Post by admin on Feb 8, 2009 19:39:54 GMT -5
Passed away: January 25, 2009
Jackson Palmer -Caringbridge
Obituary
Family seeks normal life for son with cancer
Jackson Palmer -Caringbridge
Obituary
Jackson Lawrence Palmer of Fishers, IN, died on Sunday, January 25, 2009, surrounded by his family. Jackson was eight years old and had been battling desmoplastic small round cell tumor cancer since 2006.
Jackson was an energetic, brave child who lived life to the fullest — choosing to make the most out of every minute of every day. Even throughout the past three years while he endured several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, Jackson amazed everyone around him with his abundance of energy and enthusiasm for life.
Jackson was a member of the Fishers Cub Scout Pack 108, the Upward Cobras basketball team, and he attended Hoosier Road Elementary School. Throughout his childhood, Jackson enjoyed superheroes, watching and playing all sports, playing with his friends and cousins and visiting his two favorite vacation destinations — Cocoa Beach, Fl., and Rough River Lake in Kentucky. He also excelled in school and loved math. In particular, he liked receiving and counting money!
Jackson is survived by his parents, Paul and Alison Palmer of Fishers, IN, and his younger sister, Olivia. Also surviving him are his grandparents, The Rev. Larry and Marilane Becker of Evansville, Ind., and Jim and Carol Palmer of Evansville. Jackson also is survived by his aunts, uncles and cousins: Karen and Joe Eisha of Crete, Ill., and their children Sara Grace and Joseph; Julia Becker of New York City; Jeff and Karon Palmer of Owensboro, Ky., and their children, Benjamin and Taylor; and Leslie Palmer of Sun Prairie, Wisc.
In Evansville, visitation will be held Saturday, January 31, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John's East UCC at 7000 Lincoln Ave. A service will be at the church at 3 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Kenneth Townsend.
While only eight and a half years long, Jackson's life touched many people, especially in the past three years as his story reached across the world via the Internet. Somehow, he had the ability to touch people's souls in a way that is unexplainable. He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort knowing that he is no longer ill and that he is now at peace. To learn more about Jackson, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonpalmer.
We appreciate all of the continued prayers, support and love we have received since Jackson was diagnosed. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The American Cancer Society or to the Jackson Palmer Donation Fund, 11261 Falling Water Way, Fishers, IN 46037. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.
Jackson was an energetic, brave child who lived life to the fullest — choosing to make the most out of every minute of every day. Even throughout the past three years while he endured several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, Jackson amazed everyone around him with his abundance of energy and enthusiasm for life.
Jackson was a member of the Fishers Cub Scout Pack 108, the Upward Cobras basketball team, and he attended Hoosier Road Elementary School. Throughout his childhood, Jackson enjoyed superheroes, watching and playing all sports, playing with his friends and cousins and visiting his two favorite vacation destinations — Cocoa Beach, Fl., and Rough River Lake in Kentucky. He also excelled in school and loved math. In particular, he liked receiving and counting money!
Jackson is survived by his parents, Paul and Alison Palmer of Fishers, IN, and his younger sister, Olivia. Also surviving him are his grandparents, The Rev. Larry and Marilane Becker of Evansville, Ind., and Jim and Carol Palmer of Evansville. Jackson also is survived by his aunts, uncles and cousins: Karen and Joe Eisha of Crete, Ill., and their children Sara Grace and Joseph; Julia Becker of New York City; Jeff and Karon Palmer of Owensboro, Ky., and their children, Benjamin and Taylor; and Leslie Palmer of Sun Prairie, Wisc.
In Evansville, visitation will be held Saturday, January 31, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John's East UCC at 7000 Lincoln Ave. A service will be at the church at 3 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Kenneth Townsend.
While only eight and a half years long, Jackson's life touched many people, especially in the past three years as his story reached across the world via the Internet. Somehow, he had the ability to touch people's souls in a way that is unexplainable. He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort knowing that he is no longer ill and that he is now at peace. To learn more about Jackson, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonpalmer.
We appreciate all of the continued prayers, support and love we have received since Jackson was diagnosed. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The American Cancer Society or to the Jackson Palmer Donation Fund, 11261 Falling Water Way, Fishers, IN 46037. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.
Family seeks normal life for son with cancer
By FISHERS -- Except for his shaved head, you wouldn't know 5-year-old Jackson Palmer is suffering from a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. He plays baseball in his back yard and punches buttons on his PlayStation 2 controller with the same excitement as any other little boy.
Jackson's youthful energy is deceiving given the fact he was diagnosed in April with desmoplastic small round cell cancer, which doctors say could take his life before he reaches the age of 10.
"The days where he's smiling and happy, that makes us happy," said his mother Alison Palmer of Fishers. "I think on the days where he's doing OK, we just want him to have fun, to be a kid."
His mom and dad, Paul Palmer, have been open and honest with Jackson about his condition and he understands what's happening to him.
"We try to keep a positive attitude and keep things as normal as possible," Paul Palmer said, adding that when it came time for Jackson's special buzz cut, family and friends also cut their hair. "We try to make things as fun as possible."
Not every day is a good day, however. Jackson faces a year of undergoing chemotherapy every three weeks, which at first left him weak and in pain, his mom said. But his most recent round of chemo wasn't as rough, she said.
"As a mom, I just want to kiss him and make it better but I can't, and that's what I struggle with," she said.
Jackson was diagnosed with the rare cancer after seeing a doctor for stomach pain. At first, his mom thought the doctors would tell her he had food poisoning, or at worst, appendicitis attack. But test results showed Jackson had a cancerous mass in his pelvic region that would spread rapidly -- a form of cancer so rare that doctors at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis said they typically only diagnose one case every three to four years.
"I think the most devastating revelation to me was when they diagnosed it as desmoplastic small round cell cancer because the prognosis is very poor," Alison said.
Alison said the doctors have given Jackson a 10 percent chance of surviving the next five years. He has a 3-year-old younger sister, Olivia.
Despite the odds, Jackson Palmer has showed extraordinary resolve to fight the cancer and a willingness to seek treatment, his mom said. Unlike most kids, she said, he doesn't fight the frequent trips to the hospital. Instead, he volunteers to go because he knows the doctors are trying to help him get better.
"I think what amazes me the most is his acceptance of everything that's happening to him," his mom said. "He's going to make it through this. He's going to be a survivor."
Friends and family have been very supportive. Paul's sister Leslie maintains a Web site for the family, www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonpalmer, which includes a journal of Jackson's daily activities and updates on his condition. Paul said the site received 5,000 hits in its first two weeks, and they have received messages from as far away as Hong Kong.
Alison said she hasn't had to cook dinner for the last month or so, because friends and neighbors are constantly bringing food to help out.
"I'm so overwhelmed by the love and support, the calls, the e-mails, the cards, the prayers. It's just amazing what everyone has done for us," she said. "I can't thank everyone enough."
Call staff writer Ryan Heath at (317) 444-5575.
Jackson's youthful energy is deceiving given the fact he was diagnosed in April with desmoplastic small round cell cancer, which doctors say could take his life before he reaches the age of 10.
"The days where he's smiling and happy, that makes us happy," said his mother Alison Palmer of Fishers. "I think on the days where he's doing OK, we just want him to have fun, to be a kid."
His mom and dad, Paul Palmer, have been open and honest with Jackson about his condition and he understands what's happening to him.
"We try to keep a positive attitude and keep things as normal as possible," Paul Palmer said, adding that when it came time for Jackson's special buzz cut, family and friends also cut their hair. "We try to make things as fun as possible."
Not every day is a good day, however. Jackson faces a year of undergoing chemotherapy every three weeks, which at first left him weak and in pain, his mom said. But his most recent round of chemo wasn't as rough, she said.
"As a mom, I just want to kiss him and make it better but I can't, and that's what I struggle with," she said.
Jackson was diagnosed with the rare cancer after seeing a doctor for stomach pain. At first, his mom thought the doctors would tell her he had food poisoning, or at worst, appendicitis attack. But test results showed Jackson had a cancerous mass in his pelvic region that would spread rapidly -- a form of cancer so rare that doctors at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis said they typically only diagnose one case every three to four years.
"I think the most devastating revelation to me was when they diagnosed it as desmoplastic small round cell cancer because the prognosis is very poor," Alison said.
Alison said the doctors have given Jackson a 10 percent chance of surviving the next five years. He has a 3-year-old younger sister, Olivia.
Despite the odds, Jackson Palmer has showed extraordinary resolve to fight the cancer and a willingness to seek treatment, his mom said. Unlike most kids, she said, he doesn't fight the frequent trips to the hospital. Instead, he volunteers to go because he knows the doctors are trying to help him get better.
"I think what amazes me the most is his acceptance of everything that's happening to him," his mom said. "He's going to make it through this. He's going to be a survivor."
Friends and family have been very supportive. Paul's sister Leslie maintains a Web site for the family, www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonpalmer, which includes a journal of Jackson's daily activities and updates on his condition. Paul said the site received 5,000 hits in its first two weeks, and they have received messages from as far away as Hong Kong.
Alison said she hasn't had to cook dinner for the last month or so, because friends and neighbors are constantly bringing food to help out.
"I'm so overwhelmed by the love and support, the calls, the e-mails, the cards, the prayers. It's just amazing what everyone has done for us," she said. "I can't thank everyone enough."
Call staff writer Ryan Heath at (317) 444-5575.