Jeremy's 6th Birthday!

Jeremy really wanted to be finished with chemotherapy by his 6th birthday. He made it! On Jeremy's birthday, August 13th, we had a big family party celebrating his 6th birthday and end of chemotherapy. It was so special to celebrate this day with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Jeremy opening his birthday gifts.

Jeremy playing with cousins, Josh, Harrison, and Carter.

Cousins lining up to do the pinata. Cousin Jane first in line.

Anxiously waiting while Josh takes his turn!

Jeremy giving it a try!

                                     

Having so much fun!

 

Grandma Stapley taking pictures of the grandchildren.

 

Giving Grandma Russell a goodbye hug!

Uncle Brandon always joking with Jeremy

Grandpa and Grandma Aldrich

Blowing out the candles.

Yum! Chocolate cake, Jeremy's favorite. 

Grandpa Stapley serving the ice cream. 

First Grade!

Jeremy recovered well from his surgery and was ready to start school last Tuesday. Jeremy is loving 1st grade, and especially likes his teacher Mrs. Graham. She is very understanding and told me that she would call me if Jeremy is having an difficulties at school. I am also volunteering each week in his class, and will be able to watch closely how he is doing. Each day he comes home exhausted, but happy and excited about school. He has no energy after school. We are getting him to bed early, but the mornings are hard for him. Each morning he will wake up and say "I am too tired to go to school today". I will reply "That is o.k., you can go when you are ready". After breakfast he will say "Just tricking! I am going to school". He is tired, but he does not want to miss out on the fun activities at school. It is taking time, but he is getting stronger and his health will improve. He made it through the first week of school!

In the garden at Primary Children's Hospital, just before Jeremy's surgery to remove his port and G-tube.

Surgery Today!

Jeremy is having surgery today to have his port and G-tube removed. We are leaving in a few minutes. We were glad that he will have this done before school starts. It is a blessing that school starts later this year, not until September 4th. This extra time has been great for Jeremy. I think that he will be ready for school next week. He is very excited and I am a little nervous!

Jeremy lost his first tooth last Saturday!

End of Chemo Evaluation Scans

We have been at the hospital the last two days for Jeremy's scans. It is exhausting! The sedation made Jeremy very sick and his blood pressure was low. It was a long day. Jeremy's scans look good. There is some scaring in his left sinus from the radiation and also remains from the tumor. There was a marking that showed up on the bone scan on his sacrum (tail bone). Dr. Spraker said it is nothing to worry about, but ordered an x ray to be safe. She said that we could do the x ray when he comes in to have his port and G-tube removed in about two-three weeks. He is also going to have a hearing test, hopefully before school starts. The radiation may have caused some permanent hearing loss in his left ear. Jeremy's ANC is at a normal range, but he is still vulnerable and at a higher risk to sickness and infections and will be for many months. He will continue taking an antibiotic for the next three months to help him with this.We have started weaning him off his G-tube and it is definitely a challenge! Children have strong memories of bad food experiences. Unfortunately chemo provided many bad food experiences for Jeremy. It is going to take time, he is an extremely picky eater right now. Jeremy will have scans every three months for two years, scans every six months for five years and then scans once a year. This first year is the most critical. It is a year of patiently waiting and hoping that the cancer does not come back. We also hope that a new cancer that can be caused from the radiation or chemo does not develop.

Jeremy was granted his wish and we are going to Disney World this month. He is so excited! The whole family is excited! He is also registered for 1st grade and is looking forward to going to school.

Blood Transfusion Tomorrow

Jeremy had blood drawn today and his hematocrit is low. We are going to the hospital tomorrow morning for a blood transfusion. Jeremy has been tired and irritable, the transfusion will help him feel much better. 

We do have some fun news. We have a new bunny. He is three weeks old and cute as a button. Ireland and Jeremy named him Socks, because he is black with white front paws, that look like socks. The name fits.

Our new bunny Socks!

 This bunny is getting lots of love!

The bunny is already nibbling on the garden!

Ireland and Socks

Jacob built the bunny hutch from scrap material. He did a great job!

Socks in his new home.

Last Chemo!

Friday Jeremy was administered his last chemo. Saturday morning Jeremy rang the bell signifying his last chemotherapy, while the nurses gathered together clapping and singing "Happy Last Chemo to Jeremy" (tune of Happy Birthday).  We were overcome with several emotions, joy, relief, gratitude, exhaustion, reflection, but most of all hope. Hope and desire that Jeremy will never have to go through this again. 

Jeremy all packed up and ready to go home!

Megan and James decorated the house for Jeremy's homecoming.

Jeremy cutting off the last link on the chemo count down chain! He was so happy to cut off the last link! It is hard to smile when you feel sick and yucky from chemo. 

Jeremy had a rough day yesterday. I had a hard time getting him to lay down and rest. He wanted to be up, even though he was nauseated and throwing up most of the day. We hooked him up to an IV fluid during the night. We are also concerned that he is getting mouth sores from this last chemo. Although chemo was administered on Friday, a complete chemo cycle is three weeks. Jeremy will receive treatment and care to help him get through the side effects of the chemo for the next couple of weeks. He will start the Neupogen shots today. 

Jeremy has a bone scan and CT scan scheduled on August 6th and an MRI on August 7th. We will also meet with Dr. Spraker on August 7th to go over the results of the scans. If everything looks good, we will be able to schedule a surgery day for Jeremy to have his port and G-tube removed. We expect great results. They will monitor Jeremy closely through out his childhood for any signs of the cancer returning and also for any complications that may arise from the chemo and radiation. Jeremy will have scans every three months for the next two years, then every six months for five years, and then once a year the rest of his childhood. 

Over the Slump

Jeremy seems to be over the low ANC slump. His ANC has been around 2000 for the last two weeks. He stopped taking the Neupogen shots on Monday and his ANC still looks good today. Yeah! We had a fun 4th of July, celebrating the day at a family barbecue. Jeremy played nonstop with cousins and loved the fireworks. He has been able to attend swim lessons this week. He looks so forward to going each day. It is at a private pool with seven kids in the class. The physical therapist said this is great exercise for his legs. He has been praying each day "bless my numbers will be good so that I can go to swim lessons". We are so thankful that his numbers are good and he has not missed a day. Ireland is in the class and so are their friends  Allysa and Brady. He is pretty tired the rest of the day, but this has been great for his emotional well being. It was so hard for him when his ANC was low for so long and he had to stay home. He felt so isolated. It is so nice for him to be able to get out of the house and go do things again, especially during the summer time. 

Jeremy and Ireland at swim lessons.

Jeremy and his friend Brady.

Jeremy learning how to do the elementary back stroke.

Jeremy jumping off the diving board!

Farmington Swimming Pool 

On Thursday, June 28th, Jeremy's ANC was up and he was scheduled for chemo the next day. He was sad about having to go to chemo. I told him that since his ANC is good and chemo is not until tomorrow that we could go do something fun. I asked him what he would like to do. He said, "go swimming!" So we put on our swimsuits, hopped in the car, and went swimming. 

Making the best of "hanging" around at home!