Polar Bears

 

Thanks to the Give Kids the World Passport that Nate was given on his Make a Wish trip, we were able to visit the San Diego Zoo, and more importantly, the POLAR BEARS! Nate and Softie were so excited! I also received a call from Nate's oncologist today confirming the preliminary scan results of NED! What a great day!

Those Who Have Gone Before

This is a short, touching story about the Bush's 3 year old daughter who died of leukemia. Thank you to all who have gone before Nate and furthered the research that allows Nate to be the healthy boy he is today. We can only hope that his participation in 8 different trials, so far, during treatment will allow someone in the future to beat cancer with more effective, less toxic treatments.

 

http://www.today.com/news/barbara-bush-recalls-daughters-death-i-saw-her-spirit-go-1C7174610

NED

 

Who has 2 thumbs and is still NED? This guy!! That's 1 year 7 months NED and 1 year from antibody therapy! Take THAT cancer! Thank you God!

Scan Day

It's scan day today. Wear your Super Nate bracelet if you have one! NED! We BELIEVE!

 

 

"I'm so hungry! My tummy is growling. It's growling at you because you won't give me food." Lol! So, we're engaging in a little retail therapy on our way to the hospital to get our minds off scans and FOOD.

 

He's asleep. No matter how strong I think I'm being, it just stinks to leave him.

 

We're home. Nate did awesome, of course. He didn't even wake up very angry. Now...the waiting. We'll let everyone know as soon as we get the call saying he's still NED!!

 

Incidentally, Nate clocked in at 46 inches and 49 lbs today. He's 4. I think he's going to be a giant.

Scan Week

 

How does 12 weeks go by so fast?! We spent the day at PCH. First, Nate had his audiology appointment. His hearing is the same (great news!). One hearing aid is slightly damaged, so we will send it in for repair when we return from vacation. Next, he had his MIBG injection for scans tomorrow. Nate did great getting his IV, with only a little whimpering and wiggling. Then, we got to meet a precious little boy named Zane, who was recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and visit with his family. We hate that there are still kids getting diagnosed every day. Please keep Zane in your prayers and say a little prayer for Nate's scans to go smoothly tomorrow and, of course, NED forever!



Lessons from Abigail

After spending part of the evening at Abigail's viewing, we came home to find Nate swimming with Grandma...with his hearing aids in. They are drying in desiccant, we don't know if they are damaged...but it really doesn't matter. We just can't sweat the small stuff. Abigail, we are so happy that you are now cancer free and we promise to live life to the fullest and to keep fighting neuroblastoma.

Talia

Today, Talia passed away. Thank you Talia for being such a strong and beautiful voice for all the children fighting this disease. This neuroblastoma world is a tough one to live in. Praying for all the warriors...past, present and future.

Prayers for Abigail

 

Please say a prayer for our sweet friend and neuroblastoma warrior, Abigail. She is nearing the end of her journey here on Earth and is really struggling. Please pray for some peace and comfort for her and her family. We love you Abigail and Goss family!

Thank you for praying. Our prayers were heard. Abigail is no longer in pain. RIP sweet girl, you are forever in our hearts. This is part of the update just posted by her Mom:

"January 15, 2011, Abigail was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.
Exactly 2.5 years later, on July 15, 2013, Abigail was permanently healed.
She was in my arms, surrounded by her daddy, brother, sisters, and grandparents. Although she had had a very distressing day, she reached a level of comfort an hour or so before peacefully passing away.
Thank you so much-- so very, very much, for your prayers."

Happily Forgotten "Anniversary"

 

I just realized that I almost made it through the day without thinking about this day, last year, when a reaction to antibody treatment sent Nate to the PICU on a ventilator to save his life. That was 7/13/12. Then, I looked at the calendar...today is the 14th. I actually did get through the day yesterday without giving one thought to it. Wow! I am so thankful to be so busy living a "normal" and super fun life with my family that I don't have to dwell on the hard things we've been through. We spent the day at the Lego Kidsfest today, the kids had a blast, and I am BLOWN AWAY at Nate's Lego building skills for his age. Counting so many blessings!



God's Garden

 

Unlike Nate, who bounced right back into life, I am still mentally & emotionally recovering from Nate's diagnosis and treatment. I have not yet found the will to restart my garden. Chris found this on my long abandoned artichoke plant today! An excellent reminder that God is taking care of things, even when we can't find the strength. Isn't it beautiful!?

 



ProJeKt 3000

 

This amazing young man has ridden his bike across the country from Virginia, even through our scorching AZ desert, and will be landing in San Diego tomorrow. He did this all to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer, specifically neuroblastoma. He is DOING something, in a huge way, for the kids who need him the most. Please like, donate, share or support his campaign and if you happen to be in San Diego tomorrow, head to La Jolla Shores Park at noon to witness the end of his 3000 mile journey. Wish we could be there. Thank you Navid!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/ProJeKt3K

Dentist Check Up

 

We had a dentist appointment for our hero today to reassess the mess that treatment left behind. We have decided to go ahead and fill the 4 small cavities we have been watching, and just get it over with, all at once. His trashed front bottom teeth are still holding strong (though not looking great) and will probably be ok until they fall out, since they are some of the first to go. Best of all, we can see many of his adult teeth formed below the gum line. We don't know what shape they'll be in, but it's good to know that they're there, because many children going through the treatment Nate did, at the age he did, don't form adult teeth at all. Counting our blessings



2 Years

 

July 7th. It's now been 2 years since our lives were flipped upside down with Nate's neuroblastoma diagnosis. We are forever changed. In some ways for the better, some, not so much. Nate spent the weekend playing and exploring in the woods with his friends and siblings, just like a little boy should. For that, we are forever grateful, but the things that Nate went through to get to this point seem like a horrific nightmare, etched in the back of my mind. "Anniversaries", like today, are hard for me, but they aren't hard for Nate. Nate sees today, like he sees every day...full of fun, adventure and possibility. So, I hug my family tight and am SO thankful for today!



Happy 4th of July

 

We are so incredibly happy to have our whole family together this year! Happy 4th!

Full of Energy

 

Playing at the hospital playground between appointments. He has TONS of energy to burn off and I love it!