Baby Diesel's Updates
Welcome to Baby Diesel's Journal.
 
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Update
Tanya
5/28/2009
Hey everyone! I know it has been way too long since we have up dated this thing. A lot has changed since we have been home. Nathan and i are now engaged!!! Also, we found out on mothers day that we are going to be parents again! IM PREGNANT!! We are excited beyond words and feel extremely blessed to be given another shot at parent hood! I feel as though Diesel went up to heaven and hand picked his little brother or sister and gave me the best Mothers day present i could ever ask for! Well, I have to go for now, but promise to up date you on baby news as it comes! Take care and God bless!
 
 
Diesel
3/30/2009
Well it deffinetly been to long.......I am sorry. Well Tanya and I have really been trying to stay positive and busy. Tanya is working allready and loves her job. I am working at the night club still and looking for a day job. We have been surrounding ourselves with family and activites that are fun. There is not a day that goes by that we dont think about him, who am I kidding not a second. I sometimes catch myself feeling down and sad then I remember Diesel smileing away even when he was in the middle of chemo, or hooked up to all kinds of things or just not feeling good at all. Then I can do nothing but smile and have that extra strength I need to finish my day. We miss him so much!!!! We love him so much!!!!
 
 
Diesel
3/10/2009
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009 11:28 AM, CDT Hello to all.....sorry we have been absent for so many days. We have been trying to get all of our affairs in order. We took a little week vacation to the beach to clear our heads also. We are now back to reality and really trying to get into a routine. Tanya has started working part time and I am working again at the night club. Well we wanted to thank everyone who attended Diesel's service. We were very happy with the turnout and the celebration of his life instead of the typical movie funeral service. We are doing okay as long as we are busy. But I can tell you we miss him more and more everyday. It is getting harder and harder to do things. I guess this will plateau out sooner or later but I do not know if this will ever get easier. We are having a hard time with knowing whats next. What we keep, what we sell, what we give away how soon is to soon and what is okay. But we still have great support and we love you all. I will keep updating this. We are still praying for all our friends at St. Judes and also for Vive and Kayla and their family's.
 
 
Diesel
2/25/2009
Diesel Noah Alexander Rhodes 2008 - 2009 Diesel Noah Alexander Rhodes 2008- 2009 Diesel Noah Alexander Rhodes, beloved son of Nathan Rhodes and Tanya Clement, died Thursday at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis TN.

This Angel was only 4 months old. Born in Bakersfield, CA October 29, 2008. He was courageous and inspirational in his battle against AT/RT, an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer. His battle was well worth it, he had received a clean MRI on February 12, 2009 there were no more tumors. He acquired a virus called RSV with his immune system at risk and depleted his little body could not fight anymore. His battle was not fought alone. He had the wonderful and compassionate Doctors, nurses and staff at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Also his family, friends and perfect strangers who inspired and supported with non-stop prayer. Thank you.

Diesel is survived by his parents, Nathan Rhodes and Tanya Clement; Great- Grandparents, Richard and Sandra Rhodes, Sam and Nadine Clement, Pat and Trish Edwards, Boyd Asay; his grandparents, Ron and Cindy Clement, also Trish Asay. Many loving uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

A viewing will take place at Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary (2739 Panama Ln.), from 2:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009.

The services will be at Valley Bible Fellowship (2300 E. Brundage Ln.), at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009.

Please try to wear something yellow in memory of Diesel it was his favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN or online at www.stjude.org, or to Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, P.O. Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38174-1817.

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history-- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death.
 
 
Diesel
2/19/2009 9:45:00 PM
Please celebrate his life.....Do not mourn about his passing. We are really at peace with this. We can not wait to see everyone. We miss you all so much. Diesel Noah Alexander Rhodes 10/29/08-2/19/09 gone but never forgotten We will love you always and forever!!!!
 
 
Diesel
2/19/2009
Our battle is over......Diesel has earned his Angel wings today. As all of you know we came to St. Judes in early December to battle a horrible monster. We really did not know what we were getting into. But we jumped into this full force. Tanya has been wonderful. She is such a great mom and she absolutely inspirational. Even though this was hard she put in work, learning how to care for Diesel and how to not only be a mom but also almost a nurse. Diesel could not have had anybody more compasionate and dedicated for this. Mimi has gone the extra mile and has put in work also. She has been such a wondeful Grandma and also a dedicated care giver. I am not sure if we will ever be able to explain the amount of work, time and dedication we all really put into this. Also we were not alone, we had a lot of people in our corner. We really realized how much loving family we have. From all the support, thoughts and wonderful non stop prayer. We thank you for this. We also had a bunch of wonderful friends who also supplied us with strength and the ability to go on. Thank you all so much. Now this is where it gets difficult. The MVP of our team is by far Diesel. We could not have asked for a better son. He worked his but off. He overcame the odds more then once and surprised us everyday. He just kept going and really was the main inspiration for us to be able to keep going. He has done so much more. He has brought people to God that have strayed away for a long time. He has brought family closer then we have ever been. He has brought a community together in prayer, worship and fund raising. He has done more in 4 months then most people could imagine to do in a lifetime. We came here to fight and that is exactly what we did. We received a clean MRI report last Thursday and everyone was on cloud 9. And for him to catch RSV and for this to take him out means that he was an Angel and his work had been done. God needed him back. As far as how we are feeling or how we are holding up. We are trying to stay positive and we are sticking together big time. We are on a mission to get packed and home to Bakersfield ASAP. We are tying some loose ends and are trying to get home by Saturday night at the latest. As far as Diesel, St. Jude and a funeral home here take care of his body and arrange a flight to Bakersfield. We have already contacted a funeral home in Bakersfield that will pick him up and we will meet with to discuss his arrangements. We are planning on his services being next Saturday the 28th. That will give us time to get home, time to get things taken care of and also family to make arrangements to attend. We love everyone!!!!! Thanks again for all the support!!!! We want everyone to know that we do not want any of you to worry or mourn. We were faced with a difficult decision. Tanya and I are at peace with this. It was really a peaceful passing. We had worship music playing and Tanya held him as he took his last breaths. He had fought and he had fought hard he was tired and he was ready. “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
 
 
Diesel
2/16/2009 9:46:00 PM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009 09:46 PM, CST Sorry everyone it has been a couple days since our last update. Well we are still so excited about our news regarding his tumor, but we have again hit another hurdle. With Diesel's counts being low and his immune system being at risk he has acquired a virus. This virus is called RSV. In older kids you would not know the difference between this and the common cold. In babies it is a totally different story. It attacks his lungs and can potentially become very bad. We have been fighting it for a couple days now and we have since then been moved from the second floor back to the ICU. His breathing has become weaker and more stressful. He is not exchanging his oxygen and gasses well. We have tried different things and now we have reached our breaking point. Something we do not ever want to do. Tonight after countless remedies the Doctor has decided to put him under full sedation and on a ventilator. He will be under sedation for at least a few days to allow him to rest, be pain free, and for his lungs to rest. The ventilator will be breathing for him. The hardest part for me is seeing everything connected to him and what not. But this is for the best. His counts are starting to come up which is great. It will allow his body to start fighting off this virus. Also this is bad because once his white blood cells attack the virus he will get worse. So everyone we need your help.....We must demand this virus to be taken from his body and by God's good will he be healed again. We ask this favor from everyone and we Thank you in advance.

Mark 16:17-18 'And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.'
 
 
Diesel
2/13/2009 9:48:00 PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009 09:48 PM, CST Hope everyone's day was outstanding!!!! Well as everyone know we were blessed in the most wonderful way yesterday. Diesel's MRI came back clear of any tumors. We are still walking around on cloud 9....We also talked to the Doctor today and have discussed what the next step is. The next step is to continue on schedule and stick to the Protocol. He explained it like this....'Pour a pile of salt on a table....wipe it off with your hand and to the naked eye it seems there is no more, but get a microscope and you will see little granules. And in cancer these granules are cells and they are just as bad because the can multiply' So there is no other option we must keep going we must fight the good fight. With the continued treatment and everyone's meaningful prayers Diesel will be totally healed and healthy. We believe this and we claim this. This clear MRI has just empowered us with faith that is never ending and burning stronger then ever. We love you all and we thank you all....Keep up the Prayers He is listening!!!!

'Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.'

This quote has hit hard on me. I have once had a fire for God that burned hotter then most. I believed and I was at His mercy. After certain things that happened in my life I have struggled for years to find that again. I have called myself agnostic. I have never said I did not believe I just questioned other peoples reasons for believing. I have been put in a very difficult position and it only pushed me further away. How could someone so great as God himself do this to anyone. Well I am not totally sure, but I have been praying as much as I have been blaming. After yesterdays news I feel as if a weight has been lifted. And I also feel totally thankful, not to the Doctors, nurses but to our All Mighty Father. I have again had my fire lit. It feels good.....God is good!!!!
 
 
Diesel
2/12/2009 7:02:00 PM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 07:02 PM, CST God is truly Amazing......His powers are all mighty. We thank God for all his mercy and all his healing. We have truly been blessed by the All Mighty. We have received our report from the Doctor. And we are overwhelmed.....There are no more tumors..... The Doctor was just as surprised as we are. But are we? We have all, friends and family been praying and claiming this in Jesus name. We will discuss in full detail tomorrow with the Doctors on what is next. I am sure we will have to continue with the protocol to make sure there are no microscopic cells. Tanya and I have been struggling with the choice to put him through all this extra surgeries and hospital time but our burden has been lifted. We have been answered and we have done the right thing. Again we want to thank everyone. It was a team effort and God has answered our prayers and we have received a Miracle. Praise God!!!!! “We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness” This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine let it shine!!!!
 
 
Diesel
2/11/2009 9:36:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 09:36 PM, CST hello all... Diesel had a great day today! He had his hearing test and it revealed that he is now tone def in the left ear in addition to the complete hearing loss in the right ear. We are not too concerned about this because the only tones he can't hear are high pitch sounds like that of a dog whistle. Those things are annoying anyway!! As you all know, he will have his long awaited MRI tomorrow. This is it guys. This will determine weather or not we continue treatment. PRAY PRAY PRAY!!