Happy New Year from The Hugs for Brady Foundation

Sometimes it amazes me how life continues to repeat itself.  Looking back on New Year’s Eve 2009 it seems to be one of those times.  We were released from the hospital with a very sick baby who in retrospect was dying of cancer.  We had such high-hope and belief we were going to beat this barbaric disease, we had such hope our baby would grow up and live a normal life, we had such hope…

But the reality of pediatric cancer had other plans for our son.  Two years have passed and still pediatric cancer continues killing babies.  It still is not a “big” enough disease to entice the pharmaceutical industry to invest in basic research, it does not have enough voters to entice politicians to increase public funding, it only has us common people to battle the horrors of this sickness.  We can make a difference, we must make a difference; the 40,000 kids currently suffering with cancer are counting on us, it’s all they have. 

You’re probably asking yourself, “How can I possibly make a difference”?  It’s really simple -  Make your New Year Resolution to tell just 2 people about the horrors of childhood cancer and ask them to tell 2 people, etc.; etc.   It’s really very simple and doesn’t involve dieting!  If you want to be more aggressive, just get involved; donate platelets, donate blood, donate your time, or if you can donate money; 40,000 kids need your help. 

As we end another year and begin a new, we at the Hugs for Brady Foundation wish you a New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity - Happy New Year!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2009 8:45 PM, EST

Happy New Year

Wow, what a year and where in the world did it go?  Sherrie and I will always remember 2009 as the year Brady was diagnosed with leukemia.  As we wrap-up this year we have some excellent news to share; we have our son home with us for an entire week!  We got home today around 4:00pm and almost immediately went for one of our neighborhood walks. The sidewalks were covered with snow and the Christmas lights were still decorating many homes.  Brady got to see one of his favorite dogs; Bunker and he just smiled and smiled and smiled the entire time.  It is without a doubt one of the simple things in life we will always cherish.

We also received the preliminary pathology results and we were extremely disappointed.  Brady’s cancer is not in remission as his blast count remains at 8%.  This is not where any of Brady’s medical team wanted him to be.  So, we will continue on to yet another round of chemotherapy but this time we will be treating Brady with some more aggressive and toxic drugs.  These include: Cytarabine, Mitoxantrone (Novantrane) and Mylotarg (Gemtuzumab Oxogamicin).  This combination is normally used for patients who have relapsed but the combination also has had some success with highly resistant cancers as well.  Our goal hasn’t changed; cure the cancer.  This is just a setback but not an insurmountable obstacle; just another “speed bump” in this whole process. 

We are still scheduled to meet with Dr. Bunin of CHOP on Tuesday for Brady's initial bone marrow transplant (BMT) examination.  In fact, Dr. Bunin has already consulted and is in agreement with Dr. Drachtman regarding Brady’s next chemo protocol.  Brady has a very difficult challenge ahead of him but Sherrie and I truly believe he will defeat this hideous disease and live a long wonderful life.  

Until next year; PLEASE start the New Year off with a prayer, a good thought and hug for Brady – make him your resolution for a miraculous 2010.