Meet Drake Medinger, otherwise known as “Stinky Joe.”
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Drake is a 10-year-old WARRIOR, who was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in September of 2012.
He’s been battling this gruesome disease for half of his short little life.
February 15 is International Cancer Day. But for Drake and his mother, Jessica, every day is cancer day.
Jessica took to Facebook to “get real” with people about what cancer day looks like for her son.
I’m warning you now, her words will break your heart.
For anyone battling cancer or enduring chemotherapy. For anyone going through this horrible disease. It is about to get real, real hard and real quick. The picture I’m posting is from this morning, and before you scream and cry ‘why would she post a picture of him in a pull up, the indecency’, well 1. It doesn’t show more than swimming jammers would and 2. Because life is not always politically correct and pretty, it is real. Life isn’t pretty, and cancer destroys a person.
This was this morning after carrying Drake to the bathroom. Yes, he is in a pull up because 75% of the time he cant control his bathroom habits.
This is skin and bones, because I have to beg him to eat ONE green bean for supper, or drink a cup of water through out the day.
This is having your son sleep with you at night because he is afraid of something happening and being alone, and by something I mean dying.
This is having middle of the night conversations with a ten year old, asking if he dies will he go to heaven and will he see his dad there and be able to talk and play with him.
This is him being too weak to get out of bed or walk and needing to be carried or in a wheelchair.
This is him falling asleep as someone is talking to him, because he is too exhausted.
This is him throwing up every medication I give him and him dry heaving because his stomach is empty except for the spoonful of yogurt I just gave him with his pills.
This is having to take 44 chemo pills last week in a matter of 24 hours.
This is him telling me, “mommy, I’m not going to make it.”
This is him not wanting to be touched, because it hurts too much, and using morphine to get through his day.
This is him telling me he is scared and thinks he won’t see his 11th birthday.
This is me telling him that I will continue to fight for him when he can’t.
This is him and me, and our world.
This is him. Drake, Stinky Joe. My whole world. From the moment I found out I was pregnant till future forever, he has been my reason for life. He is my smile, my love, my heartbeat. He is also my tears, my heart ache, my frowns. He is my life.
Since first sharing the post last week on Drake’s prayer and support page, Jessica’s gripping and honest words have gone viral. Their family has set up a crowdfunding page for donations, and you can find prayers and updates on Facebook.
Please share Drake’s powerful story with your friends on Facebook, and join us in praying for this precious little fighter.
