An incredible year

I can’t believe this year is at its end. This has been an incredible year in many ways. So much to be thankful for. So many things we have gained from this journey. Many tears, lots of joy, new friends, old relationships renewed, being stretched beyond what our minds and hearts thought possible spiritually, emotionally and physically (literally) J. Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, love, kindness and understanding.

We celebrated Cody’s 11^th birthday December 9. He wanted to go bowling with friends and family. We had to wait until almost the last minute to finalize our plans; because based on our past, anything could happen….fever, low counts etc. As it turned out, he felt good and we all had a blast, even the adults. A handful of his best buddies, some of their parents, both sets of grandparents, Dave and I, his uncle Jeff and his cousin Jessica.

Cody got his feeding tube out the day before Thanksgiving. Yippee! He is eating much better. He gained some pounds and lost a couple. During his chemo weeks, his appetite slows down, but no where like it was before. He hasn’t thrown up in awhile now so it appears the worst is over! Halleluiah!! AND his hair is starting to grow back. We have been told that when it does, sometimes it comes back curly and/or black. He is already thinking of dying his hair blond (like it used to be)… but I told him “we’ll see”, that means no.

Monday, Cody got the last of this cycle of chemo. Three weeks on, three weeks off. So by the time Christmas arrives, he should be feeling really good. (Unlike last year, Christmas was spent in the hospital). It always takes a few days after the three weekly hits of chemo for him to feel worse before he feels better. He wasn’t feeling very good Monday as his counts were low, so he got platelet and blood transfusions… that always perks him up. After the transfusions, we walked over to CHOC hospital. Disneyland had Mickey and Minnie there decked out in their Christmas attire. There were tons of balloons, cookies, games etc. We only stayed for a few minutes…. Just long enough to soak in a little Christmas festivities and get a few photos.

Another exciting thing for Cody was last week while we were at the clinic; the Anaheim Ducks came to visit the hospital and clinic. Seven of the players came in and gave him autographed pictures and poster, T-shirt and cow bell. He was thrilled. We took advantage of the photo-op. Monday we were given tickets by CHOC, to The Ducks game at the Honda Center for December 18. (seats on the ice) So if you are a hockey fan and are watching, look for us!

November 27 we were admitted to CHOC for our normal “big Hit” of chemo. We got out in record time… just a 2 day stay. On one of our past stays, we introduced one of the kids that is always there, to a game called Jenga, a balancing game with wood pieces. On this stay we played many games with our friend. We have seen this young man around the hospital frequently over the past year and just got to know him better this last couple of months. We nicknamed him the Jenga King. Over the past year, you could see the cancer gradually taking over….one organ at a time. This last stay he was put on a breathing machine with about 10 other various tubes. Turns out, this was his last stay at CHOC, his last day on earth. He was a sweet boy and he knew his days were numbered but had a wonderful disposition and peace about him. We need to count our blessings and give thanks for them every day, all of them.

I lamented on whether I should tell Cody or not. The kids talk amongst themselves and it would have come out probably sooner than later. I wanted it to come from me rather than playing dumb when he brought it up after someone else told him. So, I told him about his friends passing. We commiserated that he lived longer than was expected and would no longer be in pain, he was kind and most importantly; he was very loved and now was in the arms of Jesus. We had a few moments of silence, shed a few tears, and then Cody said. “Well, I guess now you will be the best.” The best at what? I asked. “ The best at Jenga.” So-o, a boy’s way of letting go…looking at the good and looking at tomorrow. This young mans passing is still heavy on my heart.

In this last month I dusted off a children’s Bible Story book to re-read to Cody. It was a book I read to him when he was very young, many times. (it has great pictures) He enjoyed it so much; we decided to read the “big” Bible when we got done. We are now on the book of Exodus. It is very heartwarming, as a parent, to know that he is so excited about having the Bible read to him. He asks a lot of very good questions…many I don’t have the answers to.

We will have a very low key Christmas. We will be staying local and spending it with our local family at our house, most of the Days (pending on how Cody is feeling). Dick and Charlotte are here from Africa , so that is a bonus as this will be a first for us to all be able to spend Christmas with the Days. We will miss my side of the family as we generally spend it with them (except last year and this). We both come from very large families. You should have seen our wedding!! Just with our siblings, their children and our parents, I think it was 50 people.

I have had several requests for a picture of Cody, so here, at last, is the most recent one. He is no longer the little boy he was a year ago. He has matured, in a way, far beyond his years.

We wish you many blessings in this season and for the New Year to come!! Thank you for your continued prayers.

The Days

Dear Family and Friends,

Incredible that it has been a year (November 2, 2006) since our diagnosis. As I have said before, it has been warp speed ahead, standing still.

In the month of October we spent 10 days in the hospital. We had gone in for blood and platelet transfusions, then he got a fever (48 hours watch inpatient) then, his counts went down. So that earned us a few more days and a couple more transfusions.

In our stay this time, our roommates did not speak any English. This was an opportunity for us to brush up on our Spanish. Her 6 year old son had leukemia and after 2 years of treatment and a few months of remission, they were back. We spoke of the blessings, hardships and faith that dealing with cancer brings. I told her the biggest gift of all for us was the quality of time we have had with our son that we would not have otherwise had. We get busy in our lives/jobs and the quality of life diminishes as our focus wanders from our children¦and we wonder why our nation is in such a moral/value mess? Our mothers and grandmothers had it right, we just didn't listen. I would not have said this in the not so long ago past, that's a whole other topic; don't get me started!

Just out of curiosity, I counted the days spent in the hospital since 11/2/05, not counting chemo/clinic, physical therapy or radiation treatments; we have spent a total of 125 days in the hospital. We are so happy the worst part is over. Based on our current schedule, our last chemo is January 9, 2007 (exactly one month after Cody's 11th birthday). We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the light gets brighter each day.

He has been feeling very good, looks good, has more energy and has been eating better. In addition to 'real' food, he is still on a feeding tube at night and probably will be until we are done or when he reaches 65 lbs. whichever comes first. (He is currently at 59 lbs was at 52 lbs).

Cody has wanted to play the drums for awhile. We did not relent as we didn't really have a place that he could practice without disrupting the neighborhood. We went garage sale-ing one day about a month ago and found an electric drum set. (has headphones so the only one that hears the drums is the drummer) We brought it home and what a blessing it has been! Mike, from our church comes over once a week to teach Cody. It has given Cody something to strive to excel in. Academia just doesn't cut it for him. However, Sonja and Sarah from church come by once a week each to help with tutoring, he enjoys that part and it has helped him get over the learning hump. There have been many others that have offered their time and services over the past year too. We thank you all and are forever grateful.

Cody's spirits have been very good. He has not wavered in his faith; in fact, he has become closer to God. (us too) As parents and Christians, it is amazing to witness your child as the recipient of many of God's gifts through all of this and for him to acknowledge them as such. Pretty mighty for a 10 year old!

We decided we will rent our house out and go on a road trip across America this summer for the month of July(ish). We plan to make up for some lost time and take a much needed family vacation. We are starting to plan the trip. It is exciting to just "plan" something. We know we would like to go up north to Oregon , Washington and Canada . Then loop down to Nebraska and Colorado then head for the east coast, then west and south through Texas . Not sure what order yet and not sure what vehicle yet. We both have lots of family and friends spread all over. My mom's side of the family has a reunion in Nebraska every summer and has for the last 60+ years. We haven't attended as a family so would be fun to be able to make this summers reunion in Nebraska and plan some reunions with our east coast relatives as well.

We went to Traveland to look at camping vehicles, just for fun and to get ideas what could be feasible. We decided diesel would be a good idea and/or something on the smaller side (that gets good gas mileage) so we could take advantage of all the State Parks and would be economical and small enough to enjoy the ride and not stress about a long vehicle to drag around and park etc. Just the thought of it is exciting for us all. We will see what transpires from now to then. In the meantime, we will continue to plan. (What a great word!)

Thank you, once again, for your continued faithful prayers.

The Days

PS We just received word that our good friends (in Oaxaca , Mexico ) youngest son (a toddler) was taken to a hospital in Mexico City . They do not know what is wrong. Would you please pray that God gives the Montero family strength, peace and courage to go through this dilemma? Thank you

Another Ten Days At CHOC

Dear Family and Friends,

Cody and I just got home after another 10 days at CHOC. We originally went in for a platelet and blood transfusion just for the afternoon on 9/22, but, he got a fever. So, once again, we earned the mandatory 48 hour stay at camp CHOC . In the meantime, his white count went down to 0, so we had to get a couple more blood and platelet transfusions and wait for his counts to rise to a safe level.

While waiting for his counts to rise, we decided (Cody included) it was time to put the feeding tube back in because he was loosing weight (again). It was traumatic, however, not as traumatic as the first time. It took a couple of days for him to get used to. Normally, the tube goes through the nose down to his stomach. The last time we did this, we were home for a day and a half, had a full day of feeding, then he threw up. The hose came out of his nose and mouth. He was gagging on it and couldn't breathe; I panicked, so I pulled the tube out. (I know, too much information) Fortunately, that was the right thing to do. So the memories of this procedure were not pleasant. This time, they bypassed his stomach to his intestines. It took an extra couple of days to make sure it was in the right position. They installed it, gave him the night to adjust, then x-rayed in the morning. Results showed it needed to go in an additional. So back to x-ray, with a nurse, to push it in where it needed to be. When we got there, the radiologist explained to Cody, in detail, what was about to take place. Cody told them he would rather do it himself. The group thought it was actually a good idea. They let him do it. The process took about 30 seconds; they took another x-ray and viola! It was exactly where it needed to be. All present were thrilled and impressed, including Cody. What a trooper! He decided, that day, he wants to be a Pediatric Oncologist. ( after a stint in the Air Force..) :) He loves little children and doesn't mind all of the doctor stuff, like blood and other gory stuff. So far, so good. He has already gained 1½ pounds in a day and a half. He gets 750 calories plus nutrition while he sleeps. This is a great thing. His appetite is also increasing and he continues to have an awesome, loving attitude and sweet way about him. One day, one of the volunteers was asking Cody about himself, his family and what his parents do for work. He answered all of the questions appropriately. Then it came to mom's job, he said,I am my mom's full time job.

This trip was unusually difficult and overwhelming. It was a week of sorrow and bad news. Not for us, but for other families. The heartache is profound.One of the toddlers we met, past away. He had too many inoperable tumors I ran into another mom, she had been crying. To see her was not a good thing because being at the hospital only meant one thing. They were done with 2 years of treatment for leukemia and now they are back because the cancer has come back. She told me her 10 year old daughter is tired and does not have the will to go through this again. Devastating to know your child no longer has the will to fight

On another day, I ran down to the pharmacy. I was standing behind a man. He turned around and we recognized one another. I had met him about 2 months prior. His son had just been diagnosed with cancer and it had already spread to a point that his son was unable to function. Healthy (seemingly) one day and in a coma the next. He told me his son was at home resting. He was getting drugs to help his son with pain. They were just waiting (for him to die) as the doctors could not do anything for him. This man was so pained, lost and confused. We hugged, we cried, I told him I would pray for him, his son and his family, then went our separate ways. Our last roommate this stay was a 7 year old, he also was back again after 2 years treatment for leukemia. When I get this kind of news, it just breaks my heart for the family. Our own emotions raw for our own child, we just don't realize how raw until you see the heartache someone else suffers. I never go out of my way to tell Cody about these things. If he hears something and asks, I will always tell him the truth. So far, he has not asked. He has complete faith, in his heart, mind and soul that he will be completely healed (so do we) and that God will always be at his side the whole way. As difficult as this past week was, we are so thankful for the many blessings we have received. Cody's amazing attitude and the peace the three of us have been gifted with. His next chemo is 10/10/06 and counting down. We will be in the hospital a couple of days for this one. Only 2 major and 5 minor more hits of chemo! Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support through this.

Please also pray for other families fighting this battle.

The Days

Dear Family and Friends,

Cody and I just got home after another 10 days at CHOC. We originally went in for a platelet and blood transfusion just for the afternoon on 9/22, but, he got a fever. So, once again, we earned the mandatory 48 hour stay at camp CHOC . In the meantime, his white count went down to 0, so we had to get a couple more blood and platelet transfusions and wait for his counts to rise to a safe level.

While waiting for his counts to rise, we decided (Cody included) it was time to put the feeding tube back in because he was loosing weight (again). It was traumatic, however, not as traumatic as the first time. It took a couple of days for him to get used to. Normally, the tube goes through the nose down to his stomach. The last time we did this, we were home for a day and a half, had a full day of feeding, then he threw up. The hose came out of his nose and mouth. He was gagging on it and couldn't breathe; I panicked, so I pulled the tube out. (I know, too much information) Fortunately, that was the right thing to do. So the memories of this procedure were not pleasant. This time, they bypassed his stomach to his intestines. It took an extra couple of days to make sure it was in the right position. They installed it, gave him the night to adjust, then x-rayed in the morning. Results showed it needed to go in an additional. So back to x-ray, with a nurse, to push it in where it needed to be. When we got there, the radiologist explained to Cody, in detail, what was about to take place. Cody told them he would rather do it himself. The group thought it was actually a good idea. They let him do it. The process took about 30 seconds; they took another x-ray and viola! It was exactly where it needed to be. All present were thrilled and impressed, including Cody. What a trooper! He decided, that day, he wants to be a Pediatric Oncologist. ( after a stint in the Air Force..) :) He loves little children and doesn't mind all of the doctor stuff, like blood and other gory stuff. So far, so good. He has already gained 1½ pounds in a day and a half. He gets 750 calories plus nutrition while he sleeps. This is a great thing. His appetite is also increasing and he continues to have an awesome, loving attitude and sweet way about him. One day, one of the volunteers was asking Cody about himself, his family and what his parents do for work. He answered all of the questions appropriately. Then it came to mom's job, he said,I am my mom's full time job.

This trip was unusually difficult and overwhelming. It was a week of sorrow and bad news. Not for us, but for other families. The heartache is profound.One of the toddlers we met, past away. He had too many inoperable tumors I ran into another mom, she had been crying. To see her was not a good thing because being at the hospital only meant one thing. They were done with 2 years of treatment for leukemia and now they are back because the cancer has come back. She told me her 10 year old daughter is tired and does not have the will to go through this again. Devastating to know your child no longer has the will to fight

On another day, I ran down to the pharmacy. I was standing behind a man. He turned around and we recognized one another. I had met him about 2 months prior. His son had just been diagnosed with cancer and it had already spread to a point that his son was unable to function. Healthy (seemingly) one day and in a coma the next. He told me his son was at home resting. He was getting drugs to help his son with pain. They were just waiting (for him to die) as the doctors could not do anything for him. This man was so pained, lost and confused. We hugged, we cried, I told him I would pray for him, his son and his family, then went our separate ways. Our last roommate this stay was a 7 year old, he also was back again after 2 years treatment for leukemia. When I get this kind of news, it just breaks my heart for the family. Our own emotions raw for our own child, we just don't realize how raw until you see the heartache someone else suffers. I never go out of my way to tell Cody about these things. If he hears something and asks, I will always tell him the truth. So far, he has not asked. He has complete faith, in his heart, mind and soul that he will be completely healed (so do we) and that God will always be at his side the whole way. As difficult as this past week was, we are so thankful for the many blessings we have received. Cody's amazing attitude and the peace the three of us have been gifted with. His next chemo is 10/10/06 and counting down. We will be in the hospital a couple of days for this one. Only 2 major and 5 minor more hits of chemo! Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support through this.

Please also pray for other families fighting this battle.

The Days

Cody's Gift = Patience, Courage, Wisdom

After last weeks trip to the hospital (for Cody's planned chemo), we are feeling extremely blessed, once again, with how well everything is going. Every time we spend time at the hospital, we are reminded how faithful God has been to us through this process.

Cody has been truly amazing through of all this.We are awed by his patience, courage and wisdom. It is a gift to see him grow through this. We thank you once again for your faithful prayers.

We are well into our next phase. Aside from loosing weight and hair, Cody is doing amazingly well. His appetite is so-so, but improving. His tummy hurts, particularly in the evening, it seems. After next week, he gets 3 weeks off from chemo so he should be able to put on some weight and his tummy should feel better.

On our last hospital visit (last week), we ran into a mom and her daughter. Seeing them at the hospital again, was not a good thing....only because that meant there was a problem. The daughter has leukemia and the last time we saw them, they were ecstatic because their treatment was over and they were going home. No words had to be spoken to see the pain and disappointment in the mothers eyes. We spoke briefly. The mom was so brave on the outside, but her heart was breaking for her daughter on the inside. It took everything Dave and I had to stay composed in this brief meeting..... it wasn't long after they left that we lost it. Dave and I sat in the reception area, looked at one another with tears streaming down our cheeks.

In this same visit, we ran into the 4 1/2 year old boy just 2 weeks behind Cody with the exact same cancer, surgery etc. This boy rehabbed for weeks after surgery to regain his balance, speech and sight. He is following the same treatment plan as Cody. While we were there, this boy had to have a 2nd surgery to release pressure on his brain because radiation caused the vein that carries brain fluid to the spine to pinch. Surgery was required to detour the vein AKA a shunt. He is now doing very well. So, needless to say, this has been and continues to be an incredible journey that words cannot fully describe.

Families get to know one another through their children's disease, prognosis, surgeries, treatments etc. We continually run into each other at the clinic and the hospital. We get to know each others heartaches and victories in a way that only someone going through this challenge personally can fully grasp. We walk in the deepest valleys and stand on the highest mountains in a matter of moments and are grateful to know and feel the difference.

With Gratitude,

Dallas, Dave and Cody

MRI results are NEGATIVE

Dear Family and Friends:

Just a quick note: we are on the way to the hospital for Cody's next round of treatment. The MRI results are NEGATIVE for both his spine and brain!! God is good. Will be able to talk to the doctor in detail today. Will keep you posted.

We had a great family weekend in the desert, adventures galore and memories to be matched only by future trips together.

Thank you for your faithful and continued prayers!

Dave, Dallas and Cody

How You can Help.....

Dear Family and Friends:

Thank you once again for your prayers and support. They are felt, needed and appreciated. We feel loved, honored and humbled.

A quick update on the last couple of weeks. Dave has passed his medical crisis, I am standing strong (with some weak moments) and Cody is doing well. As you may know, we have had a couple of weeks off from the chemo torture. It has been so nice to see Cody gain some weight, get some of his appetite back and his spunky attitude and wit. As each day passes we can see an improvement with his energy level and over all health. He still has some days where he is just plain fatigued and his stomach hurts. But there are now more good days than not, so we are grateful for that.

In this time off we have taken full advantage of catching up. We have gone to the beach to fly a kite, have gone bike riding 3 times, gone for a hike on aunt Kim's birthday, shot some arrows (archery) with Uncle Jeff and cousin Jessica, visited grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles (and a brand new cousin), gone to the fun zone, played with friends, went bowling a couple of times, saw a couple of movies and even got some schoolwork done! All, of course, when the masses are not around and when Cody has the energy.

We have plans this weekend to go to the desert for more R&R&fun before the next round of chemo starts. This time spent together has been precious. Times like these really make you aware of how precious time really is and how short life on this earth is, in the scheme of things.

This week we have testing to do. Tuesday 2/7 we have speech, hearing and eye exams. We also have follow up with radiation. Wednesday 2/8, we have a GFR scan, Thursday 2/9 the biggy, an MRI to see how effective radiation was. We would appreciate your prayers that all is CLEAN and radiation made all of the cancer bad guys go away, forever.

Our next phase of chemo starts 2/14/06. We have six weeks, six weeks, four weeks X 3. (This puts us at about 1/15/07 to be done if we don't have any delays) Each of the 6 weeks he gets an 8 hour IV drip of cisplatin on the first day (requiring a night stay at the hospital) and an IV push of vincristine once a week for the first 3 weeks of the six weeks.

Each of the four weeks, he gets cyclophasphamide 1 hour drip per day for 2 days, (all these big fancy names and they don't even come up on spell check! They should call it what it is...poison 1,2,3 and 4) :) vincristine push once a week for 2 weeks, then a MESNA IV push twice a day for the first 2 days. (requiring 2 - 3 days in the hospital) The big fight is on 2/14 and we are up for it as we find strength in our Lord, God. He has been with us all the way.

Many of you have asked how you can help. There is now a way.... our church can take donations earmarked for Cody's medical. Every little bit helps as the costs are out of sight and we are not in a financial position to handle what the insurance company doesn't cover. If you are so inclined, donations can be made out to: Calvary Evangelical Free Church, 468 Legion St., Laguna Beach, CA. 92651 (for Cody medical).

Thank you for your continued prayers. Again we ask that you specifically pray 2/9 for no sign of cancer tumors or cells on the MRI and blood results...and while we hunker down for this next year that God continue to give us strength, peace, health and wisdom.

With Much Gratitude,

Dallas, Dave and Cody

Chocolate Malts for Breakfast

Dear Family and Friends:

Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support.

We were in the hospital from Monday through Friday Jan. 10 - 15 because of stomach pains and inability to eat. Cody is doing better and better each day. Monday was his last day of radiation! Yeah! Yippee! Wahoo!! Also his last day of chemo for a month. this time off will give him/us time to recover from this last phase of treatment and prepare him mentally and physically for the next phase of chemo.

This last go around in the hospital was traumatic for him (us too). He was really stopped up and the ordinary remedies were not working. He had a choice of drinking a liquid concoction every hour on the hour for 24 hours or a hose down his nose to his stomach with a 24 hour drip. He chose the hose because he does not like being woke up in the middle of the night. When the hose was inserted, he had a panic attack and checked out mentally and really wished he had made a different decision. He felt short of breath and very uncomfortable. His eyes glazed over and his body slumped in submission. He didn't want to eat or engage in anything...just sleep. It was very scary to see him in that state. So for all of us, it was a long 24 hours. Once the tube was taken out, his whole attitude changed immediately. He has been a trooper through this whole thing. Can't say I would do as well as he has.

On February 14, he gets admitted to the hospital to start his next phase of chemo. He will have to stay in the hospital a day or two as he will be on an IV drip with this chemo treatment. He will get this every 6 weeks x 2, 4 weeks X 1, another 6 weeks X 2, another 4 weeks X 1, another 6 weeks X 2, another 4 weeks X 1. During this time, in addition, he will receive the same chemo he has had during the first phase of treatment once a week, 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off. So according to my calculations, we should be complete by 1/15/07.

As each day passes, his appetite is increasing. Our plan is to fatten him up in this next month with Chocolate malts for breakfast loaded with protein powder, fruit smoothies and anything else we can encourage him to get down. We let him eat whatever and whenever he wants. A lot of it is hit and miss. Needless to say, I have gained weight, eating what he hasn't.

We are looking forward to this time off from treatment. He will be having an MRI on February 9th to see the results of radiation. Please pray the tumor and all of it's relatives are all gone and not a trace.

Dave seems to be "over" his stones as he has not been in pain for about a week now. (Thanks for your prayers for him too). He will be doing some follow up doctor visits this coming week.

Thank you again for your continued prayers,

Dallas

"Mom, People stare at me" Ouch...

Dear Family and Friends:

We are all in good spirits and doing as well, if not better than can be expected, considering..

Cody was doing fine but started sliding downwards on about Friday..one week after getting home from our last stay. Saturday he didn't feel well, Sunday he felt a little better so we went ahead and went to his baseball tryouts. He had been looking forward to this day for quite a while. It wore him out, but he loved every moment. He/we had fun and it was good to see some of his school buddies he has not seen for a couple of months. He was a little conscientious about his hair, or lack of it. He had to make sure he had his baseball cap on at all times. I quizzed him about it, he just said "mom, people stare at me when I don't have a cap on," ouch...I knew the answer but wanted it out in the light for discussion.

In this last handful of days he hasn't had much of an appetite. I could not sleep at all last night worried about his health. I called Oncology this morning to have them take a look at him. We all thought the best thing for him right now, under the circumstances, was to have him readmitted so he could at least get nutrition and reduce his pain....again.

Please keep us lifted up in your prayers... I am on my way back to the hospital to stay with Cody. Dave is there right now. Oh! Dave is feeling better...stones not passed but feeling better.

Thank you again for your continued prayers.

Dallas, Dave and Cody

"The Hospital is more fun than this"

Dear Family and Friends:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It was a long 2 weeks at CHOC, but we are all home now. Cody and I were living at the hospital, Dave was out of the country for a few days, then laid up (still is) from kidney stones. We checked out of the hospital 12/30 late in the afternoon. Cody is now eating, off pain medication and feels great.

Cody has been on a lighter dose of radiation as of 12/19. They are now only radiating the tumor area of his brain rather than the spine and brain. In addition to lots of prayer, I am sure the lower radiation has helped his recovery. When the spine is radiated, it can also affect internal organs. In Cody's case his stomach. Radiation basically paralyzed his stomach to a point that his stomach was not doing it's job...so nothing was going down or out, just up. It was very painful for him.

While waiting for paper work to check out of the hospital, we went to the play room to kill some time. We ran into another family who's son had the exact same cancer and surgery as Cody. This boy took 8 months just to recover from surgery. He had to have a lot of physical therapy to relearn eating, walking and talking. We were reminded once again of the power of prayer and God's grace for Cody. So HUGE! thank you!

It is so very humbling to hang out at the cancer ward of CHOC. All of these brave children and parents. Talking, hugging and sharing the pain with parents that have just been given the "news" and parents that have been at the hospital, it seems, more than at their own homes for months and years. Huge, gratefully given sacrifices for their children while they recover. Some do not... and that is a reality that all cancer parents face. It is rarely spoken as to not hinder total recovery. It is a different world. Not a bad world, just your life forever changes, your priorities change. Life is deeper.


On a lighter note: In addition to his very picky pallet because of treatment, he absolutely "disliked very much" the hospital food. So every time they served his food, it went uneaten. Truth being told, I ate some of it. (it was bad) I can't believe hospital food is not more palatable. One would think the food served should encourage eating. I knew things were at a turning point though, when he asked for pizza at 10:00 PM on 12/29. I gladly cruised the area to find a late night pizza for him. Anything to get him to eat.

On the way home from the hospital, Dave drove himself back to ER (the third time in 10 days) because his kidney stones were really bothering him. The medication he was given a few days earlier wasn't doing the job. He has seen a urologist and was told he has 2 more stones. They are pretty far down so the doctor felt it best that he just drink lots of water to help them pass. If things don't improve soon, the doctors will try to help "them" out. But, in the mean time, he is pretty miserable.

Today was a great day. We got to celebrate Christmas and open gifts. Cody had a couple buddies over to play and check out his gifts. To Cody's complete disappointment (and our joy) after a morning of playing (in the house) and running around as if he had not spent the last 2 weeks, racked with pain, in bed with an IV pole filled with nutrition, pain medication, etc., we had to tell him to relax a bit, take it slow and his friends would have to go home for a while. He pouted and stammered and finally indignantly said "the hospital is more fun than this!" So I very calmly told him he should pack his bag. He looked at me shocked and surprised. "Well, you said the hospital was more fun, so you should pack a bag, I'll gladly take you there, we'll come and visit." Amazingly, a bit later he said he was glad he had to relax because it was probably a good idea. H-e-e's b-a-a-a-ck! Praise God!

Please pray that these stones pass quickly for Dave, continued peace for both Dave and I, and total recovery for Cody. Thank you again for your prayers.

Blessings to you and your family,

Dallas and Dave