Still Don't Know ?

We are still awaiting a call from UCSF on Luke's follow-up scan for his lung infection. His Oncologist here in Sacramento said it looks stable meaning no change since his last scan I guess. We were told that there will probably be scar tissue left behind, so hopefully that is what they are seeing. I will let you know when we find out more. We just finished making some beautiful valentine cookies and the kids are having fun passing around their valentine cards. Mommy has already eaten to many cookies and is now trying to talk herself into getting on the treadmill ! Wish me luck. lol

February...Wow !!

Time is just flying by isn't it? I got a call during our very big and successful yard sale from my friend Nichole. You might remember back during Luke's transplant we met Nichole and her family at the "family house" in San Francisco. Their daughter Layla was undergoing radiation after having a relapse of neuroblastoma almost a year after her transplant. Upon follow-up scans they discovered Layla's neuroblastoma was spreading to both her liver and lungs. Nichole told me she passed away on Monday at home in her bed... she was six years old. Layla was a beautiful little girl and we will always remember our short time with her. Mike and I are heartbroken for Nichole and Dennis and also for Layla's four year old sister Ruby, two year old brother Eli and baby sister Josefina. Nichole said she can close her eyes and see Layla running in heaven with sparkles all around her...and she knows all her pain is gone. The Lord brings great comfort in his promises.

Luke continues to do really well. We went to Sutter Memorial to have another c.t. scan of his lungs yesterday. Don't have results yet. We will go back to UCSF March 10 to check his immune system. Hopefully he will be off isolation! Please continue to pray for Luke's healing and for our friends Nichole and Dennis.
Thank you for following our journey, it really helps to know all of our friends are going through this with us. I love you all.

Enjoying Home

We are having a great time staying home. Luke is just finishing his third cycle of cis-retionoc acid and it seemed to be a bit easier this time. His lips are chapped pretty bad but not quite bleeding and the rest of his skin is pretty good. I also didn't see too much of a decrease in his appetite.Dr.Yim assured us he would be feeling better now that his is off the fungal medicine. His second follow-up scan is now scheduled for Feb.1 .Praying for clear lungs!!

January 27 Luke will be 6 years old!! Happy Birthday Lukie!!(Mike and I got him a new blue bike for his birthday sshhh... don't tell) He is doing great with his school work lately. We are accomplishing much more now that we have not been traveling as much. He is reading now, writing and doing math. Joe and Luke are science buddies and do experiments together, and Grace is like a little teacher herself. I go upstairs to rotate the laundry and she breezes in and has him finishing his workbook pages by the time I get back (it's more fun than doing her own work). Peter is right there in the middle of it all doing his home work too. He gets very jealous "Mom.. I need help..what do I do?" Busy full days, sending them all outside with every peek of sunshine I see. ~ Love to all Erica

MIBG- All Good !!!

Quick update

C.T. Scan - Clear
Bone Scan- Clear
MIBG - Let you know tomorrow.

Goodbye Two Thousand And Nine

"Goodbye Two Thousand and Nine, you were no friend of mine! " My sister Jennifer said that yesterday, I thought it was pretty approiate considering the trials we have had this year. However it is not entirely true. There were many things 2009 brought our family.We have grown in our relationship with God and with each other. We have been tested to the breaking point and we have been strengthened beyond what we knew was possible. We have been deeply hurt and we have seen incredible healing. We feel like we got our master degrees in Cancer treatment this year, and the compassion we have for others going down the path we just traveled and those beyond us is UN-paralleled. We have grown in knowledge about many things and have seen Gods love poured out by many. All in all it has been a pretty special year. Although, I have hope for a different kind of 2010. One that includes no more suffering for Lukas and the complete healing of his body!! And a happy and healthy year for all of you too!!