We just got test results back from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and they said Shawn Jr does not have the BRAF mutation. This means he does not need to take a BRAF inhibitor and will do “normal” immunotherapy.
It has been 5 years since Shawn Jr. died. Some days it feels like an eternity has gone by, yet the painful memory of sitting beside Shawn's bed at MD Anderson is as vivid as if it happened yesterday. This past year has been another journey through the ebb and flow of life. Lots of exciting things are happening in the Helms family (e.g., second grandchild coming any day, Shawn Fletcher growing up fast, younger Helms kids in real relationships, older Helms kids with real jobs and responsibilities, cheerleading, volleyball, school, etc.). I often think about how Shawn Jr. would react to the happenings of this past year had he survived his battle with melanoma. He would be 26 years old. He would be super excited about the growing Helms family and looking forward to meeting his new nephew. He would be giving Noelle a hard time for living in Houston. He would certainly be thrilled that the Texas Rangers won the World Series, Luka won an NBA...
Sports have always been more than just wins and losses. For true fans, a team is part of their identity, woven into their daily lives, their memories, and their relationships. That’s why the recent trade of Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers wasn’t just a business transaction - it was a gut punch to a community that had embraced Luka as one of its own. For me personally, it felt even deeper, like losing a piece of my son, Shawn Jr., all over again. Shawn Jr. was a basketball player and a huge basketball fan. Luka wasn’t just a great player to Shawn Jr. - he was the player. From the moment Luka entered the NBA, Shawn Jr. saw something special in him. He believed in Luka before the rest of the world fully did, calling him the greatest of all time when he was still proving himself. Luka was his iPhone background. His admiration wasn’t just about stats or skills; it was about the way Luka played—with passion, creativity, and joy. To Shawn Jr., Luka ...
It has been 4 years since July 11, 2019. On this anniversary of his death, I want to take a moment to reminisce about all the things that made Shawn Jr. so special. When remembering Shawn, it's funny how the big milestones are not nearly as important as the small things. It's the little things, the everyday moments, that made him who he was. As I sit down to write this blog post, I find myself smiling at the memories of him. I was thinking about his quirky jokes, subtle gestures, infectious smile, and everyday preferences that defined him and made him such an amazing and likable person. Below is a list of things that his family and friends remember about him. It’s funny how he didn’t really change but related to all of us in a different way and how we all cherish his memory through our own unique lens. I will admit, some of these aspects don’t register with me the way they do others. But, all of these recollections give our collectiv...
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