updates4

July 13, 2000-- The doctors have determined that the ALL is back. They say that chemotherapy wouldn't work this time around. The only option now is a bone marrow transplant. Mom and Tyler are going in Monday to have the test done. Pray that one is a match. Chance was given blood yesterday, and soon will be getting platelets because his count dropped from 93,000 to 18,000. The port was postponed until Monday. The bone marrow transplant has been talked about to take place in Oklahoma City, but depending on what happens in the future, it could be in Kansas City or Dallas. We are looking into setting up a trust fund for Chance. That and searching for ways to raise money to fund what lies ahead. A TV station in the Tulsa area did a segment on Chance and his leukemia, so we are looking into finding out if they can help us to raise money.

July 21, 2000-- Today, Dr. K announced that Chance was gonna be able to go home for the weekend. We also found out that 7 possible bone marrow donors were found. He has said that if 5 were found, then there was a good possibililty that one would match, but he found 7 so far. Chemo was given today and also another blood transfusion. The blood was given to up his counts even more for the weekend. His counts are staying pretty stable. We are looking at a bone marrow transplant in 6-8 weeks, but are not sure which city it will take place. Chance has been having a few really good days. The chemo hasn't kicked in yet, so he still has his hair. He even got to see the PUPPIES at the hospital. Tyler gave him a wagon ride out in the parking lot after they disconnected his IV for an hour. He absolutely loved it. He goes back to Tulsa on Tuesday for more chemo and tests, but he was thrilled to be home. He even got to swim a little in the pool. He loves the water!

July 25, 2000--Chance was running a low grade fever yesterday so he had to go back to Saint Francis in Tulsa a day early. A fever was one of the signs for them to take him back if it happened. Other than that, no news yet on what is going on with him.

July 28, 2000-- Chance got to go home again for the weekend. Goes back to Oklahoma on Tuesday for more chemo. He was thought to have had an infection when he went in this week, but it wasn't. It was the chemo that was kicking in and making him sick. I guess he is starting to lose his fine little blonde hair now. Poor guy. I was told that he is sleeping more and playing less these days. His parents are planning on going to Oklahoma City in a few weeks to talk to the bone marrow doctors there. Haven't heard if any of the 7 possible donors have been further tested. Will let you know when I hear more.

August 1, 2000--Today Chance is back at Saint Francis. It's a routine thing now on Tuesdays and Fridays to go in for more chemo and tests. Today he is getting a spinal tap done to see if any leukemia cells are found in the spinal fluid. If found in the spinal fluid, the leukemia cells can travel to the brain. So they do a spinal tap every once in awhile to check to make sure that nothing is found. He had a good day yesterday, laughing and playing.

August 10, 2000--Good news! Even though the chemo has kicked in, Chance is still in good spirits like he usually is. The chemo made him vomit for the first time the other day. And even with athlete's foot and mouth sores, he's still happy as can be. His counts are looking excellent...couldn't be more perfect. The doctors suspect that he is in remission, but will not definitely say until the tests have been ran. So, next week Chance will be admitted to Saint Francis for at least three days. They will do a spinal tap to see if they find any leukemia cells, and they will do some hardcore chemo during that time. They are also going to extract some bone marrow to get those tests started...preparing for the bone marrow transplant. Plus I believe they have to see if they can find any leukemia cells in his bone marrow.

His brother, Tyler, starts kindergarten this year. So with the bone marrow transplant being in Oklahoma City, the parents have decided to give temporary custody to his grandmother so that Tyler can start school. And because of insurance reasons, they are having to go with temporary custody and not just guardianship. So far it hasn't fazed Tyler a bit, he's just having fun. But they wanted to make sure he has a stable place to go to school and with the bone marrow transplant coming up, they weren't sure they could do that for him.

Chance got his first haircut. His parents wanted to have it cut so they could keep a lock of it before it all fell out. They knew if they didn't do it now, it might be a long time before they were able to get a lock of hair from his head. Dad says Chance looks like a little football player. The chemo and steroids are kicking in. He is gaining weight rapidly, and of course with the chemo, comes the round pudgy face.
Dad and Mom are calling him their Miracle Baby. They are continually amazed at how much he's been challenged with over the course of the past 2 years and how he just keeps fighting back. And they are also amazed at how perfect little Chancer is. So far, they haven't had to face any terrible two's. They his tantrums are cute tantrums. He doesn't get in trouble often, but if they are stern with him and say no, he pouts a cute pout by burying his head in his hands to become invisible. He's just too precious!

The doctors are amazed at how smart he is. They said because of all the chemo that normally it slows a childs mind. So far, besides from the growth stunts, it doesn't appear to have slowed Chance down too much.

He was diagnosed with reocurring ALL on July 8, 2000. So it has been just a hair over month since all this began. Happy birthday to Dad (Adam). Tomorrow, August 11, 2000 is Dad's 25th birthday!!!!!

August 16, 2000--Well, Chance is in the hospital this week getting all the tests done that he requires. Today, Thursday, is the day that they should know for certain if he is in remission. It has been said that if he is in remission, he will be in Oklahoma City getting ready for the transplant in 2-3 weeks. I'm not sure if that means he will have it in 2-3 weeks, or if he'll be there for preparation, etc... Will update again as soon as I find out the hard facts.