Sunday 1/14/01 - Thank you all for praying about Timothy's MRI and I apologize for not writing something sooner. The MRI showed all is clear of any mass or tumor (yeah!). Timothy will be seeing his Neurosurgeon Dr. Muhonen this coming Wed. 1/17 for an exam and to personally review the MRI films. The films will be reviewed to track how much fluid is in the brain. Please keep Timothy in your prayers. Thank you. Love, Ginny
Thursday 1/18/01 - Timothy's appointment with his Neurosurgeon yesterday went well. He is not concerned about the fluid build up at this point. Timothy has no symptoms of a problem (like headaches). For now we will watch it and check again on the next MRI in three months. Thank you for your continued prayer about this. We are thankful no intervention is needed. Today Timothy will have a clinic visit, more lab work and a Pentamidine treatment. The Pentamidine is given IV at the hospital. It takes about 2 hours, so no over night (Yippie). Love, Ginny
Monday 1/22/01 - When we were at the hospital last Thurs. we shared a room with a boy Timothy's age. It appeared that he was at the beginning of treatment/diagnosis (he still had hair). He was feeling awful and the curtain was drawn so we didn't visit much, but before we left, his Mother wanted her son to see Timothy. "He has the same diagnosis you do. See, he is okay. You will be fine. You will get better." This mother confirmed that her son has a brain tumor. I didn't know this when we went into the room, but the nurses must have told the family about Timothy to encourage them. Timothy was sad for the boy and remembers well what it was like those first few weeks, but glad he could encourage this family. We pray for Mikey. Love, Ginny
Sunday 1/28/01 - Timothy hasn't had to take any nausea medication for over a week. He has also been off of the Megase for one week. That is the medication that increased his appetite so he could gain his weight back. He is eating well and as long as his weight maintains, he won't have to take the Megase. Today Timothy will have lab work done, then tomorrow will be admitted to the hospital for Chemo. - Monday and Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers. Love, Ginny
Tuesday 1/30/01 - We just got home from Timothy's latest Chemo treatment. This Chemo is not the most powerful one, but this is the one that makes him the most nauseous. He has been sick most of the day, but glad to be home. Timothy had another hearing test today and his hearing is within the normal range! Again, we are so thankful. When I met with Timmy's Oncologist today, she said once again that almost always, at this point in treatment, there is loss of high pitch hearing. Another praise - Timothy weighed in at 80 lbs! Just 1 lb less than his starting weight. And that's with being off of his Megase medication - so he is doing well. Please do not let this latest news stop you in praying - there is still a long road ahead. Love, Ginny
Friday 2/2/01 - Timothy continues to be nauseous and is eating much less because he doesn't feel well. He has a clinic appointment Monday and will get weighed. I am hoping this week won't cause him to lose too much weight. Timothy will also have lab work done and more Chemo Monday. Love, Ginny
Monday 2/5/01 - Timothy told me this morning that he didn't think his labwork would be very good
He is getting good and knowing how he feels, and unfortunately, he was right. His counts are down. Timothy is still really nauseous and was sick several times today. He has mostly sustained himself this week with root beer floats. That's the only thing that has sounded remotely good. He's down to 75 lbs. The doctor wants to wait before starting him back on the Megase. This may just be a bad week. They are having me hydrate Timothy through his IV at home for 16 hours today and 16 hours tomorrow. Hopefully this will make him feel a little better. Timothy got more (a different type) chemo today. Thank you for praying. Love, Ginny