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,
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