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
Monday, November 28, 2005
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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