Stable...Stable...Stable...

My best Mother's day gift- Jake just had his most recent MRI on May 5th and his tumor remains stable. God is so good! We left for the weekend for some great family time to celebrate in Sonoma- was wonderful...

Next MRI in 12 weeks (August)..until then- PLAY!

The PORT is out....

Jake had surgery today at Stanford to remove his port. He was a little anxious this morning, asking to keep it in when we spoke with the surgeon prior to anesthesia, but after a quick chat he reluctantly said okay to having it removed. Then he asked to keep it once it was out- the surgeon said she would take a photo of it so he would have it forever- he agreed. His surgery lasted about an hour and then he recovered for a few hours and we are now back at home. He is on pain meds and sleeping peacefully. Doc said he should feel fine in a few days.

Glad this chapter is over... His next MRI is scheduled for Feb but we are taking it one day at a time...

“Thank you Heavenly Father for the guardian angels watching over Jake” (psalm 34:4)

12 months and STABLE...

Jake just had his most recent MRI on November 16th, 2009 and his tumor has remained stable since last November- God is so good! So good in fact that the doctors feel that we can remove his port December 11th. He will undergo surgery to remove the port at Lucille Packard at Stanford. Jake seems excited to have it removed but also has an attachment to it, almost like it identifies him- so we are praying that he adjusts well after the surgery. He will continue to have MRI's every 12 weeks for the next year. "All things are possible with God" (Luke 1:37)

We've also started down a new path on this adventure we call life and have moved to Palo Alto, CA to start a business development office for our company. Jake was at a good place in his treatment to transfer his care to the top pediatric neuro-oncologist at Stanford, Dr Paul Fisher. It has been a transition for all of us be we are settling in nicely and have already made some great friends and found a wonderful church. Jake started preschool last week and loves it. His new twin baby brothers will be born in about 6 weeks and we are all anticipating their arrival... "We thank you Lord, that you hold our lives in Your hands and You hold our feet to the path." (Psalm 66:9)

Closing another chapter- 12 months of chemo treatments are OVER!

We are celebrating today as Jake reaches another milestone- he has completed 12 months of treatments and the end of chemo!!! He will continue to have MRI's every 12 weeks to monitor the tumor activity but is free to live like all other 4 years olds!!! He starts preschool tomorrow and cant wait! God is good...

Thursday, August 13th....2009

Jake had an MRI this morning- his tumor has continued to remain stable and in a few slices of the scan it even looks as though it may have shrunk a mm or two. It continues to not show up in contrast. We are encouraged. He underwent his 11th course of chemo today and will have his 12th and final treatment on this course in Sept. He will have his next MRI in November and continue to have MRI's every 12 weeks until we see any change in the tumor. At that point we will start a new course of treatment. The docs hope it will remain stable for 2 years but it's all in the Lord's hands...

God is good!

Thanks for the continued prayers!

9th treatment and counting...

Jake underwent his 9th chemo treatment today and there wasn't a tear in sight...the little guy has such strength.  If the tumor remains stable for the next 4 months, they will stop after a full year in October.  He will continue to have MRI scans every 12 weeks to monitor the tumor.  He asked me today if "everyone had a port sometimes"?  I say no, not everyone sweetie, and then he confidently looked up at me and said "I know why- Jesus chose just me!"... A pain stabbed my heart and I fought the tears behind my eyes, but he couldn't be more right.  Jesus did choose him.  Jesus has a perfect plan in his life and he confidently trusts in Him.  Jake focuses on the truths he knows, and not on the unknowns...what a gift he is!

Wisdom from the Docs...

(6/10/09) We heard from Duke today regarding Jake's latest MRI report.  The team there is in complete agreement with both Johns Hopkins and Pittsburgh that the tumor has remained stable since last November (11/08) and to continue treatment as usual until his next MRI on 8/13/09.  Thank you Lord for providing the Docs with the wisdom they need to read these reports and that Jake is doing so well.  We are encouraged!  Till next time...