The Observation Deck

Jack FitzGerald, age 17, was recently diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma, which
explains why the mayor has been missing some of his recent public appearances.

With the great advances in medicine, this is something that when caught early enough
is very treatable with good success.

Ed sent me a note last night that Jack's friends and fellow students know, so he finally
felt comfortable letting others know what is going on.

This morning Jack is getting his first treatments at Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital.
I know everyone in Lakewood and reading this hopes the best for Jack, and will give
the family the proper support and space they deserve.

From me to the FitzGerald Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

.

Thanks for posting, Jim.

The Markling Family also has the FitzGerald Family and, especially, Jack, in our thoughts and prayers.

Matt

Thank you for sharing this with us Jim.

The FitzGeralds, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Jack, you are a young strong man, I know you can do this. If there is anything the Limkemann family can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask. This is when the community can and will come together and support you. Let us do that.

I hope things go smooth and they get it all first try.

Rock on Jack!

Thanks for letting us know Jim. We will keep the Fitzgerald family in our prayers.

Jack,

Once, I wondered why God seemed to want to deal me so many adversities in my own younger life. Sometimes, these were really hard to deal with, and even harder to understand at the time.

A couple of tidbits, I'll pass along to you as were passed to me...and these helped me to better deal with my own stuff back then...

First: Learning to positively deal with adversity early on in life can really help one, when problems arise later in life. Those who sail through life without problems can sometimes get really blindsided when they are older.

Facing this issue now will really help you to face anything that comes along later down the road.

Secondly, it was once pointed out to me that the apostle Paul faced some unknown adversity in his own life, and he too, did not understand why God was making him go through it, when after all, so many others had been healed at the drop of a hat.

God's answer came to Paul. In II Corinthians 12, we learn that God's power sometimes shows up best through those who have been afflicted in some way.

The words from God were: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness".

I believe that God does have a purpose for all of us, and particularly, for those among us who experience trials in life.

May God strengthen you for your own journey in this life. May He ever bless you and yours, and may He ever grant you the road of light and truth and healing.