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02/05/06 |
    
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First Year File .
Michael's Second Year Sunday, October 2/05 We had a great summer! We managed to get out camping a few times when the weather was nice, spent time at the lake and just generally tried to get in a lot of rest and relaxation. The kids enjoyed VBS at church in August and Katie decided not to do the triathlon since it would involve "training". Michael's August was not too fun with one infection after another (eye, ear, Parvo. etc.), but he's such a trooper and didn't complain. The kids started school September 1st, with Katie now in Grade 4 and Michael in grade 1. Katie is really enjoying being back in school and has joined the choir. Michael is slowly getting used to the whole "school" thing, and is quite tired after getting home. He is taking his time making new friends, because as he tells us his best friend is Josh and so he doesn't want another best friend. Academically we were quite happy to hear he is not behind at all! Michael's doctor is not pleased with his progress or lack thereof (his last lab test showed all his numbers had dropped slightly). He wants to do a bone marrow biopsy on him sometime this month to see what's happening. He was also contemplating "experimenting" on him with a chemo drug, but Shane and I are not so sure about this after doing some research. The bottom line is that something has to be done and it's looking like Michael will have to go through another round of the ATG treatment which made him so sick last summer. We are praying for guidance for ourselves as well as his doctor in the decisions that will need to be made in the next couple of weeks, that Michael remains strong and free of infections, but most of all we are praying for God's healing hand to cure him.
Fun times this summer!!! Monday, October 17/05 We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the long weekend, spending time with both our families feasting on turkey and vowing never to eat that much again! Michael is now off his Cyclosporin and so we are waiting to see what his marrow can do on his own. His doctor can't do a biopsy with Michael still on this medication and it takes awhile to clear from his system. We don't see his doctor until the end of October, so unless we hear back from his nurse, it means his lab results are okay. Michael is happy he doesn't have to take anymore of that "yucky" medicine! Katie celebrated her 9th birthday on October 7th, and is growing up way too fast for our liking. Thank you again for all your prayers during this time of uncertainty. Sunday, October 30/05 It has been 2 weeks since Michael came off his medicine and his system appears to be holding its own. Michael's blood levels remain slightly below normal. Michael is considered to be in a partial remission, this could last 2 weeks or 2 years. The bottom line is that if his bone marrow doesn't begin to function within normal limits or if his lab values begin to drop, Michael will have to go through the treatment again. So although we are very happy that he is holding his own, the future still holds a lot of uncertainties that we are going to have to leave in God's hands. His doctor is going to schedule a bone marrow biopsy before Christmas to check out the difference in his marrow since July of 2004. This to him will be the greatest indicator of how the first treatment went. For those interested this is what we get to look at every blood test.
The kids are getting very excited about Halloween tomorrow!! Michael is going as Mr. Incredible and Katie is going as Mulan. Dad will put on a Canuck's jersey (there really is nothing more frightful than a Canucks fan in Calgary, except for maybe a Leafs or Oiler's fan). Have a safe and Happy Halloween! Sunday, November 13/05 Halloween went off without a hitch with the weather being quite nice. The kids chose to go door to door this year which enabled everyone to get some good crisp air. I'd like to personally thank Heath for the wonderful hot chocolate! The kids ended up with quite a haul of candy (plenty to secretly share with the parents!).
Michaels lab results from this past week were good. His platelets went to 136 and his Hemoglobin was at 118! These are his highest numbers ever and his doctor is shaking his head not quite sure what's going on. His doctor told us to keep praying because it seems to be working ! We are truly blessed that he continues to heal. Michael is scheduled for a bone marrow aspiration on November 30th. This test will give some indication to the doctor as to how Michael's bone marrow is working and whether it is still aplastic or not. He has not had this test done since the first one in July of 2004. The doctor plans to do this under a local anaesthetic, so we really need everyone to pray for Michael to be calm and cooperative. We continue to pray for positive results. Thank you all for keeping Michael and our family in your prayers. Wednesday, November 30/05 Michael had his Bone marrow test today. We will find out within the next week how the results are. On the positive side his platelets are at 123 and his Hemoglobin went up into normal ranges at 126. However his immune numbers dropped off. Not sure why, maybe the bone marrow test can tell us something. We will post again after the results are in. Michael handled it very bravely. It was done with only a local cream on the skin. The whole thing only took about 15min to do. The stress leading up to it was very great. Thanks to all for blessings and prayers. Wednesday, December 19/05 Sorry it has been so long since the last update. December so far has been a blurr...with all kinds of activities and getting ready for Christmas. To bring you up to speed with Michael, on December 4th, 2005 Michael had another seizure. His first one was back in July of 2004 and at the time all they could attribute it to was his medications. This one came out of nowhere (he's been off his meds for 2 months) and was not nearly as severe, although it did have us pretty scared until he came back around. The paramedics took him to the hospital because his oxygen levels were low and to get checked out since it had been so long since the last one. They assessed him and all tests came back fine. On the 16th of December Michael went for an EEG scan to see if there are any "blips" in his brain activity and we are still waiting to get in to see the Neurologist. His energy levels remain up and he is getting pretty excited about Christmas. This Wednesday the 21st, he will see his doctor and hopefully we will have all the results of the Bone marrow test by then. It is highly unlikely we will know the results of the EEG yet. I will post again within the week if there is anything to report. The kids saw Santa at my office Christmas party and it was a lot of fun. Last night they saw the Grinch, Rudolph, Snoopy and Kermit the Frog at the Kids Christmas banquet at our church and had an absolute blast! Sharon also put on the 1st annual "Cousins Cookie and Ornament Decorating Party" for the kids, and it was a big hit. The kids are done school on the 23rd so we will do our own family Christmas that evening. The 24th will be spent with Sharon's family, and the 25th we will be at my moms for the day. On the 26th, we plan on crashing and having a PJ day. I have decided to extend my holidays by a week into January since all indications say 2006 will be even busier than 2005.
We would like to wish you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas! Sunday, January 01/06 HAPPY NEW YEAR! It has been a very "roller coaster" of a Christmas. Things kicked off pretty well with the doctor's visit on the 22nd. He informed us that Michael's bone marrow was operating somewhat normally (yeah!), however his white count is still low and his marrow is still stressed. If Michael's marrow is "normal" we should see his stress test come down and white count go up in the next 3 months. We were told to be "cautiously optimistic" at this point. We had our own family Christmas on the 23rd and had a lot of fun watching movies and playing games. On the 24th we went to the Plett's and we all feasted and the kids were spoiled once again (Sharon was a bit of a zombie however since she had just gotten off a night shift). On December 25th we were at the Duval's for festivities when Michael had another 2 seizures. The first one was similar to the one on December 4th. The second one happened on the way to the hospital and was much worse. So Sharon and Michael spent a good part of the day in emergency. When Michael came around he was so upset that he had missed Christmas at Grandma's house. They couldn't determine why he had the seizure except to say that the previous EEG done on the 16th showed some abnormality on the right side of his brain. They have started Michael on a medication to hopefully prevent further seizures until we can get in to see the Neurologist (Feb 1st) and hopefully get some answers. Needless to say our emotions have been all over the place, from hopeful anticipation that he may soon be cured to this new road block put in our paths and the uncertainty it brings. Some of the plans we had for the holidays we have cancelled, but we have taken in the Zoolights, skating, went to see "the Chronicles of Narnia" and tomorrow Shane and Michael are going to a Calgary Flames game!
Sunday, February 05/06 The past month has been busy, busy, busy.... Sharon was able to pick up quite a few shifts at the Hospice the first two weeks of January, while Shane was at home "bonding" with the kids. The kids started back to school on the 9th and have started piano lessons, skating (Michael) and gymnastics (Katie). Katie and Sharon also had a "night out with the girls" at the Hillary Duff concert. Michael had a MRI Jan,19th and really did well laying still for the 45mins! Michael saw his Hematologist on January 26th and his counts were pretty good! (Hgb 127, Plts 120, WBC 3.4 *see table from Oct.30th). Michael saw the Neurologist on February 1st and has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. The MRI showed permanent damage to the inner part of the right side of his brain. They don't know what has caused this, but it is the reason for his seizures and he will need to be on medication for the rest of his life. This was quite a blow to us and we are still trying to come to terms with this. He's been through so much already, why this? Michael is doing well, but we are going to be changing his seizure medication since his current one has caused him to have trouble focusing in school and restlessness. Hopefully there will be no more roadblocks on his way to recovery! Katie continues to be such a blessing, taking everything in stride and being such a source of joy.
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This site was last updated 02/05/06
