Johnny Holliday

Brave Jack we've got your back

by Johnny Holliday

This past Friday was a very special day for our family. It was the final day of Chemotherapy for one of my grandsons, Jack Rolle.

The last thing any 10-year-old kid wants is to have his entire summer wiped out by illness from a malignant tumor on his Pituitary Gland. Jack handled it like a trooper.

Three days of Chemo at the Children's Hospital, then 21 days home, then back for another round, this time five days in the hospital then off for another 21 days.

Do that for the months of June, July, and August, and there goes your summer. But the good news is Jack's treatments worked and the latest MRI showed no visible cancer cells. His prognosis is good. One more hurdle to jump and then hopefully his life returns to normal.

Jack, his Mom, and his little brother Liam will be heading to Boston in the middle of September for a month of radiation - Five minutes a day five days a week. Once those treatments are finished, we can all breathe a sigh of relief, thank the doctors and nurses who've been with him all the way, and hope and pray his cancer never reappears.

You have no idea what an inspiration Jack has been to everyone he's come in contact with. His smile lights up a room, his eyes sparkle, the dimples on his cheeks jump out at you, and yet it's hard to imagine what he's been through.

He's had no complaints, even though you knew how sick he felt after a Chemo session. As expected he lost his hair. But that will grow back. MIne did, which reminds me, I've got to get back to the barber.

Today was his first day back at school with the rest of his fifth grade class at Mater Dei. At first he was not sure if he wanted to go - would the kids make fun of him because he'd lost his hair? He has to stay away from sports for a while, but in due time he will be able to resume playing the sports he loves: Football, Basketball, Baseball and Golf.

But he was up this morning ready to go. His Mom thought he might be able to make it to Noon. Jack called her and said 'Pick me up at the normal time...see you at Three!'

Jack can't wait to get back to Nationals Park and meet Jim Riggleman, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Nyjer Morgan. He can't wait to cheer on the Maryland Terrapins and visit with Coach Freidgen and the players. But most of all, he looks forward to just being a kid again.

Thanks to every single one of you Nats fans for your thoughts, your prayers, and your good wishes.

See you at the ballpark.