Nani/SheriRUth/Gentylwind Update

[brenniebear]

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas.

I am continuing to pray for your little boy and keep you all in my thoughts.

Do you need anything?

[Screamer]

Sheri,

I have lived on these words since August:


In the end everything will be ok. If it is not ok it is not the end.

I hope you too can find a little comfort in them.

Mi

[wannalose]

I have struggled and struggled with what to post and what to say. My heart just wishes I could make him better. He is in my prayers. Just know that. I am not normally a praying person, but I'll give it a try for Joseph.

Edited - to add a feww hugs!!

[Mootzee]

Nani, just to let you know, I've been spreading the word around to other groups that I'm involved with. You and Joseph are surrounded by prayer and loving thoughts. Hang in there!

*sending you a special email*

[Abbey32]

Great news on the good day Kids are so strong huh?
I may have missed it, but where do we send the things if we purchase anything? And...what does MOM need? I know MOM needs and loves things too



edit-Never mind...got the info from Emily

[EmilyBlanche]

UPDATE

YAY! Joseph had a good day today. Eating and sitting up. he's feeling/looking/ and acting better than yesterday.

The prayers and good thoughts are working.

Let me tell ya, bein the middle man here, i am really getting a chance to see that you guys are really incredible. There are some fantastic people on this board, and I can't tell you how awesome it is to see.

[Alania]

YES!! I am so glad Joseph is feeling better! I know that all of our prayers and love are reaching the little guy.

[tennhoneybee]

Keeping those prayers going heavenward constantly!! Glad he feels better tonight. Hope Nani gets some rest.

[gentylwind]

I am headed to the hospital for the night. Just read through all your posts and PMs again for strength. So much fear, so much hope, so much determination all through me right now. I am exhausted... dropped eight pounds in three days. Stress burns fat. Whodathunkit.

Please, if anyone is sending anything, be sure to please please please include your home address. There will be many many long days at the hospital and I will have plenty of time to thank each of you properly..and very much want to.

Love you all.

[mzmawissa]

That's wonderful news!I pray he continues to progress on his road to healing!

[Heab]

More

[Racquel]

Sheri -- just got on the bb and saw this ... so glad that he's doing better. Want to let you know that I've been thinking of and praying for you and Joseph. Please know you're in my thoughts daily.

[ohboyx3]

Hang in there Nani...We are all with you...you will never be alone through this...

[Nancy Pancy]

Sheri, there are no words to express the sorrow, hope and determination we are feeling for you and your family. Your strength and courage is to be admired, as always. You are a true inspiration, Woman!

[Groovycadreamr]

Very happy to hear he is doing better and his spirit is up

[momof3boys]

so happy it's a better day than the last couple. Maybe all of our prayers are helping! Hope he continues to improve.

[chassiepooh]

Sheri, It was nice to log in today, and hear wonderful news about Joseph. I have had him on my mind all day, praying, hoping, that when I got home, that only good news would be here.

You are an amazing woman, I admire you.

You have a lot of support here.

[EmpyreanDream]

Sheri...I am just popping in and just realized what is going on. My prayers and energy are with you and Joseph and the rest of your family.

Have you heard (or did I miss it in the other posts?) what the prognosis is on a crossmatch with your other children?

[AriAnne]

Keeping a prayer candle lit for this precious child.

[xfatchik]

[emmie]

Continued prayers for your little one - and all of your children. This has got to be so hard on the family. When will you get a break?! Our best friends had a child with leukemia (don't know the kind) and he is now a healthy and happy child. I'm confident that you'll be in the same place in a very short while. Hang in there!

[AnnaBanana]

[mmmommmy]

My heart broke when I read it was the AML, but I felt much better to hear that he is feeling better, eating, etc. What a wonderful young man Joseph must be! Please give him a hug from me. I, too would like to send him a surprise!

Nani, I have a son with Asperger's - and he has also had other medical problems. These children are so special and so loving. I know it sounds weird, but, (at least in my son's case) they seem to handle adversity well and even be stronger after the battle! My heart and prayers will stay with you and your family.

[Stormyskies]

I've been gone for a few days, and the first thing I did was run in here to see the update. I'm sorry to hear that it's AML, but I'm glad that's he's responding well. My heart goes out to Joseph and you, Sheri. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you and your family. Please know that my prayers for your precious son will continue.

[EmilyBlanche]

Joseph had another good day yesterday, he was even able to eat a whole milk shake.

Sometime this week Sheri will have results (chomasomal something or other..) as to just how acute this situation is. Let's pray it is the least severe case possible so that Joseph can see a full speedy recovery.

Post more

[EmilyBlanche]

From Sheri -

Update

Not sure where to put these...in the sticky where it won't be disruptive, ,or out here where y'all will see it.

Saw his oncologist this morning (GREAT people taking care of him). His WBC count is down to 56,000....when we started it was 180,000, so that is good. Yesterday and today are what he calls a "honeymoon" period...he feels better because the cancer is dying and the level of chemo in his body is not yet toxic, has not yet knocked other systems off track completely. Next week is going to be tough from all they tell me to expect.

He is already not as good today as yesterday, though still considerably better than he was. He has stopped eating completely and they will start nutrition through his IV line tomorrow. He is sleepy, a little crankier today. His lymph nodes hurt him badly today, particularly his groin nodes, enough to warrant pain medication every two hours now. When I left today his neck was beginning to hurt as well.

Last night was tough, not so much from a cancer point of view as from the reality setting in/emotional point of view for both Joseph and I. Nothing brings out fear like nighttime setting in on your child's hospital room. He was exhausted last night from all the playing he did yesterday in bed, and all he wanted was to sleep. But he was finishing up a chemo dose and then needed a blood transfusion, which brings with it a host of visits, tests, checks by the nurses, requirements to void every four hours, eye drops every four hours to prevent eye infection etc. Joseph broke down and wept and begged me to take him home. Needless to say, I broke down and wept with him. Eventually we got things to where he got a solid four hours of sleep...did another round of checks as he finished up the transfusion and then he got another three to four. He was better in spirit this morning and is still trying to be a goofy nut. His lungs are collapsed at the bottom lobes on both sides, so he requires oxygen much of the time. Joseph has learned to monitor this for himself and when the sensor starts to go off that his blood oxygen level is low he will grab the oxygen mask himself and put it over his face. He then usually will look up at me and cross his eyes and pretend it is sucking his face off.

So spirits are still good right now. I don't know how much he is comprehending at this time. Everything is discussed in front of him and the word cancer is used freely by all, which the child psychologists caring for him say is best. But he asks no questions and told me yesterday to tell his brother the cancer is going away and he will never feel that bad again. I have to think at this point in time his brain simply takes in as much as it can accept. I am sure any day now he is going to realize he is not going home any time soon. We'll be lucky if he is home by Thanksgiving.

Seeing the other patients is hard. Seeing their family members is hard. I think Joseph is the youngest victim on the bone marrow transplant ward. Last night a patient in another room had a bad accident from chemo effects. It could be smelled all through the ward, with the indescribable scent of chemo tinged into it. I could not even be grossed out as much as frightened by it.

I am focusing completely now on one day at a time. I start trying to think forward, as is natural, and go into a panic. There is nothing but today anymore.

Thank you for all your prayers. AliMay and Splenda took me to lunch today and brought so many things from all of you, generous donations and gifts that I am frankly humbled by and speechless. You are such good, good people. I hope to have the opportunity to thank each and every one of you.

Love you all.

[Shirrell]

You, Joseph and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I think of you often during the day and send up a prayer that all will be well. A candle is lit, as always for Joseph.
Funny, but not, how those of us that doesn't know you, have never met you think of you and pray, send good vibes, light a candle for you and your family. Hoping that you can find some refuge here with your "online family".
We love you, girl and we are here for you. I just wish I lived closer.

[Kim]

I've not been here in awhile... but I'm glad I checked in today.

Sheri, Joseph is in my prayers.

I am in complete awe at all you've been going through... and in spite of it all, you seem to be hanging in there, doing the right thing, trying to stay tough. I'm praying for your continued strength and for serenity when things seem like they're too much to handle.

Know I will continue to keep you, Joseph and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[catzrule]

Sending up for Joseph.

Nani, your strength and Joseph's resolve astound me. He will get through this!

[Jai]

I am so sorry! Sending lots of prayers for your son, you, and your family!