"Mom...I am so fortunate that so many people pray for me...."

Dear Family and Friends,

This is too precious not to share. This is just a glimpse of Cody's humble, thoughtful and sweet character.

Tonight, after reading with Cody, I was was explaining to Cody how important it is for him to pray to God directly, to give thanks and to ask God, for himself, for complete healing, not just me or dad thanking and asking. We continued with our prayers: Thanking God for His many blessings, praying for complete healing for Cody..to bless our sleep and our day tomorrow...etc I was just about to say amen, in which Cody usually chimes in with his "amen", when he stopped me.

He reflectively said, "Mom...I am so fortunate that so many people pray for me...." As he really thought about it, he was overcome with gratitude...just picturing in his mind the hundreds, maybe thousands, of people praying for him. This was just too much for him to absorb. He was humbled to tears. I asked him if they were joyful tears. He shook his head yes. Such a tender, tender moment.

Then he asked, "What about all of the other children that are sick and all of the nurses that take care of them? ....especially the ones on the third floor. (oncology floor) Don't they need a lot of prayer too?" Yes, indeed, they do. Amen. Would you please say a special prayer for all cancer kids and the nurses who care for them?.....for Cody?

Had to share this as he (we) are so very, very grateful for your faithful prayers and kindness and the profound affect you all have on us through your acts of kindness and prayer. We so appreciate you staying steady with us through this amazing, turbulent journey.

With Much Gratitude,

The Days

Cody, Trulu God's miracle

Dear Family and Friends,

Cody continues to amaze us all, particularly the doctors. He is truly God's miracle. We have been going down to the beach...using the all terrain wheel chair, compliments of the Laguna Beach Life Guard station. This wheel chair allows us to forge on the beach and in the water if we so choose. However, we have chosen to stay out of the water...just wheels in, dodging the incoming surf. This brings great joy, fresh air, a little vitamin D (sun) and exercise to us all. It is such a joy to see him smile and laugh.

Cody continues to improve. He has mostly good days and some challenging days. We seem to have his pain mostly under control. We have vigilantly been using alternative methods to deal with his cancer and pain; juicing fresh vegies and fruit and administering through his feeding tube. He doesn't mind the taste of fruit juice concoctions, however, he is not so fond of the vegie concoction. He has been eating and drinking some; mostly birdie portions. We are happy with whatever he can get down. We have also been giving him electro therapy (like a tens unit only milder) to help with pain and wake up good cells in his body.

We are scheduled on August 31 to have revasculation surgery, which is fairly minor. The purpose of this surgery is to increase the blood flow to his brain and hopefully restore/improve some of the things he lost and hopefully be rid of the challenging moments of hallucinations and confusion. We are requesting an MRI prior to surgery to check status of brain rejuvenation and tumors.

Cody is looking forward to school starting...what it looks like....we don't know yet. We are hoping to have the tutor he had a couple of years ago as it was a great fit and he was really motivated. We had discussed with the school district to have a video cam for a class or two so he could stay plugged in remotely both for social and academic purposes. We are hoping and praying this can be arranged.

We are very grateful for the many answered prayers however, we are still in need of prayer for:

• regenerated platelet and white blood cells
• all pain goes away
• regained physical strength, in a mighty way
• an unquenchable appetite and thirst
• healed body (tumors be gone!)
• comfort in our Lord, good spirits, strong will

Appreciate your faithful prayers.

The Days

Cody continues to baffle everyone

Cody continues to baffle everyone. One doctor said it wouldn’t surprise him if Cody sat up and started playing the piano tomorrow based on how much he has improved in a short amount of time considering how his condition a couple of weeks ago.

He has been spending 2 – 5 hours a day in his wheel chair, he is staying awake longer, his humor intact. We have been outdoors to the rose garden at St. Joseph Hospital across the street almost every day last week; he has been read to daily; We went down to the basement at CHOC for physical therapy in the pool last Friday and again Monday; it was very fun for all of us....our summ er days at the “beach”.

We are grateful for the miracles already given and praying for and needing more. Cody’s blood and platelet counts still need to be transfused every few days…but, overall have been improving, albeit slow. However, any further treatment is on hold indefinitely and may not be feasible. Once home, we will go to the clinic weekly for labs and a check up.

We are scheduled to go home this Friday and preparing for the blessed event. It has been about 80 days since we have all been home together and are looking forward to being together as a family once again…..a true celebration.

Same prayer request for Cody as last update:

• regenerated platelet and blood cells
• pain relief - that all pain goes away
• regained physical strength, in a mighty way
• an unquenchable appetite and thirst
• healed body (tumors be gone!)
• comfort in our Lord, good spirits, strong will
  

Appreciate your faithful prayers and blessings to you.

The Days