Prayers for Brandon and the 40,000 Other Kids...

Pediatric cancer is beyond reason.  It’s a disease that attacks the defenseless and destroys everything in its path and if not stopped ultimately destroys itself.  I have been told it would take approximately one billion dollars to cure one pediatric cancer, there are twelve major types.  I can only hope that in some small way my son’s battle can help bring attention to this demonic disease and some day it will be cured.

is in the middle of a major battle with his cancer and right now he could use all the prayers, good thoughts and hugs you can spare.  Hang in there Big Guy we’re all rooting for you!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009 4:11 AM, EST

November 1st and I’m a year older, UCONN (my alma mater) loses a heartbreaker to Rutgers, the New York Yankees (I’m a diehard Red Sox fan) are on their way to buying another World Series, and somehow I really don’t care.  It is ironic how in a single moment life as you know it can change? Now my daily box scores are Complete Blood Counts, temperatures, and the amount of time my son can be unhooked from his pumps.  It’s just strange how “stuff” happens!

It’s 3:21am (really 4:21am) and once again I cannot sleep. It’s just impossible for any human with pulse and a brain to sleep in a hospital.  Nurse Sue just came into the room to inform me “Now’s the time we have to really start watching him (Brady) as his blood counts start to fall.”  Today is the last day of Chemo and so now it’s wait and see time. 

I hate this disease.  I want to kick the crap out of it.  I am so angry I could scream.  I want to grab it by its throat and choke it to death!  It’s not right for a baby to be this sick, not like this, it’s just not right.  I am just SO angry!!!  …And that my friends was; my little “hissy fit.” 

Now back to reality - My son Brady is amazing!  He is the only one of us dealing with this situation with poise and confidence. He will call for me and laugh and smile and melt your heart in a nano-second.  I know he’s my son and I know I am bias but he is just a remarkable child.  I could probably learn a lot from him.

It’s now 3:42 am and the cafeteria is about to close so I am off to get a cup of coffee.  Until next time please keep Brady in your thoughts and prayers.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009 9:05 PM, EST

Good evening to all our friends, family and fans of Brady.  Today was a very good day for Brady; his temperature and blood pressure are running normal, his CBC is doing what it’s supposed to do; go down.  His white blood count has dropped to 1.2 from 1.6 in 3 days and I am told it will most likely hit zero very soon. 

The real good news is; Brady has finished this cycle of chemotherapy.  Yea, Yea, Yea!!!  Now we wait and see if all this chemo insanity does its job and knocks the crap out of the bad blood cells.  Let’s have a Big Cheer for the Chemo!!!

Brady is currently sleeping and his Mom (the beautiful and wonderful) Miss Sherrie is home and hopefully resting.  She needs to take care of herself – Brady and I need her ever, ever so much.  We had a delightful dinner together (Chipotle salads) and we sent her home to get a good night sleep.  

Finally, Brady’s doctors are calling his leukemia a “one of a kind” type.  They will continue to treat it as AML sub-type M0 but we need to wait and see the results of this round of chemo before we can really stand up and cheer.  Rest assured Sherrie and I will do everything we can to cure Brady.  While it’s still early, we are in the process of evaluating various hospitals that specialize in pediatric bone marrow transplants just in case we have to go that route.  If anyone has any experience in this area please let us know.  Right now we are evaluating CHOP, MD Anderson, and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  If you have any suggestions please contact us immediately.  Use my email address if you want to keep your opinion private. 

Well I’m going to get ready to hit the sack; until next time, please keep Brady in your thoughts and prayers.