Jackson’s Journey

11/06/2025

As a reminder, be tuning in to Hell's Kitchen on FOX! The new season started September 25th and our episode is somewhere around the middle of the season. So get to watching!

10/22/2025

Woo hoo!

The University of Florida and Florida State University will receive $43 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions that benefit individuals and communities across Florida and beyond.

“This award is about more than advancing research — it’s about improving lives,” said Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., the Folke H. Peterson Dean’s Distinguished Professor and interim dean of the UF College of Medicine. “By strengthening the UF-FSU CTSA hub, we are ensuring discoveries in the lab become solutions in the clinic and the community, where they can make the greatest difference. The NIH’s continued investment empowers our teams to work together in new and innovative ways, train the next generation of scientists and bring hope and healing faster to the people who need it most.”

The seven-year award will strengthen the UF-FSU Clinical and Translational Science Institute hub, led by Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., and support training programs that prepare the next generation of scientists.

10/21/2025

Love, love, love this for the field of science and cancer research. Covid shot deniers can SUCK IT!

10/20/2025

WOW!!!

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived…

09/22/2025

Friday we celebrated 4 years in remission!

Three more years until survivorship!!!

All we ask is that you know your child. REALLY know your child, because we had NO idea it was cancer.

09/03/2025

Cookies for a CURE is back at Chicken Salad Chick!

Throughout September, proceeds from the special Lemon Burst Buttercream Cookies will support CURE.

Enjoy delicious chicken salad at any of their locations nationwide, then grab a few cookies for dessert to help children with cancer!

06/25/2025

It’s that time again…all day neuropsych testing.

06/10/2025

Wow. Talk about triggering.

I didn’t fully realize yesterday when the research nurses came in to have Jackson sign consent forms. They were nonchalant, just mentioning that they were 18 now and needed to sign for himself. Of course they went over everything with him to make sure he understood what he was signing, etc. I told them we didn’t need a copy since it was essentially everything I had signed prior to his treatment. Had to provide copies. Yes, I get it. She told me we could just throw them out, that she understood.

Now mind you, oncology visits are highly triggering for all of us, in general. Jackson’s demeanor and mood changes drastically when we have to go in. Literally just when walking into the building. The whole Gainesville vibe is chill, until…Completely understandable for the trauma that chemo creates.

We just threw the papers into the rental car and booked it to the next appt. This morning I find them sitting on the table. When will I learn?! Don’t look at the paperwork!!!

It’s the initial MPAL clinical trial that he was on. Since it tracks outcomes, he had to sign to continue. Research has already told us that they have NEVER had a cancer kid with absolute PERFECT labs CONTINUALLY throughout the first year off treatment. There’s always something that happens. Not necessarily relapse, but the amount of and the different types of chemo that their body is bombarded with for three years causes all sorts of problems. Liver damage, kidney damage, pancreas damage, heart damage, osteoporosis, mental decline, and that’s literally just the tip of the iceberg. However, Jackson’s labs have consistently shown perfection. It’s scary sometimes, but we’ll take it. Due to this, we have been told many times over that once we hit December 14, 2025, his chance of relapse drops to almost non existent. And that’s only 2 years off treatment. He won’t be considered a survivor until December 14, 2028. And then I look at this and it ALL comes flooding back.

I put it away after the page below. I know what the rest is. It’s descriptions of the phases of treatment, the chemos used, the side effects, the length of time, etc. And now my heart is beating out of my chest. I wish we could throw it out, but we can’t. Always fu***ng reminded of the what ifs and what’s to come.

06/09/2025

We’re not crying…YOU’RE CRYING!!

Our day started bright and early in Gainesville. Three appointments today and then a long drive back home tonight.

It’s the end of an era. This morning we shed some tears and said goodbye to William Slayton. Obviously, words cannot adequately express our thankfulness for saving our child’s life. You know how we feel. But it’s time for a break, my good man! Rest well and enjoy YOUR time!! We love you, Bill! 🧡🎗️

06/01/2025

We aren’t quite survivors “yet”. We will be in 2028, though. However, we will celebrate others and our own wins up to this point!! 🧡🎗️

05/30/2025

🎓✨ Join us in celebrating the Graduating Class of 2025!

Congratulations to Jackson Morgenstern, a proud member of the Class of 2025! Jackson is the child of Angela Morgenstern, a valued team member at A. Crawford Mosley High School!

Jackson graduated from Bay Virtual School and plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

We are so proud of you and can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll accomplish! 💙🎉

📣 As part of our countdown to graduation, we’re honoring the children of Bay District Schools employees! Let’s celebrate these incredible students together! 🎓💼

05/18/2025

🎓👨‍🎓🎓👨‍🎓🎓👨‍🎓🎓👨‍🎓🎓👨‍🎓🎓👨‍🎓🎓

Did you miss the live feed of graduation?

Never fear! Here’s a little photo dump! He graduated with Distinction, which is 4.0+ for all four years of high school! We are proud parents! 💙

If you’d like to bless Jackson with a gift to help usher him into his next chapter, his handles are below!

CashApp - $dumpsterchild131
PayPal -
Zelle - 850-832-3883
Venmo - -Morgenstern-1