Hey everyone. We checked back into the hospital yesterday for Tyler's 4th round of chemo. So far, so good. This time he's hooked up to chemo the whole time we're here. Poor guy. He doesn't get to be unhooked at all until Friday. I don't think he realizes he's connected all the time though. He's constantly getting tangled in his line because he moves around so much.
Last night was a late night! Tyler usually goes to bed around 8:30 and has at least one long nap a day. Yesterday, he only had a 45 minute nap. I layed him down for bed at 8:00...at 10:00 he was still very much wide awake and the most hyper I've ever seen him that late at night! He was standing up in his crib, stomping his feet, shaking his head back and forth and yelling! After a nice little dose of Benadryl, he went right to sleep. He was definitely feeling the effects of a late night because he already took almost a two hour nap around 10:45 today.
They're scheduling surgery to remove his tumor around March 19th or 20th. Looks like we're heading to Seattle around the end of April and his transplant will be the beginning of May. So far, that's all the info we have. The hospital gave us a list of extended stay apartments, hotels, condos, etc to look through. Now we just have to decide which one is best for us. I wish I could see the neighborhoods they're in before we make a choice! I went online and looked at some of the places. They seemed pretty nice. Rent in Seattle is a lot more expensive than I'm used to seeing! I think it'll be a really fun adventure though...once we get through the tough parts.
Well, we're hoping to be out of here on Friday if all goes well. Keep your fingers crossed! Actually, that's never been of much luck to me. :)
Kristine

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009 11:14 AM, CST
And the good news keeps coming!
Dr. Trobaugh said Tyler's MIBG scan results show that the only tumor left is the one in his abdomen which means the two that were in his leg are gone! The spots in his leg that were showing on the bone scan is just scar tissue left from the tumors. This is just so amazing! The dr. was saying that his results are incredible. We will get the bone marrow results back in about a week. They saw a cluster of cells under the microscope but she said that could just be normal cells. Even if there are still cancer cells in his bone marrow, she said it's nothing like it was. We knew God could do a miracle and He definitley has!
Kristine

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009 02:04 PM, CST
GOOD NEWS!!
So the Dr. just visited and was showing us the results of the bone and CT scan from yesterday. She was comparing the difference between the very first scan done when he first was diagnosed and the ones completed yesterday. She cautioned not to be disappointed if there is no difference between the two, she said that is not unusual so.........
Here are the results
1. Remember there were two spots in his head? Well they have completely resolved.
2. The two spots that were on his legs have decreased in size. They will know exactly how much when he completes his MRBG scan tomorrow.
3. The main tumor on his kidney has decreased in size by more then half,
4. Oh....and the spot on his chest wall? Its gone to!
Can you believe that?
They should know more tomorrow so stay tuned.
Thanks so much for all the prayers and thank you God!

I think Tyler likes his new haircut.
Mom isn't brushing his hair constantly anymore!

Tyler is showing off the hat one of the mom's at the hospital made him. Of course, his best friend is in tow! He loves his puppy!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2009 09:31 PM, CST
More great news! His stem cell harvest went so well today that the nurse said they got enough for a couple transplants! Originally they only needed a count of 10. Yesterday they got 7.7 and today they got 20! This is great because if we decide to participate in the transplant study, Tyler will have at least 2 transplants. Of course the sedative didn't work again today. He was a lot more figity than yesterday which interferes with the amount of stem cells they're able to collect so I was very surprised to hear the number they got.
Now we don't have to go back until Monday January 19th so we'll have about 5 days at home. Aaaahhhh...how nice.
This Saturday is Tyler's benefit at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. I can't take Tyler and so far everyone we know will be at the benefit :) Tyler took several steps today while I held his hands. He protested a little but at least he did it! That was encouraging.
Talk to you later!
Kristine