Cody should be able to go back to school

Dear Family and Friends,

Hurray! We have reached the summit!!! Cody received his last chemo January 23, 2007!! We are all elated to have come to this point. It has been a long and weary journey and we still have work to do as far as recovery. We will breathe a lot easier after the five year mark is an “all clear”.

Cody got his cast removed January 15. He is still favoring is other leg some, but with time and exercise, he'll be running in no time. He can't wait to skateboard again. That still won't be for a few months.

On the couple of days we spent at CHOC last week for a last “big” chemo, Cody ended up in the channel 9 news on Wednesday and 2 days after that in the local newspaper…picture and all. Because this was his last stay, Cody was exceptionally giddy. The paper captured and published an out loud laugh and smile from ear to ear…priceless. The media came to the hospital to cover a young man named Jesse who would be running for CHOC to raise money for the hospital. He ran 100 miles last year and raised about $7,000. His goal this year was to run 200 miles and raise $20,000. He was short of his goal on both accounts, but pleased all the same. A noble deed, for a noble cause by a noble young man. We just happened to be there. Cody thought it was pretty cool.

We did end up having to go to CHOC as an out patient on the 23^rd because his white count was -0- and platelets were low. We had both a blood and platelet transfusion. I expect that for the next 2 to 4 weeks, we may still have to get transfused until all of his counts level out or at least are on the rise. We still come in weekly for labs, a procrit boost and will have an MRI in 3 weeks. We will update you when we have the exact date as this is a crucial hurtle and in need of prayer for the “all clear”.

There is a young boy that had the same diagnosis as Cody. In the beginning, we were 3 weeks ahead, however on the last stretch; we ended up being a week behind due to delays in treatment. While we were getting transfused, we ran into this family at CHOC. Yes, indeed, the boy had finished his treatment; however, he ended up with pneumonia and in isolation for the last week. We are grateful that we have been blessed with great health this last year so please pray for continued health for all of us.

He continues to amaze us all with his incredible great attitude. We have discussed with him many aspects of cancer. He has asked how people get cancer. It was explained to him that doctors and researchers really don't know for sure “how”. It could be partly genetic, partly environmental and partly anybody's guess. We all have “cancer genes” and it is unknown how it gets triggered. (We have not discussed all of the possible ramifications of radiation and chemo, like sterility. What is the point at this stage? If he asks, we will tell.) Last week, out of the blue, he mentioned that when he gets married, he's probably going to adopt. I asked him why. “Because, if I have cancer genes that my kids could get, I wouldn't want my children to get cancer and go through what I went through;” A very insightful thought process for an 11 year old. I was rather relieved, in a sense, because in fact, if he is sterile, it won't be much of an issue when the time comes if he remains in this thought. I didn't want to tell him he may not be able to have kids … you know, if it is something you “can't have,” then the human tendency is to want it.

We had our appointment with Make-A-Wish Foundation; they try to grant a (reasonable) wish to children with life threatening diseases. Cody originally requested a trip to Hawaii but is rethinking his choice. He is considering asking for a skateboard ramp in our back yard. I told him he would probably loose interest in short order and would be a few months before he could go wild on it. But he doesn't think he will. I told him we will check with the city to see if it is even feasible; that seemed to be reasonable to him. I have a feeling that the city will not approve the ramp so that will probably resolve his dilemma. What he really really wants, is a swimming pool just like our friends the Gash's. It looks like a very clean salt water pond with a water fall... but I told him that was pushing it a bit.

We are all looking forward to the next phase of all of this; Recovery. Our plan is, once his counts improve, to go on a strict diet of great food and exercise for the whole family. Fortunately, he dislikes, a lot, fast food so this part will be easy. It is just getting his appetite up to speed and getting a burning desire to exercise. J

In the next 30 – 90 days, depending on his counts, Cody should be able to go back to school. This will be a huge adjustment for Cody. We will take one day at a time. I really need to give some thought about what I will do once he goes back to school. I, too, have been purposefully pretty isolated from the rest of the world along with Cody because I have been his primary caregiver 24/7 and did not want to risk getting sick. It will be a huge adjustment for me as well. My first goal once he is back in school is to get caught up on all of the paper work, house work, repairs then purge, purge, purge.

Thank you for your continued prayers. I know every single prayer is being heard. It is evident in Cody’s eyes, heart, attitude and recovery.

The Days