrlivestogether" in the next few weeks.  Lots of changes, lots of good things, lots of learning experiences.

More to come✌

Christmas 2015

We want to take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Blessed and Joyful New Year. 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks God the Father through him."

Wilson News 2014-Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 

Wilson Newsletter 2014 Merry Christmas

     As we look back over the year in preparation for writing this letter, 2014 reminds us again how much we are truly blessed.

     We continue cheering and jeering the Phillies and Eagles; enjoy the University of Delaware football games as season ticket holders; as well as shows offered by the DuPont Theater and Delaware Theater Company.

     We were able to get to NYC to enjoy some Broadway shows. We also enjoyed family vacation time at a favorite spot in Millsboro, as well as a week in Rehoboth Beach and our annual trip to Florida. Jim and Matt were able to go on a work/vacation week to Hawaii, which was a huge highlight for them. 

In June, Jim threw a HUGE 50-something surprise party for Tina at our home.  He “enlisted” our kids and our grandson to help and Tina was definitely surprised! It was a great day of celebration and seeing friends from all stages of our lives.  Our grandson, Jackson’s birthday was on October 10^th and we celebrated with extended family and his friends as his parents threw a great party for this special 4-year old!  We also had our traditional family party at Mimi and Grumps’ house with the request of “breakfast for dinner”. Jackson began Preschool-PreK-3-year-old program, which he loves and has made several friends. 

This year, we have been able to better understand some of the challenges of recent years and as a result, participated in several opportunities to “give back”.  For example, we have engaged in the battle to more effectively diagnose and end pancreatic cancer.  Following Matt’s lead, we supported the Delaware Affiliate Pancreatic Cancer 5K Walk/Run.  Tina has also joined the “core team” of volunteers with the Delaware Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) as a PurpleLight Chair-Volunteer.

Matt celebrated 3 years being cancer free and serves as the Advocacy Chair-Volunteer for the Delaware PANCAN Affiliate.  He has been instrumental in obtaining numerous resolutions supportive of pancreatic cancer research including one from Governor Markell.  He spoke on behalf of the Affiliation in Washington, D.C. and was awarded the Randy Pausch Award (The Last Lecture) at the annual Pancreatic Cancer Action Network meeting in Los Angeles!

The end of September brought the family down to the beach as Jim and Megan participated with the Wilmington University Team for the “Bike to the Bay for MS" - a 75-mile, one day bike ride in support of Multiple Sclerosis.  We also assisted The 7thAnnual Wilmington Kidney 5K Walk in October.  Tina, once again, led our team to top honors and served on the logistic committee and Delaware Walk Committee. Jim also has had the opportunity to go to DC to ask congress for support for Kidney Disease research.  Jim is also a spokesperson in our area for kidney awareness and continues to serve as Treasurer on the National Kidney Chapter Board.  

Megan completed her Master’s Degree in June (she will walk this January), at Wilmington University and is now teaching on the college-level as an adjunct.  As a result, she is able to return to teaching which is a passion, has more time to spend with Jackson and to volunteer with school activities. Megan is an amazing momma and she definitely enjoys her role as wife and mother.

Lindsay continues to enjoy his work, (Assessment Coordinator) as well as an adjunct faculty teaching at Wilmington University. He is a wonderful daddy and husband.  He is a good provider for his family and a wonderful son-in-love!   We are so blessed to have such amazing children.

Jim and Tina enjoy time together as well as working on individual hobbies.  Jim continues to enjoy his work as Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Wilmington University and his health is very good (3 years post kidney transplant)!  Tina continues to define her best “gig” as being able to run the home fulltime and be a Wife/Mom/Mimi.  Her Mimi & Me (Jackson) days are highlights of her week.  She also dabbles in her quilting and music when time allows. 

We truly are blessed and continue to be aware of what is most important and to share the talents we are given.  We are reminded to see our days through the eyes of our 4-year-old grandson: days with honesty, eagerness, and hope.  Our center continues to be the One that is always constant in an ever-changing word.

Merry Christmas and May you enjoy all that the New Year holds,

Jim & Tina

It's coming soon!

Our 2014 End-of-the-year "newsie" letter is coming in the next week or two!  PLEASE check back to read the highlights of our family's year.  ~Tina