This weekend, we celebrated Jake's 8th Birthday party (pictures to come soon).
We were blessed to share it with some good friends at the pool in our complex. All of the kids seemed to have a great time swimming and playing with each other. Jake confessed to us later that he had an awesome time.
It was a day that most kids look forward to every year. For Jake, this was an especially exciting day. When we started on this journey in mid-May, none of us knew what to expect. Within a few days of starting his treatment and being told all of the things that he would be unable to do for a period of time, Jake was concerned that he would be unable to have a birthday party. As he started making good progress with his treatment, his concern moved towards whether or not his hair would all be gone by his birthday.
I think back to Birthday's that I have had in the past and it is impossible to think of any of them where my wishes were anywhere near Jake's were. Mine were filled with desires for baseball gloves, games, and good times. Never in wildest dreams would my wishes have been to not lose all my hair or to even be healthy enough to have a party.
Jake has been forced to grow-up much faster than anyone deserves. Although his party was for his 8th birthday, he has lived through more pain and stress than any child should ever have to endure. His treatment and his bodies response to the treatment has been better than anyone could have ever expected, but that does not make it any easier to walk with him though this.
I look forward to celebrating more birthdays with Jake, as well as celebrating a very special "birth"day - the day that the doctors determine that he has been cured of his leukemia and he can begin living his life with no longer having to be concerned about the future, but getting to look back at what he has come through.
It may be a number of years before the impact of all of this will be absorbed by Jake, but when it all sinks in for him he is going to have some incredible memories of family and friends.
Happy Birthday Jake!!!!!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Long Weekend
This last weekend was both long in time as well as long overdue for the Carlson Family.
We had 2 of our closest friends from MN, Mike and Tiffany Krueger, drive out from MN to spend a couple of days with us. It was incredibly relaxing for us to have them in town. We quickly realized how much we truly do miss them.
On Thursday night, we all took in a Rockies game.
As you can see, it took a lot out of the boys as they caught a snooze as we rode the light rail home.
On Saturday we headed out to Estes Park to spend some time hiking and sharing the scenery with our visitors. We hiked up to Alberta Falls and got a chance to get some fresh air.
Sunday, our friends drove back home to MN. It was sad to see them go, but we will be seeing them again in August when we take our trip to MN for our summer vacation.
Sunday and Monday were filled with recovery. Jake did awesome on the hike on Saturday, but his feet and legs took a beating and he was ready for some time to relax and give those muscles a little break. We did some swimming late Monday afternoon and he swam like a fish. It is great to see him not only getting out and doing things, but doing seeing him do things at a level that he was accustomed to a couple of months ago.
Today we also received a gift from the Minnesota Twins called a "Smile Box". The box contained a hand-written card from the Twins along with a number of Twins items: A hat, a Delmon Young autographed baseball, some Twins player magnets, a bobblehead doll, a couple of books on the history of the Twins, and a Joe Mauer fishing lure. Jake talked at great length about all of the fish that he plans on catching with this lure.
Thanks to Rick and Diane for taking the time to get this for Jake.
It still amazes me at the lengths that friends and family have gone to in order to help Jacob know that there are people out there who are thinking about him and praying for him.
As we continue to save all of the emails and all of the cards and all of the blog postings/comments, we look forward to the day when Jake can finally look back at everything he has been through and he will have an amazing story to tell. At 7, it's difficult to truly understand all that he is having to deal with and the seriousness of his illness. He is being forced to grow up a little quicker in certain areas right now. With a birthday coming up next week, it is encouraging to start to see the almost 8 year old in him start to come out and to watch him slowly start to become that "kid" that he was a few months ago.
I have said it many times - Jake, you truly are MY Hero!!!!
We had 2 of our closest friends from MN, Mike and Tiffany Krueger, drive out from MN to spend a couple of days with us. It was incredibly relaxing for us to have them in town. We quickly realized how much we truly do miss them.
On Thursday night, we all took in a Rockies game.
As you can see, it took a lot out of the boys as they caught a snooze as we rode the light rail home.
On Saturday we headed out to Estes Park to spend some time hiking and sharing the scenery with our visitors. We hiked up to Alberta Falls and got a chance to get some fresh air.
Sunday, our friends drove back home to MN. It was sad to see them go, but we will be seeing them again in August when we take our trip to MN for our summer vacation.
Sunday and Monday were filled with recovery. Jake did awesome on the hike on Saturday, but his feet and legs took a beating and he was ready for some time to relax and give those muscles a little break. We did some swimming late Monday afternoon and he swam like a fish. It is great to see him not only getting out and doing things, but doing seeing him do things at a level that he was accustomed to a couple of months ago.
Today we also received a gift from the Minnesota Twins called a "Smile Box". The box contained a hand-written card from the Twins along with a number of Twins items: A hat, a Delmon Young autographed baseball, some Twins player magnets, a bobblehead doll, a couple of books on the history of the Twins, and a Joe Mauer fishing lure. Jake talked at great length about all of the fish that he plans on catching with this lure.
Thanks to Rick and Diane for taking the time to get this for Jake.
It still amazes me at the lengths that friends and family have gone to in order to help Jacob know that there are people out there who are thinking about him and praying for him.
As we continue to save all of the emails and all of the cards and all of the blog postings/comments, we look forward to the day when Jake can finally look back at everything he has been through and he will have an amazing story to tell. At 7, it's difficult to truly understand all that he is having to deal with and the seriousness of his illness. He is being forced to grow up a little quicker in certain areas right now. With a birthday coming up next week, it is encouraging to start to see the almost 8 year old in him start to come out and to watch him slowly start to become that "kid" that he was a few months ago.
I have said it many times - Jake, you truly are MY Hero!!!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Clinic Visit Update....
I took Jake in this morning for his spinal tap. Things went really, really good.
To prepare for this procedure, Jake took a Valium with breakfast (oh how we all wish we could start our day like this) and we also put some numbing cream on the area of his back where they would be performing the procedure. We got to the Dr and they took some blood so they could get his counts taken care of. Once they had taken the blood, they gave him some additional pain medication to help him out.
The spinal tap was all done right there in the Dr's office. Jake held a rolled up blanket on his lap and used it to brace his body while he hunched over. The whole procedure then took about 6-10 minutes while they drained some spinal fluid and then gave him his Chemo. Once they were done, he needed to lay down for about 1/2 hour to let the medicine work its way around his spinal column.
Blood counts were great - ANC Count of 2130. His platelet count was over 560,000 and his white blood counts were in the normal range. His red blood cell counts are still a little low, but the Dr said this is normal as the bone marrow begins to work its way back to normal cell processing.
Next appointment is scheduled for 6/30.
I took Jake in this morning for his spinal tap. Things went really, really good.
To prepare for this procedure, Jake took a Valium with breakfast (oh how we all wish we could start our day like this) and we also put some numbing cream on the area of his back where they would be performing the procedure. We got to the Dr and they took some blood so they could get his counts taken care of. Once they had taken the blood, they gave him some additional pain medication to help him out.
The spinal tap was all done right there in the Dr's office. Jake held a rolled up blanket on his lap and used it to brace his body while he hunched over. The whole procedure then took about 6-10 minutes while they drained some spinal fluid and then gave him his Chemo. Once they were done, he needed to lay down for about 1/2 hour to let the medicine work its way around his spinal column.
Blood counts were great - ANC Count of 2130. His platelet count was over 560,000 and his white blood counts were in the normal range. His red blood cell counts are still a little low, but the Dr said this is normal as the bone marrow begins to work its way back to normal cell processing.
Next appointment is scheduled for 6/30.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Friday Updates
First of all, let me clarify, I know that today is not Friday. I am rather behind because I indulged in a lazy wonderful weekend with my guys. Brian promised an update on Friday - so here it is - (on Monday)
On Friday Jacob had what should be his last surgery for awhile. The results of his bone marrow biopsy showed no leukemia cells and that puts us officially into remission. His blood work backed that up, his ANC is up to 2460 which means his immune system is up and functioning and he is creating wonderful, healthy blood.
We now start the second phase of chemotherapy which is called consolidation. Consolidation will last for a month and consist of daily oral chemotherapy and weekly spinal taps to give chemo intrathecally. The process for the spinal tap is Jacob will sit on our lap, facing us - with a pillow in between us - we hug and the Dr does the spinal tap. Which means that Brian and I will get a picture perfect view of the ongoings. Yikes! We will have the first go round this Friday so please pray for us and the Dr that all goes well. They have instructed us to give a Valium before the appointment - I should have asked if that applied to the parent as well.
Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and it was wonderful. The water was warm, the sun shining and Jake and I were finally brave enough to go all the way into the pool, (we had been stair sitters the previous week due to cold water!) We even got Daddy to the pool - of course we brought him home a lil redder then we started off. I love summer. We plan on swimming as many days as possible and are looking for friends to join us. Call Me!
On Sunday - Brian's wish was to ... do nothing. Let me tell you, we can do nothing with the best of them and had a great day. Having a lock on the best Dad in the world for my boys makes it an easy day to celebrate even if the agenda is ... nothing.
Our day of nothing must have been exhausting for Jake because he stayed in bed till 11 o'clock this morning. There are just days that his body need lots of rest and today was one of them. I have not exactly figured out the rhythm or the pattern yet - it seems to vary. He did end his day, happily, snacking on a bowl of popcorn and giggling that he had the whole bowl to himself.
On Friday Jacob had what should be his last surgery for awhile. The results of his bone marrow biopsy showed no leukemia cells and that puts us officially into remission. His blood work backed that up, his ANC is up to 2460 which means his immune system is up and functioning and he is creating wonderful, healthy blood.
We now start the second phase of chemotherapy which is called consolidation. Consolidation will last for a month and consist of daily oral chemotherapy and weekly spinal taps to give chemo intrathecally. The process for the spinal tap is Jacob will sit on our lap, facing us - with a pillow in between us - we hug and the Dr does the spinal tap. Which means that Brian and I will get a picture perfect view of the ongoings. Yikes! We will have the first go round this Friday so please pray for us and the Dr that all goes well. They have instructed us to give a Valium before the appointment - I should have asked if that applied to the parent as well.
Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and it was wonderful. The water was warm, the sun shining and Jake and I were finally brave enough to go all the way into the pool, (we had been stair sitters the previous week due to cold water!) We even got Daddy to the pool - of course we brought him home a lil redder then we started off. I love summer. We plan on swimming as many days as possible and are looking for friends to join us. Call Me!
On Sunday - Brian's wish was to ... do nothing. Let me tell you, we can do nothing with the best of them and had a great day. Having a lock on the best Dad in the world for my boys makes it an easy day to celebrate even if the agenda is ... nothing.
Our day of nothing must have been exhausting for Jake because he stayed in bed till 11 o'clock this morning. There are just days that his body need lots of rest and today was one of them. I have not exactly figured out the rhythm or the pattern yet - it seems to vary. He did end his day, happily, snacking on a bowl of popcorn and giggling that he had the whole bowl to himself.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Word of the day.....
Remission
re·mis·sion (rĭ-mĭsh'ən)
n.
I just received a call from the Dr. with the results of today's bone marrow biopsy. She thought since she had gotten the news so quickly, she would pass it onto us so that we could have some good news to start our weekend.
I will have Tanya post later all the other info she received from the Dr.'s visit today, but I know there are plenty of people who are checking regularly for status updates - especially on Fridays.
We hope you all enjoy your weekend as much as we will!!!
re·mis·sion (rĭ-mĭsh'ən)
n.
- The act of remitting.
- A condition or period in which something is remitted.
- A lessening of intensity or degree; abatement.
- Medicine. Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.
- The period during which the symptoms of a disease abate or subside.
- Release, as from a debt, penalty, or obligation.
- Forgiveness; pardon.
I just received a call from the Dr. with the results of today's bone marrow biopsy. She thought since she had gotten the news so quickly, she would pass it onto us so that we could have some good news to start our weekend.
I will have Tanya post later all the other info she received from the Dr.'s visit today, but I know there are plenty of people who are checking regularly for status updates - especially on Fridays.
We hope you all enjoy your weekend as much as we will!!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Summer Vacation
It is official - Summer Vacation is here.
Or, as our littlest guitar hero would say, "School's Out for Summer!"
Before we get to far into summer I have to take some time and brag on Joshua. Last Friday we went to the end of the year assembly at Red Hawk Ridge Elementary School where Joshua received the High Flyer award. Each class selects one child that best displayed the SOAR characteristics.
- Safety
- Ownership
- Attitude
- Respect
- Congratulations Josh for all the hard wark you have ben dwoing all through the year. I am riley praod of you.
- grajalashen josh you have ben chosen for the high flyer sum day.
- der Joshua you shud be happy and like osum as a hi flier.
- Congratulations Joshua! I'm proud that your a high flyer. I like the way you soar.
The decision to enroll the boys into public school was one that we wrestled with for a long time. Now, at the end of our first year, I can tell you that it was the right decision. It is also very clear that a key to this success is the teachers that worked with Jake and Josh.
Mrs Goodman, Mrs Von K, Mrs Green, Mr Gunnett and all of the staff at RHR - you are amazing. Thank You so much for a great year!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tri Girls ROCK!!!
Yesterday some of my Tri girls took their energy and training to the McDonald's Womans 8K, or as we called it Jake's Race. I am constantly amazed with how much our friends are finding ways to support us, and now Leukemia - Lymphoma Society, along this path.
The shirts have a picture of Jake and the frame says Jacob is our superhero. In our book - the ones wearing the shirts are superhero's as well.
Dear Debbie, Daimi and Vicki
thank you for running the race for me. I hope you are not in pain.I hope you liked the t-shirts ms debbie gave you. sighned jacob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
