CJ's Journey

Just wanted to let you know that we have a Washers Tournament scheduled for Saturday July 24th at Bridgeway Park in Bridgeton Missouri....this event will raise funds for Sarcoma Research with Team Sarcoma....More info coming soon...

If you are interested in helping please let us know...we would love it!

Family and Friends,

Sunday May 16th will be one year since CJ earned his wings. I have decided to walk in his memory in Chicago on that day. I want to list the names of everyone on the shirt that I will be wearing during the walk.

If you would like your name listed on my shirt please email me and let me know. You do not have to make a donation to be listed on the shirt. I want to get as many names as I can before Friday May 14th.

However, if you are interested in making a donation (even $1 helps) please let me know. Any money raised will be donated to the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Medical Foundation. They have included CJ and our family in their study of osteosarcoma and ewing's sarcoma.

If you live in the area and want to personally sign the shirt you can do so at The Barker Shop at 333 Droste Road in St. Charles, Missouri.

I will email with more locations as they become available (this means whoever allows me to leave the info at their location).

Thank you again....We will find a cure....we must find a cure...

Jeanine Aubuchon

CJ's Journey

PO Box 308

St. Charles, MO 63302

checks can be written to: Minnesota Medical Foundation

I just wanted everyone to know that Teresa Woodard has been working on a story about Childhood Cancer and the lack of funding.  It is scheduled to air tonight at 9PM on Thursday 2/11 on KTVI Fox 2.  Unfortunately I agreed to be part of it...I know it is all for the greater good...I am confident that this will help raise awareness regarding the lack of funding available...

I also wanted to let you know of an organization known as PACII or Parents Against Childhood Cancer....I told our story on Monday and if you are interested in reading....    http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/ you sign in then click on Forums then to Story Room...

I also want to mention that Dennis is shaving his head (Team CJ's Journey) for St. Baldricks on Saturday March 6th at Helen Fitzgeralds in St. Louis....If you are interested in supporting childhood cancer research or just want to check out CJ's page....  (http://www.stbaldricks.org//kids/mypage/kidid/2424)

As always thank you for your continued support....

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine

I can't believe that it is January 14, 2010....in a few days CJ will have been gone for 8 months...It is very hard to believe...We miss him every minute of everyday...but we must try to move forward as he wanted...

Well I reached my goal weight of 50 pounds by my 50th....Raising money for Friends of Kids with Cancer (if you pledged please don't forget to send in your check).....How do I keep myself motivated now that I have reached my "first" goal?  I have not exercised consistantly in a couple of weeks and well my eating looks like the "old" habits creeping back....So I really need some encouragement, advice to continue what I started....

I will be posting weekly about my struggles to stay focused, continue to exercise, eating healthy, and most importantly to keep living....I won't lie there are more than a few days that I would just like to crawl in bed and hope the world would just go away...but that is not what my son wanted and that is not who I am.....

I am going to make a difference in the world of "childhood cancer"....I will continue to honor my son by contributing my time and energy (when I can find it again) to help find a cure and provide comfort and support to families dealing with a child diagnosed and fighting cancer....and to the families who are now living their life without their son or daughter who fought bravely but have earned their angel wings....

I ask for your support and prayers while I continue on my journey...in memory of my son CJ and the countless children who have left us....No parent should outlive their child...

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine

IF YOU LIVE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA WE ARE HAVING A BLOOD DRIVE TOMORROW 1/15 AT MIDRIVERS MALL ON THE LOWER LEVEL BY MACYS AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER FROM 12-6PM...IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT YOU CAN DONATE AT ANY AREA BLOOD BANK...PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL AND LET ME KNOW WHEN AND WHERE YOU GAVE BLOOD IN CJ"S MEMORY..

I am so sorry that I have not updated this site in over a month.  Now down to business...I REACHED MY GOAL... losing 50lbs. before my 50th Bday....I also lost over 48 inches and my body fat % went from 49 to 21.66 ( I don't have the papers in front of me so I will cobnfirm the bodyfat info...I could not of accomplished any of this without

Coach Hammer, Jaimie, Tony, and Ryan....My children Michelle and ^^CJ^^, my husband Dennis, and from all of you who have encouraged me to keep going I want to thank you...

I am looking forward to continuing my program at HammerBodies...My next goal is 25lbs before the walk on April 24, 2010 for Friends of kids with cancer...we will be celebrating CJ's Bday just like we did at last years walk.  We are trying to get togehter a team of 200 walkers/runners in CJ's Memory this year.  So please pass on the information and after the Holidays I will have registration forms available...

My ultimate goal is to run the 5K in his memory (anyone who knows me knows I hate to run it is like a punishment to me!  So continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers....I feel we will need all of your support as we approach his Bday...

I WILL ATTEMPT TO DOWN LOAD A BEFORE AND AFTER PIC UNDER THE PHOTO SECTION....

Until later....

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine

Since August I have lost a total of 30.5 pounds and 31 inches...only 19.5 pounds to go until I reach my goal (that made me laugh go goal...sorry CJ you know I can't pass those up)...

Today I worked out with Ryan learning the remaining exercises....I like this set much better than the last cycle (you know how much I hate doing squats)...I of course have my own names for all the exercises....The cheerleader (with weights I push them up to the opposite side going across my face like pom poms...now that I think about it it reminds me more of a Pom Pom routine than a cheer...a revelation)...then I walk with 25 pound weights (that look like metal wheels) in each hand and I call this one "carrying the grocery bags"....my favorite would have to be the "dog sled" (this is where I walk backwards pulling a sled with weights)....the guys always call the exercises by their proper name and then I always say you mean the...dog sled, grocery bags, the cheerleader which now after my revelation will be known as the Pom Pom routine...

I almost forgot the exercise I call the "free throw" (it reminds me of when I coached basketball...the boys were in K and I was teaching them to "push with their thighs and arms" and release the ball) Now that I think about it I probably was not the best coaching choice because I never really played basketball... but I coached them for six years and had a great time learning the game with them.....I can hear myself yelling "CJ" every few minutes..."CJ"...."CJ"......That poor boy....everyone knew his name and who is mother/coach was (sorry CJ...you were always so patient with your mother).....Oh the memories...

Well since I am obviously babbling I will end this entry...thank you for letting me share my son and for supporting me during my weightloss journey...

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile...Jeanine

First I want to say Thank you for donating to Friends of Kids with Cancer in CJ's memory...

I am still here....a few bumps in the road...but like the "energizer bunny" I keep going....I am sure I can thank CJ for the extra push....

As of today I have lost 29 pounds...I am very pleased but I am somewhat surprised....I know I have said it before but I could not have lost this much weight and inches without the guys....they help keep me motivated...Thank you Jaimie, Ryan, and Tony....

I have to admit that I have not worked out on the elliptical since Michelle had complications after her surgery (a trip to the ER and a total of three weeks recovery time)...I am having a hard time getting back to my morning routine....I will attempt to get back on "the horse" again tomorrow...I may have a hard time completing 35 minutes at first (which is what I was doing before)...so Coach Hammer said just start slow and don't worry about elevations, etc...Wish me luck...

Today Tony redesigned my workout....it was somewhat of an easy day....I still could not wait to come home and take a shower....

Learning a new routine can be a challenge for me especially when coordination is required....I continue to work on my squats.....I have a habit of leaning over my knees (which is probably why I am having knee problems that require me to wear knee braces) instead of sitting back like "in a chair"....so I had  to "practice" the proper "squatting" method...I seemed to lose my balance alot today...I kept Tony busy making sure I did not fall  backwards....for me it is like "patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time"..sometimes I can and sometimes I can't....

Thats about all for now...the dogs are complaining because I am not paying attention to them and Lucky (CJ's cat) is determined to sit on the computer...I guess they are ready for bed...Until later

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile...Jeanine

Where do I start?  Last Friday after HammerBodies I went to a Retreat...Don't get too excited it was here in St. Louis and there was no sipping drinks by the poolside (you obviously need a pool for that).....There was a lot of talking and listening....laughing and crying....as we shared stories about our son or daughter before they earned their Angel Wings....This was a Retreat for Mother's who have lost a child...

I want to tell you that it was amazing being in the presence of so many couragous Mothers who shared their child with us....(I will include more information about my weekend at www.caringbridge.org/visit/cjsjourney if you are interested)...

Back to the purpose of this Blog...my weightloss... The weekend was a challenge...I did walk and stayed away from the sweets....now this was really, really hard...they had some great looking treats the entire time....I think they finally got tired of me complaining (I know it is hard to imagine me complaing because I have nothing to snack on) so Saturday they had some yogurt for me (thank you again...I really needed my Boston Creme Pie)..So I can say I was being very good not reaching for my "stress food" during an emotional weekend....

Michelle had surgery Monday so my workout at HammerBodies was moved to Tuesday...Before exercising it was time for my 8 week measurement.....I have lost a total of 23 pounds and 20 inches....I can say that if you really want to get healthy and lose weight this is the place to go...It is amazing what the staff at HammerBodies has done to help me reach my weightloss goal....Next we worked on the treadmill while Tony kept increasing the incline (not my favorite but much better than the "bike")...we finished up the workout boxing....yes boxing...you would think that it would be fun....okay it is fun and alot of work...As I have said before, boxing makes me feel like a dog chasing after a bone as I chase I mean follow Tony around trying to hit the target gloves (I have no idea what they are really called) while at the same time keeping my shoulder square to Tony and hands up by my face..Another impressive sight that Michelle can't wait to see in action....

Tonight I finally got back on the elliptical (it had been 5 days since my last elliptical workout) so as a "punishment" I added another 5 minutes....now I have to do it for 35 minutes (can't go back now)...I will admit that I did not want to get back on the elliptical, but I dragged myself off the couch and I am glad that I did....Until later....

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine 

I can't believe that it has been a week since I last updated...at that time I lost a total of 16 lbs.....After seven weeks I have lost a total of 20 lbs...I can't believe it...On Monday they will take my measurements.

I could not of done this on my own....they say it takes a village to raise a child...well it obviously takes HammerBodies, Jaimie, Tony, Ryan, my family, your encouragement, raising money for Friends of Kids with Cancer, and of course CJ to help me lose weight and get healthy... this is my village and for this I am extremely thankful...

I still struggle everyday to exercise and eat properly...I am now using the elliptical for 30 minutes in the morning and on non HammerBodies days 30 minutes in the evening....For me the hardest part is to eat proper foods....I am still addicted to yogurt and granola...and eating it in the evening which Jaimie said is a no no....I am trying to eat salads for dinner...if I have not said it before...I do not like salads (it is hard for me to think about them as a meal)...no matter what I add to them, chicken, three types of lettuce, spinach, red peppers, cheese....I still feel hungry and I crave something sweet...Tony suggested adding grapes and dried cranberries...I will give that a try...I know it is a mind thing which I will continue to work on....

I have a correction regarding the weight of the medicine ball..I said 12 lbs...it is only 6 lbs...but this is up from the 4lb ball I started with...see I am giving myself credit for improvement..CJ would be proud...

On Monday Tony "cranked up" my workout...increasing reps, weights, resistance and elevation on the treadmill....The guys always "take liberties" in adding additional reps, time, etc...they know that I can't always count while I am exercising....because as you know I am trying to breath...Jaimie said they know I won't complain or stop so it makes it fun (for them)....Obviously it is making a positive difference...

Friends of Kids with Cancer will be sending emails for the 10 pounds that I lost in September...please keep a look out for it...Thank you for your generous donations for "50 before my 50th" for children living with cancer in CJ's memory (I really miss my sweet boy)...Until Later

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine

Well I weighed in Monday.....drum roll please...I lost another pound (I know hard to believe after my weekend) so now I have lost 16 pounds....I also wanted to share with you that I finally put my pants in the dryer (I usually air dry so they don't shrink) exciting I know...but they fit...its the little things that make me happy...I also like the light chocolate soy milk better than the original...the original has a strong chocolate taste (who would of thought that I would prefer not to have such a strong chocolate taste).....I am full of surprises..... Some more good news...I exercised today with Ryan and did not cry once (remember Ryan is the one who always seems to get me on those days)...I am getting further on the reps....I keep pushing as much as I can...

I want to share something with you...(I know here she goes again)...HammerBodies has an elliptical that makes you feel like you are jumping on a trampoline...of course this is my favorite..I close my eyes and picture myself jumping with CJ....The reason that I share this is that the kids always wanted a trampoline (I said no because they were dangerous...go figure) but I knew CJ had the pleasure of jumping on a trampoline with his friend Michael Clem  ..I know this not because he shared the information with me but because he taped himself jumping for 30 minutes.....unfortunately he taped over Michelle's video of the walls at the Fox (in the dressing areas the walls are painted with every show that has performed there)...Needless to say she was not very happy....In CJ's defense it was his video camera and he did not want to pass up video taping himself in action....

So as I work on this specific elliptical I close my eyes and see us jumping up and down and I am not even worried that we may fall off...

Until later.....

Stay Positive, Be Happy, and Continue to Smile....Jeanine