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� Register at the ABDR level with the National Marrow Donor Program

3'11" and growing! � Dear everyone, We're finally getting our feet back under us after the incredibly powerful weekend when Travis' donor, Marge, was here to celebrate one year of life -- post bone marrow transplant. Click Here to see pictures. As icing on the cake after that high point, Travis has now had his one-year medical work-up with very positive results so far! We are SO encouraged. In fact, the clinic staff was truly amazed that not only had Travis NOT begun the downward curve on the growth scale, but he's gone UP! Apparently, for most of the bone marrow kids, this is almost unprecedented. So, Travis is eeking his way to 4 feet tall, right in there with all the other 6 year-old first grade kids. Yahooooo! The test results we've received so far were holding strong, too. Counts: White blood cell 3.8, Hemoglobin 12.1, Platelets 136 and Creatinine .7. News flash -- Joe just told me the clinic called today and reported another test result -- Travis is still showing 100% donor cells (THANK YOU, THANK YOU Marge!) -- no cancer! Now THAT is the best news of all. Huge smiles here! Travis' eyes checked out great as well, as did the CT scan, pulmonary test, psych test and Echocardiogram. And best of all sweet Travis made it through these grueling 2 days of tests with great spirits (staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Milwaukee was a big treat for him). Unbelievably, his next checkup is in November (our first checkup free month). In the meantime, Travis begins his immunization shots again, since he has a new "baby" immune system in need of catching up.

More news after a year and a half since diagnosis and our original "wish conversation", we have a "wish update" that has unfolded over this last 2 months or so. In some of the recent interviews, Travis had been asked about his wish and as before, he stated that his wish was to go to Israel. You may remember that Travis had this strong wish shortly after diagnosis in May 1998, and he'd said he chose Israel so he could put a prayer in the Western Wall to God. We were all so moved and awed by such a deep, spiritual wish. And in fact, thinking and talking about this wish was an incredibly powerful motivator for Travis when he was in the hospital for the transplant. Fast forward to now -- an energetic, happy and feeling-healthy 6 year old boy When Travis was recently asked about his wish, he was more hesitant and said he wanted this wish because he thought it made his mom and dad happy. Of course, we IMMEDIATELY sat down and talked about this, reminding Travis that if any wish is granted at all, it must be what HE wants, not what anyone else thinks is good or important. After we assured Travis that it wasn't too late to change his wish, he shyly looked up and said, "Then I'd like go to Disneyworld!". And across the bed where we were cuddling, Spencer pumped his fist in the air and shouted "YES!". It was SO sweet -- and so interesting to reflect upon. Here was this VERY ill child, choosing to get as close to God as he could imagine, putting a prayer in the Wall in Israel. And now, we were blessed with this "normal" young boy, just wanting to play and celebrate and have fun with his brother and parents. Amazingly, we were rather relieved, as this felt like it symbolized a shift in thinking for Travis and for us. So, after a few conversations to change wish gears, Chai Lifeline (who is aligned with Make-A-Wish) got us in touch with MAW to start the Disney wish process. The generous and kind volunteers were at our home last weekend, bearing gifts and ballooons for the boys and interviewing them about what they'd most like to have for a wish (place to go, person to meet, thing to have, or person to be). Of course, Disney won out. (It is officially Travis' wish, but both boys discussed their wants together.) So, the wish administration is now in gear and we await approval for a possible trip in January. It feels so strange to be a recipient of this generosity, but as I've learned from many other parents of kids with cancer, the power of a wish is unbelievable. And we know firsthand how much BOTH Travis and Spencer deserve this delight after a year from hell. More on this as things develop.

Final news, this past weekend our temple held a blood drive. I'd been turned down the couple of years or so when I'd tried to donate, due to low iron. But I figured I'd try again, especially now, since we so know the tremendous gift this is to those in need. Much to my surprise, my blood showed healthy and strong. The key to this story is that over the last 6 months, I'd been going to Weight Watchers to start eating healthy (as part of the "take care of yourself " lesson I'd so strongly learned out of necessity after the transplant intensity had passed) and try to get into shape. So, less 30 lbs. later (I've hit my goal -- yippee!), here I was, donating blood, due to the fact that I'd been eating healthier and retaining iron in my body more effectively. Here I was, taking care of myself so I could take care of my kids better (AND to just FEEL better) and now I truly was able to help others at the same time. Make sense? I was feeling so emotional at being able to donate blood. What a difference a year makes. Whew Now I have to get my guts up to donate platelets, like Joe does every month. He's so great about that. So, the good news keeps continuing. Spencer is doing SO well, adjusting to school and "life with a rug under him". He is still dealing with issues and feelings that developed out of our last year's experience, but overall, this special child is doing great. Man, we just can't ask for more

Thanks, everyone, for your love and caring. And Marge, thank you. We think about you all the time!

Love,

Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer

P.S. We asked our Rabbi to take Travis' name off the list of those in need of healing to be mentioned at services each week. While his journey is far from over, Travis is doing tremendously well. Now it's time to focus on others who need these prayers!

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