JOHN & TRACY
John and Tracy's Story
Son: John Alexander
Born: April 9, 2009 Died: October 4, 2015
Five-year-old Johnny was the apple of his father's eye--an adventurer riding with no training wheels, starting to read and always ready with a story, game or inside joke. The promise quickly turned to tumult and uncertainty. Johnny began to lose his balance, wake in the night and drowse at the dinner table. The pediatrician and specialists floundered, unable to explain these and other odd symptoms. In late March, a urologist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth put the pieces together. Two weeks shy of his sixth birthday, John Alexander was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an exceedingly rare brain stem tumor affecting only children.
Approximately 200 cases of DIPG are diagnosed per year. Since the tumor infiltrates the healthy tissue of the brainstem, it cannot be surgically removed. Because of the blood-brain barrier, chemotherapy has not yet proven effective; no medicine has passed stage 2 of clinical trials. It is a particularly aggressive cancer. Newly diagnosed patients' life expectancy is measured in months.
Johnny received his death sentence with what can only be described as a supernatural peace. Over hot chocolate at Starbucks, Daddy informed him, through tears, the doctors had figured out why his body wasn't working as it should. The cells in his brainstem, Dad explained, stopped making good cells, and started making a big blob of bad cells. Like play dough stuck in the drain, the blob of bad cells prevented the brain from sending the right signals to the rest of his body.
Johnny understood the point. He asked, "Does that mean I'm going to die Daddy?" "Yes, son, it looks like it might," came the awful, anguished response. Matter-of-factly, Johnny asked, "That means, I get to go home to Heaven and be with Jesus, right Daddy?" "Yes son, that's what it means." "Ok", said Johnny peacefully. And that was that.
Johnny's battle came to an end on October 4, 2015. The family carried on. Johnny's courage in death was a source of comfort and strength.
Son: John Alexander
Born: April 9, 2009 Died: October 4, 2015
Five-year-old Johnny was the apple of his father's eye--an adventurer riding with no training wheels, starting to read and always ready with a story, game or inside joke. The promise quickly turned to tumult and uncertainty. Johnny began to lose his balance, wake in the night and drowse at the dinner table. The pediatrician and specialists floundered, unable to explain these and other odd symptoms. In late March, a urologist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth put the pieces together. Two weeks shy of his sixth birthday, John Alexander was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an exceedingly rare brain stem tumor affecting only children.
Approximately 200 cases of DIPG are diagnosed per year. Since the tumor infiltrates the healthy tissue of the brainstem, it cannot be surgically removed. Because of the blood-brain barrier, chemotherapy has not yet proven effective; no medicine has passed stage 2 of clinical trials. It is a particularly aggressive cancer. Newly diagnosed patients' life expectancy is measured in months.
Johnny received his death sentence with what can only be described as a supernatural peace. Over hot chocolate at Starbucks, Daddy informed him, through tears, the doctors had figured out why his body wasn't working as it should. The cells in his brainstem, Dad explained, stopped making good cells, and started making a big blob of bad cells. Like play dough stuck in the drain, the blob of bad cells prevented the brain from sending the right signals to the rest of his body.
Johnny understood the point. He asked, "Does that mean I'm going to die Daddy?" "Yes, son, it looks like it might," came the awful, anguished response. Matter-of-factly, Johnny asked, "That means, I get to go home to Heaven and be with Jesus, right Daddy?" "Yes son, that's what it means." "Ok", said Johnny peacefully. And that was that.
Johnny's battle came to an end on October 4, 2015. The family carried on. Johnny's courage in death was a source of comfort and strength.
John and Tracy's Tropicana Atlantic City Experience
7/19/2019
Jason Gregoric
The Tropicana Hotel & Casino
Atlantic City, NJ
Jason,
Please accept our thanks via Jimmy and Kathy for the wonderful hospitality we received during our recent stay at the Tropicana, Atlantic City. We were truly surprised at the friendliness and courtesy extended by so many staff members.
The Trop is really a city within a city. Establishing a culture of putting guests first must start at the top, so please accept this commendation on a job well done.
When disoriented one evening by the sheer scope of the resort, we pulled aside a staff member with questions on how to get from one tower to another. Though she must have been in the middle of something at the time, she eagerly assisted us. She patiently answered our questions and ensured we were settled before returning to our task. Another evening we returned late to the resort just as the Hershey’s Ice Cream shop was closing. Seeing my disappointment, the young lady - who had already turned off the lights and cash register – passed me a bowl of strawberry ice cream between the bars of the previously secured gate, with a smile and no charge.
Taking in the lengthening shadows over the beach while enjoying cold drinks and warm conversation at the Chelsea Five was a great way to spend our final afternoon. It was made all the more so by our bartender Tracy, and other friendly satisfied guests.
The welcome was genuine, the service largely enthusiastic, and the friendliness heartfelt. Please pass our gratitude on to your staff. We wish you and your family great success.
Regards,
John and Tracy Kaptan
7/19/2019
Jason Gregoric
The Tropicana Hotel & Casino
Atlantic City, NJ
Jason,
Please accept our thanks via Jimmy and Kathy for the wonderful hospitality we received during our recent stay at the Tropicana, Atlantic City. We were truly surprised at the friendliness and courtesy extended by so many staff members.
The Trop is really a city within a city. Establishing a culture of putting guests first must start at the top, so please accept this commendation on a job well done.
When disoriented one evening by the sheer scope of the resort, we pulled aside a staff member with questions on how to get from one tower to another. Though she must have been in the middle of something at the time, she eagerly assisted us. She patiently answered our questions and ensured we were settled before returning to our task. Another evening we returned late to the resort just as the Hershey’s Ice Cream shop was closing. Seeing my disappointment, the young lady - who had already turned off the lights and cash register – passed me a bowl of strawberry ice cream between the bars of the previously secured gate, with a smile and no charge.
Taking in the lengthening shadows over the beach while enjoying cold drinks and warm conversation at the Chelsea Five was a great way to spend our final afternoon. It was made all the more so by our bartender Tracy, and other friendly satisfied guests.
The welcome was genuine, the service largely enthusiastic, and the friendliness heartfelt. Please pass our gratitude on to your staff. We wish you and your family great success.
Regards,
John and Tracy Kaptan
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