So Much To Report!

Sam is back to work! Whoopee!!!

And I am here at home taking care of the garden and our pets. Sam's company is sending him to Canada to install a conveyor line at a Gatorade plant there...but I won't be going with him on this trip.

I will stay home with our 3 dogs, 1 cat, our cockatiel, and 9 chickens, to keep the home fires burning. And I hate it that I can't go with my hubby!! Oh well...we do what we have to in this life, don't we.

Connor is doing well. He is fighting his battle with Leukemia bravely! After the first bone marrow transplant didn't work, we were a bit terrified!!

But the second transplant has all the indications of being a success!! And we thank God for that!!

Hang in there, Con-Man! We love you!!

This photograph is of our cockatiel, "Jodie-Bird". She loves to "help" me when I am on the computer. She is fascinated by the keyboard and my typing. Crazy bird!... I just love her!!

Connor at Texas Transplant Institute

Connor has been in San Antonio, Texas at the Texas Transplant Institute for almost a week now...and he is doing very well. But things will get harder for him from here on.

So far Connor has gone through some routine tests and has been "marked" for the radiation treatments he will need in preparation for the transplant. He has also been found to be an acceptable candidate for the double donor transplant study. This greatly increases his chances of permanent remission!

Let me explain...instead of receiving cells from only one donor, Connor will be getting cells from 2 different donors. These cells will be taken from umbilical cord blood that has been clamped and separated after delivery. Two sources will be used. This allows one source to become the dominate cells effectively defeating the other set of cells. That means survival of the dominate cells...and success for Connor!!

Connor had one bad moment this week. The radiology department made a cast of Connor's face and constructed a mask for him to wear during radiation therapy. So it came time for the first radiation treatment and the mask was placed over his face. Now Connor is used to the way things are done at Arkansas Children's Hospital...slowly and with every step explained to him. So when the radiology team moved more quickly and with less explanations at TTI, it scared him when they placed the mask over his face for the first time. But the technicians were quite understanding...they took the mask off, talked to him, and when Connor was ready, they resumed the treatment.

And, of course, Connor came through with flying colors!!

There is a long and painful road ahead before Connor will be well. The worst and most dreaded part of the treatment will be the chemotherapy that will virtually destroy his immune system. It is going to be a very grueling road for an eight year old boy to travel.

But the transplant is scheduled for the second week in June and I know Connor will go through it as he has all of the last two years...like the brave warrior that he is!

I have to take a moment to thank everyone who has given time, money, emotional support and prayers for Connor. Thank you all so much. God bless you! And God bless Connor and all the children who are battling this insidious disease tonight!!

Update on Connor

After a close call with septic shock and the loss of all his hair, I am happy to report that Connor is in remission!! Hooray for you, little man!!

Now the task before us is to find a bone marrow donor that is a match for Connor. We are working on doing a community "blood drive" where people will be tested as possible donors. Even if I am not a match for Connor, I might be a match for some other child who is in need!

All it takes is giving a simple blood sample to know if you are a donor match for someone on the list. There are so many children in need of donors and so few willing to go through the momentary discomforts of giving that life saving marrow that the kids so desperately need.

We thank you all for your prayers and good wishes, but now we need your bone marrow...LOL! I'll be one of the first in line to donate. I hope many of you will do the same.

God bless and keep all the children battling Leukemia tonight!

For Connor

There is an amazing little boy in my life that I'd like to tell you about. His name is Connor, he is eight years old, he is my great-nephew and he is in a battle for his life. You see, Connor is fighting an enemy called Leukemia.

Connor is quite a kid! He loves pirates and anything he finds can be "treasure" to him. (An old piece of jewelry can make him smile.) He loves magic tricks and practices them on all who are close to him. Magic fascinates him. And there is a magic in Connor that you see and feel when you meet him. It's in his eyes. It's in his smile. He also loves to go fishing and rafting (he loves the water) and loves to play his video games.

Connor was just like every other little kid you know...playing, going to school, you know, just being a kid. Then one day in November of 2008, Connor began to complain with some joint pain. He was seen by a doctor for his complaints with the diagnosis being a sprained wrist, then a sprained knee, etc. This went on for a week.

Then the next week his Mom took him to school as usual, but around noon, she got a call. The school requested that she come get Connor immediately. Apparently, he could not stand or put any weight on his legs without being in excruciating pain. He would scream in terrible pain when he tried to walk. That was the beginning of Connor's battle. Within the space of a week, his world was turned upside down. Within 24 hours, he was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Connor was sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital and treatment was begun immediately. And being the "trooper" that he is, Connor responded amazing well to the treatments. He lost his hair, was often violently sick. Many days he couldn't keep anything (food, drink) down. But he fought! And he won! Connor was in remission for over a year once his treatment was done. The doctors were quite hopeful and so were we.

Then a couple of weeks ago, Connor's routine check up revealed something alarming. Cancer cells had invaded his spinal fluid. And Connor's fight has been renewed. The cancer is back.

At Arkansas Children's Hospital, Connor continues his fight. The chemo they are giving him this time is called "Red Devil". It is a medication so toxic to human cells that it must be greatly diluted to enter his little body. And even in it's diluted form, it can cause burns if it comes into direct contact with the skin.

Yet Connor's spirit is unwavering and strong. He smiles, he plays, he fights his enemy tirelessly without complaint-and looks forward to the day when he will not have to go through any of this ever again. His skin is peeling from his body, he is so sick with nausea and vomiting that he can't eat, his body is bloated and swollen from the medications he must take and still he smiles! I am humbled by this little warrior.

When I think of Connor, I feel ashamed of my silly complaints. I have nothing to complain about compared to this little boy. I have lived 52 years and Connor, at 8 years of age, is simply fighting for his next birthday! You are my little hero, Connor...and I am going to fight with you in any way I can.

God bless the doctors and nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital for your excellent care of our Connor. God bless and strengthen Connor in his fight against this insidious disease. God bless and help Connor's mother (my niece) and grandmother (my sister) as they help him fight his daily battles.

And God help me to remember that there are worse indignities in this life than growing old!

This entry is for Connor....fight on little warrior....our little pirate....our budding magician....

God bless and strengthen Connor.