April 25, 2006

Hello Everyone,

The last two weeks have been busy for me. I am beginning to think about having our daughter now that I have reached nine months. A little late, now I'm rushing to get everything ready for her. I'm excited to see pinks, dresses and flowers. My pre-labor contractions have begun. She has finally got my attention. Gabriel and Adreille will have to compromise with each other. Presently, if Gabriel is not in my arms he is upset. I'm holding him now.

Gabriel received the higher dose of MTX, IT MTX, VIN and PEG about two weeks ago. The doctors told me giving a few of the chemos together would cause him to get sicker. Thankfully, he only had one day of vomiting. Last week he was do for another increased dose of chemo, but his ANC was very low. Average ANC 2000-6600, 500 was needed to receive Chemo and Gabriel's was 221. I was disturbed by him being unable to receive the higher dose because his ANC dropped from 4900 to 221. Which indicates the chemo is working, it's strong and Gabriel needs recovery time. We go to the hospital today to see if his counts have recovered enough to receive the chemo. If not, they will have to skip the dose and begin with the new phase on the schedule of his protocol. If they have recovered he will receive the chemo at one dose less than the dose which caused his count to lower (instead of 250 receiving 150).

Gabriel's weight is still a concern. The medicine we started him on this weekend is the last resort before a feeding tube. His protein levels have decreased with the chemo. If his weight or protein have not come up it is important they insert the tube.

Gabriel has been a little cranky because the new med has given him a diaper rash among other things. His vocabulary is picking up quickly. Gabriel says "kisses" and gives us a kisses. He models Justin by trying to climb up slides and other things. He's smart and sneaky. As Steve says, "Gabriel knows how to get what he wants."

In a previous email I mentioned a baby named Elijah and his sister Miracle. Last week, Miracle received another major surgery going unconscious twice. Meanwhile, Trina (their mother) was told that Elijah's cancer had relapsed and the cancer cells are rapidly increasing. Three weeks ago Elijah began getting lumps all over his body from head to eyelids and so on. The lumps are a fungus under the skin and could become cancerous.

The doctors told her Children's Hospital has only three choices they can give her, but in his case no matter what she decides he may die. Her choices -- to do nothing, to give him a chemo therapy they my kill him or to relocate her and all seven of her children to St. Jude's in TN where they can try experimental chemos. St. Judas can only provide transportation and housing for her and Elijah. Trina was an orphan, has no family, and is a single mother with only government assistance. As she told me," Whatever God's will is He will provide the resources for her family." She knows her son is healed and I believe that as well.

Elijah confuses the doctors because he has remained happy through it all. He'll have a fever of 105 while he's laughing and playing. Test in the past would show one thing and come back normal. Elijah is a testimony, Miracle is a testimony. Tomorrow Trina has to give the doctors her decision regarding Elijah. Please pray with me God make it clear to her what is best for him and her family. Also, God will provide the resources for them to go to TN if that is best.

Thank you again and again,
Angela