Dear Family and Friends:
Well, we ended up spending Christmas at CHOC. This Friday will be 2 weeks in the hospital. Nana gave us a live little decorated Christmas tree to decorate the room. Santa actually visited his room right at midnight and dropped off gifts for Cody (one very large bag, compliments of CHOC hospital and one of the dads that has a child here also).
Christmas Day was a very hard day. Cody was feeling horrible and was in a lot of pain. He didn't even feel like opening gifts or celebrating in any fashion. We have done just about every test that can be done on ones stomach. He has yet another test tomorrow. They will put him out and do a scope..which is a small camera that actually goes into the stomach so they can get a real good look at things in there to rule out ulcers, bacteria, lacerations etc. Chances are that he is just having extreme reactions to the radiation.
The good thing is that the extreme radiation is over and they are now just radiating the tumor area on his brain which should help his stomach recover. He is in less pain now and is taking less pain medication and is actually eating a little....however, they do not want to release him until he is not in need of pain medication and can eat better. We are hopeful that it will be Friday.
He has some really good days and some really bad days. The good days are now more frequent than the bad ones. He felt so good the other night, he did 35 laps around the 3rd floor (equivalent to 3 miles)!!!! He did this while I went to visit my folks...(thank you Lola and Sarah for playing with Cody for the first couple of hours while I did this.) This was the first time he has been left alone at the hospital (Dave was recovering from his ordeal and I needed a break)....maybe I should leave more often since the results were so good!
Dave had a recurrence of kidney stones yesterday and was back in ER for that. The ER guys think he may also have gall stones. He has made an appointment with a couple of the appropriate doctors. He is medicated for pain and resting comfortably at home right now.
Only the Good Lord knows the end results of all of this. He has continued to bless us all with peace and hope and has held our hands the whole journey. We hold close your continued prayers. Will update again soon.
Blessings to you and your families, with gratitude,
Dallas, Dave and Cody
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas living at the Hospital
Dear Family and Friends:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you for your continued prayers. Also, many thanks for the cards and gifts. I was going to try to get a Christmas/thankyou cards out to everyone, but, it will be impossible ...sorry. Most all of my time is being nurse mom.
I apologize I have not been able to keep up with an update this past couple of weeks. I have tried using the lap tops at the hospital, but I have to trick it to get on the web, the keys are sticky and I didn't have a chunk of time to sit and type without loosing my connection...so I gave up.
Dave went back to Oaxaca, with my blessing, because the week he was to be gone, Cody was just having routine things done. He left on Tuesday and Cody ended up back in the hospital on Friday, and is still there and it looks like he will need more time in the hospital before coming home. He is where he needs to be right now. We will likely be spending Christmas Day at CHOC.
He has had 2 X-RAYS, an MRI and ultrasound on his stomach to make sure nothing was damaged or other possible complications. Thankfully, it is his body reacting to the radiation and chemo....not that that is good, it is just better than the alternative. The doctors want him to stay in the hospital until he can comfortably eat, keep it down and not need pain medication. So maybe in a couple of days? Please pray that his stomach will be healed soon.
The radiation and chemo have taken a toll on his little body. For 10 treatments of radiation, the focus has been on his spine and head, which also affects his internal organs. His mouth, throat, tongue and stomach hurt so bad he couldn't/wouldn't eat. What he did eat would come up, he lost weight he couldn't afford to loose and became constipated. We started IV nutrition at home the Wednesday and Thursday before being admitted. He has not eaten anything that stayed down for over a week. His nutrition, pain medication, stool softener, antibiotics are all in his IV. He has spent most of the last week sleeping and recovering.
The good thing is that radiation treatment as of Tuesday is focused on the tumor area on his brain rather than the spine and brain, which will help his stomach recover. The doctors let him pass up chemo this week and possibly next week so he can recover some of his strength. Because he has been so weak, it is difficult for him to walk. However, we make him do a lap around the 3rd floor of the hospital to keep things moving. He doesn't like it, a lot, because it is so painful.
He did have a couple of bites of a sandwich yesterday and yogurt today...and is having improvements in other areas. The doctor was encouraging, in that once the stomach starts to recover, things could get much better more quickly all around.
He still has his sense of humor..which is awesome. I have been encouraging him to let me shave his head because his hair is falling out all over the place (he changed his mind about cutting his hair). He has little patches of hair here and there. I asked him once again to let me cut his hair, he grabbed a handful of hair, handed it to me and said "No you can't cut it, Merry Christmas Mom!"
This has been a very hard week. It is hard to watch our child crumble in pain, vomit, shrink to nothing and struggle to walk and eat. Nothing prepares you, as a parent, to see your child go through this. Cancer is an ugly disease. I am sure I have said this before, but I just don't know how someone could go through this without God by their side and covered in prayer.
On the lighter side, sort of, Dave got back from Oaxaca on Wednesday and came to the hospital to visit. (I have been living at the hospital) We were talking to a nurse, waiting for the doctor to make his rounds, (Dave was just telling me that he came home to a plumbing leak in the upstairs bathroom and water was dripping out of the light socket in our closet downstairs and some clothes got moved because they were wet) Dave then excused himself and didn't come back. I went looking for him. He was bent over in pain. I couldn't leave Cody at the moment. I told Dave to get into the elevator, walk across the street and check himself in at St. Joseph's E.R.. I would be down in a bit to be with him. I got Cody tucked in at CHOC. Ran across the street to be with Dave. He finally got relief (morphine), so I ran back to check on Cody...he was good, ran back to St. Joseph's to check on Dave...half way there I just stood on the sidewalk and just started laughing at the absurdity of it all. Turns out he has a kidney stone. The doctor gave him a pain prescription and sent him home. He is doing very well. (thank you Gus for picking up the prescription and coming to be with Dave and Jon and Aubre for getting Dave home).
Please continue to pray for Cody's recovery. For all of us, good health and continued peace. Thank you again for your prayers and concerns.
With Gratitude,
Dallas
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you for your continued prayers. Also, many thanks for the cards and gifts. I was going to try to get a Christmas/thankyou cards out to everyone, but, it will be impossible ...sorry. Most all of my time is being nurse mom.
I apologize I have not been able to keep up with an update this past couple of weeks. I have tried using the lap tops at the hospital, but I have to trick it to get on the web, the keys are sticky and I didn't have a chunk of time to sit and type without loosing my connection...so I gave up.
Dave went back to Oaxaca, with my blessing, because the week he was to be gone, Cody was just having routine things done. He left on Tuesday and Cody ended up back in the hospital on Friday, and is still there and it looks like he will need more time in the hospital before coming home. He is where he needs to be right now. We will likely be spending Christmas Day at CHOC.
He has had 2 X-RAYS, an MRI and ultrasound on his stomach to make sure nothing was damaged or other possible complications. Thankfully, it is his body reacting to the radiation and chemo....not that that is good, it is just better than the alternative. The doctors want him to stay in the hospital until he can comfortably eat, keep it down and not need pain medication. So maybe in a couple of days? Please pray that his stomach will be healed soon.
The radiation and chemo have taken a toll on his little body. For 10 treatments of radiation, the focus has been on his spine and head, which also affects his internal organs. His mouth, throat, tongue and stomach hurt so bad he couldn't/wouldn't eat. What he did eat would come up, he lost weight he couldn't afford to loose and became constipated. We started IV nutrition at home the Wednesday and Thursday before being admitted. He has not eaten anything that stayed down for over a week. His nutrition, pain medication, stool softener, antibiotics are all in his IV. He has spent most of the last week sleeping and recovering.
The good thing is that radiation treatment as of Tuesday is focused on the tumor area on his brain rather than the spine and brain, which will help his stomach recover. The doctors let him pass up chemo this week and possibly next week so he can recover some of his strength. Because he has been so weak, it is difficult for him to walk. However, we make him do a lap around the 3rd floor of the hospital to keep things moving. He doesn't like it, a lot, because it is so painful.
He did have a couple of bites of a sandwich yesterday and yogurt today...and is having improvements in other areas. The doctor was encouraging, in that once the stomach starts to recover, things could get much better more quickly all around.
He still has his sense of humor..which is awesome. I have been encouraging him to let me shave his head because his hair is falling out all over the place (he changed his mind about cutting his hair). He has little patches of hair here and there. I asked him once again to let me cut his hair, he grabbed a handful of hair, handed it to me and said "No you can't cut it, Merry Christmas Mom!"
This has been a very hard week. It is hard to watch our child crumble in pain, vomit, shrink to nothing and struggle to walk and eat. Nothing prepares you, as a parent, to see your child go through this. Cancer is an ugly disease. I am sure I have said this before, but I just don't know how someone could go through this without God by their side and covered in prayer.
On the lighter side, sort of, Dave got back from Oaxaca on Wednesday and came to the hospital to visit. (I have been living at the hospital) We were talking to a nurse, waiting for the doctor to make his rounds, (Dave was just telling me that he came home to a plumbing leak in the upstairs bathroom and water was dripping out of the light socket in our closet downstairs and some clothes got moved because they were wet) Dave then excused himself and didn't come back. I went looking for him. He was bent over in pain. I couldn't leave Cody at the moment. I told Dave to get into the elevator, walk across the street and check himself in at St. Joseph's E.R.. I would be down in a bit to be with him. I got Cody tucked in at CHOC. Ran across the street to be with Dave. He finally got relief (morphine), so I ran back to check on Cody...he was good, ran back to St. Joseph's to check on Dave...half way there I just stood on the sidewalk and just started laughing at the absurdity of it all. Turns out he has a kidney stone. The doctor gave him a pain prescription and sent him home. He is doing very well. (thank you Gus for picking up the prescription and coming to be with Dave and Jon and Aubre for getting Dave home).
Please continue to pray for Cody's recovery. For all of us, good health and continued peace. Thank you again for your prayers and concerns.
With Gratitude,
Dallas
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Cody's 10th Birthday
Dear Family and Friends:
This was a tough week for us. Monday, Cody felt the reality of what is going on. Sobbing, he wished he didn't have "this" cancer. I told him I would give anything to trade places with him...needless to say, we were both in tears. We have never known such heaviness in our hearts.......and such joy and gratitude.
Cody still amazes us with his strength and his overall positive attitude.
Cody's treatment schedule is Monday - Friday, radiation at 1:00; Wednesdays, chemo at 11:00. Blood labs are at the same time as chemo. So Wednesday is a full day. We have 1 week under our belts and 5 more to go for the first phase of treatment. Then we look forward to a month break before the last phase of chemo, the most grueling of the entire treatment.
On the lighter side, in the radiation waiting room, there is a nice sized table, so we bring 100 - 200 piece puzzles, work on them and leave them for others to work on. Small pleasures.....it is fun for us, good eye/mind coordination for Cody and it is fun to see the progress of the puzzle from day to day.
Wednesday through Friday and part of Saturday Cody was feeling VERY well. I think he felt so "well" because of the anticipation of his birthday. Friday, on his birthday, he was excited and ran around "as if" he were back to normal. It was heart warming to see him have fun and feel well. Dave, Cody and I, some family and friends went to see "Narnia," then came home to have pizza and cake. It was a special birthday and meant a lot to Cody. (and us).
Cody had his first chemo injection on Thursday and it went smoother than he expected as far as pain goes. But, the after affects of chemo sometimes don't hit until a couple days later.....and it did. Late Saturday afternoon he ran out of energy and lost his appetite. His mouth and tongue are very sore. Today he could only handle ice chips and water. We pray that tomorrow, his appetite will return. It is so hard to watch your child suffer and not be able to physically do anything to relieve their pain.
Early Saturday we went to a Christmas party hosted by Cody's neurosurgeon and his colleague at CHOC cancer clinic. The party was for their patients. We thought it would be a good idea to meet other families going through the same thing. It was festive, with games, gifts and Santa, however, VERY sobering. There were many children in wheel chairs, some physically and some mentally handicapped from this disease. We have been so very blessed. We spoke with the neurosurgeon, and once again, he was smiling and shaking his head by Cody's miraculous recovery. Dave and I were moved to tears, once again, to realize the huge miracles and depth of God's mercy for Cody (and us) through this whole process. This is a huge testimony for God's miracles, His grace and mercy and the power of prayer.
Thank you for your continued prayers. They mean so much and have proven to be very, very helpful.
With Gratitude,
This was a tough week for us. Monday, Cody felt the reality of what is going on. Sobbing, he wished he didn't have "this" cancer. I told him I would give anything to trade places with him...needless to say, we were both in tears. We have never known such heaviness in our hearts.......and such joy and gratitude.
Cody still amazes us with his strength and his overall positive attitude.
Cody's treatment schedule is Monday - Friday, radiation at 1:00; Wednesdays, chemo at 11:00. Blood labs are at the same time as chemo. So Wednesday is a full day. We have 1 week under our belts and 5 more to go for the first phase of treatment. Then we look forward to a month break before the last phase of chemo, the most grueling of the entire treatment.
On the lighter side, in the radiation waiting room, there is a nice sized table, so we bring 100 - 200 piece puzzles, work on them and leave them for others to work on. Small pleasures.....it is fun for us, good eye/mind coordination for Cody and it is fun to see the progress of the puzzle from day to day.
Wednesday through Friday and part of Saturday Cody was feeling VERY well. I think he felt so "well" because of the anticipation of his birthday. Friday, on his birthday, he was excited and ran around "as if" he were back to normal. It was heart warming to see him have fun and feel well. Dave, Cody and I, some family and friends went to see "Narnia," then came home to have pizza and cake. It was a special birthday and meant a lot to Cody. (and us).
Cody had his first chemo injection on Thursday and it went smoother than he expected as far as pain goes. But, the after affects of chemo sometimes don't hit until a couple days later.....and it did. Late Saturday afternoon he ran out of energy and lost his appetite. His mouth and tongue are very sore. Today he could only handle ice chips and water. We pray that tomorrow, his appetite will return. It is so hard to watch your child suffer and not be able to physically do anything to relieve their pain.
Early Saturday we went to a Christmas party hosted by Cody's neurosurgeon and his colleague at CHOC cancer clinic. The party was for their patients. We thought it would be a good idea to meet other families going through the same thing. It was festive, with games, gifts and Santa, however, VERY sobering. There were many children in wheel chairs, some physically and some mentally handicapped from this disease. We have been so very blessed. We spoke with the neurosurgeon, and once again, he was smiling and shaking his head by Cody's miraculous recovery. Dave and I were moved to tears, once again, to realize the huge miracles and depth of God's mercy for Cody (and us) through this whole process. This is a huge testimony for God's miracles, His grace and mercy and the power of prayer.
Thank you for your continued prayers. They mean so much and have proven to be very, very helpful.
With Gratitude,
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
First Praise Report
Greetings,
Our prayers thus far have been answered and Cody is doing awesomely well. Thank you all for your continued prayers.
We have not seen the Dr. yet re: status of the biopsy...but we have moved from ICU to the Oncology floor. They removed the drain tube this morning along with all the other dangly tubes and wires. (this is a very good thing) He has a good appetite, was sitting for a period of time and actually walked a bit.....which is great progress. We also took a wheelchair cruise of our new digs on the 3rd floor.
Everytime I check my email, I have reports of new geographic areas that are giving us prayer coverage. I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support.
He said he is ready for visitors!!!!
Thank you God and thank you all!!
Dallas
Our prayers thus far have been answered and Cody is doing awesomely well. Thank you all for your continued prayers.
We have not seen the Dr. yet re: status of the biopsy...but we have moved from ICU to the Oncology floor. They removed the drain tube this morning along with all the other dangly tubes and wires. (this is a very good thing) He has a good appetite, was sitting for a period of time and actually walked a bit.....which is great progress. We also took a wheelchair cruise of our new digs on the 3rd floor.
Everytime I check my email, I have reports of new geographic areas that are giving us prayer coverage. I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support.
He said he is ready for visitors!!!!
Thank you God and thank you all!!
Dallas
Saturday, December 03, 2005
First Radiation Treatment
Dear Family and friends:
Thank you for your continued prayers. Cody had a rough day yesterday with his first radiation treatment. Was naseous and couldn't keep anythign down. Today, his 2nd day, was a great day. He felt good and he ate. What we have read and have learned from others, is your appetite, cravings and energy level vary from day to day and are pretty unpredictable. We have found this to be true so far.
It was recommended for him to eat whatever he can, pushing, of course, the healthier route, however, we will be happy with anything at this point. So... I went shopping today. I usually buy fresh "good" food, but today I stocked up on both good food and junk food so we can try to meet any craving Cody might have just to get him to eat.
We will be going everyday for radiation, Monday - Friday at 1:00 for the next 6 weeks. Tuesday he will get his first chemo, once a week for the next 6 weeks also. He has been such a brave soldier through all of this. His positive spirit is mind boggling. I thank God for that too. His great spirit makes this all so much easier to bear. God has been merciful to all of us. He has given us all a ton of peace from the beginning of this adventure to date. If there were ever a time in someone's life to give it all to God, this would be it, we have and it is freeing. Can't imagine how "heavy" life would be right now if it were any other way.
In a couple of weeks, he will be "hairless". He is prepared emotionally and doesn't think much of it one way or another. Nana has already knit him a cap in his favorite colors. It is sitting on his dresser, poised, ready to be worn with pride.
Will keep you updated.
Blessings and with gratitude,
Dallas
Thank you for your continued prayers. Cody had a rough day yesterday with his first radiation treatment. Was naseous and couldn't keep anythign down. Today, his 2nd day, was a great day. He felt good and he ate. What we have read and have learned from others, is your appetite, cravings and energy level vary from day to day and are pretty unpredictable. We have found this to be true so far.
It was recommended for him to eat whatever he can, pushing, of course, the healthier route, however, we will be happy with anything at this point. So... I went shopping today. I usually buy fresh "good" food, but today I stocked up on both good food and junk food so we can try to meet any craving Cody might have just to get him to eat.
We will be going everyday for radiation, Monday - Friday at 1:00 for the next 6 weeks. Tuesday he will get his first chemo, once a week for the next 6 weeks also. He has been such a brave soldier through all of this. His positive spirit is mind boggling. I thank God for that too. His great spirit makes this all so much easier to bear. God has been merciful to all of us. He has given us all a ton of peace from the beginning of this adventure to date. If there were ever a time in someone's life to give it all to God, this would be it, we have and it is freeing. Can't imagine how "heavy" life would be right now if it were any other way.
In a couple of weeks, he will be "hairless". He is prepared emotionally and doesn't think much of it one way or another. Nana has already knit him a cap in his favorite colors. It is sitting on his dresser, poised, ready to be worn with pride.
Will keep you updated.
Blessings and with gratitude,
Dallas
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Back to School
Dear Family and Friends:
Cody has been doing very well. Back to his education (at home) and trying to make life as normal as possible.
Cody went to radiology today for his final simulation. They want him to start radiation treatments tomorrow (Thursday)...so he will start radiation 12/1. For the next 6 weeks, he will have radiation 5 days a week, each day at 1:00 and chemo once a week.
He was a disappointed that the radiologist said he had to have a treatment on his birthday. Their compromise was that he could come early on that day so he would have the rest of the day to recover and enjoy. Way back in August he already knew what he wanted to do for his birthday..he wanted to take a couple of friends and cousins to the opening day of Narnia (the movie). So our plan is to go early...right after school lets out. Then after the movie, come home, have a little pizza and cake. He had this planned for months.
Here we go on the next phase of being freed from cancer. Please pray that Cody will go through this phase as seamless as the surgery, he will have an appetite, the radiation will kill the cancer cells quickly and permanently and the radiation and chemo will leave him unscathed.
Thank you and Blessings,
Cody has been doing very well. Back to his education (at home) and trying to make life as normal as possible.
Cody went to radiology today for his final simulation. They want him to start radiation treatments tomorrow (Thursday)...so he will start radiation 12/1. For the next 6 weeks, he will have radiation 5 days a week, each day at 1:00 and chemo once a week.
He was a disappointed that the radiologist said he had to have a treatment on his birthday. Their compromise was that he could come early on that day so he would have the rest of the day to recover and enjoy. Way back in August he already knew what he wanted to do for his birthday..he wanted to take a couple of friends and cousins to the opening day of Narnia (the movie). So our plan is to go early...right after school lets out. Then after the movie, come home, have a little pizza and cake. He had this planned for months.
Here we go on the next phase of being freed from cancer. Please pray that Cody will go through this phase as seamless as the surgery, he will have an appetite, the radiation will kill the cancer cells quickly and permanently and the radiation and chemo will leave him unscathed.
Thank you and Blessings,
Monday, November 28, 2005
A Special Thanksgiving 2005
Dear Family and Friends:
Hope your Thanksgiving was a special one. It was for us, as we have much to be thankful for.
Cody's chemo and radiation date has been changed. He will start radiation on Monday 12/5. He will get radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks for approximately 15 - 20 minutes each time. In each of those weeks, he will get 1 treatment of chemo. He will get his first chemo 12/6.
He is doing very well..just got to get him to eat more. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Dallas, Dave and Cody
Hope your Thanksgiving was a special one. It was for us, as we have much to be thankful for.
Cody's chemo and radiation date has been changed. He will start radiation on Monday 12/5. He will get radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks for approximately 15 - 20 minutes each time. In each of those weeks, he will get 1 treatment of chemo. He will get his first chemo 12/6.
He is doing very well..just got to get him to eat more. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Dallas, Dave and Cody
Saturday, November 19, 2005
"When can I ride my bike?"
Dear Family and Friends:
Thank you so much for your prayers! Cody is doing awesomely well. He wants to know when he can ride his bike! So we have to pull the reigns to hold him back! Yeah God!
This was a busy week for Cody. On Monday, he had a spinal tap and bone marrow drawn to check for cancer cells. Both are negative. Thank you God! On Wednesday he had a porta cath inserted. It is the size of a large watch battery implanted under the skin so he won't have to have IV's, blood can be drawn with ease and will receive chemo.( he was put out in a "twilight" for both) This week was the last IV he will receive (he was elated as he had some difficulties having the catheter for the IV installed) He is taking this all in stride. He continues to amaze me.
When he asked us when he could ride his bike, we told him he would have to ask the Dr.. He had a check up Thursday by both the Oncologist and the Neurologist. Of course one of the first things Cody asked the Oncologist was when he could ride his bike. The DR. s eyebrows shot up in surprise and pondered for a moment then said, "I think you need to ask the Neurologist since he did the surgery." Our next stop was the Neurologist. Of course, the question was asked of him as well. His eyebrows also shot up in surprise. (this is only 2 weeks after major brain surgery, mind you) He recommended to wait at least 4 weeks after surgery. Cody was OK with that. (I was relieved)
He finished his first week of tutoring and is doing extremely well and will be caught up and beyond by his birthday (12/9, he will be 10). He is very excited about theh prospects of being caught up and getting a one on one education. He is dyslexic and ADHD so reading has been a challenge for him anyway. Tutoring has been another blessing.
Friday night was his first social outing since surgery. Grades K - 5 have a night at the church where they read "Narnia, The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe," watch cartoons, draw and have fellowship. They were all so kind to sanitize their hands and wear surgical masks. Cody was not real excited about the mask part, but warmed up to it after a while. I suppose I am being a little overly protective...but this is flu season and didn't want to take the risk. Just a fever for him warrants a visit to the hospital.
Cody's speedy recovery is a huge answer to prayer and is a HUGE miracle. We are so very grateful. Not only have our prayers for Cody been answered, but for Dave and I as well. We have asked for peace and comfort for all of us through this and received it in very LARGE way. It is very evident God is at work not only with Cody, Dave and I, but with many people in his life and the many people he doesn't know that are praying for him. We have all been touched by this in a very profound way.
He starts chemo and radiation 11/28, (on and off for the next 55 weeks). We ask for prayers that he will pull through this part with a full recovery with the same vigor as his surgery. We also ask that God give him mercy, grace and continued miracles throughout this time. We ask for continued peace and comfort for all three of us. We ask that the Radiologist, Oncologist, Neurologist and all their assistants be given wisdom beyond their perceived capacity in a miraculous way to treat Cody through his full recovery so that they too can be blessed and know God is at work.
Blessings and Gratitude for all of the Love, Support and Miracles,
Dallas
PS - Dave was scheduled to leave for an annual mission trip to serve the pastors and leaders of the farming communities in Oaxaca, Mexico on Monday. He had originally canceled the trip. Since the biggest hurdle with Cody has passed and there was nothing major happening in the next week, both Cody and I encouraged him to go. He is always so blessed by this trip and the farmers would be blessed by him being there too. So, he left on Thursday and will return next Wednesday. Please pray for safe travels for him and the entire group.
Thank you so much for your prayers! Cody is doing awesomely well. He wants to know when he can ride his bike! So we have to pull the reigns to hold him back! Yeah God!
This was a busy week for Cody. On Monday, he had a spinal tap and bone marrow drawn to check for cancer cells. Both are negative. Thank you God! On Wednesday he had a porta cath inserted. It is the size of a large watch battery implanted under the skin so he won't have to have IV's, blood can be drawn with ease and will receive chemo.( he was put out in a "twilight" for both) This week was the last IV he will receive (he was elated as he had some difficulties having the catheter for the IV installed) He is taking this all in stride. He continues to amaze me.
When he asked us when he could ride his bike, we told him he would have to ask the Dr.. He had a check up Thursday by both the Oncologist and the Neurologist. Of course one of the first things Cody asked the Oncologist was when he could ride his bike. The DR. s eyebrows shot up in surprise and pondered for a moment then said, "I think you need to ask the Neurologist since he did the surgery." Our next stop was the Neurologist. Of course, the question was asked of him as well. His eyebrows also shot up in surprise. (this is only 2 weeks after major brain surgery, mind you) He recommended to wait at least 4 weeks after surgery. Cody was OK with that. (I was relieved)
He finished his first week of tutoring and is doing extremely well and will be caught up and beyond by his birthday (12/9, he will be 10). He is very excited about theh prospects of being caught up and getting a one on one education. He is dyslexic and ADHD so reading has been a challenge for him anyway. Tutoring has been another blessing.
Friday night was his first social outing since surgery. Grades K - 5 have a night at the church where they read "Narnia, The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe," watch cartoons, draw and have fellowship. They were all so kind to sanitize their hands and wear surgical masks. Cody was not real excited about the mask part, but warmed up to it after a while. I suppose I am being a little overly protective...but this is flu season and didn't want to take the risk. Just a fever for him warrants a visit to the hospital.
Cody's speedy recovery is a huge answer to prayer and is a HUGE miracle. We are so very grateful. Not only have our prayers for Cody been answered, but for Dave and I as well. We have asked for peace and comfort for all of us through this and received it in very LARGE way. It is very evident God is at work not only with Cody, Dave and I, but with many people in his life and the many people he doesn't know that are praying for him. We have all been touched by this in a very profound way.
He starts chemo and radiation 11/28, (on and off for the next 55 weeks). We ask for prayers that he will pull through this part with a full recovery with the same vigor as his surgery. We also ask that God give him mercy, grace and continued miracles throughout this time. We ask for continued peace and comfort for all three of us. We ask that the Radiologist, Oncologist, Neurologist and all their assistants be given wisdom beyond their perceived capacity in a miraculous way to treat Cody through his full recovery so that they too can be blessed and know God is at work.
Blessings and Gratitude for all of the Love, Support and Miracles,
Dallas
PS - Dave was scheduled to leave for an annual mission trip to serve the pastors and leaders of the farming communities in Oaxaca, Mexico on Monday. He had originally canceled the trip. Since the biggest hurdle with Cody has passed and there was nothing major happening in the next week, both Cody and I encouraged him to go. He is always so blessed by this trip and the farmers would be blessed by him being there too. So, he left on Thursday and will return next Wednesday. Please pray for safe travels for him and the entire group.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
"Momma, I think it will be cool to have no hair!:
Dear Family and Friends:
Cody continues to amaze everyone, including the doctors, with his great attitude, disposition and healing progress. He stood in front of the mirror the other night and said "momma, I think it will be cool to have no hair!" and he was serious!
I am sure some of you heard the next story. Not too long after surgery we were discussing with him the procedure he had just gone through. He thought for a moment and said, "Does this mean we get to park in the handicap parking space?"
The results on the spinal tap and bone marrow are NEGATIVE! Thank you God! and thank you all for your prayers. We spoke with a brain cancer specialist at the Children's' Hospital in Los Angeles. Because we signed a consent form to use Cody's case for research (only for results, etc., not as a trial) CHOC shares info with Children's Hospital. He had already seen the pathology report and was familiar with Cody's file. He concurred with the treatment chosen by CHOC. He also said most kids do not fair as well as Cody after surgery. (thanks again for your prayers)! So with the great news of negative results on spinal fluid and bone marrow, he will be in treatment for 6 months to a year...right now we are looking at a 55 week program. What is good about the negative results is that the cancer has not spread to his spine or bones and IF it was positive, his treatment would have been a lot more intense and more worries to contend with. He will start radiation and chemo after Thanksgiving.
Only after getting off the phone with the Dr.did it really hit me on how HUGE of a miracle it is for Cody to be walking and have all his faculties intact for this type of cancer, it's location and the delicate surgery. Once again, I am brought to my knees to be thankful and amazed by God's grace.
God gave us the perfect Dr. for the initial check up to be concerned enough to request a cranial MRI, the perfect radiologist who cared enough to stay late to print the film for us to take to the hospital, the perfect hospital that cares for children with cancer and the perfect neurosurgeon to remove the tumor.
We have our rough moments, but all in all, Cody is doing excellent and so are we. Spirits are good.
Cody had his first day of homeschooling today with a tutor provided by the school district. The school has also been very supportive and helpful in many ways.
Once again, thank you for incredible support, love, cards, gifts and your continued prayers for continued peace, strength and miracles.
Blessings,
Dallas, Dave and Cody
Cody continues to amaze everyone, including the doctors, with his great attitude, disposition and healing progress. He stood in front of the mirror the other night and said "momma, I think it will be cool to have no hair!" and he was serious!
I am sure some of you heard the next story. Not too long after surgery we were discussing with him the procedure he had just gone through. He thought for a moment and said, "Does this mean we get to park in the handicap parking space?"
The results on the spinal tap and bone marrow are NEGATIVE! Thank you God! and thank you all for your prayers. We spoke with a brain cancer specialist at the Children's' Hospital in Los Angeles. Because we signed a consent form to use Cody's case for research (only for results, etc., not as a trial) CHOC shares info with Children's Hospital. He had already seen the pathology report and was familiar with Cody's file. He concurred with the treatment chosen by CHOC. He also said most kids do not fair as well as Cody after surgery. (thanks again for your prayers)! So with the great news of negative results on spinal fluid and bone marrow, he will be in treatment for 6 months to a year...right now we are looking at a 55 week program. What is good about the negative results is that the cancer has not spread to his spine or bones and IF it was positive, his treatment would have been a lot more intense and more worries to contend with. He will start radiation and chemo after Thanksgiving.
Only after getting off the phone with the Dr.did it really hit me on how HUGE of a miracle it is for Cody to be walking and have all his faculties intact for this type of cancer, it's location and the delicate surgery. Once again, I am brought to my knees to be thankful and amazed by God's grace.
God gave us the perfect Dr. for the initial check up to be concerned enough to request a cranial MRI, the perfect radiologist who cared enough to stay late to print the film for us to take to the hospital, the perfect hospital that cares for children with cancer and the perfect neurosurgeon to remove the tumor.
We have our rough moments, but all in all, Cody is doing excellent and so are we. Spirits are good.
Cody had his first day of homeschooling today with a tutor provided by the school district. The school has also been very supportive and helpful in many ways.
Once again, thank you for incredible support, love, cards, gifts and your continued prayers for continued peace, strength and miracles.
Blessings,
Dallas, Dave and Cody
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Victories, One at a Time
Greetings Family and Friends:
Thank you for your concerns and continued prayers. Prayers have been answered thus far because the neurosurgeon was able to get the tumor out successfully with no damage. His eyes are a little "shaky" and his neck and head are a little sore but that is expected and improves with time.
Cody is doing amazingly well...however, we have a long road ahead...so we are counting our victories, one at a time.
The Oncologist called tonight to give us a final determination of the pathology report. He has a brain cancer called medullobastoma. (they previously thought it would be ependymoma) Survival rate is higher ( 70 - 80%) which is a good thing, but the treatment is harsher as it is a faster growing cancer. They now want to do chemo and radiation. We will meet with the Radiologist for consultation and Oncologist to review the pathology report and look at our options tomorrow after the meeting.
Even though the MRI came out clean (huge blessing), on Monday, Cody will have a spinal tap done to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the fluid in his spine. (if there are no cancer cells, the treatment would not be as harsh and reoccurrence chances go way down). So our prayer would be that there are no cancer cells there. Our appt. is at 11:00 Monday morning 11/14.
Cody's spirits are great and he is getting stronger with each day. He had an exceptional first day home..ate well and managed not to get too bored. He even had a couple of buddies come to visit and play some games.
The staff at CHOC Hospital, Cody's school, church, family and friends have been phenomenal. The children at church and school have all written him cards, which he was excited to receive. He has received many cards and gifts from many people and it has also been uplifting for him. Along with your prayers, I am sure this has helped with his great disposition through this. So thank you all for everything.
Please pray for continued peace for the three of us and the cancer cells are not in his spine.
Thank you and Blessings,
Dave, Dallas and Cody
Thank you for your concerns and continued prayers. Prayers have been answered thus far because the neurosurgeon was able to get the tumor out successfully with no damage. His eyes are a little "shaky" and his neck and head are a little sore but that is expected and improves with time.
Cody is doing amazingly well...however, we have a long road ahead...so we are counting our victories, one at a time.
The Oncologist called tonight to give us a final determination of the pathology report. He has a brain cancer called medullobastoma. (they previously thought it would be ependymoma) Survival rate is higher ( 70 - 80%) which is a good thing, but the treatment is harsher as it is a faster growing cancer. They now want to do chemo and radiation. We will meet with the Radiologist for consultation and Oncologist to review the pathology report and look at our options tomorrow after the meeting.
Even though the MRI came out clean (huge blessing), on Monday, Cody will have a spinal tap done to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the fluid in his spine. (if there are no cancer cells, the treatment would not be as harsh and reoccurrence chances go way down). So our prayer would be that there are no cancer cells there. Our appt. is at 11:00 Monday morning 11/14.
Cody's spirits are great and he is getting stronger with each day. He had an exceptional first day home..ate well and managed not to get too bored. He even had a couple of buddies come to visit and play some games.
The staff at CHOC Hospital, Cody's school, church, family and friends have been phenomenal. The children at church and school have all written him cards, which he was excited to receive. He has received many cards and gifts from many people and it has also been uplifting for him. Along with your prayers, I am sure this has helped with his great disposition through this. So thank you all for everything.
Please pray for continued peace for the three of us and the cancer cells are not in his spine.
Thank you and Blessings,
Dave, Dallas and Cody
Tumor Removed
Greetings Family and Friends:
Thank you for your concerns and continued prayers. Prayers have been answered thus far because the neurosurgeon was able to get the tumor out successfully with no damage. His eyes are a little "shaky" and his neck and head are a little sore but that is expected and improves with time.
Cody is doing amazingly well...however, we have a long road ahead...so we are counting our victories, one at a time.
The Oncologist called tonight to give us a final determination of the pathology report. He has a brain cancer called medullobastoma. (they previously thought it would be ependymoma) Survival rate is higher ( 70 - 80%) which is a good thing, but the treatment is harsher as it is a faster growing cancer. They now want to do chemo and radiation. We will meet with the Radiologist for consultation and Oncologist to review the pathology report and look at our options tomorrow after the meeting.
Even though the MRI came out clean (huge blessing), on Monday, Cody will have a spinal tap done to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the fluid in his spine. (if there are no cancer cells, the treatment would not be as harsh and reoccurrence chances go way down). So our prayer would be that there are no cancer cells there. Our appt. is at 11:00 Monday morning 11/14.
Cody's spirits are great and he is getting stronger with each day. He had an exceptional first day home..ate well and managed not to get too bored. He even had a couple of buddies come to visit and play some games.
The staff at CHOC Hospital, Cody's school, church, family and friends have been phenomenal. The children at church and school have all written him cards, which he was excited to receive. He has received many cards and gifts from many people and it has also been uplifting for him. Along with your prayers, I am sure this has helped with his great disposition through this. So thank you all for everything.
Please pray for continued peace for the three of us and the cancer cells are not in his spine.
Thank you and Blessings,
Dave, Dallas and Cody
Thank you for your concerns and continued prayers. Prayers have been answered thus far because the neurosurgeon was able to get the tumor out successfully with no damage. His eyes are a little "shaky" and his neck and head are a little sore but that is expected and improves with time.
Cody is doing amazingly well...however, we have a long road ahead...so we are counting our victories, one at a time.
The Oncologist called tonight to give us a final determination of the pathology report. He has a brain cancer called medullobastoma. (they previously thought it would be ependymoma) Survival rate is higher ( 70 - 80%) which is a good thing, but the treatment is harsher as it is a faster growing cancer. They now want to do chemo and radiation. We will meet with the Radiologist for consultation and Oncologist to review the pathology report and look at our options tomorrow after the meeting.
Even though the MRI came out clean (huge blessing), on Monday, Cody will have a spinal tap done to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the fluid in his spine. (if there are no cancer cells, the treatment would not be as harsh and reoccurrence chances go way down). So our prayer would be that there are no cancer cells there. Our appt. is at 11:00 Monday morning 11/14.
Cody's spirits are great and he is getting stronger with each day. He had an exceptional first day home..ate well and managed not to get too bored. He even had a couple of buddies come to visit and play some games.
The staff at CHOC Hospital, Cody's school, church, family and friends have been phenomenal. The children at church and school have all written him cards, which he was excited to receive. He has received many cards and gifts from many people and it has also been uplifting for him. Along with your prayers, I am sure this has helped with his great disposition through this. So thank you all for everything.
Please pray for continued peace for the three of us and the cancer cells are not in his spine.
Thank you and Blessings,
Dave, Dallas and Cody
Friday, November 04, 2005
First Report on Cody
Much has happened in the last 2 days. Our son Cody, we found out on Tuesday late afternoon had a brain tumor. It has been removed and is cancerous. We have been living at CHOC Hospital in the City of Orange, California. He is a trooper and has pulled through surgery with all of his faculties in tact, praise God. We will not get the results from a spinal MRI and the biopsy of the tumor until Monday or Tuesday to know the extent and stage of the cancer. Please pray that he will be cured and wisdom for the doctors and strength and courage for Dave and I.
Will keep you updated. I believe most of the globe is praying for us, in particular, Cody. We need all the prayer we can get. Would love your prayers and the prayers of the farmers that know us...or don't know us is good too.
Will keep you updated. I believe most of the globe is praying for us, in particular, Cody. We need all the prayer we can get. Would love your prayers and the prayers of the farmers that know us...or don't know us is good too.
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