Kim's Journal
January 24, 2010
"Busy in Heaven"
To all the many who attended Chase's service and reception following, and for those who could not attend: Your support and prayers have been abundant. Our memories are what sustain us at this difficult time. Chase has come to Dan, Kyle, Corey and Grandma Sue giving hope, inspiration, and on many occasions advice which truly has been taken to heart and practice. Thank you all for your gifts, cards, flowers, contributions, donations to CHOC and Curesearch.com. I haven't heard personally from Chase YET but I do keep finding lots of pennies from heaven. To all of you, God Bless you and your loved ones. Chase is a miracle and we are so honored to have him in our hearts...xoxo, Kim
posted by Kim at 12:55pm | link
January 06, 2010
" "
Please join us this Friday, January 8, 2010 at 10:30 at Coast Hills Community Church, 5 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo 92656. Following the service, we will be releasing doves and our beenies, so be sure to wear one. The hosted reception luncheon for all attendees will be held at Chaparosa Grill, 30271 Golden Lantern #D, Laguna Niguel, 92677. The day has finally come to honor a man who had persevered through a lengthy bout of cancer, whether you knew him personally or not, HIS LIFE IS A REMINDER of enjoying life to the fullest, even in the shadows of death..... See you Friday...xoxo, Kim
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent via curesearch.org(800-458-6223) or CHOC Foundation specifically to the Cancer Institute (714-532-8690) in memory of Chase Crawford.
LA Times Article
Chase Crawford-Quickel dies at 20; mother's blog chronicled his struggle with cancer
Diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue cancer when he was 13 and leukemia twice afterward, he grew into a typical teenager who never let his disease stop him from pursuing his dreams.
The complete article can be
Viewed Here
posted by Kim at 1:57pm | link
January 05, 2010
"John 3:16"
Chase took his last breath at 3:16 am today. Dan and the boys were all sleeping in the room and I was cuddled up to my Chasey. When he stopped breathing, I quickly yelled to Dan and the boys and we all cried and prayed together. Chase looked peaceful. He came to CHOC on Monday morning for blood products. His platelets were a one and there is speculation that he had bleeding in his brain. When the nurse left his bedside, he tried to get up and fell on his head. At that point, we are not sure if his seizure came first or after the fall. Chase never regained consciousness. Room 323 was filled to the brim with over 30 family members and friends as we shared the anointment service with the hospital Chaplain. Stories were shared and at times it was somber and other times joyous. Chase would have been mortified by the attention but we kept our spirits mindful of his preferences. Services are pending and you all will be notified but we are tentatively looking at this Friday or Saturday. More to follow, but for today, we are all going to sleep as the last 18 hours have been grueling. Chase has symbolized such tenacious strength and perseverance but his pain had become inordinate. Finally, a reprieve from these last seven years, his body may have given out on him but, you know his spirit lives on!!!! John 3:16 " For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish and have everlasting life."
posted by Kim at 7:25am | link
December 27, 2009
"A blessed gift"
Did you happen to hear the planes today following the horizon, with the sky so beautiful, the clouds abundant...??? Chase, Corey, Cody, Dan and Kyle (as a passenger), flew Cessna’s out of Orange County for Dan's birthday. Cody called me and shouted to get out back and as he flew above the house. I shouted with glee as my men had the adventure of a lifetime. Times are tough but these days, I am relishing the simplest to the more profound, as each day is such a blessing... Happy New Year...Seize every moment!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo, Kim
posted by Kim at 10:11pm | link
December 23, 2009
"Fishin' in the Florida Keys"
From Dad: An epic day of fishing with my boys.... We left for Florida on a late Friday afternoon not really knowing what we were in store for. As our plane landed safely in Miami, we had a couple of stops on our way to the Florida Keys. Much of that will have to be told directly from the Quickel men, and as they say, "The rest is history." Chase's mood was positive and that spread to the entire group. The next day was spent acclimating to our special vacation in the Florida Keys. Sunday, Chase's Golden Birthday, we went fishing. Chase was too weak and tired to fish but insisted we all fish, and that we did. As Chase sat witnessing our success, his input on our technique was helpful. His birthday ended and we all felt a bit saddened that Chase could not participate in the day nor night festivities. A special chocolate cake was delivered but the atmosphere was negative. Next day, Chase left for a three hour drive with Corey and Kyle to Miami Hospital for blood products, etc. They arrived late last night to the hotel. This is where it gets good.....Chase fished like no other...He caught Black Fin Tuna, Parrot Fish and landed a 240 lb. Bull Shark!!!!!!!!!!!In addition, Cody caught Dorado and a 120 lb. Nurse Shark, Corey caught a 40 lb grouper...and the fish stories go on and on and on...... From Mom: My son made his 20th birthday, the Golden one....Praise God! I went to the market to prepare for a very special, quiet Christmas at home, with my kids....and I lift my heart up for the pure gift to have more time together....with Chase and all of my gratitude for your prayers...this very well, may be, a very merry Christmas.... xoxo, Kim
posted by Kim at 7:44am | link
December 20, 2009
"Jozie and Santa!!"
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
WITH LOVE,
THE QUICKELS
Check out the full story
posted by Kim at 5:46pm | link
December 13, 2009
"Family"
For the last few days, I have experienced a bit of euphoria, anticipating the time with my family. I almost felt guilty having a perpetual smile on my face, but I soon got over that and realized that the bliss of being together is well earned. Yesterday, we attended 'The Gunch' at Coast Hills Church. The boys grimaced at the idea of an afternoon play and yet went along for the activity. Besides Cody dozing for a bit, our group of 8 enjoyed the performance and I feel everyone was touched by the message. The music was very moving. We came home and had a nice family dinner. Chase slept through the meal but he had been hospitalized the previous day so obviously, he was sleep deprived. This morning I had to play Sergeant and wake everyone up for church. Chase was unable to attend due to his physical discomfort. However, Chase met us for brunch compliments of Grandma Sue. Then we came home for the big surprise...Our dearest family friend, Lori, had spent hours and hours putting together all our family VHS tapes and 3M tapes into DVDs. We have not watched these in over twenty years. Chase slept the entire four hours of our viewing but just having him in the room meant the world as we laughed, reminisced and I cried. The years of them all growing up has come and gone, much too quickly. Chase's birth tape was by far, the most special for me. The miracle of my Chasey is PROFOUND. With love and gratitude for this day ...xoxo Kim
With the holiday season here, we are hoping you may find it in your heart to give a gift card for the children at CHOC who will spend their time inpatient. We remember somberly all the seriously sick children on third floor oncology who could not go home for the holidays. Dan Quickel will gather any gift cards received ( i.e. Target, Toys are Us, Walmart, Babies Are Us, etc) and deliver them to Choc On December 24th. The staff buys the particular special requests so the children really get their wishes granted. This project, 'TOYS FOR CHOC' is a special way to give back. Please, send any gift cards, whatever the amount, to:
Quickel Paving---Attention: Dan Quickel
27071 Cabot Road Suite 130
Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
posted by Kim at 7:50pm | link
December 08, 2009
"TOYS FOR CHOC"
With the holiday season here, we are hoping you may find it in your heart to give a gift card for the children at CHOC who will spend their time inpatient. We remember somberly all the seriously sick children on third floor oncology who could not go home for the holidays. Dan Quickel will gather any gift cards received ( i.e. Target, Toys are Us, Walmart, Babies Are Us, etc) and deliver them to Choc On December 24th. The staff buys the particular special requests so the children really get their wishes granted. This project, 'TOYS FOR CHOC' is a special way to give back. Please, send any gift cards, whatever the amount, to:
Quickel Paving---Attention: Dan Quickel
27071 Cabot Road Suite 130
Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
On a personal note, Chase continues to fight the fight with his never-ending strength and courage. With his golden birthday on the 20th, Chase will be flying to Key West with his brothers and dad for a few days to fish. For his birthday gift, he wants to go skydiving. God has blessed us during the days ahead, knowing Chase is still living his life as he strives each and every day with terminal cancer. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah !!! With love, faith, hope and love. xoxo,Kim
Kim,
God is good. While I know that does not seem like the right thing to say
at times like this I can tell you that Chase is beating every expectation
given to him so much it is almost humorous hearing about him live his life.
I pray for him and hope he continues to defy all our worldly expectations.
Some very good things have happened through this ordeal to all of us even
though I would hope that it would not come to this for them to occur, it is
an unfortunate reality. Here are some that I think about in my very
selfish way as most pertain to me and I hate to think that God would use
Chase in this way. These are simply some good things I see.
*In no particular order
- My sister and I have started to give blood to CHOC regularly. Even
though we do not share Chase's blood type, there is always a demand. This
was a very far thought from me until recently. I hope to continue to give
blood for as long as I can.Read More
posted by Kim at 12:49pm | link
September 13, 2009
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To all of our supporters: Due to confidentiality and to give my son the respect he so dearly deserves, my 'updates' will be relinquished at this time. If you would like any information, feel free to direct your questions to my personal email, kimberlyquickel@hotmail.com. Otherwise, pray every day, with hope, faith and love.... xoxo, Kim
posted by Kim at 11:17pm | link
September 09, 2009
"There's something to talk about...."
Madison, Chelsea, Hilary, Kendra, George, Dad, Don, Bobby, Blake, Mark, Toby, Corey, Cody and , of course, Chase....The group left last night at 10 p.m. to motor out on a private boat, called the "FURY" out of Dana Point compliments, of course, by the ever so generous, Dan Quickel, aka, "DAD". As they departed, the fish were beckoning to be caught. The swell was 1-2 feet, a warm breeze, sunny, and the water temp. about 75 degrees. A perfect setting for a best night/day. The crew went 65 miles out into Mexican waters and caught 85 fish...57 Yellowfin, 4 Yellowtail 19 bonita and various others. Dan Quickel proudly presented me with his catches and swore this had been, 'The best fishing day of his life...' Come to find out, this had been the best count for an overnighter this year for all charter fishing. I am euphoric over the success of this 24 hour trip and may that be contagious to you...I plan on preparing fish as long as the good Lord allows me to and that could be 'til timbucktoo'.... On another note, I wrote Chase a note from my heart, expressing my questions and sincere thoughts. Chase will start an experimental study, which may buy him more time. I feel that each day is a gift and I hope we can all pray for quality of life. With love in my heart to all of you. xoxo...Kim
P.S. If you could also put a powerful prayer out for my brother who tomorrow, Thursday, September 10th, has a very significant day ahead.... God willing, goodness will prevail. My brother's name is Robert....
posted by Kim at 11:23pm | link
